 Vote Hemp Update 2016 - version 4 as of July 2016
Download a free copy of the Vote Hemp Update with the latest information on federal and state hemp legislation including cosponsors of H.R. 525 and S. 134, a 2015 crop report and updates on hemp legislative activity. Click here to download.
2014 Farm Bill - President Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014 on February 7, 2014 including Section 7606 known as "Legitimacy of Industrial Hemp Research." Section 7606 defines industrial hemp (Cannabis plants containing 0.3% or less THC by weight) and authorizes institutions of higher education or state department's of agriculture in states that legalized hemp cultivation to conduct research and pilot programs.
Key Hemp Provision Added to the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016
Vote Hemp lobbied for the addition of new language that would protect the transportation, processing and sale of hemp from Farm Bill compliant pilot programs. Sen. McConnell was successful in adding this provision to the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2016 and it reads:
SEC. 763. None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act may be used-
(1) in contravention of section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940); or
(2) to prohibit the transportation, processing, sale, or use of industrial hemp that is grown or cultivated in accordance with subsection section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, within or outside the State in which the industrial hemp is grown or cultivated.
Click here to download a copy.
Letter to USDA Regarding Hemp Research
Vote Hemp worked with members of Congress to get a bipartisan letter to USDA urging them to clarify their positon on funding of hemp research and reminding them that Congress supported hemp research when it included Sec. 7606
in the Farm Bill. The letter was signed by 14 Senators and 36 Congressmen.
H.R. 2578 - The FY 2016 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Act
Senate CJS Industrial Hemp Amendments Adopted
Sen. Tester (D-MT) presented amendment to prohibits funds for DOJ to contravene section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 relating to industrial hemp. Senate amendment passed with unanimous consent. No recorded vote
House CJS Industrial Hemp Amendments Adopted
Rep. Massie (R-KY) - An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used in contravention of section 7606 ("Legitimacy of Industrial Hemp Research") of the Agricultural Act of 2014 by the Department of Justice or the Drug Enforcement Administration." The amendment was adopted on a vote of 289-132
Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) - An amendment numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to prevent a State from implementing its own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of industrial hemp. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 282 - 146
Rep. Perry (R-PA) - An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to take any action to prevent a State from implementing any law that makes it lawful to possess, distribute, or use cannabidiol oil. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 297 - 130
H.R. 4660 - The FY 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Act
House CJS Industrial Hemp Amendments Adopted
Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) – The amendment prohibits funding for DOJ to prevent a state from implementing laws to authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of industrial hemp. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 237-170.
Rep. Massie (R-KY) – The amendment prohibits funds for DOJ to contravene section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 relating to industrial hemp. The amendment was adopted on a vote of 246-162.
Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on Industrial Hemp
The CRS has an excellent non-partisan report on industrial hemp which is used by members of Congress. Download a copy of the 2015 CRS report on hemp below.
RL32725 - CRS Report on Industrial Hemp - Feb. 2, 2015
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