To date, thirty-one states have introduced pro-hemp legislation and ninenteen have passed pro-hemp legislation.

Nine states (Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia) have defined industrial hemp as distinct and removed barriers to its production.

Three states (Hawaii, Kentucky, and Maryland) have passed bills creating commissions or authorizing research.

Nine states have passed hemp resolutions: California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont and Virginia.

Eight states have passed hemp study bills: Arkansas, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Vermont. Many other states have done studies without legislative directive. A complete list of state study bill legislation and state studies may be found on our Study Bill page.

State legislators and representatives of farm policy organizations, for more information about passing a resolution in support of industrial hemp or a hemp study bill please see our Hemp Resolution and Study Bill pages.

2013 Legislative Session - U.S. State

Please click here to check to see if there are any action alerts to write or call in support of state hemp legislation in your state.

So far in the 2013 legislative season industrial hemp legislation has been introduced in twenty states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. Industrial hemp legislation is expected to be introduced in at least one more state as well: Wisconsin.

Alabama had a hemp definition and drug policy bill introduced on 1/15/2013. HB 550, the Alabama Cannabis and Hemp Reform Act of 2013, defines industrial hemp and sets a date, July 1, 2014, by which the Legislature shall enact legislation governing the cultivation, processing, and sale of industrial hemp. (Bill has many drug policy components as well.)

California had a hemp farming bill, SB 566, introduced in the Senate. An act to add Division 24 (commencing with Section 81000) to, and to repeal Section 81003 of, the Food and Agricultural Code, and to amend Section 11018 of, and to add Section 11018.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp. Introduced on 2/22/13. Another hemp farming bill, AB 1137, introduced in the Assembly. An act to amend Section 11018 of, and to add Section 11018.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp. Introduced on 2/22/13.

Colorado had a bill, SB13-241, concerning the creation of a program in the Department of Agriculture to regulate industrial hemp production introduced on 4/1/2013.

Hawaii had four hemp bills introduced this session. SB 695 allows private funded industrial hemp research to be conducted under certain conditions, etc. Introduced on 1/18/2013. HB 154 is an industrial hemp remediation pilot program bill and HR 6 and HCR 3 are resolutions directed towards the President and the state's Congressional delegation.

Illinois had a hemp farming bill, HB 2668, introduced on 2/21/2013. Creates the Industrial Hemp Act. Provides that any person desiring to grow, process, cultivate, harvest, process, possess, sell, or purchase industrial hemp or industrial hemp related products must be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that the application for a license shall include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used to grow or process industrial hemp and that the license shall be valid for a period of one year. Requires an applicant to complete a statewide and nationwide criminal background check. Provides that no person with a prior felony conviction within 10 years of applying for a license shall be eligible for licensure. Preempts home rule.
Introduced, first reading, and referred to the House Rules Committee on 2/21/2013.

Indiana had a hemp farming and drug policy bill introduced on 1/15/2013. SB 580 authorizes the licensed cultivation and production of industrial hemp in accordance with rules adopted by the department of agriculture. (The bill has many drug policy components as well.) Also, a study bill. SR 31, was introduced on 1/14/2013.

Iowa had a hemp farming bill, SF 264, introduced on 2/26/2013. An Act providing for the production and marketing of industrial hemp, and providing for penalties. Introduced and referred to Agriculture committee on 2/26/2013.

Kentucky had a pair of hemp farming bills introduced in the House and Senate. SB 50 was introduced on 1/11/2013 and and HB 33 was introduced on 1/8/2013. These bills have the support of Agriculture Commissioner James Comer, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hemp Commission, some of the Kentucky Congressional delegation, and group of bipartisan state legislators. SB 50 was allowed to become law on 4/5/2013 by Governor Beshear by not signing or vetoing the bill.

Maine had a bill, LD 525, which amends the state's hemp farming law introduced on 2/15/2013. This bill removes the requirements that an applicant for an initial license to grow industrial hemp for commercial purposes must submit a set of the applicant's fingerprints and file with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry documentation indicating that the seeds planted were a type and variety of hemp approved by the commissioner and also repeals the provision that licensure is contingent upon action by the Federal Government. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on 2/19/2013.

Maryland had a bill, HB 1453, introduced on 02/21/2013. Defines industrial hemp and authorizes the licensed cultivation and production of industrial hemp in accordance with rules adopted by the department of agriculture. (The bill has many drug policy components as well.) First Reading and assigned to the Rules and Executive Nominations commiettee on 02/21/2013.

Massachusetts had a hemp farming bill, H.823, introduced on 1/22/2013. An Act regulating the cultivation of Industrial Hemp. Referred to Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture on 1/22/2013.

Minnesota had a hemp farming bill, HF 230, introduced on 1/31/2013. Industrial hemp industry development and regulation, and possession and cultivation of industrial hemp defense provided for; rulemaking authorized; and marijuana definition modified. Its Senate companion bill is SF 1153, whcich was introduced on 3/7/2013.
Another hemp farming bill, HF 736, was introduced on 2/20/2013. The Senate companion bill to it is SF 1590, whcich was introduced on 4/11/2013.

Missouri had a hemp farming bill, SB 358, introduced on 2/20/2013. This act exempts industrial hemp, which is defined as cannabis sativa L. containing no greater than one percent THC, from the definition of marijuana and the list of controlled substances. In addition, this act specifies that it is legal for any person who has not been convicted of any drug-related offense to grow and cultivate industrial hemp. Under this act, the burden of proof is on the defendant to prove that a substance is industrial hemp and not a controlled substance.

New Hampshire had an industrial hemp definition bill, HB 153, introduced on 1/3/2013. The bill simply states that "Industrial hemp shall not be designated as a controlled substance." Passed the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee by a vote of 17 to 2, Ought to Pass (OTP) on 2/19/2013.

New Jersey had an industrial hemp farming bill, A2415, introduced on 2/6/2012. Also, a resolution, AR54, urging the President and Congress to enact the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011" and each NJ member of Congress to sponsor the legislation and work for its enactment was introduced 2/6/2012. Both bills are carried over from 2012.

Oregon had a cannabis taxation and regulation bill, HB 3371, introduced on 2/25/2013. Relating to the Control, Regulation and Taxation of Cannabis Act; prescribing an effective date; providing for revenue raising that requires approval by a three-fifths majority. Provides for regulation of production, processing and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products. There are provisions for hemp licensing in this bill.

Pennsylvania had a cannabis regulation bill, SB 528, introduced on 4/3/2013. An Act providing for personal use of marijuana, for lawful operation of marijuana-related facilities, for general powers of the board, for regulation of marijuana and for employers, minors and control of property; and making related repeals. The bill has an industrial hemp component as well.

Vermont had a bill, S 157, which amends the state's hemp farming law introduced on 3/19/2013. S 157 was passed by the Senate on 3/28/2013. Also, H 490, which amends the state's hemp farming law was introduced on 3/1/2013 and S 29, which amends the state's hemp farming law introduced on 1/15/2013.

Washington had an industrial hemp study bill, SB 5222, introduced on 1/23/2013. Requires Washington State University to study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in the state. Also, an industrial hemp farming bill, HB 1888, was introduced on 2/14/2013.

West Virginia had an industrial hemp farming bill, HB 3011, introduced on 3/20/2013. Removes the provision that requires an applicant to meet federal requirements concerning the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp prior to being licensed.

113th Congress - U.S. Federal

Two industrial hemp bills have been introduced in the 113th Congress so far. H.R. 525, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013," was introduced in the U.S. House on February 6, 2013 by Rep. Tom Massie. A companion bill, S. 359, was introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 14, 2013 by Senator Ron Wyden. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is an original cosponsor. The bills define industrial hemp, exclude it from the definition of "marihuana" in the Controlled Substances Act, and gives states the exclusive authority to regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp under state law. Please see our Federal Legislation page for much more information.

2012 Legislative Session - U.S. State

Colorado had a bill, HB12-1099, to authorize an industrial hemp remediation pilot program to study phytoremediation introduced on 1/18/2012. Signed by Governor on 6/4/2012.

Hawaii had a trio of hemp bills introduced this session. SB 2890 was introduced on 1/25/2012, HB 1820 was introduced on 1/18/2012, and HB 1727 was introduced on 1/18/2012, too. All three bills died in committee.

Illinois had a hemp farming bill, HB 5757, introduced on 2/16/2012.

Kentucky also had a trio of hemp bills introduced this session. HB 286 was introduced on 1/19/2012; HB 272 was introduced on 1/18/2012; and SB 41 was introduced on 1/3/2012. HB 286 was introduced at the urging of Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and has the backing of numerous legislators and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The bills had no action taken on them. We expect this lack of legislative action to change next year because of the work of the Kentucky Hemp Commission and Agriculture Commissioner James Comer.

New Hampshire had an industrial hemp definition bill, HB 1615, introduced on 1/4/2012. A public hearing will be held on 2/7/2012. Also, a resolution urging the federal government to allow the cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes, HR 20, was introduced 1/4/2012. A public hearing was be held on 1/17/2012. HB 1615 passed the House and was held over for interim study by the Senate. HR 20 was passed by the House the House clerk forwarded copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, the attorney general of the United States, the administrator of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, and to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

New Jersey had an industrial hemp farming bill, A2415, introduced on 2/6/2012. Also, a resolution, AR54, urging the President and Congress to enact the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011" and each NJ member of Congress to sponsor the legislation and work for its enactment was introduced 2/6/2012.

New Mexico had an industrial hemp farming bill, HB 62, introduced on 1/13/12. It died in committee.

Vermont had an industrial hemp amendment added to a bill, H. 747, which was introduced on 2/1/2012. The bill took three months to pass both houses of the legislature, which allowed the needed time to add the hemp amendment, and was signed by Governor Shumlin on 5/5/2012.

Voter initiatives were passed in Colorado, Amendment 64, and Washington, Initiative 502, that define hemp as distinct from marijuana under state law. Vote Hemp endorsed the hemp language in Amendment 64 and is looking forward to working with hemp supporters, state legislators, and farmers to get hemp planted in the very near future. The Colorado legislature is now tasked with creating enabling legislation to regulate hemp farming and is expected to do so in 2013. Vote Hemp plans to help fund a lobbyist to assist in getting legislation passed which represents the best interests of farmers and businesses.

112th Congress - U.S. Federal

Two federal hemp bills were introduced in Congress in the 112th Congress. H.R. 1831, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2011," was introduced in the U.S. House on May 12, 2011 and S. 3501, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2012," was introduced in the U.S. Senate on 8/2/2012. The bills exclude industrial hemp from the definition of "marihuana" in the Controlled Substances Act and gives states the exclusive authority to regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp under state law. Neither bill received committee hearings or floor votes in the 112th Congress. Both bills are expected to be reintroduced in the 113th Congress in early to mid 2013. Please see our Federal Legislation page for much more information.

All state hemp bills and resolutions introduced since 1995 are listed in the chart below the clickable map of the United States.