The Drug Enforcement Administration had classified hemp as a controlled substance because an average plant contains small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinols, or THC, the same drug that gives marijuana its intoxicating effect.
Analysts from the Office of National Drug Control Policy said there are also concerns that hemp farms could be used to hide marijuana plants.
But the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2004 that the DEA did not have authority to regulate hemp. Still, Leno said it remains unclear if states have the authority to let farmers cultivate the plants.
Processed hemp imported from other countries is sold throughout the U.S. for manufacturing products. A hemp trade group estimated the annual retail market in the U.S. at $270 million.
A number of states have already passed laws aimed at allowing hemp farming, including Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
Although the vote Thursday in the Assembly was largely along party lines, Republican Chuck DeVore of Irvine joined Leno as a co-author.
“This measure does not allow the cultivation of marijuana,” DeVore said. “All we are doing is legalizing in the United States what is already being done in 30 different nations.”
The Global Hemp provides the value-added information for those interested in learning more about hemp.
marketing@alchempro.com
