The Alaska State Senate passed a bill that would allow for a more permanent industrial hemp program. Senate Bill 27 would provide for additional business opportunities for industrial hemp and for more broad interstate commerce of Alaska-grown and manufactured hemp products.
Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes of Palmer, “Probably the most important thing about this bill that members will want to know is that it is going to allow the industrial hemp program to be permanent rather than a pilot program. That’s due to changes at the federal level. The application for that has to be done by October of this year. I think that it will allow those that are interested an increasing number to make some decisions and investment decisions and land decisions regarding growing hemp. Another thing that is important about this and coming into compliance with federal law is that it will allow interstate commerce of Alaska-grown and manufactured hemp products. In China, it’s a multi-billion dollar industry and Canada is number two on the globe with producing industrial hemp. I believe, it may not be the magic bullet to our economic and fiscal challenges, but it’s just one more way to diversify our economy and if it’s doing so well in Canada with our similar climate, there is definitely potential.”
In 2018, the Legislature passed a bill that established a state Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Later that year, Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which changed the federal requirements for the industrial hemp market.
Senate Bill 27 unanimously passed the Senate and is now on its way to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.