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"SB 676 will provide an additional crop option for Kern County farmers and other agricultural growers in California, while providing safeguards to ensure full transparency and oversight in the production process," said Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood. "The requirements for crops to be a minimum of five acres with identifiable signage and requirements for lab analysis reports indicating the THC content in the crops will assist law enforcement in clearly distinguishing the crop from marijuana."
Hemp has a deep history in the U.S. The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria crossed the Atlantic with sails made of hemp, and both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp, which was legal tender until the early 1800s. Today, industrial hemp is used to manufacture a vast array of foods, clothing, personal care products and building materials. The nation’s hemp market is currently valued at $400 million annually, and more than 55% of the U.S. hemp product companies are based in California.
“This bill allows farmers in Kings County and other select areas in the state to evaluate the opportunities associated with limited hemp production in California, while providing important safeguards for public safety,” said Kings County Sheriff David Robinson. “I strongly support this important step in giving our farmers another crop option and a new economic opportunity to help create jobs during these difficult economic times.”
SB 676 now returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote before heading to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk.
