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SACRAMENTO – Legislation that would allow the cultivation of industrial hemp in four California counties has passed the Assembly with a bipartisan, 46-19 vote. Senate Bill 676, authored by Senator Mark Leno, allows California farmers to grow industrial hemp for the legal sale of seed, oil and fiber to manufacturers. The bill creates a four-county pilot program in Imperial, Kern, Kings and San Joaquin, giving California the opportunity to start a successful hemp industry in the Central Valley.
“Hundreds of consumer products containing hemp are made in California, but the manufacturers of these goods are forced to import hemp seed, oil and fiber from growers in Canada, Europe and China,” said Sen. Leno (D-SF). “Family farmers are missing out on a golden opportunity to grow hemp, which can help expand their businesses, create jobs and stimulate the economy,” he said. “In addition, hemp requires little to no pesticides and herbicides, is a great rotational crop, and grows quickly with less water, making it an ideal commodity for our state.”
SB 676 is co-sponsored by Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp. It is also supported by the Kern and Kings County Sheriffs, Kings County Board of Supervisors, Imperial County Farm Bureau, California Certified Organic Farmers, California State Grange and numerous labor and business groups.
