Pubdate: Thu, 27 Mar 2014
Source: Omaha World-Herald (NE)
Copyright: 2014 Omaha World-Herald Company
Contact:  http://www.omaha.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/320
Author: Martha Stoddard, World-Herald Bureau

NEBRASKA SENATORS OK BILL THAT ALLOWS GROWING INDUSTRIAL HEMP FOR
RESEARCH

Lincoln - Nebraska lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would dip the
state's toes into industrial hemp production.

Legislative Bill 1001, passed 39-2, would allow the University of
Nebraska and State Department of Agriculture to grow industrial hemp
for research.

The measure, introduced by Sen. Norm Wallman of Cortland, mirrors the
new federal farm bill, which makes such research an exception to
federal drug laws.

Industrial hemp is a close plant cousin to marijuana but has very
little of the high-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Supporters say it could be a good alternative crop for Nebraska
farmers and could be used to produce a multitude of products.
Opponents worry that legalizing industrial hemp would be a step toward
legalizing marijuana. 
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