Bill Would Allow Growing Hemp In California
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- California could grow industrial hemp instead of importing it from other nations if a bill approved by the state Assembly becomes law.
The bill won bipartisan support Wednesday from lawmakers who say it would create jobs and help farmers without violating federal marijuana laws.
Assemblyman Chris Norby, a Republican from Fullerton, says "this bill is about rope, not dope."
It would prohibit any crop with more than a fraction of 1 percent of the drug contained in marijuana.
The bill, SB676, by Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco, would allow the crop to be grown for eight years in Imperial, Kern, Kings and San Joaquin counties.
It passed on a 46-19 vote. The measure now goes back to the Senate for a final vote.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)