Governor Noem discusses hemp bill approved by state House committee

A state House committee has unanimously approved a bill to legalize and regulate the growth, processing and transportation of industrial hemp in the state. The bill’s advancement to the House floor Thursday marked progress on an issue that was the subject of a split between legislators and Governor Kristi Noem last year. Disagreements remain on how to fund the hemp program. Noem says she still doesn’t think that industrial hemp is a “good idea,” but her office worked with legislators to craft the bill this year. 

Noem says she did not include funding for industrial hemp in her proposed budget for the state.

Governor Noem says she wants the hemp program to be closely regulated.

The bill now goes to the full House.