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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2018
Governor Mary Fallin Signs Bill Establishing Hemp Pilot Program
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today
signed a bill that creates a pilot program, overseen by state
agriculture officials and Oklahoma's higher education institutions, allowing
permits to grow industrial hemp.
House Bill (HB) 2913 creates the Oklahoma Industrial Hemp
Agricultural Pilot Program. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and
Forestry will manage the program, which allows universities or farmers
contracting with universities to cultivate certified hemp seed for research and
development. HB 2913 creates within the department a revolving fund that will
consist of all registration, lab, and inspection fees paid by program
participants.
“Industrial hemp has the potential to become a source of steady,
recurring revenue for our state,” said Fallin. “This pilot program will allow
for careful analysis of
the economic potential of industrial hemp farming in Oklahoma and of it s environmental
impact.”
After processing, hemp can be used to
make textiles, biodegradable plastic and oils. Industrial hemp is distinctly
different than marijuana.
Even though they both come from the same plant
species, the varieties that are used to make industrial hemp products and those
that are used to make marijuana are scientifically different. Industrial hemp is a number of varieties intended for agricultural
and industrial purposes while marijuana varieties are intended for medical and
recreational drug use
Three dozen states have implemented
similar programs. Under the
Agricultural Act of 2014, the federal government enabled states to begin
experimenting with growing hemp as a cash crop.
HB 2913 passed 92-0 in the House of
Representatives, and 39-1 in the Senate.
It takes effect immediately.
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 Governor Mary Fallin signs House Bill 2913 on Monday.
Web: www.governor.ok.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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