SANTA FE, NM – Yesterday, for the first time in history, the New Mexico Senate voted in favor of a measure allowing hemp cultivation. On a vote of 33-8, New Mexico State Senator McSorley’s (D-16-Bernalillo) Senate Bill 94 (SB94) passed the Senate Floor. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives.
SB94 would allow for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to provide for the growing of industrial hemp for research and development purposes. And, upon passage of the legalization of hemp, the provision will permit growing of industrial hemp by New Mexicans issued a license by the department.
“Today’s vote shows that New Mexicans across the political spectrum are ready for hemp to be an option for the agricultural sector and to improve our economy,” said Emily Kaltenbach, New Mexico state director with the Drug Policy Alliance. “Our elected officials are finally recognizing that federal drug laws are outdated and have created unnecessary barriers for our farmers.”
If SB94 is passed through the House and signed into law New Mexico will join Kentucky, Hawaii and Colorado, which have already created industrial hemp research programs.
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the nation’s leading organization of people who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. DPA fights for drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights.
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Date Published: March 3, 2015
Published by Drug Policy Alliance
Via:: Ddrug Policy Alliance