Vote Hemp: Information: Political: Legislation: State

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To date, twenty-eight states have introduced hemp legislation and fifteen have passed legislation; eight (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research.

State legislators, for more information about passing a resolution in support of industrial hemp please see our Hemp Resolution page.

California had a farming bill introduced on 2/21/07. Passed out of the General Assembly on 5/10/07 by a vote of 41 to 29. Passed the Senate by a vote of 26-13 on 9/11/07. In the Assembly the concurrance vote was 46-29 on 9/12/2007. Vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on 10/11/07. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

Hawaii had a legalization and regulation bill introduced on 1/24/07. Carried over to 2008.

Nevada had an Initiative Petition filed with the Secretary of State on 5/8/08.

New Mexico passed a hemp study memorial and Congressional resolution on 3/5/07.

North Dakota is now issuing licenses to farmers to grow hemp under existing state law and North Dakota Department of Agriculture rules. There are also five new bills this year that have been passed by their House and Senate. Two of which were resolutions and the rest have been signed by Governor Hoeven. On June 18, 2007 the two North Dakota farmers granted state hemp farming licenses, Rep. David Monson and Wayne Hauge, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota in an effort to end the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) obstruction of commercial hemp farming in the United States. Please see the Vote Hemp North Dakota Case page for the latest information on the case.

Minnesota had a hemp farming bill introduced on 3/19/07. Carried over to 2008. In committee on adjournment on 5/18/08; thus died in committee.

Also, an agriculture committee omnibus bill was introduced in the House on 3/10/08 that includes a section on Industrial Hemp Development And Regulation. There was companion bill in the Senate. Hemp language from the House bill was added to the Senate bill in conference committee, but was removed at the insistence of the State Patrol and the Governor's Washington, DC lobbyist. The omnibus bill was signed by Governor Pawlenty on 3/12/08, but without any hemp language.

South Carolina had a study bill introduced on 1/17/07. Carried over to 2008.

Vermont had a hemp farming bill introduced on 2/9/07. H.267, the Hemp for Vermont bill, passed the House by a vote of 126 to 9 on 2/7/2008 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25 to 1 on 5/1/2008. Allowed to become law by Governor Douglas without his signature on 5/29/08.

Wisconsin had a study bill introduced on 3/5/07. Carried over to 2008. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on 3/21/08.

A federal hemp bill was introduced in Congress on 1/13/07. The bill excludes industrial hemp from the definition of "marihuana" in the Controlled Substances Act and gives states the exclusive authority to regulate the growing and processing of industrial hemp under state law. Please see our Federal Legislation page for much more information on H.R. 1009, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007."

All state hemp bills and resolutions introduced since 1995 are listed in the chart below the clickable map of the United States.

USA Map

STATE INDUSTRIAL HEMP LEGISLATION

State click to view Vote Hemp state page	Session Year	Bill Number click to view bill	Current Status
California	2008	AB 684	An act to amend Section 11018 of, and to add Section 11018.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp. Introduced on 2/21/07. Passed out of the General Assembly on 5/10/07 by a vote of 41 to 29. Passed the Senate by a vote of 26-13 on 9/11/2007. In the Assembly the concurrance vote was 46-29 on 9/12/2007. Vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on 10/11/07. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
Hawaii	2008	HB 1535	Legalizes and regulates the possession and production of, and commerce involving, industrial hemp. Introduced and Pass First Reading on 1/24/07. Referred to Agriculture, Judiciary, and Finance committees. Carried over from 2007.
Minnesota	2008	HF 2168 HF 3902	Introduced on 3/19/07. There is companion bill in the Senate, SF 3537. In committee on adjournment on 5/18/08; thus died in committee.
South Carolina	2008	H 3305	A Joint Resolution to create a committee to study the beneficial uses of industrial hemp, to provide for the study committee's membership, and to require that the study committee report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before January 15, 2008, at which time the study committee is abolished. Introduced in the House and read for the first time on 1/17/07. Recalled from Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs and referred to Committee on Judiciary 1/10/08. Carried over from 2007.
Vermont	2008	H 267	This bill proposes to permit the development of an industrial hemp industry in Vermont. Introduced on 2/9/07. Referred to the House Agriculture Committee. Carried over from 2007. Passed the House by a vote of 126 to 9 on 2/7/08 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25 to 1 on 5/1/08. Allowed to become law by Governor Douglas without his signature on 5/29/08.
Wisconsin	2008	AB 146	An Act relating to: creating a committee to study the uses of industrial hemp. Introduced 3/5/2007. Carried over from 2007. Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 on 3/21/08.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
California	2007	AB 684	An act to amend Section 11018 of, and to add Section 11018.5 to, the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp. Introduced on 2/21/07. Passed out of the General Assembly on 5/10/07 by a vote of 41 to 29. Passed the Senate by a vote of 26-13 on 9/11/2007. In the Assembly the concurrance vote was 46-29 on 9/12/2007. Vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on 10/11/07.
Hawaii	2007	HB 1535	Legalizes and regulates the possession and production of, and commerce involving, industrial hemp. Introduced and Pass First Reading on 1/24/07. Referred to Agriculture, Judiciary, and Finance committees.
Idaho	2007	RS 16621	Resolution asking the U.S. Congress to legalize hemp farming. Killed in the House Agricultural Affairs Committee by a 6-4 vote on 1/30/07.
New Hampshire	2007	HB 424	Establishes an industrial hemp special program fund. Introduced on 1/4/07. Passed House on 4/5/07 on a 190-76 vote. Senate Commerce, Labor and Consumer Protection Committee voted Inexpedient to Legislate, 5-1 on 5/3/07. Killed in the Senate on a voice vote 5/10/07.
New Mexico	2007	HM 49	A memorial requesting the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to study the viability of a legal hemp industry; urging Congress to recognize industrial hemp as a valuable agricultural commodity and to take certain other actions. Passed House 59-2 on 3/5/07. Signed 3/6/07. Official bill status abbreviations: [31] HAGC [36] DP/a [39] PASSED/H (59-2) [40] SGND.
North Dakota	2007	SB 2099	To amend and reenact subsections 1 and 3 of section 4-41-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to industrial hemp; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency. Introduced on 1/3/07. Passed Senate 46-0 on 1/11/07. Passed House 79-11 on 2/26/07. Signed by House Speaker 2/28/07. Signed by Senate President 3/2/07. Signed by Governor 3/5/07. Filed with Secretary of State 3/6/07.
North Dakota	2007	HB 1490	To create and enact a new section to chapter 4-41 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the sale of industrial hemp seed; to amend and reenact subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 12-60-24 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to criminal history record checks; to provide an appropriation; and to declare an emergency. Introduced on 1/15/07. Passed House 89-2 on 2/6/07. Signed by House Speaker 2/28/07. Signed by Senate President 3/2/07. Passed Senate 40-0 on 2/23/07. Signed by Governor 3/5/07. Filed with Secretary of State 3/6/07.
North Dakota	2007	HB 1020	Introduced by Appropriations Committee (At the request of the Governor). A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the extension service, northern crops institute, upper great plains transportation institute, main research center, branch research centers, and agronomy seed farm; to provide for transfer of funds; and to declare an emergency. Introduced on 1/3/07. Passed House 92-0 on 4/24/07. Passed Senate 47-0 on 4/25/07. Signed by Governor 4/27/07. Filed with Secretary of State 4/30/07.
North Dakota	2007	HCR 3028	A concurrent resolution urging Congress to recognize the multiple benefits of industrial hemp and to facilitate the growing of industrial hemp and the expansion of industries reliant on industrial hemp-based products. Introduced on 1/26/07. Adopted by House on 2/13/07. Adopted by the Senate w/amendment on 3/15/07. Returned to House on 3/16/07. House concurred w/ Senate 4/3/07 on an 89-0 vote. Signed by Senate President and House Speaker on 4/5/07. Filed with Secretary of State on 4/5/07.
North Dakota	2007	HCR 3042	A concurrent resolution urging Congress to direct the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana. Introduced on 1/26/07. Adopted by House on 2/13/07. Adopted by the Senate on 3/12/07. Signed by Senate President and House Speaker on 3/20/07. Filed with Secretary of State on 3/20/07.
Minnesota	2007	HF 2168	Introduced on 3/19/07. First reading and referred to Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs committee.
Oregon	2007	SB 348	Allows hemp farming under state license. Introduced on 1/12/07. Referred to the committee on Environment and Natural Resources and then Ways and Means on 1/18/07. Public hearing held in the Senate Environment and Land Use Committee on 4/24/07. In committee upon adjournment on 6/28/07; thus died in committee.
South Carolina	2007	H 3305	A Joint Resolution to create a committee to study the beneficial uses of industrial hemp, to provide for the study committee's membership, and to require that the study committee report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before January 15, 2008, at which time the study committee is abolished. Introduced in the House and read for the first time on 1/17/07.
Vermont	2007	H 267	This bill proposes to permit the development of an industrial hemp industry in Vermont. Introduced on 2/9/07. Referred to the House Agriculture Committee. Hearings on Wednesday, April 25 - Friday, April 27, 2007.
Wisconsin	2007	AB 146	An Act relating to: creating a committee to study the uses of industrial hemp. Introduced 3/5/2007. Referred to committee on Rural Economic Development. Public hearing on April 18, 2007 at 1:00 PM in Room 328 Northwest, State Capitol.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
California	2006	AB 1147	Amends sections of the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp, and defines the plant as distinct from marijuana. Held over from 2005 (see below). Heard on 1/10/06 before the Assembly Public Safety Committee (passed 4 to 2) and on 1/18/06 before the Assembly Appropriations Committee (passed 13 to 3). Passed out of the General Assembly on 1/26/06 by a vote of 44 to 32. Then made it out of a couple Senate Committees and passed out of the full Senate on 8/16/06 by a vote of 26 to 13. Passed out of the Assembly again on a concurrence vote (for Senate amendments) of 44 to 29 on 8/21/06. Enrolled and sent to the Governor on 9/5/06 for his signature. Vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on 9/30/06.
North Carolina	2006	S 1572 H 1723	Creates an independent commission to study the beneficial uses of industrial hemp. Introduced on 5/17/06 and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations on 5/18/06. Incorporated into H 1723, "The Studies Act of 2006," on 7/27/06. Signed and passed into law by Gov. Easley on 8/16/06.
Vermont	2006	H 455	Allows hemp farming under state license. Held over from 2005 (see below). Introduced on 3/8/05 and referred to and considered by the House Agriculture Committee. Public hearings held on 2/14, 2/16, 2/22, 2/23 & 3/16/06. Died in committee.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
California	2005	AB 1147	Amends sections of the Health and Safety Code, relating to industrial hemp, and defines the plant as distinct from marijuana. Introduced on 2/22/05 and heard on 4/27/05 before the Agriculture Committee. Held over until 2006.
New Hampshire	2005	HB 55	Establishes an industrial hemp special program fund. Introduced on 12/1/04. Passed the House on 3/23/05 by a margin of 199-168 after coming out of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. Heard by the Senate Environment and Wildlife Committee on 4/19/05. The Senate status of "Inexpedient to Legislate" indicates no further action will be taken on this bill (in other words, it's dead).
North Dakota	2005	HB 1492	Allows feral hemp seed collection and breeding at NDSU. Introduced on 1/17/05. Passed 87-3 in the House; passed 46-0 in the Senate. Signed and passed into law by Gov. Hoeven on 3/9/05.
Oregon	2005	SB 294	Allows hemp farming under state license. Introduced on 1/13/05 and referred to the Environment & Land Use Committee, then to the Ways and Means Committee on 1/19/05. Public hearing held in the Senate Environment and Land Use Committee on 4/6/05. In committee upon adjournment on 8/5/05; thus died in committee.
Vermont	2005	H 455	Allows hemp farming under state license. Introduced on 3/8/05 and sent to the House Agriculture Committee. Held over until 2006.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
New Hampshire	2004	HB 653	Authorizes the production of industrial hemp. Introduced on 1/15/04, but no vote taken.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Iowa	2003	SF 191	Died in committee.
Maine	2003	LD 53	Passed into law on 4/18/03.
New Hampshire	2003	HB 653	Authorizes the production of industrial hemp, but passed over (no action taken).
Oregon	2003	HB 2769	Permits regulated production of industrial hemp, but passed over (no action taken).
Vermont	2003	S 169	Introduced on 3/18/03 and sent to the Senate Agriculture Committee. No committee hearings were found where this bill was considered. Died in committee.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Arizona	2002	SB 1431	Passed in the House Education Committee, but no action taken.
California	2002	AB 388	Passed on 8/15/02, but vetoed by Gov. Davis on 9/15/02.
Hawaii	2002	HB 57	Passed into law.
Minnesota	2002	SF 3395 HF 3569	Died in committee. Died in committee.
Maine	2002	LD 1174	Died between houses.
New Mexico	2002	HB 350	Died in committee.
South Dakota	2002	Initiated Measure 1	Voter initiative which failed to pass, as only 39% voted in favor.
Vermont	2002	S 119	Died in committee.
West Virginia	2002	SB 447	Passed into law.
Wisconsin	2002	AB 679	Passed by the Agriculture Committee, but died in the Rules Committee.
State	Session Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Arizona	2001	SB 1519	Passed on 4/19/01, but vetoed by Gov. Hull on 4/25/01.
California	2001	AB 448	Died in Assembly committee.
Idaho	2001	HJM 3	Killed in the House by a 47-15 vote.
Hawaii	2001	HB 57	Passed into law.
Illinois	2001	SB 1397 HB 3377	Passed into law, but vetoed by Gov. Ryan twice despite changes to meet his objections.
Iowa	2001	SF 61 HF 202	SF 61 died in the Senate Agriculture Committee; HF 202 died in the House Agriculture Committee.
Kentucky	2001	HB 100	Passed into law and signed by Gov. Patton.
Montana	2001	SB 261	Passed into law and signed by Gov. Martz on 4/23/01.
Nebraska	2001	LB 273	Died in House committee.
New Hampshire	2001	HB 293	Died in House committee.
New Mexico	2001	HB 582 HB 583	Died in House committee.
North Dakota	2001	HCR 3033	Passed into law.
Oregon	2001	SB 531 HB 3227	SB 531 died in Senate committee. HB 3227 died in House committee.
South Dakota	2001	SB 86	Voted down in Senate committee.
Vermont	2001	S 119	Deferred to 2002.
Virginia	2001	HJ 605	Passed into law.
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Illinois	2000	HR 553	Passed into law.
Iowa	2000	SF 2413 HF 320	SF 2413 died in the Senate Appropriations Committee; HF 320 died in the House Agriculture Committee.
Kentucky	2000	HB 855	Legislative session ended with no action.
Maryland	2000	HB 1250	Passed into law and signed by Gov. Glendening.
New Hampshire	2000	HB 239 HJR 25	HB 239 died in committee; HJR 25 deemed "Inexpedient to Legislate" (thus died in the Senate).
New Mexico	2000	HB 388	Died in House committee.
Vermont	2000	JRS 98	Passed into law.
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Arkansas	1999	SR 13	Passed into law.
California	1999	HR 32	Passed into law.
Hawaii	1999	HB 32	Passed into law.
Hawaii	1999	HR 109	Passed into law.
Hawaii	1999	HR 110	Passed into law.
Illinois	1999	SR 49 HR 168	Passed into law.
Iowa	1999	SF 340 HF 402	SF 340 died in the Senate Appropriations Committee; HF 402 died in the House Agriculture Committee.
Minnesota	1999	SF 122 HF 1238 HF 64	SF 122 passed in the Senate; companion bill HF 1238 died in House committee; HF 64 also died in House committee.
Montana	1999	HR 2	Passed into law.
North Dakota	1999	HB 1428 HCR 3038	Passed into law. Passed into law.
Tennessee	1999	HB 864	Died in committee.
Virginia	1999	HJ 94	Passed into law.
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Kansas	1998	SCR 1605	Died in committee.
Missouri	1998	SCR 42	Died in committee.
New Mexico	1998	HB 222	Passed both houses, but vetoed by Gov. Johnson.
New Hampshire	1998	HB 1576	Died in committee.
Vermont	1998	JRH 149	"Resolution as Adopted." Sent to the DEA and Congressional delegation.
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Missouri	1997	SB 79	Passed in the Senate, but voted down on the House floor after the DEA lobbied against it.
Missouri	1997	HB 283	Died in committee.
North Dakota	1997	HB 1305	Passed into law.
Oregon	1997	HB 3623	Died in committee.
Virginia	1997	HJ 656	Passed over in the Rules Committee (no action taken).
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Colorado	1996	SB 67	Passed in the Senate, but failed in the House Agriculture Committee after the DEA lobbied against it.
Missouri	1996	SCR 26	Died in committee.
Missouri	1996	SB 972	Died in committee.
Vermont	1996	H 783	"As Enacted into Law." Gov. Dean did not sign the bill, nor did he veto it.
State	Year	Bill Number	Current Status
Colorado	1995	SB 132	Failed in the Senate Agriculture Committee.