FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Missouri Prepares for 1997

Senator Jerry T. Howard of Missouri's 25th district has pre-filed
legislation that will establish a permit process for the production of
industrial hemp. The bill also has provisions to fund university research
within the state. Senator Howard is vice-chair of the Senate Agriculture
committee.

MISSOURI HEMP PRODUCTION ACT of 1997
SENATE BILL NO. 79
89th GENERAL ASSEMBLY


S0318.01I
AN ACT

To amend chapter 265, RSMo, relating to agricultural products, by adding
seven new sections relating to the same subject, with penalty provisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Chapter 265, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto seven new
sections to be known as sections 265.700, 265.703, 265.705, 265.708,
265.712
, 265.715 and 265.720, to read as follows:

265.700. Sections 265.700 to 265.720 of this act may be cited as the
"Industrial Hemp Production Act of 1997".

265.703. The general assembly finds that the development and use of
industrial hemp is in the best interests of the state economy and
agriculture and that the production of industrial hemp can be regulated so
as not to interfere with the strict control of controlled substances in
this
state.

The purpose of sections 265.700 to 265.720 is to promote the economy,
agriculture, public safety, health, and welfare by permitting the
development of an industrial hemp industry while maintaining strict control
of marijuana.

265.705. As used in sections 265.700 to 265.720 of this act, the
following words and phrases shall mean:

(1) "Director", the director of agriculture;

(2) "Grower", any person who produces industrial hemp under license;

(3) "Hemp products and commercial uses", uses which are noninjurious
in
nature;

(4) "Industrial hemp", Cannabis Sativa L. growing under license.

265.708. 1. Growing and maintenance of hemp, Cannabis Sativa L., is
permitted only for commercial uses. Commercial uses are such adaptations of
hemp for the manufacture of rope, sacks, and other sisal hemp products and
such other noninjurious commercial products, including the manufacture of
batts, yarn, paper, composite materials, thread, cordage, merchandise,
cloth
, and such other products as may be made from the fiber or sterilized seed
as have been or may be developed.

2. The director shall license and authorize the growing of industrial
hemp when the derivatives thereof are to be used solely for commercial
uses.

265.712. 1. Any person desiring to grow industrial hemp for commercial
purposes, as herein defined, shall file an application for a license on a
form prescribed therefor with the director, giving a description and the
area of land intended to be so used.

2. The director shall issue a license to the applicant for the growing
of such industrial hemp for such commercial uses, and the growing of
industrial hemp, pursuant to the terms of the license issued by the
director
shall be lawful to the extent granted by the license.

3. Any person to whom a license for commercial growing of industrial
hemp, Cannabis Sativa L., is issued shall annually notify the director of
the sale or distribution thereof, and the names of the persons to whom such
industrial hemp is sold or distributed.

265.715. A higher education institution may receive, subject to
appropriation, up to fifty thousand dollars to conduct research on
commercial uses for industrial hemp. Such institution may make grants of up
to ten thousand dollars for each research project.

265.720. Any person violating any of the provisions of sections
265.700
to 265.720 of this act is to be charged as established in chapter 195,
RSMo.


Brought to you by:

OXFORD HEMP EXCHANGE INDUSTRIAL AG INNOVATIONS
121 SOUTH BROADWAY #32 202 SOUTH WESTWOOD
POPLAR BLUFF, MO 63901 POPLAR BLUFF, MO. 63901
573-785-8711 573-785-3059
oxhemp@pbmo.net iagi@pbmo.net

Letters of support can be sent to:
Sen. Jerry Howard
State Capitol
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3301

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Colorado Hemp Initiative Project
P.O. Box 729
Nederland, CO 80466
(303) 784-5632

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