NEW MEXICO: A bill to legalize marijuana previously went down in flames, but a separate measure for commercial use of hemp in New Mexico breezed through its first legislative test Tuesday.
The Senate Conservation Committee voted 9-0 to advance the Industrial Hemp Farming Act. Committee members voted to move the bill forward without recommendation because it was modified a bit just before the hearing began.
State Sen. Cisco McSorley, the sponsor, said Congress already has approved a Farm Bill that permits states to proceed with research projects on hemp. Hemp is still illegal under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act for general use, but McSorley said that is likely to change soon.
“We’re anticipating the federal government to OK production for commercial use in the next couple of months,” said McSorley, D-Albuquerque.