Louisiana Hemp Bill Gets Through Senate Agriculture Committee But Is Top Heavy With Regulations

We’ve all seen this story before and the key quote is.

 

The regulations also caused consternation from some of the committee members. State Sen. John Smith, R-Leesville, questioned whether lawmakers would have to spend the next 15 years tweaking the legislation. 

“This just seems to me that we have absolutely over-regulated in the name of good government and it’ll never work,” Smith said. 

Here’s the introduction to the report…

The measure involves a “tremendous amount” of regulations, said Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, a supporter of the effort. State Rep. Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, is carrying the bill and says he thinks it will be another tool for the state’s farmers.

The bill moves next to the full Senate. Gov. John Bel Edwards has said he is supportive of legislation to regulate the growth of hemp in Louisiana.

Thompson said during a lengthy committee hearing Tuesday he is hesitant to support a bill that allows for the sale of CBD products, which he recently compared to Hadacol, a product sold in the 1940s that contained 12% alcohol and was marketed as medicine.

But after working on the six pages of amendments that were adopted, Thompson said he was willing to back the proposal as long as CBD products would not be sold unless the federal government approved them. He also said he trusted Strain’s ability to prevent “shenanigans” with the hemp industry.

“We feel like we’re going to be able to oversee this very closely,” said Thompson, D-Delhi.

The regulations also caused consternation from some of the committee members. State Sen. John Smith, R-Leesville, questioned whether lawmakers would have to spend the next 15 years tweaking the legislation.

“This just seems to me that we have absolutely over-regulated in the name of good government and it’ll never work,” Smith said.

Source:  https://www.ktbs.com/news/louisiana/hemp-bill-clears-key-hurdle-in-legislature-but-with-a/article_0fb23e44-49f9-504a-872e-ce373ebb2236.html

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