Universities in Louisiana might soon be able to legally research and grow marijuana’s cousin, the fibrous hemp plant, for industrial and agricultural uses.
The House of Representatives passed HB 1085 by Rep. Jack Montoucet, R-Crowley, 67-25, setting up a pathway for college agriculture centers around the state to begin growing the hemp plant, which has been illegal in Louisiana for several years.
There is a similar measure, HB 1099, by Rep. Major Thibaut, R-New Roads, that would permit the same institutions to cultivate and wholesale marijuana for medical use. That bill has passed one committee and awaits a hearing before the Appropriations Committee.
Historically, hemp was used for sailing equipment, clothing and rope, but since it is a member of the cannabis plant family, it was made illegal. Rep. Dorothy Hill, D-Dry Creek said when she was in college, students studied hemp as a fabric in her textiles class.
Rep. Nancy Landry reminded legislators of how useful the hemp plant can be because it creates more fiber for fabric or paper per acre than cotton or trees. She also noted that the levels of THC, the chemical in marijuana that produces a high, are significantly lower in hemp. Hemp was first introduced into the U.S. during the 16th century.
“Did you know, we already sell hemp fabric in our stores?” Landry asked. “And that, if they wanted to someone could buy a hemp t-shirt at the Whole Foods and put that in a pipe and smoke it?”