Lawmakers to push hemp law again
New Mexico lawmakers this year will again consider making it legal to cultivate hemp so researchers can study possible industrial uses — a topic that is controversial only because the fibrous plant is related to marijuana.
Such legislation passed the state Legislature by lopsided bipartisan margins two years ago. But Republican Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed the bill, saying it would “unnecessarily complicate the task of law enforcement” and “create serious challenges for law enforcement in investigating drug crimes” because of the similarities between growing hemp and marijuana.
Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, has pre-filed a new bill that would create an industrial hemp research program at New Mexico State University’s Department of Agriculture and authorize that department to license growers of industrial hemp for research and development for purposes including agricultural, ecological, processing, sales and marketing research. State Rep. Antonio “Moe” Maestas, D-Albuquerque, said Tuesday he will introduce a similar bill in the House.
Hemp could become a profitable cash crop for New Mexico, proponents say, because its fibers can be used in an array of products including carpeting, construction materials and household goods.
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