Lawmakers Pushing For Hemp Comeback In Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican lawmakers want to help Wisconsin's once-dominant hemp industry make a comeback.

Rep. Jesse Kremer and Sen. Patrick Testin are circulating a bill to legalize production of hemp, a form of cannabis that does not produce a high. Hemp is used in textiles, paper, construction materials and food products.

The bill, which has bipartisan support, would require producers to be licensed by the state. The state could destroy any crop containing more THC than standard hemp.

The federal government in 2014 passed the Farm Bill, which gave states the right to run hemp research programs.

At least thirty states — including neighboring Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois — already have passed legislation allowing cultivation of hemp, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)