In a move seemingly designed to appease Federal authorities, California's governor Jerry Brown has vetoed the industrial hemp legislation, Senate Bill 676, proposed by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.
This bill was designed to create an "eight-year, pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp" in certain California counties, including Imperial, Kern and San Joaquin. Its passage would have allowed for the creation of thousands of jobs inside and outside of California, as well as brought in billions in revenue.
The versatile hemp plant has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, including fiber and fuel. In recent times, Canada has followed the lead of auto manufacturer Henry Ford in producing a car with many parts made of hemp. A South African company has made a house using hemp for numerous elements, both exterior and interior.
As he vetoed the bill, Governor Brown expressed knowledge about the uses of hemp and made clear his displeasure with the anti-hemp Federal law:
In a veto message, Brown said federal law considers industrial hemp to be a regulated, controlled substance, and that failure to obtain a federal permit would subject California farmers to federal prosecution.
"Although I am not signing this measure, I do support a change in federal law," Brown said in a veto message. "Products made from hemp - clothes, food, and bath products - are legally sold in California every day. It is absurd that hemp is being imported into the state, but our farmers cannot grow it."
Hemp advocates have vowed to continue the fight.
For more information, see:
Jerry Brown vetoes industrial hemp production
California Governor Jerry Brown signs death warrant for millions by vetoing industrial hemp.
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