TN House Votes to Legalize Hemp by Jeremy Faison

The Tennessee House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on March 31 to approve a bill directing the state's Department of Agriculture to set up a licensing program for people to legally grow hemp. The bill's sponsor, Cosby Republican Jeremy Faison, said the cannabis plant has a long history in American of being used for productive, beneficial uses. Faison noted that in the recent U.S. Farm Bill, signed by President Obama back in February, permission is granted for states to regulate hemp production and allow universities to study it. After the bill passed on an 88-5 vote, Faison handed products made from hemp to the chamber's leaders of both parties. Among the items were breakfast cereal, soap, cooking oil and twine. Published on Mar 31, 2014