Committee to look at industrial hemp issue

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota legislators will be studying the regulation and costs of implementing an industrial hemp program this summer.

That was one of the interim committees approved this week by the legislatures Executive Board.

Representative Lee Qualm of Platte will Chair the committee and says they will start by looking at what other states are doing.

Qualm says expected federal rules should help them outline a state program.

Governor Kristi Noem vetoed the bill that was passed this year in part because of her concern that hemp would lead to legalized marijuana and that it was also a cover to introduce CBD oil-based products.

Qualm says he is not worried about those issues.

While the schedule has not yet been set, Qualm says he is thinking that three or four meetings may be enough.