Noem talks about industrial hemp issue

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KWAT) — The 2020 South Dakota legislative session is just over a month away.

One issue that got a lot of attention last session will be front and center again in Pierre.

It’s the argument over legalizing the production and sale of industrial hemp in the state.

During a recent stop in Watertown, Governor Kristi Noem was asked if there’s a scenario where she’d support a hemp bill.

Chief among the governor’s concerns is differentiating hemp from marijuana.

Noem says there are indications the hemp debate has morphed into a political argument.

A hemp bill passed the Legislature in 2019, but was vetoed by Governor Noem.