PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota’s Interim Legislative Hemp Study Committee is in the process of writing a bill that would legalize the growing of industrial hemp in 2020. That’s despite the Governor’s threat to veto it. Although they’ve begun the process the committee won’t finish it until federal rules from the USDA come out. South Dakota Farmers Union’s Lobbyist Mitch (rick-tur) Richter thinks that will happen soon.

He thinks the lawmakers will come up with a measure that meets the Governor’s concerns, especially with the technology that shows the marked difference between hemp and marijuana.

Richter says he doesn’t see the USDA dragging its feet any more in getting the hemp rules out, so he sees the final bill coming together for consideration during the January legislative session.

Richter says South Dakota Farmers Union is in complete support of legalizing the growing of industrial hemp and thinks it will be a valuable crop for producers.