Idaho House Rejects Hemp Legislation

The Idaho House voted Thursday to kill the state’s hemp legislation after the Senate added amendments lawmakers say turned it into a decision to create a state plan for hemp rather than go with a federal plan yet to be released.  The full House accepted the recommendation of the House Transportation and Defense Committee not to agree with amendments added by the Senate.  The original bill was intended to allow hemp-loaded trucks to cross Idaho, where hemp is illegal.

Republican Representative Judy Boyle said the federal plan has a better chance of allowing Idaho farmers to start growing hemp next spring.  Law enforcement officials have been concerned legalizing hemp in Idaho could hinder efforts to enforce the state’s prohibition on marijuana.

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