SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO.com) — Monday was South Dakota Hemp Day.
Supporters of legalizing industrial hemp in the state held an event at a hotel in Pierre Monday evening.
State Senate majority leader Lee Qualm was on hand, as was South Dakota Farmers Union president Doug Sombke.
Sombke compared hemp to the rise of ethanol in an interview before the event.
“Back in the ethanol industry days, I remember Governor Janklow didn’t think too much of that. He didn’t understand what the benefits would be for the countryside, but by God, once he did he latched onto that with both hands,” Sombke said. “I can’t imagine where we’d be today if we hadn’t developed that several years ago.”
South Dakota is one of three states where industrial hemp farming is still illegal. Governor Kristi Noem says she’ll veto any bill that changes that.
Jody Heemstra, Dakota Radio Group, contributed to this report.
