SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Legalization of industrial hemp could be official in South Dakota sooner rather than later.
House Bill 1008, which would legalize hemp production if signed, was sent to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Thursday.
Gov. Kristi Noem recently relented her longtime opposition to legalizing hemp, saying she would sign a legal hemp bill under certain conditions.
Mitch Richter, a lobbyist with the South Dakota Farmers’ Union, told KELO’s It’s Your Agri-Business he believes H.B. 1008 checks off most of the governor’s boxes.
“It sounds like everybody would like to see it passed, and to get it to the governor fairly quickly at the beginning of the session,” Richter said. “I think the governor would like to see a win on her tally sheet right out of the gate this year.”
