SACRAMENTO, CA — Assembly Bill 684, authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore (R-Irvine) which would permit California farmers to grow industrial hemp— a booming crop that is entirely imported -  is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

“This bill provides the Governor a huge opportunity to protect the environment from unneeded herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, save water as well as allow manufactures and consumers to ‘Buy Californian,’” said Assemblyman Mark Leno.  “Industrial hemp is a resilient crop grown in over 30 nations and used in a wide array of products such as auto parts, building materials, skin lotions, and health foods,” said Assemblyman Mark Leno. With the majority of hemp industry profits being made by California manufacturers, it is senseless to import from Canada a crop California farmers could be supplying to our own in-state industry that’s expanding by 10 percent a year.”

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore remarked, “This bill is substantially different than last year’s bill in that we added safeguards requested by the law enforcement community.  That’s one of the reasons why several more Republican lawmakers supported the measure this year and why I believe the Governor will take a serious second look at this commonsense bill. 

According to Canadian government statistics, US imports from Canada of hemp seed grew 300% between 2006 and 2007.  Today most industrialized nations grow industrial hemp and many export hemp products to the U.S.  California businesses spend millions of dollars each year importing hemp seed and oil from Canada as demand for hemp products continues to grow.  The U.S. hemp product market now exceeds $300 million in estimated annual sales.  From natural soaps to healthy foods, there are a variety of “Made in California” hemp products that could benefit from an in-state source of hemp seed, fiber and oil.

AB 684 would, under strict conditions, allow farmers to grow industrial hemp seed and fiber to sell to manufacturers that use hemp in a wide variety of everyday consumer products, including food, body care, clothing, paper, and auto parts.  The measure would regulate commercial industrial hemp farming in California, a variety of cannabis that grows up to 16 feet tall, resembles bamboo, and has no psychoactive properties.  Under the bill, industrial hemp is defined as cannabis having 0.3% THC or less and its cultivation is only permitted as an agricultural field crop or in a research setting. Cultivation in groves, yards, or other locations is prohibited.

AB 684 takes careful and measured steps toward industrial hemp cultivation with a 4-county pilot program that will sunset after 5 years.  At the end of the pilot program the Attorney General will report to the Legislature on law enforcement impacts and the Hemp Industries Association will provide a report on the economic impacts.  The 4 pilot counties, selected on their agricultural conditions are Imperial, Kings, Mendocino, and Yolo counties.  Other new requirements include a report of the GPS location of crops, tighter controls on THC test samples, a five acre crop minimum, and prohibitions on the pruning or tending of individual plants, which is indicative of marijuana cultivation. 

The North Dakota State Legislature unanimously passed a hemp bill similar to AB 684 earlier this year.  This past February, in Zogby poll, 71% of 800 Californians said they support “changing state law so that California farmers can grow industrial hemp.”  Additionally, 60% of Republicans said they support and 67% of rural voters said they support allowing our farmers to grow industrial hemp.