The South Dakota House voted Tuesday to legalize and regulate the growth, processing and transportation of industrial hemp in the state.
Legislators didn’t even debate the bill, which passed with a two-thirds majority. The measure next be considered by the South Dakota Senate.
The Republican governor has said she doesn’t believe hemp is a “good idea” and would prefer that South Dakota remain one of three states that don’t allow industrial hemp. The two others are Idaho and Mississippi.
But Noem relented shortly before the session began, and her office helped craft the bill to ensure it meets her desired “guardrails” that provide for its enforcement, regulation, transportation permitting, and funding.
– Associated Press