Hemp groups applaud Gov. Parson signing hemp bill

By Rachael Dunn

Senate Bill 133 was signed by the acting Governor Mike Kehoe, putting into immediate law a provision allowing universities to start planting hemp for research ahead of Missouri’s first hemp season.

Kehoe, Missouri’s Lt. Governor was appointed to the role of acting governor on Sunday as Missouri’s current Governor Mike Parson is “effectively absent” as he and the first lady travel outside the U.S. for a vacation until July 2nd.

The same bill has other provisions, which go into effect August 28, that repeal or reform the vast majority of the state’s hemp laws and bring them in line with the federal farm bill that allowed for hemp cultivation and manufacturing.

The hemp associations Missouri Hemp Producers Association and the Missouri Hemp Trade Association were both quick to applaud the signing. Association members are planning to assist universities in their first year of research.

“We are excited to start working with our universities and Tiger fiber on the first hemp planted in Missouri in almost 100 years,” MHPA President Tom Raffety of Charleston. “University research is vital to position Missouri as a leading state in an industry projected to exceed $20 billion by 2024. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with universities, farmers, and industry to achieve that goal.”

One MHPA member in particular, Tiger Fiber Hemp, is set to work in conjunction with Mizzou to cultivate the first hemp crop.

“Though it will be a late start in the planting season, Tiger Fiber is working in close partnership with the University of Missouri on a pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of hemp production for several varieties of hemp this year,” Patrick Van Meter, CEO of Tiger Fiber Hemp and MHPA member, said. “The hope is to be able to expand the program to Missouri farmers in the near future.”

Bill sponsor, state Rep. Rick Francis of Perryville, Mo., has championed hemp agriculture reform at the state capitol.

“Missouri’s hemp industry will be much better suited for a 2020 growing season with the swift signing of SB133,” Francis said. “We worked closely with the universities to ensure the language would authorize them to conduct research that will be available before the first growing season—something we believe will be an invaluable asset.”

Francis was joined by fellow lawmakers Rep. Don Rone, Sen. Mike Cunningham, and Sen. Denny Hoskins in pushing for hemp cultivation legislation.

Read the entire bill here.