Arizona Governor signs bill allowing industrial hemp farming

The state of Arizona officially introduced industrial hemp farming on Monday.

Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill that would give farmers the green light to grow the fiber form of marijuana.

According to research, hemp can be used industrially to create products such as building materials, food and paper.

A local farmer said the proposal is one many growers are optimistic about. However, the plant has yet to be federally certified as a legal drug.

“I don’t foresee [the growth of industrial hemp] happening until [it] is a legal product to grow in this country,” John Bolts, Vice President of the Arizona Farm Bureau said.

Moreover, the bill would require extensive research and testing.

“Farmers here they’ll grow anything that they can you know, make a profit on,” Paul Brierley, the Executive Directror of YCEDA said. “So this is something to look at and say does it use less water, is there a market for it and then farmers can look at it for their crop rotation.”

Governor Doug Ducey said the bill would go into effect in 2019. So far, 34 other states have passed legislation related to industrial hemp.