Illinois Governor Signs Hemp Research into Law

On Tuesday, Democrat Governor Pat Quinn has signed a law that will allow universities and the Illinois Department of Agriculture to study industrial hemp for research purposes.

Industrial hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. that contains less than one percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Hemp can be used in the production of plastics, fuel, textiles and food.

Quinn signed legislation, House Bill 5085, authorizing state universities to cultivate industrial hemp, in order to research the plant. The bill was passed unanimously in the state’s Senate in May, and was approved by the House shortly after with an 831 to 34 vote.

Those wanting to participate in the pilot program will have to notify the state and local law enforcement and provide reports to the state.

Illinois will join more than a dozen states, including Hawaii, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah earlier this year, that have enacted legislation redefining hemp as an agricultural commodity and authorizing state-sponsored research and/or cultivation of the crop.

Last updated: 8/28/14; 2:10pm EST