Go Industrial Hemp!!!

I was surprised this bill, that legalizes the growing of industrial hemp, made it through the State Assembly. Kudos to our Assemblybabe, Patty Berg, for co- sponsoring it.

A few years ago, a similar bill by then Assemblygal, Virginia Strom- Martin, failed to make it through the Assembly Agriculture Committee. That Committee is dominated by Democrats (as are all committees in the state legislature). I figured, if it couldn't make it through that committee, the lobbying forces against industrial hemp must have be quite formidable and there'd be little hope that a bill like this would have any hope for passage.

But times seemed to have changed for the better. Even my colleague, Republican Mike Harvey, doesn't seem to have a problem with Industrial Hemp. He doesn't want this to lead to the slippery slope of legalizing marijuana, though (Always need to throw in some right wing comment at the end, don't you Mike?).

Bottom line is no one should be having to ask for permission to grow industrial hemp or marijuana, as far as I'm concerned. But, insomuch as we have to, this is a good step in the right direction. Question is; Will this bill make it through the State Senate and, if it does, will the Governator sign it? I don't know.