Broome County, NY – Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo addressed members of the House Committee on Agriculture during a “Farm Bill Listening Session” at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County. Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, along with Congress-members Langworthy, Molinaro, and Van Orden received input from over 30 community members regarding the upcoming federal legislation. The Farm Bill is a multiyear federal law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs.

Assemblywoman Lupardo spoke in her capacity as Chair of the NYS Assembly Committee on Agriculture. She focused on including the “Industrial Hemp Act of 2023” (S.980-Tester/Braun) in the Farm Bill. This measure would free up farmers who are growing hemp for fiber and grain from onerous regulations, testing protocols, and criminal background checks. This “hemp exemption” would substantially increase acreage grown and build a domestic supply while reducing barriers currently preventing more farmers from growing this important industrial crop.

Lupardo has championed hemp for many years, passing numerous bills to advance the industry. In NYS, different variations of the cannabis plant have been legalized including adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, cannabinoid hemp extracts (like CBD) and industrial hemp grown for fiber and grain. Uses for industrial hemp include: building materials, textiles, food products from hemp seed, animal bedding, auto parts and more.

Industrial Hemp Act of 2023: S.980

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/980?s=1&r=1