Pubdate: Sun, 22 May 2016
Source: Call, The (Woonsocket, RI)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.woonsocketcall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2394

BILL WOULD LET NARRAGANSETT INDIANS GROW HEMP

PROVIDENCE ( AP) - The Narragansett Indian Tribe would be able to 
grow hemp in Rhode Island under a new bill proposed in the state's 
General Assembly.

Rep. Helio Melo, an East Providence Democrat, introduced the 
legislation on Thursday.

The bill says the tribe historically used hemp products for clothing 
and housing and wants to use it again as a business opportunity. The 
bill would also allow universities to grow hemp for research or 
educational purposes.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says at least 28 states 
have laws in place related to industrial hemp.

It's legal to import hemp from abroad, but federal law only allows 
cultivation of hemp as a research project by states and universities.

Industrial hemp is related to marijuana but has a lower concentration 
of the drug's mind-altering ingredient.
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