It's Alexandria Republican state representative Mary Franson's 39th birthday today, and the media gods have shared cosmic gift related to her legislative agenda.
Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports in With feds' blessing, Minnesota to try growing hemp:
Josh Helberg is ready to plant hemp — but not for the reasons you think.
A construction company owner who also owns farmland in west-central Minnesota, Helberg's interest in the crop is purely industrial.
"I'm committed to grow on our farmland and with all the benefits and uses, it's going to be incredible," he said. "I'm also a general contractor and I'm excited about all the different building products that can come from industrial hemp."
Helberg will get his chance this spring.
The state just received a permit from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for an industrial hemp pilot project. Agriculture officials here say they'll soon begin looking for farmers and others who want to plant hemp test plots, the first legally planted hemp in the state in more than half a century.
The Minnesota Legislature last year ordered the state agriculture department to set up an industrial hemp pilot project. It's been a challenge because the federal government lists hemp as a controlled substance, an illegal drug.
The DEA permit was a "big step in the process," said Geir Friisoe, director of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's plant protection division.
Friisoe said he's working on a request for proposals so people can contract with the state to grow hemp test plots, although they'll still need a permit to import hemp seeds from Canada.
Franson was the chief author of the popular bill in the House. It became law with Dayton's signature of a special session bill.
Screengrab: The hemp hearts Representative Franson sent to an opponent of the hemp farming legislation.
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