The Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Task Force met for the second time Wednesday, with subcommittees offering their reports on what the ramifications of hemp cultivation would be for Mississippi. Agricultural experts said that markets for hemp — which is derived from strains of the cannabis sativa plant with low amounts of the psychoactive substance in marijuana […]

After 24 hours of back-and-forth, the Senate has concurred with changes from the House to a bill that will authorize the cultivation of hemp in Mississippi. When the adoption of Senate Bill 2725, Mississippi will become the 48th state in the nation to legalize hemp. We have seen a massive move toward hemp legalization at […]

Mississippi became one step closer to legalizing the cultivation of hemp after it easily passed the House this afternoon.  The debate was lengthy, many questions were asked, amendments offered, but in the end the Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act passed 105-9. The nine voting against the bill were all Republicans: Reps. Jim Beckett, Donnie Bell, Scott Bounds, Jill […]

The Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Task Force’s draft report released on in November that stops short of a specific policy recommendation for the legislature, but provides useful information for potential legislation. Mississippi is one of only three states where hemp cultivation is illegal and the legislature could take up the issue in January, when it returns […]

The Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Task Force voted Wednesday to approve the release of their final report to the legislature on December 2. The task force says in the executive summary that while there is both positive potential and significant risks for hemp cultivation in the state, there could be additional costs for taxpayers.  Mississippi is one […]

Those hoping to have the opportunity to cultivate hemp in Mississippi are keeping a close eye on the Hemp Cultivation Task Force.  The task force was created by the legislature earlier this year and will provide their findings on hemp in Mississippi prior to the 2020 legislative session. The group has held two public meetings, […]

Despite the potential risks, Mississippi farmers want the chance to grow hemp as a cash crop. Freddie Rowell is a farmer from Pelahatchie and grows soybean, wheat, and corn. He’s been talking with people in some of the 47 states that have legalized hemp and is interested in the possibilities. “It’s being done in other […]

The Hemp Cultivation Task Force held their second meeting this week as they heard from agriculture experts and law enforcement about potential ramifications of hemp legalization in Mississippi.  Next year, the legislature will be able to act upon any recommendations or findings, or perhaps draw their own conclusions. But whatever they decide, we won’t be […]

As the Hemp Cultivation Task Force kicks off their work, Mississippi now finds itself on an island as the only state in the Southeast where the cultivation of hemp is illegal. This year, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas joined the ranks of states legalizing industrial hemp. As states continue to move in that direction, Mississippi is sitting with […]