March 5, 2019
Harrisburg, March 5, 2019 − Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) recently introduced legislation to expand hemp production in Pennsylvania. SB335, the Industrial Hemp Act, recognizes hemp as an allowable cosmetic ingredient, food, food additive or herb to be regulated as any other food ingredient or food commodity.
“Hemp is a multi-million-dollar industry that is expected to grow as a result of the 2018 Federal Farm Bill which removed hemp from the federal controlled substance list.” Schwank said. “This legislation will allow farmers continued access to a new market and put them on the same playing field as other states like Colorado that have passed hemp food legislation.”
The bill states that hemp products must not must not contain more than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is below the psychoactive threshold. Instead, producers will be able to extract cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound that has nutritional and cosmetic uses and is already being sold in consumable food in Pennsylvania.
“CBD is already here,” Schwank said. “We need to ensure what consumers are buying are clearly labeled quality products.”
The bill has already received support from the Pennsylvania Hemp Industry Council.
“This is a great start to ensure Pennsylvania is at the forefront of all things hemp,” said the council’s Executive Director Erica McBride-Stark. “It is another step in Pennsylvania’s commitment to create a world-class hemp industry.”
Schwank, the Democratic chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, has long recognized the importance of hemp. She spearheaded legislation in the Senate and was a tireless advocate for the reestablishment of the industrial hemp industry. Her legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate, while companion legislation – introduced in the House – made its way through the General Assembly and onto the governor’s desk in July of 2016.
“Hemp, and products made from it, played a large role in our history, and has immeasurable benefits for the future of our Commonwealth,” Schwank said. “I hope my senate colleagues will recognize this opportunity and move this bill forward.”
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July 22, 2016
Harrisburg – July 22, 2016 – Legislation recently signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf legalizing the growing of industrial hemp in Pennsylvania represents a significant step forward for the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania, State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said today.
“Pennsylvania will now be on the same playing field as other states that have passed hemp legislation” Schwank said. “Bringing this multi-million dollar industry back to Pennsylvania will provide new opportunities for farmers and give Pennsylvania the chance to open new doors for generations of farmers to come.”
Schwank spearheaded the legislation in the Senate and was a tireless advocate for the reestablishment of the industrial hemp industry. Her legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate, while companion legislation – introduced in the House – made its way through the General Assembly and onto the governor’s desk earlier this week.
Act 92 allows for the growing, cultivation and marketing of market industrial hemp within the state and permits growing industrial hemp for research purposes by agencies, colleges, and universities. The new law also establishes the Hemp Research Board and charges it with developing regulations, applications for registration, inspections, a database of registered persons, registration fees, guidelines for labeling and testing.
Schwank said there are many ways to use industrial hemp including its application in textiles, building materials, industrial and environmental products, food and paper.
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March 16, 2016
HARRISBURG, March 16, 2016 – State Sen. Judy Schwank’s proposal to return hemp as a legal, cash crop in Pennsylvania was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate today.
Senate Bill 50, which Schwank and Sen. Mike Folmer introduced more than a year ago, was approved by the upper chamber, 49-0.
“The United States imports $650 million worth of hemp from Canada and China,” Schwank said during floor remarks. “In Canada hemp is estimated to be more than a $2 billion crop. Pennsylvania farmers who can grow hemp should be allowed to once again.”
If approved by the governor, SB 50 would start small with a pilot program under the supervision of academic and state government experts.
“The goal is to research best practices and clear the way for Pennsylvania to become a hemp-farming powerhouse,” Schwank said. “I am not expecting hemp to be used commercially for many years, but this pilot program gets Pennsylvania’s foot in the door, and opens the possibilities for future generations of farmers.”
Senate Bill 50 has yet to garner a negative vote. The Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, of which Schwank is the Democratic chair, voted 11-0 in favor of the bill this past October.
The legislation moves to the House now for consideration.
“Hemp would allow Pennsylvania to be on the same playing field with states that have already passed some form of hemp legislation,” Schwank said. The soil and climate here in PA is perfect for growing hemp and hemp got its start in PA. We have townships such as Hempfield Township in Lancaster that were named after the crop and its viability in the area.
“I don’t think there are arguments against hemp; I look at it more as a misunderstanding.”
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