JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, introduced legislation on the floor of the Missouri Senate today (Jan. 15) that would make the growth of industrial hemp legal in Missouri.

Senate Bill 255 would restore an industry that once thrived in Missouri. Industrial hemp was among many vital resources that helped the United States war efforts in WWII. It was the main resource for making rope.

“I remember growing up in Buchanan County and seeing hemp plants everywhere along the sides of rural highways and back roads. It was commonplace. Farmers were encouraged by the government to grow the plant,“ Sen. Schaaf said. “Passage of this legislation would help rural areas where these plants grow quite well.”

If this bill passes, Missouri will be one of the first states to enact legislation allowing the legal growth of hemp plants for industrial use.
“This legislation is about helping far mers take advantage of an additional market,” Sen. Schaaf stressed. “This bill would help spur economic growth in small communities.”

Co-sponsor of the bill is Sen. Jason Holsman, D- Grandview.

To read more about Sen. Schaaf’s legislative efforts, visit www.senate.mo.gov/schaaf.