REVISED HEMP BILL WOULD GRANT U OF I PRODUCTION STUDY

The Illinois House decided Friday to authorize the University of Illinois
to study the production of industrial hemp, a relative of marijuana that
eventually could become an alternative cash crop for the state's farmers.

Similar legislation previously cleared the House and Senate but was vetoed
in February by Gov. George Ryan.

Supporters of the idea, who say hemp production could help revive the
sagging fortunes of Illinois farmers, responded to the veto by crafting a
revised proposal, House Bill 3377.

It is intended to ease Ryan's worries about the earlier legislation, said
Rep. Ron Lawfer, R-Stockton.

"We believe this bill does address those concerns," said Lawfer, the House
sponsor.

"We feel that we have touched all the bases," added Democratic Sen. Evelyn
Bowles of Edwardsville, who has been the bill's main Senate supporter.

The House vote was 72-43, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration.

A Ryan spokesman said the governor wouldn't comment on the legislation
until it reaches his desk.

House Bill 3377 would allow the U of I to research the feasibility of
growing industrial hemp in Illinois. Part of the research would involve
"finding high-producing, high-quality varieties with a zero level of THC,"
according to the bill.

Ryan, in his veto message, had said one problem with the earlier bill was
that it wouldn't require researchers to try to develop a hemp plant without
the psychoactive ingredient known as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which
produces a "high."

Another new provision in the bill authorizes Western Illinois University to
research "the potential impact of commercial production of industrial hemp
on law enforcement."

The Illinois State Police, which opposed the earlier Lawfer bill and is
neutral on the new one, sought that aspect of the legislation. State police
have cited concerns that law enforcement could have trouble distinguishing
between industrial hemp and marijuana.

Ryan also said in February that the existing market for hemp products
doesn't justify spending an estimated $1 million in state taxpayer money
for the research.

The revised bill says the research at both universities is subject to
funding availability. Money will be sought from federal, private and other
sources, but not from the state, according to the bill.

The revised bill also specifies that industrial hemp couldn't be
commercially produced in Illinois unless the General Assembly passed
legislation to that effect.