The president of the South Dakota farmer’s union says the state should keep an open mind about the cannabis reform package voters approved in November.
Doug Sombke says industrial hemp has a lot of potential.
He says Dairy barns that are being built along the I-29 corridor could use hemp products as bedding, which is biodegradable.
“Basically improves the soil, along with the manure,” Sombke says. “The bugs love it, that are feeding on this product and improving soil health. So, it’s something that we need to take a hard long hard look at and it’s happening in other states. We in South Dakota should get ready and do the best we can to capitalize and help the industry and the state as a whole.”
State lawmakers passed an industrial hemp package during the 2020 legislative session.
Sombke says South Dakota voters spoke quite loudly on Amendment A, which legalizes recreational and medicinal marijuana as well as industrial hemp, and places them into the state constitution.
Sombke says there’s a disconnect between what the governor is thinking and what the voters are thinking. He says she should listen to what voters said on Amendment A.
A court challenge questions the legality of the vote. A hearing date has not been set.