New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law legislation that’s designed to promote hemp use among the state’s businesses.
Introduced by Senator Michelle Hinchey, Senate Bill S8496 was signed by Governor Hochul yesterday. The measure mandates that the agriculture commissioner work with business partners to determine how they can incorporate hemp products into their operations.
The legislation mandates the state’s Commissioner of Agriculture & Markets Urban Development Corporation to collaborate with the NYS Hemp Workgroup, and industry representatives, to develop a plan to expand market opportunities for industrial hemp that would increase its use in manufacturing and construction materials, including packaging, textiles, and hempcrete.
“Hemp is the material of the future, and positioning New York as a leading producer of the world’s industrial hemp supply is a winning strategy for fighting the Climate Crisis, bringing large-scale economic development to New York’s rural communities, and unlocking new revenue sources to put our farmers in a better financial position,” said Senator Hinchey in announcing the bill’s signing. “I’m proud that my hemp bill has been signed into law, directing our state to seek strategic collaborations to help us usher in a new era of manufacturing power, product creation, and rural economic development around an industry that is nearly untapped around the world.”
The measure states that “The market for New York industrial hemp is still developing and the state needs to take an active role in researching, identifying, and promoting hemp to industries that may incorporate it into their products. This legislation will encourage renewed focus by the State to work with growers, processors and businesses that are end users to expand market opportunities.”
The full text of Senate Bill S8496 can be found by clicking here.
