Two state legislatures scrapped legislation to expand CBD access and allow hemp production.
Idaho and Indiana lawmakers said “no thanks” to bills that initially appeared headed toward approval, both at the apparent urging of Republican governors.
Republicans also dominate the two state legislatures.
In Idaho, where lawmakers passed a CBD bill in 2015 only to see Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter veto the proposal, senate leaders quashed another CBD bill that would have set up a state cannabidiol registry.
“The governor’s office doesn’t want this bill, the prosecutors don’t want this bill, the office on drug policy doesn’t want this bill,” Republican Sen. Lee Heider said Monday in closed-door remarks captured by an Associated Press reporter outside the meeting.
In Indiana, Republicans shelved a bill to allow hemp farming at the urging of Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“I’m not opposed to it … but want to make sure that we have our ducks in a row before we launch into a program,” Holcomb told Indianapolis TV station WTHR-TV.
Lawmakers decided to study hemp production for another year, though neighboring Kentucky has been growing hemp for years without interference from federal authorities.
A separate Indiana bill to remove medical limits on CBD is expected to head to the governor’s desk by the end of March, though CBD couldn’t be produced until the state approves hemp farming.
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