Several states have begun legalizing industrial hemp, with the federal government partially legalizing hemp production with the 2014 Farm Bill. West Virginia is one of many states that have worked toward legalizing hemp, with the following people and organizations playing important roles.
1. Del. Mike Manypenny
Delegate Mike Manypenny was the primary sponsor of House Bill 3011, also known as the Hemp Bill, which paved the way for industrial hemp farming in West Virginia. Shortly after the bill became law in 2014,
Manypenny was quoted by MetroNews as saying "I see the value of this crop that is something that could turn agriculture around in West Virginia and make it one of the most profitable industries that we have."
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Like other lawmakers who have promoted legalizing hemp, Manypenny emphasized the difference between hemp and marijuana, saying "It would take somebody a wheelbarrow full or more to get any psychoactive effect from it."
2. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin
Gov. Earl Tomblin allowed House Bill 3011 to become law without his signature,
as reported by MetroNews.
3. West Virginia Hemp Industries Association
The association is one of many advocacy groups supporting the legalization of industrial hemp farming. Shortly after House Bill 3011 passed the state legislature, association president Eric Mathis touted the economic value of hemp and its use in green technologies.
Speaking to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, he also praised its versatility, saying "Think of all the applications of soy products or almond products. You can replicate that with hemp and it also has a lot of additional nutritional qualities that its competitors like soy and almond do not have."
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