Senate passes limited industrial marijuana farming bill

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CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada senators have approved a measure allowing for colleges or the state agriculture department to grow industrial hemp.

Lawmakers voted unanimously on Monday to approve SB305. The bill now moves to the Assembly.

Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom is sponsoring the measure, which would allow governmental bodies to cultivate industrial hemp for agricultural or research purposes.

The bill was amended to remove language allowing private growers to cultivate hemp. The state agriculture department cautioned in a fiscal note that Nevada's climate isn't ideal for growing hemp and that the original bill could run into federal regulatory hurdles.

Industrial hemp differs from medical or recreational marijuana plants in THC content and appearance. Industrial cannabis products include things like hemp yarn.

Nineteen other states have pilot programs to study industrial hemp.