House legislators on Monday voted 89 to 37 to allow farmers to cultivate industrial hemp in an amendment to the agriculture budget bill.
The measure, put forth by Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, and Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, was adopted despite objections that it could lead to the cultivation of marijuana.
Supporters of the measure sought to dispel such concerns, arguing that hemp fibers have many acceptable uses in paper, clothing and textiles, among other uses. Cultivation of marijuana would still be illegal.
