State Rep. Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum)
(608) 266-9175
Rep. Kremer Calls for State DOJ to follow the Farm Freedom Act, Allow CBD Oil Production
Madison, WI –Late last year Wisconsin voted to retake a piece of its heritage and join the bulk of states around America in establishing an Industrial Hemp cultivation, processing and research program under the Farm Freedom Act or Act 100, authored principally by Representative Jesse Kremer (R-Kewaskum) and Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point). Thanks to the historic unanimous approval of the Farm Freedom Act, Wisconsin will have the ability to grow and process a new crop this growing season. However, millions of dollars in investment by rural manufacturers and farmers are now at risk thanks to a misguided and disappointing announcement by Attorney General Brad Schimel and his Department of Justice (DOJ).
As the new industrial hemp registration period for 2018 was coming to a close, which saw an incredible 359 submissions, an Analytical Note prepared by the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center on the legality of CBD oil in Wisconsin claims that production and possession of CBD oil is illegal in this state. Rep. Kremer issued the following statement in response: “I am very disappointed in our Department of Justice. This is what people mean when they talk about draining the swamp – non-elected government agency bureaucrats who refuse to enforce a law duly passed UNANIMOUSLY by the elected legislature. Even our own Legislative Reference Bureau and Legislative Council attorneys have stated that CBD seed oil from the industrial hemp plant is legal in Wisconsin and is allowed under the 2014 Farm Bill. We have manufacturers and farmers ready to invest MILLIONS in rural areas – including the 59th Assembly District. They are now left to twist in the wind by DOJ.”
Industrial hemp, a distinctly different plant variety of cannabis than its cousin, marijuana, is non-psychoactive. The Republican Congress’ 2014 Farm Bill gave states permission to begin research on industrial hemp, a material that is stronger than carbon fiber. Industrial Hemp has dozens of high tech, manufacturing and health applications including the replacement of Kevlar in bulletproof vests, a lower cost substitute for graphene in costly high capacity batteries, and non-psychoactive CBD seed oils that are higher in Omega 3 than fish oils. Over half a billion dollars in Industrial Hemp is already imported into the U.S. every year and is a common place product most Americans drive, build with, eat, and take medicinally every day.
“After more than a year working with farmers, processors, our colleagues, law enforcement, and stakeholders such as the DOJ in good faith to craft legislation to bring industrial hemp back to our state,” Kremer continued, “it’s incredibly disheartening to see the farming community, already struggling to survive floundering dairy, corn, and soybean prices, under the boot of the DOJ for a perfectly legal, non-harmful, non-psychoactive, commodity with a rich and common place history in our state.”
For more information…. Industrial Hemp & CBD Interview on The Vicki McKenna Show
Industrial Hemp Informational Video
Farm Freedom Act – Act 100 Text
Rep. Kremer represents the 59th Assembly District which includes Southern Calumet, Western Sheboygan, Northern Washington and Eastern Fond du Lac Counties. Rep. Kremer’s office can be reached at (608) 266-9175 or by e-mail at [email protected]. His legislative website can be found at www.RepKremer.com.
