The Alabama Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill aligning the state’s industrial hemp program to federal law. 

SB 225 by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, was approved in both chambers without dissent. The new law requires the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), in consultation with the governor and attorney general, to develop a plan to monitor and regulate the production of hemp. The plan must be submitted to the United States secretary of agriculture.

Earlier this year ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate announced the approval of licenses for 152 growers, 59 processors and five universities to grow, cultivate, process and research industrial hemp in 2019.