Hemp expansion sails through Colorado Senate

A Colorado bill to expand industrial hemp production has cleared the state Senate and now heads to the House

Senators voted 35-0 Wednesday to expand the number and size of farms growing hemp, marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin.

The measure would allow year-round hemp cultivation in greenhouses and strike a 10-acre limit on hemp for research and development.

Colorado just opened applications for hemp cultivation in March, with applications accepted until May. Agriculture officials say there is strong interest and that industrial hemp research and production should be expanded.