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Mississippi group looks at the potential of hemp cultivation

A field of hemp or cannabis, grown increasingly as a mainstream crop in the UK and used for a variety of uses. Hemp has been used for industrial purposes including paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, fuel, and medical purposes.

JACKSON, Miss. — A new group will discuss what growing hemp might mean for Mississippi’s economy.

Legislators created the Hemp Cultivation Task Force, and the group has its first meeting Monday at the state Capitol.

A news release from state Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson says topics will include regulation and cultivation of hemp, the cannabis research program at the University of Mississippi, current issues related to cannabis and law enforcement issues about hemp.

Task force members include legislators, employees from universities, the attorney general’s and secretary of state’s offices, the state health department and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

The public meeting will be shown on the Facebook page of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

The U.S. Congress last year approved allowing production of non-intoxicating hemp in heavily regulated programs.