A bill to authorize regulated cultivation of industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity has been introduced in the California legislature by Assemblymen Mark Leno (D-SF).

The bill, AB 684, is cosponsored by Republicans Chuck DeVore (Irvine), Anthony Adams (Hesperia) and Sen. Tom McClintock (Thousand Oaks), as well as by Democrat Patty Berg (North Coast).

AB 684 is modeled on a bill that passed the legislature last year but was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. It would permit cultivation of hemp containing no more that 0.3 percent THC. Manufacturers would be required to test their crop through a DEA-licensed lab.

Letters in support of AB 684 can be sent to the legislature via the Cal. NORML website: canorml.org.