Fort Pierre City Council Considers Approval Of New Industrial Hemp Plot

Fort Pierre City Council Considers Approval Of New Industrial Hemp Plot

FORT PIERRE — Fort Pierre is home to one plot of industrial hemp within city limits on land zoned for agriculture use on the north end of the city. Gerad Johnson is looking to do the same, but the Fort Pierre City Council has paused that request. Public Works Director Rick Hahn says the application appears to meet all required standards…

Councilman Greg Kenzy questioned why land not farmed in four decades for crops is now in the running to grow hemp…

There was some suggestion by Council members to try and change the ordinance to prohibit the application, but city attorney Naomi Cromwell says that action would concern her…

The Council approved a motion stating that Fort Pierre will verify the property, which is north of Bass Avenue and east of state highway 1806, meets all appropriate municipal zoning regulation. The Council may also look at changing ordinances to prevent additional requests for industrial hemp planting.