The Kansas Department of Agriculture would be tasked with cultivating and studying hemp under a bill before the state Legislature.

The House Agriculture and National Resource Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Monday. The measure would direct the department to grow and study hemp plants in conjunction with a state university.

The research would focus on efficient means of producing hemp in Kansas as well as analyzing its potential uses and potential economic benefit of generating a local hemp industry. Industrial hemp products range from clothing to construction materials and fuel.

A Senate panel held two informational hearings in January on the legalization of marijuana for medical use, although the Legislature is not expected to move forward with legislation on the issue