Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the cultivation, production, possession, and commerce of industrial hemp.

Highlights:

• Requires an individual to obtain an “industrial hemp” license from the Department of Agriculture in order to cultivate or produce “industrial hemp” or “industrial hemp” products (Sec. 1).

• Defines “industrial hemp” as all parts and varieties of the cannabis sativa plant containing a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of no more than 0.3 percent based on dry weight (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the definition of marijuana does not include industrial hemp (Sec. 1).

• Classifies industrial hemp as an agricultural product to be regulated by the department (Sec. 1).

• Exempts industrial hemp from classification as a Schedule 1 controlled substance (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual applying for an industrial hemp license to meet certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the following conditions (Sec. 1):
• The individual must have an industrial hemp crop of at least 2.5 acres if the individual is applying to cultivate industrial hemp; and
• The individual undergoes a fingerprint criminal history background check.

• Authorizes the department to inspect or audit an individual with an industrial hemp license upon 3 days’ notice to ensure compliance with the terms of the license, the provisions of this bill, and any other department rules (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the department to inspect an individual’s industrial hemp crop during the crop’s growth phase and take samples of the crop to determine the crop’s tetrahydrocannabinol concentration (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that an industrial hemp license is non-transferable and is valid for 3 years (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the department to revoke, refuse to issue, or refuse to renew an industrial hemp license and impose a civil penalty of at least $2,500, but not more than $50,000, for certain violations, including, but not limited to, the following violations (Sec. 1):
• A violation of a license term or requirement; or
• A violation of a department rule relating to industrial hemp.

• Establishes the following fines for an individual cultivating industrial hemp without an industrial hemp license (Sec. 1):
• An administrative fine of $500, to be refunded if the individual applies for and receives a license within 30 days; or
• An administrative fine of $500 and, if the individual fails to obtain a license within 30 days, an additional fine of $1,000 per day until the individual obtains a license or the individual’s hemp crop is destroyed.

Full Bill Text