Signed by Governor Phil Murphy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the research and cultivation of hemp.

Highlights:

• Defines “cultivate” as meaning to plant, grow, or harvest industrial hemp (Sec. 3).

• Defines “department” as meaning the Department of Agriculture (Sec. 3).

• Requires the department to establish an agricultural pilot program to study and promote the cultivation of industrial hemp to the maximum extent permitted by federal law (Se. 4).

• Authorizes the department to partner with any institution of higher education in the state to administer the agricultural pilot program (Sec. 4).

• Requires any person participating in the agricultural pilot program to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Agriculture that the person has complied with all applicable federal requirements pertaining to the cultivation of industrial hemp (Sec. 4).

• Requires the department, in consultation with any interested institution of higher education in the State to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the purpose of (Sec. 5):

• Conduction the agricultural pilot program;

• Licensing or contracting with persons who wish to participate in the agricultural pilot program;

• Prescribing requirements for institutions of higher education to participate in, or to be affiliated with, the agricultural pilot program;

• Prescribing sampling and testing procedures to ensure that industrial hemp cultivated pursuant to this act complies with federal law;

• Establishing a schedule of fees to be paid by licensees, contracted growers, or participating institutions of higher education to the department to cover the costs of administering and implementing the agricultural pilot program;

• Certifying seed cultivars that comply with federal law or licensing distributors of hemp seed capable of germination, if the department determines certification or licensure is necessary; and

• Regulating the purchase, sale, and marketing of industrial hemp.

• Specifies that “marijuana” does not mean industrial hemp cultivated pursuant to this bill (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that “hashish” does not mean industrial hemp cultivated pursuant to this bill (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that “drugs” do not mean industrial hemp cultivated pursuant to this bill (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text