Bill > HB05476

This bill requires the Commissioners of Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Economic and Community Development to study the feasibility of legalizing industrial hemp, which is a plant from the cannabis family that contains very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, and is used for various industrial purposes. The study, conducted in consultation with the Attorney General, aims to encourage economic development and the creation of new businesses by examining the potential for producing, possessing, and selling industrial hemp. Specifically, the Commissioner of Agriculture will look into production feasibility, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection will investigate possession and sales feasibility, and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development will assess the economic development aspects. By January 1, 2015, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection will report recommendations to the General Assembly on defining industrial hemp, excluding it from the definition of "controlled substance" (meaning it would not be treated as an illegal drug), and establishing a licensing system for growers and sellers.