Bill > S2579

This bill aims to promote the growing and use of hemp and hemp products in Massachusetts. It makes several key changes: 1. It adds hemp to the list of agricultural products covered under Chapter 61A, which provides tax benefits for farmland preservation. 2. It updates the definition of "hemp" in state law to align with federal law, defining it as the Cannabis sativa L. plant with a THC concentration below the federal limit. 3. It grants the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) additional authority to oversee the implementation of hemp regulations, including allowing the sale of CBD in marijuana establishments and coordinating with the Department of Agricultural Resources on pesticide use. 4. It directs the Department of Public Health to promulgate regulations governing the manufacturing and administration of CBD in food products, in consultation with the CCC and Department of Agricultural Resources. 5. It establishes a comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for the planting, growing, harvesting, processing, and research of hemp under the Department of Agricultural Resources. 6. It allows the use of pesticides labeled for use on hemp, food, and tobacco crops on marijuana, marijuana products, and hemp, with collaboration between the Department of Agricultural Resources and CCC. The overall goal is to facilitate and regulate the hemp industry in Massachusetts, expanding agricultural opportunities while ensuring appropriate oversight and safety measures.