Bill > HB532

This bill, known as the Kentucky Medicinal Hemp Farmers Act, aims to establish comprehensive quality assurance and safety protocols for medicinal hemp products in Kentucky. It amends existing laws to define key terms such as "batch," "batch number," "medical grade," and "medicinal hemp product," clarifying that these products are non-intoxicating dietary supplements derived from hemp with a low THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) concentration. The bill creates new requirements for processors to assign batch numbers, maintain detailed records for at least three years, and ensure each batch undergoes independent testing for cannabinoid profiles, THC levels, and contaminants like pesticides and microbial agents. This testing must be conducted by accredited, independent laboratories, and the results, including whether the product passed or failed and if remediation was used, must be made publicly accessible. Furthermore, the bill mandates specific labeling requirements for medicinal hemp products, including the batch number, cannabinoid content, ingredient list, expiration date, and disclaimers like "This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration." It also prohibits marketing medicinal hemp products to minors or making false or misleading claims about their efficacy or composition. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (Department) is granted the authority to create administrative regulations for licensing and quality standards, with a directive to consider various evidence sources and avoid imposing barriers that could harm small farmers or consolidate market power. Importantly, the bill clarifies that medicinal hemp products, even those designated as "medical grade," will not require a prescription or physician authorization, and the Department will not maintain a patient registry for their purchase. The bill also requires processors and handlers of medicinal hemp products to follow federal good manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or holding practices, and declares an emergency to ensure these regulations are in place for the upcoming growing season.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb532.html