Bill > H721

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for the cultivation, processing, and marketing of industrial hemp, defining it as a cannabis plant with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than three-tenths of one percent on a dry-weight basis. It creates an industrial hemp committee composed of ten members with diverse expertise, including regulation, farming, seed development, and industry representation, to advise the Departments of Agricultural Resources and Consumer Protection. The bill outlines licensing requirements for both agricultural pilot programs and commercial purposes, mandating detailed applications that include business plans, labor peace agreements with bona fide labor organizations, and social and environmental responsibility plans for commercial operations. It also establishes rules for seed certification, reporting of growth and sales activities, crop testing to verify THC levels, and penalties for violations, while ensuring that licensed producers and processors are protected from civil or criminal actions when acting in compliance with the law. Furthermore, the bill supports industrial hemp research through a grant program funded by licensing fees.