Bill > SB11

This bill establishes a framework for industrial hemp research in New Mexico, defining "industrial hemp" as Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of no more than three-tenths percent on a dry weight basis, aligning the state with federal law. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is authorized to issue licenses for growing industrial hemp for research and development purposes, including agricultural, processing, and marketing studies, and will adopt rules for licensing, training, inspection, and fees. A dedicated "New Mexico industrial hemp research and development fund" will be established at New Mexico State University, funded by program fees, donations, and grants, to support these initiatives. Additionally, the bill amends the definition of "marijuana" in the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp and exempts the cultivation of industrial hemp by qualified entities from being classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.