FL H0363

Creates Florida Statutes section 581.301 to define hemp as Cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol and establishes it as a legal agricultural crop.

Requires individuals intending to grow hemp to register with the department by submitting name, address, seed variety information, and location/acreage of hemp parcels, with an annual registration fee up to $100.

Mandates department rulemaking for hemp testing during growth, inspection throughout sowing through distribution, and fee assessment for testing and inspection activities.

Prohibits the department from adopting rules that ban hemp cultivation, processing, distribution, manufacturing, or sale based on federal legal status.

Provides affirmative defense to cannabis charges under chapter 893 for individuals legally growing, processing, or selling hemp under this section or holding valid DEA controlled substances registrations.

Exempts registered hemp growers and handlers from state and local laws prohibiting growing, processing, distributing, moving, manufacturing, disposing, selling, purchasing, or possessing hemp.

Effective July 1, 2015.