HI HB2555

Authorizes the Board of Agriculture to regulate cultivation of industrial hemp for research purposes by institutions of higher education, registered seed breeders, and approved growers under a memorandum of understanding.

Defines industrial hemp as Cannabis sativa L. with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration not exceeding 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

Requires growers to register with the board, provide GPS coordinates and legal descriptions of cultivation sites, and maintain production records for at least three years.

Permits registered growers to sell harvested industrial hemp to agribusiness or manufacturing entities for processing into hemp products.

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 to establish one full-time equivalent position in the department of agriculture to implement and administer the industrial hemp program, effective July 1, 2016.