SB 1353 - Industrial Hemp

• Establishes a permanent industrial hemp program administered by the Department of Agriculture to license individuals and entities to cultivate industrial hemp in Hawaii, replacing the previous pilot program.

• Defines industrial hemp as Cannabis sativa L. with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration not exceeding 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis and excludes hemp from marijuana definitions in state law.

• Creates an industrial hemp special fund with $255,000 appropriated for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to establish one program coordinator position, two specialist positions, and cover administrative costs.

• Imposes civil penalties of $100-$500 for unauthorized hemp cultivation and establishes an affirmative defense to certain marijuana offenses for persons with valid hemp cultivation licenses or who planted approved cultivars.

• Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to prepare and submit a state plan to the federal Secretary of Agriculture for monitoring and regulating hemp production and to report quarterly on federal approval status to the Governor and Legislature.