MN HF683

Establishes industrial hemp as an agricultural crop in Minnesota with Cannabis sativa L. plants containing no more than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol on a dry weight basis.

Requires commercial industrial hemp growers to obtain a license from the commissioner of agriculture, submit to background checks by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, pay annual registration and inspection fees, and comply with all federal requirements.

Authorizes the commissioner to operate a pilot program and permit institutions of higher education to grow and cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes, including collecting seed from wild hemp sources.

Provides an affirmative defense to marijuana possession charges if the defendant possesses industrial hemp grown pursuant to the chapter or holds a valid controlled substance registration from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Establishes an industrial hemp account in the agricultural fund to receive and appropriate fees collected for implementing and enforcing the industrial hemp licensing and production regulations, with most provisions effective upon final enactment and rulemaking authority effective upon federal authorization for commercial production.