House Bill 506 Summary

• Authorizes growing, handling, and commerce of industrial hemp in Mississippi, defined as Cannabis sativa with tetrahydrocannabinol concentration not exceeding 0.3% on a dry weight basis.

• Requires all hemp growers and handlers to obtain licenses from the Department of Agriculture and Commerce; growers must operate at least 2.5 acres and provide GPS coordinates and legal property descriptions.

• Allows growers to retain seeds from crops for future planting without permit; sellers of agricultural hemp seed must comply with department standards.

• Grants department authority to inspect records and crops during growth phase, collect samples, and detain crops exceeding THC limits; violation penalties capped at $2,500 civil penalty per violation.

• Amends controlled substances statutes to exempt industrial hemp and hemp commodities from Schedule I drug classifications; effective July 1, 2017.