SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, No. 1330

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1330 (AS).

As reported, this bill directs the Department of Agriculture (department) to create an industrial hemp agricultural pilot program (program) that promotes the study and cultivation of hemp to the maximum extent permitted by federal law.  The department may partner with any qualified institution of higher education to administer the program; however, any person participating in the program must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Agriculture that the person has complied with all federal requirements related to the cultivation of industrial hemp.

      The department is also required to adopt rules and regulations to administer the program.  These include creating requirements for the licensing or contracting of growers participating in the program, prescribing hemp testing procedures to ensure compliance with federal law, creating a fee structure for administration of the program, and certifying germinating seeds and hemp cultivars if necessary.  Any rule or regulation adopted by the department must comply with federal law.

      The bill amends various sections of statutory law to ensure that any person validly participating in the program is exempted from crimes and penalties related to the purchase, sale, or cultivation of marijuana, as the statutory definitions of “marijuana” frequently encompass hemp.

      As reported, Assembly Bill No. 1330 (AS) is identical to Senate Bill No. 2491, which was also reported by the committee on this date.