HP0380
LD 523
PUBLIC Law, Chapter 115

on - Session - 129th Maine Legislature
 
 
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An Act To Permit the Indoor Production of Industrial Hemp

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation must take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period to help ensure industrial hemp producers do not lose a year of production; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §2231, sub-§3,  as amended by PL 2019, c. 12, Pt. B, §1, is further amended to read:

3. Application.  A person desiring to grow hemp for commercial purposes shall apply to the commissioner for a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The application must include the name and address of the applicant, the legal description of the land area or indoor facility to be used for the production of hemp and a map, an aerial photograph or global positioning coordinates sufficient for locating the production fields or the floor plan of any indoor facility. For purposes of this subsection, "indoor facility" includes a building, greenhouse, cold frame, hoop house, high tunnel, floating row cover or other agricultural or horticultural method of extending the growing season by enclosing the growing area.

Sec. 2. Rules. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall amend its rules regarding industrial hemp to allow for the indoor production of industrial hemp. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 129th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.


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