Resolve, Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry To Submit to the United States Secretary of Agriculture a Plan for Continued Implementation of the Maine Industrial Hemp Program

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

Whereas,  the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry currently oversees Maine’s industrial hemp program; and

Whereas,  under the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which took effect on January 1, 2019, states that wish to retain primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp must devise and submit a plan to the United States Secretary of Agriculture; and

Whereas,  it is critical that Maine obtain federal approval to continue implementation of Maine's industrial hemp program; 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

Sec. 1. Development and submission of plan. Resolved: That, in accordance with the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall submit, within 90 days of the effective date of this resolve, a plan to the United States Secretary of Agriculture to continue the State's industrial hemp program and to regulate hemp in accordance with federal requirements.

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

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to submit a plan to the United States Secretary of Agriculture to continue Maine's industrial hemp program and to regulate hemp in accordance with federal requirements.