MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representatives Bomgar, Criswell, Baria

House Bill 625

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GROWING AND HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO REQUIRE THE LICENSING OF HEMP GROWERS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE; TO REQUIRE RECORD KEEPING, SEED RETENTION AND INSPECTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR FEES FOR LICENSING; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REVOCATION OF LICENSES AND IMPOSITION OF CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-29-113 AND 69-1-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

          (a)  "Agricultural hemp seed" means Cannabis sativa L. seed that meets any labeling, quality and other standards set by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce and that is intended for sale or is sold to, or purchased by, licensed growers or processors.

          (b)  "Crop" means any contiguous field of hemp grown under a single license.

          (c) "Commissioner" or "Commissioner of Agriculture" means the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce of the State of Mississippi.

          (d)  "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

          (e)  "Grower" means a person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or cooperative that produces hemp.

          (f)  "Hemp" means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis.

          (g)  "Processor" means a person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or cooperative that receives hemp for processing into commodities, products or agricultural hemp seed.

          (h)  "State Plan" means a plan required for approval by the United States Secretary of Agriculture to monitor and regulate the production of hemp.

     SECTION 2.  (1)  Hemp production and possession, and commerce in hemp commodities and products, are authorized in this state.  Hemp is an agricultural product that is subject to regulation by the department.

     (2)  The commissioner is authorized to create a State Plan to monitor and regulate the production of hemp and to submit that state plan for approval by the United States Secretary of Agriculture.

     (3)  The department is authorized to issue licenses and permits for all growers and processors of hemp and to adopt and enforce regulations related to those licenses and permits.

     (4)  All growers and processors must have a hemp license issued by the department.  Growers and processors engaged in the production of agricultural hemp seed must also have an agricultural hemp seed production permit issued by the department.

     (5)  An agricultural hemp seed production permit authorizes a grower or processor to produce and process agricultural hemp seed for sale to licensed hemp growers and processors.  A seller of agricultural hemp seed shall ensure that the seed complies with any standards set by the commissioner.  The department shall make available to growers information that identifies sellers of agricultural hemp seed.

     (6)  Every grower or processor must keep records as required by rules and regulations of the department.  Upon not less than three (3) days' notice, the department may subject the required records to inspection or audit during normal business hours.  The department may make an inspection or audit for the purpose of ensuring compliance with:

          (a)  A provision of this section;

          (b)  Department rules and regulations;

          (c)  Hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit requirements, terms or conditions; or

          (d)  A final department order directed to the grower's or processor's hemp operations or activities.

     (7)  In addition to any inspection conducted, the department may inspect any hemp crop or hemp-derived product and take a representative composite sample for field analysis.  If a crop or hemp-derived product contains a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration that exceeds three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) on a dry mass basis, the department may detain, seize or embargo the crop.

     (8)  The department may charge growers and processors reasonable fees as determined by the department.  Monies from fees charged under this subsection may be expended by the department upon appropriation by the Legislature for the purposes of carrying out the duties of the department under this act.

     (9)  In addition to any other liability or penalty provided by law, the department may enforce the provisions of the State Plan or violations thereof in accordance with this act and federal law.

          SECTION 3.  (1)  In addition to any other liability or penalty provided by law, the department may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a hemp license or an agricultural hemp seed production permit and may impose a civil penalty for violation of:

          (a)  A license or permit requirement;

          (b)  License or permit terms or conditions;

          (c)  Department rules and regulations relating to growing or handling hemp; or

          (d)  A final order of the department that is specifically directed to the grower's or handler's hemp operations or activities.

     (2)  The department may not impose a civil penalty under this section that exceeds Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00).

     (3)  The department may revoke or refuse to issue or renew a hemp license or an agricultural hemp seed production permit for violation of any rule or regulation of the department that pertains to agricultural operations or activities other than hemp growing or handling.

     SECTION 4.  Section 41-29-113, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     41-29-113.  The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule I.

SCHEDULE I

     (a)  Opiates.  Any of the following opiates, including their isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these isomers, esters, ethers and salts is possible within the specific chemical designation:

          (1)  Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl;

          (2)  Acetyl Fentanyl N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylacetamide;

          (3)  AH-7921 (3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-dimethylamino) cyclohexylmethyl]benzamide);

          (4)  Acetylmethadol;

          (5)  Allylprodine;

          (6)  Alphacetylmethadol, except levo-alphacetylmethadol (levo-alpha-acetylmethadol, levomethadyl acetate, or LAAM);

          (7)  Alphameprodine;

          (8)  Alphamethadol;

          (9)  Alpha-methylfentanyl;

          (10)  Alpha-methylthiofentanyl;

          (11)  Benzethidine;

          (12)  Betacetylmethadol;

          (13)  Beta-hydroxyfentanyl;

          (14)  Beta-hydroxy-3-methylfentanyl;

          (15)  Betameprodine;

          (16)  Betamethadol;

          (17)  Betaprodine;

          (18)  Clonitazene;

          (19)  Dextromoramide;

          (20)  Diampromide;

          (21)  Diethylthiambutene;

          (22)  Difenoxin;

          (23)  Dimenoxadol;

          (24)  Dimepheptanol;

          (25)  Dimethylthiambutene;

          (26)  Dioxaphetyl butyrate;

          (27)  Dipipanone;

          (28)  Ethylmethylthiambutene;

          (29)  Etonitazene;

          (30)  Etoxeridine;

          (31)  Furanyl Fentanyl, N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylfuran-2-carboxamide;

          (32)  Furethidine;

          (33)  Hydroxypethidine;

          (34)  Ketobemidone;

          (35)  Levomoramide;

          (36)  Levophenacylmorphan;

          (37)  3-methylfentanyl;

          (38)  3-methylthiofentanyl;

          (39)  Morpheridine;

          (40)  MPPP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-4-propionoxypiperidine);

          (41)  N-(1-phenethylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-phenylbutyramide, its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers (other names:  Butyryl fentanyl);

          (42)  N-[1-[2-hydroxy-2-(thiophen-2-yl)ethyl]piperidin-4-yl]-N-phenylpropionamide, its isomers, esters, ethers, salts and salts of isomers, esters and ethers (other names: beta-hydroxythiofentanyl);

          (43)  Noracymethadol;

          (44)  Norlevorphanol;

          (45)  Normethadone;

          (46)  Norpipanone;

          (47)  Para-fluorofentanyl;

          (48)  PEPAP (1-(-2-phenethyl)-4-phenyl-4-acetoxypiperidine);

          (49)  Phenadoxone;

          (50)  Phenampromide;

          (51)  Phenomorphan;

          (52)  Phenoperidine;

          (53)  Piritramide;

          (54)  Proheptazine;

          (55)  Properidine;

          (56)  Propiram;

          (57)  Racemoramide;

          (58)  Thiofentanyl;

          (59)  Tilidine;

          (60)  Trimeperidine;

          (61)  U-47700, 3,4-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide.

     (b)  Opium derivatives.  Any of the following opium derivatives, their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

          (1)  Acetorphine;

          (2)  Acetyldihydrocodeine;

          (3)  Benzylmorphine;

          (4)  Codeine methylbromide;

          (5)  Codeine-N-Oxide;

          (6)  Cyprenorphine;

          (7)  Desomorphine;

          (8)  Dihydromorphine;

          (9)  Drotebanol;

          (10)  Etorphine (except hydrochloride salt);

          (11)  Heroin;

          (12)  Hydromorphinol;

          (13)  Methyldesorphine;

          (14)  Methyldihydromorphine;

          (15)  Monoacetylmorphine;

          (16)  Morphine methylbromide;

          (17)  Morphine methylsulfonate;

          (18)  Morphine-N-Oxide;

          (19)  Myrophine;

          (20)  Nicocodeine;

          (21)  Nicomorphine;

          (22)  Normorphine;

          (23)  Pholcodine;

          (24)  Thebacon.

     (c)  Hallucinogenic substances.  Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances, their salts, isomers (whether optical, positional, or geometric) and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

          (1)  Alpha-ethyltryptamine;

          (2)  4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine;

          (3)  4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine;

          (4)  2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine;

          (5)  2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET);

          (6)  2,5-dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylthiophenethylamine 2C-T-7);

          (7)  4-methoxyamphetamine;

          (8)  5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine;

          (9)  4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxy-amphetamine;

          (10)  3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;

          (11)  3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA);

          (12)  3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (also known as N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-3,4(methylenedioxy)phenethylamine, N-ethyl MDA, MDE, MDEA);

          (13)  N-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (also known as N-hydroxy MDA, N-OHMDA, and N-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-3,4(methylenedioxy)phenethylamine);

          (14)  3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine;

          (15)  5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT);

          (16)  Alpha-methyltryptamine (also known as AMT);

          (17)  Bufotenine;

          (18)  Diethyltryptamine;

          (19)  Dimethyltryptamine;

          (20)  5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT);

          (21)  Ibogaine;

          (22)  Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);

          (23)  (A)  Marijuana (Cannabidiol contained in a legend drug product approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration or obtained under Section 41-29-136 is exempt under Schedule I);

               (B)  Hashish;

          (24)  Mescaline;

          (25)  Parahexyl;

          (26)  Peyote;

          (27)  N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

          (28)  N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

          (29)  Psilocybin;

          (30)  Psilocyn;

          (31)  Tetrahydrocannabinols, meaning tetrahydrocannabinols contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as the synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the cannabis plant, or in the resinous extractives of such plant, and/or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant such as the following:

              (A)  1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol;

              (B)  6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol;

              (C)  3,4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol.

     (Since nomenclature of these substances is not internationally standardized, compounds of these structures, regardless of atomic positions are covered.)

     ("Tetrahydrocannabinols" excludes dronabinol and nabilone.)

     However, the following products are exempted from control:

                   (i)  THC-containing industrial products made from cannabis stalks (e.g., paper, rope and clothing);

                   (ii)  Processed cannabis plant materials used for industrial purposes, such as fiber retted from cannabis stalks for use in manufacturing textiles or rope;

                   (iii)  Animal feed mixtures that contain sterilized cannabis seeds and other ingredients (not derived from the cannabis plant) in a formula designed, marketed and distributed for nonhuman consumption;

                   (iv)  Personal care products that contain oil from sterilized cannabis seeds, such as shampoos, soaps, and body lotions (if the products do not cause THC to enter the human body); * * *and

                   (v)  Processed cannabis plant extract, oil or resin with a minimum ratio of twenty-to-one cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol (20:1 cannabidiol:tetrahydrocannabinol), and diluted so as to contain at least fifty (50) milligrams of cannabidiol per milliliter, with not more than two and one-half (2.5) milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter; and

                   (vi)  Hemp as regulated under Sections 1 through 3 of this act.

          (32)  Phencyclidine;

          (33)  Ethylamine analog of phencyclidine (PCE);

          (34)  Pyrrolidine analog of phencyclidine (PHP, PCPy);

          (35)  Thiophene analog of phencyclidine;

          (36)  1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl] pyrrolidine (TCPy);

          (37)  4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone);

          (38)  3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV);

          (39)  2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-E);

          (40)  2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-D);

          (41)  2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-C);

          (42)  2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-I); or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine;

          (43)  2-[4-(ethylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-2);

          (44)  2-[4-(isopropylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl]ethanamine (2C-T-4);

          (45)  2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine (2C-H);

          (46)  2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-phenyl)ethanamine (2C-N);

          (47)  2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-(n)-propylphenyl)ethanamine (2C-P);

          (48)  3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone(methylone);

          (49)  2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25B-NBOMe; 2C-B-NBOMe; 25B; Cimbi-36);

          (50)  2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25C-NBOMe; 2C-C-NBOMe; 25C; Cimbi-82);

          (51)  2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine or N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (25I-NBOMe; 2C-I-NBOMe; 25I; Cimbi-5);

          (52)  7-bromo-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one (also known as Phenazepam);

          (53)  7-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-ethyl-13-methyl-3-thia-1,8, 11,12-tetraazatricyclo[8.3.0.0]trideca-2(6),4,7,10,12-pentaene (also known as Etizolam);

          (54)  Salvia divinorum;

          (55)  Synthetic cannabinoids.  Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of a synthetic cannabinoid found in any of the following chemical groups, whether or not substituted to any extent, or any of those groups which contain any synthetic cannabinoid salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, or salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation, including all synthetic cannabinoid chemical analogues in such groups:

              (A)  (6aR,10aR)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-6, 6-dimethyl-3-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)-6a,7,10,10a-tetrahydrobenzo[c] chromen-1-ol (also known as HU-210 or 1,1-dimethylheptyl-11-hydroxy-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol);

              (B)  Naphthoylindoles and naphthylmethylindoles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl)indole or 1H-indol-3-yl-(1-naphthyl)methane, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent, or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

              (C)  Naphthoylpyrroles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-(1-naphthoyl)pyrrole, whether or not substituted in the pyrrole ring to any extent, or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

              (D)  Naphthylmethylindenes, being any compound structurally derived from 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)indene, whether or not substituted in the indene ring to any extent or in the naphthyl ring to any extent;

              (E)  Phenylacetylindoles, being any compound structurally derived from 3-phenylacetylindole, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the phenyl ring to any extent;

              (F)  Cyclohexylphenols, being any compound structurally derived from 2-(3-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenol, whether or not substituted in the cyclohexyl ring to any extent or in the phenolic ring to any extent;

              (G)  Benzoylindoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the phenyl ring to any extent;

              (H)  Adamantoylindoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or in the adamantoyl ring system to any extent;

              (I)  Tetrahydro derivatives of cannabinol and 3-alkyl homologues of cannabinol or of its tetrahydro derivatives, except where contained in cannabis or cannabis resin;

              (J)  3-Cyclopropylmethanone indole or 3-Cyclobutylmethanone indole or 3-Cyclopentylmethanone indole by substitution at the nitrogen atom of the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl or cyclopentyl rings to any extent;

              (K)  Quinolinyl ester indoles, being any compound structurally derived from 1H-indole-3carboxylic acid-8-quinolinyl ester, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent or the quinolone ring to any extent;

              (L)  3-carboxamide-1H-indazoles, whether or not substituted in the indazole ring to any extent and substituted to any degree on the carboxamide nitrogen and 3-carboxamide-1H-indoles, whether or not substituted in the indole ring to any extent and substituted to any degree on the carboxamide nitrogen;

              (M)  Cycloalkanemethanone Indoles, whether or not substituted at the nitrogen atom on the indole ring, whether or not further substituted in the indole ring to any extent, whether or not substituted on the cycloalkane ring to any extent.

     (d)  Depressants.  Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a depressant effect on the central nervous system, including their salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

          (1)  Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (other names include:  GHB, gamma-hydroxybutyrate; 4-hydroxybutyrate; 4-hydroxybutanoic acid; sodium oxybate; sodium oxybutyrate);

          (2)  Mecloqualone;

          (3)  Methaqualone.

     (e)  Stimulants.  Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following central nervous system stimulants including optical salts, isomers and salts of isomers unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule:

          (1)  Aminorex;

          (2)  N-benzylpiperazine (also known as BZP * * *; and 1-benzylpiperazine);

          (3)  Cathinone;

          (4)  Fenethylline;

          (5)  Methcathinone;

          (6)  4-methylaminorex (also known as 2-amino-4-methyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazoline);

          (7)  N-ethylamphetamine;

          (8)  Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of N,N-dimethylamphetamine.  (Other names include:  N,N,-alpha-trimethyl-benzeneethanamine * * *, and N,N-alphatrimethylphenethylamine);

          (9)  Synthetic cathinones.  (A)  Unless listed in another schedule, any compound other than bupropion that is structurally derived from 2-Amino-1-phenyl-1-propanone by modification in any of the following ways:

                   (i)  By substitution in the phenyl ring to any extent with alkyl, alkoxy, alkylenedioxy, haloalkyl or halide substituents, whether or not further substituted in the phenyl ring by one or more other univalent substituents;

                   (ii)  By substitution at the 3-position with an alkyl substituent;

                   (iii)  By substitution at the nitrogen atom with alkyl or dialkyl groups, or by inclusion of the nitrogen atom in a cyclic structure.

              (B)  The compounds covered in this paragraph (9) include, but are not limited to, any material compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of a synthetic cathinone found in any of the following compounds, whether or not substituted to any extent, or any of these compounds which contain any synthetic cathinone, or salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, whenever the existence of such salts, isomers or salts of isomers is possible, unless specifically excepted or listed in another schedule:

                   (i)  4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone ("4-MEC");

                   (ii)  4-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone ("4-MePPP");

                   (iii)  Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone ("α-PVP");

                   (iv)  1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butan-1-one ("butylone");

                   (v)  2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpentan-1-one ("pentedrone");

                   (vi)  1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)pentan-1-one ("pentylone");

                   (vii)  4-fluoro-N-methylcathinone ("4-FMC");

                   (viii)  3-fluoro-N-methylcathinone ("3-FMC");

                   (ix)  1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one ("naphyrone"); and

                   (x)  Alpha-pyrrolidinobutiophenone ("α-PBP").

     SECTION 5.  Section 69-1-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     69-1-13.  The following are the duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce:

          (a)  * * *He shall To encourage the proper development of agriculture, horticulture and kindred industries.

          (b)  * * *He shall To encourage the organization of neighborhood and county agricultural clubs and associations, and out of these the organization of the state agricultural association.

          (c)  * * *He shall To collect and publish statistics and such other information regarding such industries of this state and of other states as may be of benefit in developing the agricultural resources of the state.  To this end * * *he the commissioner shall * * *put himself be in connection and shall cooperate with the agricultural departments of other states and with the * * *Commissioner Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, and shall provide for the proper and careful distribution of all documents and information coming into his or her possession on account of the department that may be of interest and benefit to the people of the state.

          (d)  * * *He shall To cause to be investigated the diseases of grain, cotton, fruit and other crops grown in this state and also remedies for such diseases, and also the habits and propagation of the various insects that are injurious to the crops of the state and the proper mode of their destruction.

          (e)  * * *He shall To investigate the subject of grasses and report upon their value and the cultivation of the varieties best adapted to the different sections of the state.

          (f)  * * *He shall To inquire into the subjects connected with dairying that he or she may deem of interest to the people of the state, and in this connection the raising of stock and poultry, the obtaining of such as are of most value, and the breeding and propagation of the same; and shall encourage raising of fish and the culture of bees.

          (g)  * * *He shall To investigate the subjects of subsoiling, drainage, etc., and the best modes of effecting each, and of irrigation and what portions of the state can be best benefited thereby.

          (h)  * * *He shall To investigate and report upon the culture of wool and the utility and profit of sheep-raising, also the culture of silk and its manufacture and preparation for market.

          (i)  * * *He shall To investigate and report on the question of broadening the market for cotton and cotton goods in the United States and foreign countries.

          (j)  * * *He shall To cause a proper collection of agricultural statistics to be made annually, and to this end shall furnish blank forms to the tax assessors of each county, and it is made the special duty of the tax assessor to whom * * *said those blanks are furnished to report to the bureau a list of all public or private ginners in his county, with their post offices, upon the demand of the commissioner.  It shall be the duty of the commissioner to furnish to such ginner a form or forms of report to be made to the bureau at such time as the commissioner may direct.  A failure to make such reports on the part of the ginner or assessor as required by * * *said the commissioner shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, punished as provided by law.  It shall be the duty of the members of the boards of supervisors and the county tax assessor of each county in this state to make such reports as may be required by * * *this the bureau touching the matter within the scope of this chapter; and failure of any supervisor or tax assessor to make such report when required shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided by law.

          (k)  * * *He shall To appoint county correspondents who shall report to * * *him the commissioner from time to time, as may be desired.

          (l)  * * *He shall To collect specimens of wood suitable for manufacture and other purposes, and specimens of agricultural, mineral, phosphate and marl deposits of the state; cause correct analysis of such as may be deemed expedient to be made and recorded in a substantial book to be kept for this purpose.

          (m)  * * *He shall To also, as soon as practicable, prepare a convenient handbook with necessary illustrated maps, which shall contain all necessary information as to the mines, mineral, forest, soil, and other products, climate, water, waterpower for the establishing of factories, land, flowers, fisheries, mountains, streams, and all other statistics as are best adapted to the giving of proper information and the attraction of advantages which the state affords to immigrants, and shall make illustrated expositions thereof whenever practicable at international and state expositions.

          (n)  * * *He shall To have the primary responsibility for developing programs that will enhance the marketing of the state's agricultural products to both national and international markets.

          (o)  To perform the duties as required under Section 1 through 3 of this act.

     SECTION 6.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.