MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Baria

House Bill 562

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, IN CONFORMITY; 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 ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Agricultural hemp seed" means Cannabis sativa 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 for planting.

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

(d) "Handler" means a person, joint venture or cooperative that receives industrial hemp for processing into commodities, products or agricultural hemp seed.

(e) "Industrial hemp":

(i) Means all nonseed parts and varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, whether growing or not, that contain a cropwide average tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed three-tenths percent (.03%) on a dry weight basis.

(ii) Means any Cannabis sativa seed that:

1. Is part of a growing crop;

2. Is retained by a grower for future planting; or

3. Is for processing into, or use as, agricultural hemp seed.

(iii) Does not mean industrial hemp commodities or products.

SECTION 2. (1) Industrial hemp production and possession, and commerce in industrial hemp commodities and products, are authorized in this state. Industrial hemp is an agricultural product that is subject to regulation by the Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

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

(3) An application for an industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit must include:

(a) The name and address of the applicant;

(b) The name and address of the industrial hemp operation of the applicant;

(d) If the industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit application is by a grower, information sufficient to establish that the industrial hemp crop of the applicant will be at least two and one-half (2.5) acres in size; and

(e) Any other information required by the department by rule.

(4) An industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit is valid for a three-year term unless revoked and may be renewed as provided by department rule. An industrial hemp license or agricultural hemp seed production permit is a personal privilege that is nontransferable.

(5) An agricultural hemp seed production permit authorizes a grower or handler to produce and handle agricultural hemp seed for sale to licensed industrial hemp growers and handlers. A seller of agricultural hemp seed shall ensure that the seed complies with any standards set by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. The department shall make available to growers information that identifies sellers of agricultural hemp seed.

(6) Subject to department guidelines, a grower may retain seed from each industrial hemp crop to ensure a sufficient supply of seed for that grower for the following year. A grower does not need an agricultural hemp seed production permit in order to retain seed for future planting. Seed retained by a grower may not be sold or transferred and does not need to meet the department's agricultural hemp seed standards.

(7) Every grower or handler must keep records as required by department rule. 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;

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

(8) In addition to any inspection conducted, the department may inspect any industrial hemp crop during the crop's growth phase and take a representative composite sample for field analysis. If a crop contains an average tetrahydrocannabinol concentration exceeding three-tenths percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis, the department may detain, seize or embargo the crop.

(9) The department may charge growers and handlers reasonable fees as determined by the department. Monies from fees charged under this subsection shall be continuously appropriated to the department for purposes of carrying out the duties of the department under this act.

SECTION 3. (1) In addition to any other liability or penalty provided by law, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce may revoke or refuse to issue or renew an industrial 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;

(d) A final order of the department that is specifically directed to the grower's or handler's industrial 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 an industrial hemp license or an agricultural hemp seed production permit for violation of any rule of the department that pertains to agricultural operations or activities other than industrial 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) Acetylmethadol;

(3) Allylprodine;

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

(5) Alphameprodine;

(6) Alphamethadol;

(7) Alpha-methylfentanyl;

(8) Alpha-methylthiofentanyl;

(9) Benzethidine;

(10) Betacetylmethadol;

(11) Beta-hydroxyfentanyl;

(12) Beta-hydroxy-3-methylfentanyl;

(13) Betameprodine;

(14) Betamethadol;

(15) Betaprodine;

(16) Clonitazene;

(17) Dextromoramide;

(18) Diampromide;

(19) Diethylthiambutene;

(20) Difenoxin;

(21) Dimenoxadol;

(22) Dimepheptanol;

(23) Dimethylthiambutene;

(24) Dioxaphetyl butyrate;

(25) Dipipanone;

(26) Ethylmethylthiambutene;

(27) Etonitazene;

(28) Etoxeridine;

(29) Furethidine;

(30) Hydroxypethidine;

(31) Ketobemidone;

(32) Levomoramide;

(33) Levophenacylmorphan;

(34) 3-methylfentanyl;

(35) 3-methylthiofentanyl;

(36) Morpheridine;

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

(38) Noracymethadol;

(39) Norlevorphanol;

(40) Normethadone;

(41) Norpipanone;

(42) Para-fluorofentanyl;

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

(44) Phenadoxone;

(45) Phenampromide;

(46) Phenomorphan;

(47) Phenoperidine;

(48) Piritramide;

(49) Proheptazine;

(50) Properidine;

(51) Propiram;

(52) Racemoramide;

(53) Thiofentanyl;

(54) Tilidine;

(55) Trimeperidine.

(b) Opiate 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) Marihuana;

(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;

(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 that contains more than fifteen percent (15%) cannabidiol (CBD) or a dilution of the resin that contains at least fifty (50) milligrams of cannabidiol per milliliter, but not more than one-half of one percent (.5%) of tetrahydrocannabinol;

(vi) Industrial hemp as regulated in Sections 1 through 3 of House Bill No. , 2015 Regular Session.

(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 cannabiniol 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-carbozamide-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; 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) 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.

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 encourage the proper development of agriculture, horticulture and kindred industries.

(b) He shall 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 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 shall put himself in connection and shall cooperate with the agricultural department of other states and with the Commissioner of Agriculture of the United States, and shall provide for the proper and careful distribution of all documents and information coming into his possession on account of the department that may be of interest and benefit to the people of the state.

(d) He shall 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 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 inquire into the subjects connected with dairying that he 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 appoint county correspondents who shall report to him from time to time, as may be desired.

(l) He shall 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 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 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) He shall perform the duties as required in Sections 1 through 3 of House Bill No.____, 2015 Regular Session, regarding industrial hemp.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.