Senate Bill 2738

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE TO ENSURE THE INCLUSION OF MINORITY AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT, ADOPTION, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, REGULATIONS POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AUTHORIZING THE GROWTH, PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) "Industrial hemp" means the plant Cannabis Sativa L. and any part of such a plant, whether growing or not, with a Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than three tenths percent (.3%) on a dry-weight basis.

(2) The Legislature finds and determines that:

(a) Developing and using industrial hemp can improve the economy and agricultural vitality of this state and that the production of industrial hemp can be regulated.

(b) Some states have enacted a Farmer Equity Act in recent years to ensure that minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers are included in food and agriculture laws.

(c) States with programs to support minority-owned businesses, new and beginning farmers and other targeted groups, could potentially apply to commercial industrial hemp producers.

(3) The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce shall ensure the inclusion of minority and socially disadvantaged farmers in the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of regulations, policies and programs authorizing the growth, production and processing of industrial hemp in the State of Mississippi.

(4) On or before January 1, 2021, the department shall submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature on efforts to serve minority and socially disadvantaged industrial hemp farmers in this state, including recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on how to improve opportunities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.