What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Notice of committee consideration - withdrawn
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Establishes procedures for the growing of industrial hemp
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5978
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the public health law, in relation to establishing procedures for the growing of industrial hemp
Purpose
To establish policies and procedures for the growing of industrial hemp in the state so that farmers and other businesses in the agricultural industry can take advantage of this market opportunity when federal regulations permit
Summary of provisions
Section 1 outlines legislative intent
Section 2 adds a new article 29 to the agriculture and markets law establishing licensing, inspection and reporting procedures for the growing of industrial hemp.
Section 3 redefines "marijuana" so that the term would exclude biologically-related industrial hemp as long as the plant is not cultivated or processed for any marijuana uses.
Section 4 is the effective date
Justification
Industrial hemp production would offer significant new economic opportunities for New York State. Over 30 countries grow and process industrial hemp, including Canada, Germany, England and France. Currently, in the United States, the Controlled Substance Act makes it illegal to raise industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) commercially without a permit from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
In an effort to take advantage of opportunities presented by hemp production, ten states have now legalized its production when permitted under federal regulations, with California being the most recent to act in October of 2013. Many of these states are actively pursuing licensure by the DEA. This legislation would ensure that New York was positioned to take advantage of this new market should federal policy permit.
Industrial hemp and marijuana are both classified by taxonomists as Cannabis sativa, a species with hundreds of varieties. C. sativa is a member of the mulberry family. However, industrial hemp is bred to maximize fiber, seed and/or oil, while marijuana varieties seek to maximize THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), Industrial hemp has a THC content of between 0,05 and 1% Marijuana has a THC content of 3% to 20%.
Industrial hemp had numerous uses, The major market for industrial hemp is as a food or supplement as it is rich in protein and Omega fatty acids, and has a high fiber content. The clothing industry also produce apparel and accessories from industrial hemp and hemp blended fabrics. Auto manufacturers use durable, green hemp composites and
fabrics when feasible. Industrial hemp can also be used for building materials, plant based plastics, and paper products. Hemp can produce significantly higher yields than competing crops, producing twice as much fiber per acre as cotton.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
90 days after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.