Section 14-301 – “Program” Defined

    In this subtitle, “Program” means the Hemp Farming Program.

Section 14-302 – Intent of General Assembly

    It is the intent of the General Assembly that:         (1)    Hemp be established as an agricultural commodity;         (2)    Hemp produced in accordance with this subtitle may be:             (i)    Possessed in the State; and             (ii)    Sold, distributed, transported, marketed, manufactured, or processed in the State or outside the State; and         (3)    Hemp produced outside the State in a state that authorizes […]

Section 14-303 – Hemp Farming Program

    (a)    There is a Hemp Farming Program.     (b)    The purpose of the Program is to:         (1)    Promote the production of hemp in the State;         (2)    Promote the commercial sale of hemp products in the State or outside the State;         (3)    Facilitate the research of hemp and hemp products between institutions of higher education and the private sector; and         (4)    Monitor and […]

Section 14-304 – Hemp Farming Fund

    (a)    There is a Hemp Farming Fund.     (b)    The purpose of the Fund is to defray the costs of administering and enforcing the Program.     (c)    The Department shall administer the Fund.     (d)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.         (2)    The State Treasurer shall hold the […]

Section 14-305 – Plan for Monitoring and Regulating Hemp Production

    (a)    The Department, in consultation with the Governor and the Attorney General, shall establish a plan for monitoring and regulating the production of hemp in the State.     (b)    (1)    The plan required under subsection (a) of this section shall include:             (i)    A practice to maintain, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years, relevant information regarding the […]

Section 14-306 – Licensing Procedure

    (a)    The Department shall establish a procedure for licensing the production of hemp in accordance with the plan established under § 14–305 of this subtitle.     (b)    The Department may set reasonable fees for the issuance and renewal of licenses and other services the Department provides under this subtitle.     (c)    The Department shall pay all funds collected under this […]

Section 14-307 – Regulations

    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this subtitle.

Section 14-308 – License Required

    (a)    This section does not apply to an institution of higher education or a person that produces hemp under the Hemp Research Pilot Program in accordance with Subtitle 2 of this title.     (b)    A person may not produce hemp in the State unless the person is licensed by:         (1)    The Department; or         (2)    The Secretary of the U.S. Department […]

Section 14-309 – Prohibited Acts; Penalties

    (a)    (1)    A person may not knowingly:             (i)    Fail to comply with the Department’s plan for monitoring and regulating the production of hemp established under § 14–305 of this subtitle;             (ii)    Misrepresent or fail to provide the legal description of land on which hemp is produced;             (iii)    Produce hemp without a valid license; or             (iv)    Produce plants, or any part of […]