AN ACT CONCERNING A STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF LEGALIZING INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (Effective from passage) The Commissioners of Consumer Protection and Economic and Community Development shall study the feasibility of legalizing the production, possession and sale of industrial hemp for the purpose of encouraging economic development and increasing the number of new businesses in this state. Not later than January 1, 2015, the commissioners shall jointly report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to consumer protection and commerce concerning their recommendations on (1) a statutory definition of "industrial hemp", based on the percentage of proposed tetrahydrocannabinol in such industrial hemp, as distinguished from marijuana, (2) how to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of "controlled substance" in section 21a-240 of the general statutes, and (3) establishing a licensing system for industrial hemp growers and sellers.

Statement of Purpose:

To require a study of the feasibility of legalizing industrial hemp production, possession and sales.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]