BILL REQ. #:  S-0711.1 

Read first time 01/23/13.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to industrial hemp; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature intends to investigate the various economic opportunities and industrial uses associated with industrial hemp cultivation and production as a farm product in the state of Washington. By commissioning a study, the legislature intends to assess whether the state's growing conditions and economic potential are favorable for the production of industrial hemp so that growers and other businesses in Washington's agricultural industry may take advantage of this market opportunity.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The university shall study the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in Washington state. In conducting the study, the university shall gather information from agricultural and scientific literature, consulting with experts and the public, and reviewing the best practices of other states and countries worldwide regarding the development of markets for industrial hemp and hemp products. The study must include an analysis of:
     (a) The market economic conditions affecting the development of an industrial hemp industry in the state;
     (b) The estimated value-added benefit that Washington's economy would reap from having a developed industrial hemp industry in the state;
     (c) Whether Washington soils and growing conditions are appropriate for economically viable levels of industrial hemp production;
     (d) An analysis of the agronomy research being conducted worldwide relating to industrial hemp varieties, production, and utilization;
     (e) An analysis of other legislative acts, experiences, and outcomes around the world regarding industrial hemp production;
     (f) Recommendations for any legislative actions necessary to encourage and support the development of an industrial hemp industry in the state of Washington.
     (2) The university shall report its findings to the legislature by January 14, 2014.
     (3) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
     (a) "Hemp products" includes all products made with or derived from industrial hemp including, but not limited to, cloth, cordage, fiber, food, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, seed, seed meal and seed oil for consumption, and certified seed for cultivation if the seeds originate from industrial hemp varieties.
     (b) "Industrial hemp" means all parts and varieties of the plant cannabis sativa, cultivated or possessed by a licensed grower, whether growing or not, that contain a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of point three percent or less by weight, except that the THC concentration limit of point three percent may be exceeded for licensed industrial hemp seed research.
     (c) "Tetrahydrocannabinol" or "THC" means the natural or synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the plant, or in the resinous extractives of, cannabis, or any synthetic substances, compounds, salts, or derivatives of the plant or chemicals and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity.
     (d) "University" means Washington State University.