Lawmakers are one vote away from authorizing hemp cultivation through a pilot program.
Lawmakers are one vote away from authorizing hemp cultivation through a pilot program.
Senate Bill 2659 cleared its conference committee this week and heads to the House and Senate for final floor votes Tuesday, said Sen. Russell Ruderman, one of the bill’s co-sponsors.
The bill, which also requires Gov. David Ige’s signature to become law, would allow the state Board of Agriculture to issue licenses for hemp cultivation for agriculture or academic research.
Ruderman, D-Puna, said that includes marketing research, which allows cultivation for commercial uses.
Industrial hemp plants have less than 0.3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical in cannabis that causes psychological effects.
Ruderman, who sells hemp products at his Island Naturals food stores, said it can’t be used to get high.
While hemp products might be viewed as serving a mostly niche market in the United States, he said the plant and its seeds have numerous commercial and industrial uses, including clothing, biofuel and as chicken feed.
Most hemp products are imported from Canada or China, Ruderman said.
Bird seed, he said, already is made from hemp seed, and he sees local cultivation as helping boost the Hawaii poultry industry.
“In my store, we can’t literally buy enough backyard healthy, fresh eggs,” he said. “Everyone gives up” because of the cost of imported feed.
Under the bill, Agriculture would import seeds for planting to comply with federal law and issue licenses to growers.
Licenses would cost $250 plus $2 per acre.
Growers must inform Agriculture about plans to harvest at least a week prior. Permits to move hemp grain or plant material would be required.
Ruderman said the amended bill provides $425,000 to cover administrative costs and for lab testing of plants to ensure compliance with THC limits.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.