HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2795        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3545

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Susannah M. Whipps

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing a cannabis and hemp cultivation research center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Susannah M. Whipps

2nd Franklin

1/17/2019

Tricia Farley-Bouvier

3rd Berkshire

1/29/2019

Sarah K. Peake

4th Barnstable

1/29/2019

Stephan Hay

3rd Worcester

1/31/2019

Mindy Domb

3rd Hampshire

2/1/2019

Josh S. Cutler

6th Plymouth

2/1/2019

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

2/1/2019

David M. Rogers

24th Middlesex

2/1/2019

David T. Vieira

3rd Barnstable

2/1/2019


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2795        FILED ON: 1/17/2019

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3545

By Ms. Whipps of Athol, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3545) of Susannah M. Whipps and others relative to establishing a cannabis and hemp cultivation research center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  Cannabis Policy.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

_______________

 

An Act establishing a cannabis and hemp cultivation research center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 128 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:

124. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, shall establish a Cannabis and Hemp Cultivation Research Center. The center shall provide technical support, practical solutions and public advocacy on behalf the burgeoning hemp and marijuana industries in surmounting technical challenges as well as regulatory impediments to hemp operations.

A. The Center shall facilitate public outreach and dialogue forums in Eastern and Western Massachusetts regarding emerging issues for cultivators of cannabis and hemp, including, but not limited to, strategies for preventing cross-pollination conflicts between outdoor grown industrial hemp and marijuana crops, assessment of regionally appropriate cultivars, and alternative mechanisms for confirming that THC levels in hemp cultivation are compliant with federal and state requirements.

B. The Center shall establish an advisory committee of hemp and cannabis farmers to aid in the assessment of the emerging issues.

C. Within one year of its establishment, the Center shall issue a report, based on review of field experience in the Commonwealth, as well as policy developments in other states, identifying challenges, practical solutions and public policy recommendations to promote sustainable cultivation.