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.