SUSAN ANABLE

RESEARCH STAFF DIRECTOR

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 542-3171

Facsimile: (602) 542-7833

TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

DATE: March 12, 2001

SUBJECT: Proposed Strike Everything Amendment to S.B. 1519

Purpose

Authorizes the Arizona State University (ASU)-East School of Agri-business and Resource Management to conduct a study on the feasibility of industrial hemp production in Arizona.

Background

Hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that is regulated under the federal Controlled Substances Act as a schedule 1 drug. In addition, hemp is currently an illegal substance under Arizona drug laws.

According to the Hemp Industries Association, industrial hemp is currently legal in 25 countries and legislation has been passed in five states to legalize industrial hemp (North Dakota, Hawaii, Minnesota, Illinois and Maryland). Legislation to legalize industrial hemp is currently pending in seven states and voter initiatives are underway in three states. There is currently a nationwide effort underway to legalize the production of this variety of cannabis for non drug-related uses.

Hemp can be used in the manufacturing of numerous products, including clothing, paper, textiles, cosmetics, accessories and certain foods. Industrial hemp is also currently being studied for use as a biomass fuel source.

The proposed strike everything amendment to S.B. 1519 authorizes the ASU-East School of Agri-business and Resource Management to conduct a feasibility study on the production of industrial hemp in Arizona.

Provisions

1. Authorizes the ASU-East School of Agri-business and Resource Management to conduct a study on the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in Arizona. Requires that if the School conducts the study, it must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2002.

2. Repeals the authority for the study on January 31, 2003.

3. Provides for a general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

Authorizes the ASU-East School of Agri-business and Resource Management to conduct a study on the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production in Arizona. Requires that if the School conducts the study, it must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2002.

Senate Action

NRAE 3/8/01 DPA/SE 7-0-1-0

SA/ac