NMDA schedules public hearings regarding the newly-developed hemp cultivation rule

NMDA schedules public hearings regarding the newly-developed hemp cultivation rule

Hearings to be held in Las Cruces, Española, Albuquerque, Clovis and Carlsbad in October

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has scheduled rule hearings in order to receive public input on the newly-developed rule regarding hemp cultivation.

The proposed rule establishes licensure requirements, fee caps, inspection/sampling requirements and testing processes to ensure compliance with the requirements for hemp production in New Mexico.

Formal hearings will be held as follows:

§  Friday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, located at 3190 S. Espina, in Las Cruces on the corner of Espina and Gregg

§  Monday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Espanola Library Conference Room, located at 313 N Paseo De Oñate in Española

§  Monday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Los Griegos Center, located 1231 Candelaria Rd. NW in Albuquerque

§  Tuesday Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Clovis Carver Public Library, located at 701 N Main St. in Clovis

§  Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the River Walk Recreation Center-Power House Room, located at 400 River Walk Drive in Carlsbad

Interested individuals may provide comments regarding the proposed rulemaking actions at the rule hearing and/or submit written comments via email at comments@nmda.nmsu.edu. Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 16, 2018. Individuals are encouraged to submit written comments as soon as possible. Persons offering written comments at the meeting must have two copies for the hearing officer.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact NMDA at 575-646-3702 as soon as possible but at least one week prior to the meeting.

Purpose:

To develop a rule to accompany statutory language which allows the department of agriculture to administer an industrial hemp program. 

Background

The 2014 farm bill included the first provision of federal law, which allowed for hemp production and research. The farm bill allows state departments of agriculture and institutions of higher education to pursue production in states where hemp could be legally grown.

During the 2017 New Mexico legislative session, Senate Bill 6 (SB 6) was passed and chaptered into law. SB 6 granted NMDA the authority to develop an industrial hemp program and promulgate rules for the administration of that program, which would complement federal law. State statute also grants persons and institutions of higher education the ability to apply for an industrial hemp production license through the NMDA.

Legal authority authorizing the rule is granted to the board of regents of New Mexico State University under Chapter 76, Article 24, Section 1, NMSA 1978 Compilation.

The full text of the proposed rule is available at www.nmda.nmsu.edu and at NMDA, which is located at 3190 S. Espina in Las Cruces.

For more information about NMDA, visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @NMDeptAg.