NMDA schedules public hearings regarding hemp manufacturing act

NMDA schedules public hearings regarding hemp manufacturing act

Hearings to be held in Las Cruces, Albuquerque the end of June

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has scheduled formal hearings to receive public input on the newly developed hemp manufacturing rule.

Public hearings will be held as follows:

§  Thursday, June 27 at 10 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, located at 1901 University Blvd. NE, in Albuquerque

§  Friday, June 28 at 8 a.m. at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, located at 3190 S. Espina, in Las Cruces on the corner of Espina and Gregg

The proposed rule establishes regulations related to the licensing, fees, eligibility and inspection requirements for persons involved in specific activities involving the testing of raw hemp for regulatory purposes, as well as persons involved in specific activities related to the breeding of hemp.

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. Friday, June 28. 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 provides NMDA specific administration authorities related to the licensing and inspection of laboratories testing raw hemp for regulatory purposes, as well as the licensing and inspection of persons breeding hemp that may possess plants greater than .3% and less than 5% THC.  

The 2018 farm bill removed hemp from the federal controlled substances act and provided a framework for the growing of hemp. NMDA is currently licensing hemp producers.

NMDA has worked closely with producers and processors who are seeking security in the development of the extracting, processing and manufacturing components of this new industry.

During the 2019 legislative session, House Bill 581 Hemp Manufacturing Act was passed and signed into law. The legislation grants NMDA and the New Mexico Environment Department the regulatory authority over manufacturers, processors, labs, researchers and plant breeders.

The hemp manufacturing act may be viewed in its entirety at https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/19%20Regular/final/HB0581.pdf.

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 21.20.3 NMAC – Hemp Manufacturing 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.

– NMDA