LRB-1692/1
MCP:kjf:jf
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
May 14, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Considine, Danou,
Kahl,
Hesselbein, Pope, Milroy, Sargent, C. Taylor, Subeck, Goyke, Genrich,
Sinicki, Quinn, Jorgensen, Kolste, Brostoff, Spreitzer, Ohnstad and
Berceau, cosponsored by Senators Vinehout,
Miller, Harris Dodd,
Ringhand and Erpenbach. Referred to Committee on State Affairs and
Government Operations.
AB215,1,4
1An Act to renumber and amend 961.55 (8); and
to create 20.115 (7) (gc), 94.55,
2961.32 (3) and 961.55 (8) (b) of the statutes;
relating to: growing and
3processing industrial hemp, granting rule-making authority, and making an
4appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law places various restrictions on the possession, manufacture, and
delivery of controlled substances. One such controlled substance is
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), including THC contained in or obtained from
marijuana. The controlled substances law defines marijuana as all parts of plants
of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not, and most derivatives or preparations
of the plants (though it does not include, for instance, fiber produced from the stalks
or oil made from the seeds of the plants). THC is currently placed in the most
restrictive category of controlled substances, which means it may not be prescribed
for medical use and may be manufactured and possessed only for particular purposes
(such as research) under special permits.
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection (DATCP) to issue licenses that authorize the growing and processing of
industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is defined as the plant Cannabis sativa with no
more than 0.3 percent THC. The bill requires an applicant for a license to provide
a legal description of the land on which industrial hemp will be grown or processed
and to pay a fee for the license. It also requires DATCP to obtain a criminal history
search from the state Department of Justice for each applicant and prohibits DATCP
from issuing a license to a person if the criminal history search shows the person has
been convicted of violating the controlled substances law. The bill requires reporting
by a person with an industrial hemp license, including reporting all sales of
industrial hemp. The bill also requires DATCP to promulgate rules for the
administration of the licensing law.
This bill also creates an exemption from the controlled substances law for
growing or processing industrial hemp in conformity with a license issued by DATCP.
This bill does not change federal law. Growing and possessing the plant
Cannabis is generally prohibited by federal law. The 2014 federal farm bill,
7 USC
5940, authorizes a state agriculture department or an institution of higher education
to grow industrial hemp for research purposes, if the state's laws allow the growing
of industrial hemp.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB215,1
1Section
1. 20.115 (7) (gc) of the statutes is created to read:
AB215,2,32
20.115
(7) (gc)
Industrial hemp. All moneys received under s. 94.55 for
3regulation of growing and processing industrial hemp under s. 94.55.
AB215,2
4Section
2. 94.55 of the statutes is created to read:
AB215,2,7
594.55 Industrial hemp. (1) Definition. In this section, "industrial hemp"
6means the plant Cannabis sativa having no more than 0.3 percent
7tetrahydrocannabinol, including the seeds of that plant.
AB215,2,10
8(2) Licensing. (a) The department shall issue licenses that authorize growing,
9processing, and, in conjunction with growing or processing, selling industrial hemp
10for commercial purposes or research.
AB215,3,211
(b) A person applying for a license under this subsection shall provide the name
12and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land on which industrial
13hemp will be grown or processed and shall pay a fee equal to $150 or, if the person
1will grow industrial hemp, the greater of $150 or $5 multiplied by the number of acres
2on which the person will grow industrial hemp.
AB215,3,53
(c) 1. The department shall obtain a criminal history search from the records
4maintained by the department of justice for each person applying for initial licensure
5under this subsection.
AB215,3,76
2. The department may not issue a license if the person has ever been convicted
7of a violation of ch. 961 as indicated in the information obtained under subd. 1.
AB215,3,98
3. Information obtained by the department under subd. 1. is confidential and
9may be used only to determine eligibility for licensure.
AB215,3,1010
(d) A license issued under this subsection is valid for one year.
AB215,3,12
11(3) Documentation and reporting requirements. (a) A licensee under sub. (2)
12who grows industrial hemp shall provide all of the following to the department:
AB215,3,1413
1. Documentation showing that the seeds planted were of a variety certified to
14have no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol.
AB215,3,1515
2. A copy of any contract under which the licensee grows industrial hemp.
AB215,3,1816
(b) A licensee under sub. (2) shall report to the department the name and
17address of each person to whom the licensee sells industrial hemp and the amount
18of industrial hemp sold to each person.
AB215,3,21
19(4) Authority to import and sell seed. A person licensed under sub. (2) may
20bring into this state and resell seed of varieties of industrial hemp that are certified
21to have no more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol.
AB215,3,23
22(5) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of
23this section including rules concerning all of the following:
AB215,3,2424
(a) Certifying industrial hemp seeds.
AB215,3,2525
(b) Testing plants during growth for tetrahydrocannabinol levels.
AB215,4,1
1(c) Supervising the growing, harvesting, and processing of industrial hemp.
AB215,3
2Section
3. 961.32 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
AB215,4,43
961.32
(3) (a) In this subsection, "industrial hemp" has the meaning given in
4s. 94.55 (1).
AB215,4,105
(b) A person licensed by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer
6protection under s. 94.55 (2), and an agent or employee of the person acting in the
7usual course of the agent's or employee's business or employment, may plant,
8cultivate, grow, harvest, process, possess, and deliver industrial hemp in this state
9to the extent authorized by the person's license and in conformity with s. 94.55 and
10the rules promulgated under that section.
AB215,4
11Section
4. 961.55 (8) of the statutes is renumbered 961.55 (8) (intro.) and
12amended to read:
AB215,4,1713
961.55
(8) (intro.) The failure, upon demand by any officer or employee
14designated in s. 961.51 (1) or (2), of the person in occupancy or in control of land or
15premises upon which the species of plants are growing or being stored, to produce
an 16one of the following constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plants
17described in sub. (7):
AB215,4,19
18(a) An appropriate federal registration, or proof that the person is the holder
19thereof
, constitutes authority for the seizure and forfeiture of the plants.
AB215,5
20Section
5. 961.55 (8) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB215,4,2121
961.55
(8) (b) Evidence of licensure under s. 94.55.
