NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RELATING TO
HAWAII-GROWN INDUSTRIAL HEMP
Notice is hereby given that the Department of Agriculture pursuant to Chapter 91 and Section 141-40 Hawaii Revised Statutes will hold public hearings as follows:
May 15, 2017 9:00 a.m. May 16, 2017 8:00 a.m.
Quality Assurance Division Conference Room Kulana Oiwi – DHHL/OHA Conference Room
1851 Auiki Street Kalama’ula, Molokai, HI 96748
Honolulu, HI 96819
May 17, 2017 9:00 a.m. May 18, 2017 9:00 a.m.
Department of Agriculture Conference Room Department of Agriculture Conference Room
635 Mua Street 16E Lanikaula Street
Kahului, HI 96732 Hilo, HI 96720
May 19, 2017 9:00 a.m. May 22, 2017 9:00 a.m.
West Hawaii Civic Center Department of Agriculture Conference Room
County Council Conference Room A 4398A Pua Loke Street
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Lihue, HI 96766
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
The purpose of the public hearings is to receive testimony related to the proposed rules in Title 4, Subtitle 7, Chapter 161, entitled “Hawaii-Grown Industrial Hemp”. The proposed rules are summarized below:
1. Establish definitions for the chapter, including but not limited to, definitions of applicant, industrial hemp, licensed land area, seed cultivar, and variety.
2. Specifies the requirements for a license for the production of industrial hemp, including licensing fees, and the term of the license.
3. Requires an applicant to submit pre-planting, planting, harvest, and movement reports. Identifies the information needed on each report.
4. Identifies the duties of the licensee, including but not limited to, providing accurate and up to date information; operating in a lawful manner; indemnifying the State of Hawaii; allowing access, inspections, and sampling; remitting all fees and expenses when due; narrowly adhering to the research focus of the industrial hemp pilot program; providing a research report and other required reports; properly disposing of non-compliant plants; and using best management practices.
5. Specifies the inspection, sampling, and testing requirements of industrial hemp, the related fees, and the handling of product when a sample is found with a greater tetrahydrocannabinol concentration than allowed by law.
6. Sets forth violations and penalty provisions.
7. Allows for a licensee’s income or profit from the disposition of its hemp, provided that the licensee properly reports on the movement, sale, or exchange of its hemp.
8. Allows a licensee to request a waiver to the revocation or suspension of its license if a sample is found with a greater tetrahydrocannabinol concentration than allowed by law, if the crop is destroyed or utilized in a manner approved by the Department of Agriculture.
The proposed rules are available for review in person at the following Department of Agriculture offices during business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday from May 8, 2017 to May 22, 2017.
Honolulu 1851 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 Phone – 832-0700
Hilo 75 Aupuni Street, Hilo, HI 96720 Phone – 974-6514
Kona 82-6130 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI Phone – 323-7590
Maui 635 Mua Street, Kahului, HI 96732 Phone – 873-3554
Kauai 4398A Pua Loke St., Lihue, HI 96766 Phone – 241-7133
Copies of the proposed rules may also be obtained at the above offices by paying a fee charge for photocopying or sent by mail upon receipt of a fee charge for photocopying and postage. Copies may also be reviewed or downloaded at the Department of Agriculture website at hdoa.hawaii.gov/meetings-reports.
All interested persons may attend the public hearings and submit comments orally or in writing. Written testimony may be submitted prior to the hearing via postal mail to the Quality Assurance Division, Department of Agriculture, 1428 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96814, or via fax at (808) 832-0683, or email at HDOA.QAD@hawaii.gov. Please include the word “testimony” and the subject matter. If possible, submit 5 written copies of the testimony prior to the hearing.
Persons requiring special accommodations at the hearing may call the Department of Agriculture at (808) 832-0703 at least 4 working days prior to the hearing.
(WHT982817 4/12/17)~
