Arizona Industrial Hemp Bill Moves Forward

Last year’s recreational cannabis initiative in Arizona was defeated in large part by wealthy donors on the side of the opposition and misinformation in their ads. With the state’s recreational cannabis future being reworked behind the scenes, Arizona is now looking to become a player in the industrial hemp industry.

The Arizona Senate Committee on Commerce and Public Safety approved an industrial hemp proposal 6-1. The bill would allow for the processing, production, sale and distribution of hemp by cultivators permitted by the state. The measure will now go before the Senate Appropriations Committee, and if passed there it will be brought before the State Senate for voting.

Hemp in the bill is defined as it is in the 2014 Farm Bill—as a plant from the cannabis genus that contains less than 0.3 percent THC. The bill gives the power to issue licenses to the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Those licenses would be valid for two years.

On the financial end, the bill would create three full-time positions at the Department of Agriculture, at a total cost of $250,000 a year. The department would also need $422,000 for initial set up and testing of the program, and its facilities.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Sonny Borrelli, pointed out that the state has been “missing out on a multi-billion-dollar industry” because of their self-imposed prohibition on hemp products.

The lone opposition to the measure was Arizona attorney Bob Lynch, who represents the irrigation districts that supplies water to farms in Arizona. Since hemp uses significantly less water to grow, his clients could stand to lose substantial revenue.

In regards to water concerns, Borelli stated earlier, “Hemp uses almost no water, actually nine times less water than cotton. I mean in our climate this is perfect for Arizona.”