HOUSE MEMORIAL 47

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Ray Begaye

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

     WHEREAS, hemp is an ancient source of material for fiber and other commercial products; and

     WHEREAS, hemp requires less water than conventional crops; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture is a critical component of New Mexico's economy; and

     WHEREAS, the world market for products derived from industrial hemp is a potential opportunity for New Mexico agricultural producers to diversify and augment the state's agricultural economy; and

     WHEREAS, economic conditions require innovation and experimentation with alternative crops and value-added technologies; and

     WHEREAS, legal, technical and financial obstacles must be overcome if industrial hemp is to become a viable commercial crop in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the federal drug enforcement agency has even recognized, in an interpretive rule published in the federal register, that "exempt from control [pursuant to the Controlled Substances Act] certain THC-containing industrial products, processed plant materials used to make such products, and animal feed mixtures; provided [that] such products, materials and feed mixtures are made from those portions of the cannabis plant that are excluded from the definition of marijuana and are not used or intended for use for human consumption";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico department of agriculture be requested to investigate the feasibility of state incentives for the commercialization of industrial hemp in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico department of agriculture report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim committee of the legislature by December 1, 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congress be requested to acknowledge the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp and to clearly legalize the commercial production of industrial hemp; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture and to the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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