Rose Law Group Attorney, Omar Abdallah, who has been handling hemp-related issues, answers questions about this potentially big new business.
I heard the Department of Agriculture adopted or is adopting a bunch of rules relating to hemp. What was that process like and when will the rules be finalized?
The Arizona Department of Agriculture established a committee called the Industrial Hemp Program Rules Committee to develop rule language for hemp extending from its growth and cultivation, to the point of processing. The committee of 7 members, all of whom are involved in the agriculture industry in some form, and a Department liaison met about once a month to develop the rules.
The meetings were open to the public and early meetings were attended by the same few faces. As the word spread, the meetings grew more and more full and the venue changed to larger spaces multiple times. The public was involved in the rule making process too, sharing their thoughts at the end of meetings and online with the Department. The rules will be finalized and established on May 31, 2019.
