Almost a year ago the Illinois State Legislature formed and financed a task force to study Industrial Hemp

RECOMMENDATIONS
Based upon the review of literature and testimony presented before the Task Force, the members find that industrial hemp is a versatile crop. There is potential for industrial hemp to be an important alternative crop in Illinois. Underlying any recommendations to investigate, permit or promote the production of industrial hemp. So that Illinois does not lose an opportunity to enhance its agricultural leadership in the United States, the Task Force believes the General Assembly should act upon the following recommendations:

1) Redefine Cannabis Sativa L. 740 ILCS 20/, the Cannabis and Controlled Substances Tort Claim Act, to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana. Industrial hemp should be distinguished as having a level of 0.3 percent or less tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

2) Redefine Cannabis sativa L. in 720 ILCS 550, the Cannabis Control Act, as above.

3) Distinguish between marijuana and industrial hemp and remove industrial hemp as a noxious weed in 505 ILCS/100, the Illinois Noxious Weed Law.

4) Encourage Congress to make the necessary changes in the United States Codes: 21 U.S.C.812 (10), 21 U.S.C.841 to distinguish between marijuana and industrial hemp as they relate to production, possession and delivery.

5) Recommend the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the National Office of Drug Control Policy adopt a new definition of industrial hemp and recognize a 0.3 percent THC level as the standard for industrial hemp. Recommend DEA issue permits and make it legal to produce, possess, and deliver industrial hemp in the United States and internationally.

6) Request a permit from the DEA for Illinois to pursue research on industrial hemp on test plots at universities in Illinois. University research on industrial hemp should be undertaken quickly so that Illinois is in the position to capitalize on the market for hemp.

7) Utilizing the research capabilities at Illinois universities and the National Research Lab in Peoria, Illinois, allocate funding to: conduct market analyses; perform agronomic research that identifies the best growing conditions of hemp; study methods of adapting of machinery needed for harvesting hemp; establish viable seed stocks and germ plasm collections; evaluate the incorporation of hemp in conjunction or rotation with current crops; develop economic modeling of profitability, including fiber yields in different regions of Illinois.

8) Provide for regional informational meetings throughout Illinois for law enforcement, state government officials, farmers, businesses, and the general public on industrial hemp.

9) Investigate the availability of new tools to lower the cost to regulate and test industrial hemp.

10) Adopt a resolution to urge the DEA to work with the USDA to set up a program to certify hemp seeds, regulate industrial hemp, and establish a protocol for commercializing industrial hemp in the United States.

11) Encourage the DEA to include state participation in the development of rules and regulations of industrial hemp.

12) Set up a committee to evaluate and research infrastructure needs and processing capability for commercial production of industrial hemp.

13) Support and fund the establishment of a certified seed bank and germ plasm bank for industrial hemp in Illinois to supply hemp producers around the world. In order to capitalize on the growth of the industrial hemp market.

14) Adopt a resolution to urge Congress to establish an aggressive new research program to update the knowledge fund of industrial hemp, seed production and marketing.