Economic Benefits of Cannabis to Texas.

From the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock interim report on industrial hemp:

• Global market for hemp consists of more than 25,000 products in 9 submarkets
• 30 countries approve industrial hemp 
• 41 U.S. states and territories have an agricultural hemp program
• 2018 US hemp is estiamted at $1 billion market
• Economic growth of 16% in 2017
• Environmentally friendly

Recommendations:

• 1. Define industrial hemp

  2. Amend the definition of “marihuana” and “tetrahydrocannabinols” in the Texas Controlled Substances Act to exclude hemp and related products

  3. Align legislation, registration, fees, cultivation, and processing requirements with the minimum standard with 2018 farm bill

  4. Texas Department of Agriculture to establish rules and a regulatory framework for the cultivation, production, and sale of industrial hemp as food, supplements, ointments, feed, and fiber.

  5. Require robust pre-harvest testing 

  6. Allow naturally derived cannabinoids to be extracted

  7. Establish applications for institutes of higher education to obtain permits so they may grow hemp for research-related purposes

  8. Provide legal protections for growers and processors

  2017 Interim Report Hosue Committee Report on Agriculture and Livestock