Laws Authorizing Commercial Hemp Cultivation

Year Passed: 2009
Summary: LD 1159, An Act Relating to Industrial Hemp allows a person to grow industrial hemp if that person holds a license issued by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources and the hemp is grown under a federal permit in compliance with the conditions of that permit.

Laws and Resolutions Authorizing Hemp Research

Year Passed: 2003
Summary: The Maine Legislature approved L.D. 53 directing the Maine Department of Agriculture to "develop a study to explore the feasibility and desirability of industrial hemp production." The legislation requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to "obtain all federal permits necessary to legally grow hemp for fiber or seed production prior to importing any nonsterilized industrial hemp seeds capable of germination into the State." This study remains ongoing.