Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/22/2017 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB6 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 6-INDUSTRIAL HEMP PRODUCTION
1:58:49 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 6 and stated the
intent is to take public testimony.
1:59:05 PM
SENATOR KELLY joined the committee.
2:01:34 PM
KAREN BERGER, representing herself, Homer, Alaska, testified
that she is a proponent of industrial hemp. It is a viable
product that is good for agriculture, the economy, and dietary
needs.
2:02:30 PM
JACK BENNETT, representing himself, Homer, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 6. He encouraged committee members to google his
name followed by hemp to learn about his team's efforts on
sustainable building. He described presentations he has given
throughout Alaska on sustainable building and an oil spill
recovery product that replaces polypropylene technologies. He
noted that he has also given presentations to the Environmental
Protection Agency and military emergency prevention teams. He
highlighted that his bosses' company processes plant-based
material that helps fluid engineers drill faster, lighter, and
cheaper. He noted that last summer the state of Oklahoma
purchased 100 million pounds of hemp for their oil reclamation
technologies.
He emphasized that industrial hemp is not a marijuana product.
It contains just trace amounts of THC but the CannaBiDial or CBD
oil derived from hemp has profound medicinal purposes.
CHAIR COGHILL said your enthusiasm is noted.
2:06:16 PM
DON HART, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, said his
testimony on SB 6 relates to the definitions in AS 11.71.900(14)
and AS 17.38.900(10). He requested the committee remove hemp
entirely from AS 17.38 because despite the exemption, it would
be open to interpretation whether hemp would be subject to
regulation as marijuana. He also pointed out that the definition
in AS 11.71.900(14) conflicts with AS 17.38.900(10).
MR. HART also pointed out that if the university were to take
this as a pilot program it would qualify for federal funding. He
noted the university already has a pilot program for marijuana
and with the combination, the governor could declare the entire
state a study area for the cannabis industry. He listed the
areas that hemp could be used including building materials,
automobile parts, and safety vests. He concluded, "The idea is
you have a tremendous amount of economic opportunity here."
2:12:02 PM
KEN RAY, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 6. He has been a horticulturist in Alaska for 40
years and he believes that legalizing industrial hemp is a good
idea. He said that regulation should be kept to a minimum, but
crop inspection should be required to ensure that the plants
have not cross pollinated with marijuana. This could potentially
raise the THC level above the threshold. If the hemp has too
much THC, the crop should be destroyed, and the owner should
bear the cost. He opined that hemp fields should be posted "so
the growers can protect each other from this cross
pollinization."
He reported that in 1916 the Alaska Experiment Station grew hemp
in Rampart and posted the results. He noted that hemp seed
currently is sold in retail stores in Alaska and he would
suggest there is an economic opportunity for seed production for
livestock feed. He said home gardeners may also want to grow
hemp and they too should be subject to the registration process.
2:17:19 PM
FRANK TURNEY, representing himself, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 6. He mentioned the versatility of the hemp
plant and noted that over 25,000 products are made from its
fiber and oil. He stated his preference to have the pilot
project run by farmers rather than the university. He suggested
the sponsor or committee look into how to transport hemp seeds
to Alaska because it might be difficult due to federal
restrictions.
CHAIR COGHILL said that is part of the discussion, and the pilot
project is not limited to one entity.
MR. TURNEY expressed hope that hemp be given a chance. It has
economic opportunity and is the fasted growing biomass on earth.
He can testify that it will grow in Alaska.
2:20:04 PM
EMBER HAYNES, Denali Hemp Company, Talkeetna, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 6. She said she and her husband have been
importing hemp oil and hemp seed to make natural products for
their store and they look forward to being able to grow their
own. She said her testimony comes from the heart and her
personal use. She voiced support for the pilot program focusing
on both large and small acreages. She opined that being able to
grow hemp fits into the sustainable lifestyle of Alaskans. She
listed the ways that hemp can be used as a food/protein source
including hemp milk, hemp flour, and sprouted hemp seeds for
microgreens. She expressed hope that the bill would move from
committee.
CHAIR COGHILL said it is not his intention to impede the
progress of the bill.
2:23:53 PM
DAVID OTNESS, representing himself, Cordova, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 6. He expressed support for coming out of the
dark ages and being pragmatic about viable crops in Alaska. This
is an opportunity to diversify the economy and remove the stigma
of 1933 laws from industrial hemp. He discussed the gardening
page he and a friend started two years ago and the interest they
have stimulated in the community of Eyak to grow food for both
Cordova and four other communities around Prince William Sound.
He agreed with previous testimony that the industrial
opportunities for hemp seem to be endless. He listed the
products hemp is used for including automobile panels,
insulation, and building blocks.
He questioned the assertion that there would be a problem with
cross pollination with marijuana. His understanding is that
serious marijuana growers hand pollinate their crop within a
confined space. He voiced support for keeping regulations to a
minimum and suggested placing the pilot program under the
Cooperative Extension Service.
2:29:23 PM
CHAIR COGHILL stated that the committee is working on a
committee substitute to protect a farmer whose hemp crop tests a
little over the upper THC limit.
He held SB 6 in committee awaiting a committee substitute and
kept public testimony open.
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