SB 8-INDUSTRIAL HEMP PRODUCTION LICENSES  2:31:41 PM VICE CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 8. He noted this is the first hearing on the bill. 2:32:17 PM SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor, introduced SB 8. He stated that the bill would change state law to make the cultivation of industrial hemp legal. He called it the "Freedom to Farm" bill. He said there is a committee substitute (CS) for the committee to consider and it has no fiscal impact. He noted there has been no opposition to the bill and it has received statewide support. The bill says "no" to federal overreach. SENATOR ELLIS related that industrial hemp is an ancient crop that has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. Hemp got caught up in the anti-drug hysteria at the federal level in a very ignorant fashion. He said that George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson all grew hemp on their personal farms. The first draft of the U. S. Constitution was written on hemp paper. He stated that Alaskan industrial hemp production is a tool to fight federal overreach. SB 8 gives Alaskans the freedom to farm and rejects any need for federal approval. The freedom to farm issue also brings Republicans and Democrats together, even on the federal level. At least 28 other states embrace pilot studies and/or hemp production. He referred to a handout that described the uses and benefits of hemp. 2:37:25 PM VICE CHAIR COGHILL asked if version W was before the committee. He said he is supportive of the bill. 2:37:54 PM SENATOR COSTELLO moved to adopt the work draft CS for SB 8, labeled 29-LS0195\W, as the working document. VICE CHAIR COGHILL objected for discussion. 2:38:21 PM SARAH EVANS, Staff, Senator Johnny Ellis, Alaska State Legislature, presented the sectional analysis of SB 8. She said Section 1 defines industrial hemp, which means all parts and varieties of the plant containing not more than .3 percent THC. Section 2 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: In a prosecution under AS 11.71.030 - 11.71.060 charging the manufacture, delivery, possession, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or display of a schedule VIA controlled substance, it is an affirmative defense that the controlled substance is industrial hemp. VICE CHAIR COGHILL said it is a schedule VIA drug. MS. EVANS continued to say that Section 3 adds a new subsection: An individual manufacturing, delivering, or displaying industrial hemp is not required to apply for licensure or be licensed under this section. In this subsection, "industrial hemp" has the meaning given in AS 11.71.900. VICE CHAIR COGHILL asked for the genesis of the change. MS. EVANS explained that in the previous version of the bill, there were a variety of licenses and permits required. After checking with the Department of Agriculture, she found that industrial hemp did not require those licenses and permits because industrial hemp is legal. 2:42:26 PM VICE CHAIR COGHILL opened public testimony. 2:42:32 PM FRANK TURNEY, Hemp Activist, testified in support of SB 8. He noted the support of many others for the bill, such as the City of Fairbanks, North Star Borough Assembly member John Davies, and the North Pole City Council. He agreed that Alaska should embrace this economic, free-market opportunity. He pointed out that the United States imports approximately 2 billion hemp products annually. He said there are over 50,000 products that can be made out of hemp. He thanked Senator Ellis for the bill. KAT UTLEY, representing herself, testified in support of SB 8. She said she and her husband are peony growers and she spoke in support of the hemp farming industry. She shared information about the benefits of hemp plants and the potential for jobs. VICE CHAIR COGHILL kept public testimony open. He removed his objection and version W was adopted. He held SB 8 in committee.