House Bill 18

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF COOPERATIVE FARMING FOR THE CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR DISTRIBUTION TO OUT-OF-STATE VENDORS LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO DISPENSE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES WHICH MUST BE INCLUDED IN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN A LOCAL FARMER AND ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY; TO CREATE THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LOCAL FARMERS SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR THE DEPOSIT OF CERTAIN MONIES COLLECTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA; TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO ENACT ORDINANCES RESTRICTING FARMS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES UNDER THIS ACT; TO PRESCRIBE THE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS WITH REGARD TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA CULTIVATION; TO REQUIRE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS TO ESTABLISH A WATERSHED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM TO FACILITATE THE INVESTIGATION, ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION OF UNLAWFUL WATER DIVERSIONS AND OTHER HEALTH, AGRICULTURAL AND WILDLIFE REGULATORY VIOLATIONS; TO REQUIRE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATION; TO DESIGNATE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, AS THE RESPONSIBLE ENTITY FOR RESEARCHING, ANALYZING AND SUPERVISING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ACTIONS TO MITIGATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATION; TO PROVIDE THAT INDOOR AND OUTDOOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAWS RELATED TO LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL CONTROLS; TO REQUIRE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY TO IMPLEMENT A UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA; TO REQUIRE THE MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE TO IMPLEMENT PERMANENT STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE REDUCTION OF ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MARIJUANA CULTIVATION; TO PROVIDE REGIONAL OVERSIGHT BOARDS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS DISCHARGES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION WASTE AND TO ADOPT A GENERAL PERMIT OR WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 41-29-125, 41-29-127, 41-29-136, 41-29-137, 41-29-139, 41-29-141 AND 41-29-143, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• John W. Hines, Sr.

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 5 – Feb 2

1. Jan 5Referred to the House committee on Universities and Colleges
2. Feb 2Died in committee in the House