HB 2479

This bill authorizes an adult who is registered with the department of agriculture ("department"") to engage in the following conduct :  Cultivate for personal use not more than 15 marijuana plants, with not more than five being mature plants, in an area on the premises of the adult's private residence; provided, that the cultivation occurs in a private area that is equipped with locks that restrict access to the area; and not in public view.  Cure, possess, and store on the premises of the adult's private residence not more than the amount of marijuana produced from plants cultivated on the premises; provided, that not more than 16 oz. of dried marijuana trim is authorized on the premises at one time; and the marijuana trim is stored in a locked container or room.  Use marijuana trim.  Possess and use marijuana-related drug paraphernalia that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, storing, ingesting, or inhaling marijuana.  Casually exchange marijuana trim, without remuneration, with another adult on the premises of private residence; provided, that marijuana must remain and be used on the premises.  Possess and purchase marijuana seeds, including from seed banks, farm supply stores, and agriculture or farmers cooperatives. However, t his bill does not authorize the production, possession, or use of resin extracted from any part of the plant or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, including concentrates and oils, and such production, posses sion, or use. An adult who is registered must also restrict a minor's access to areas of the premises where marijuana is cultivated or stored and must not cultivate, use, or casually exchange marijuana in the presence of a minor. A registered a dult who violates this bill is subject to permanent revocation of their registration and criminal penalties. This bill authorizes a n adult resident of this state who owns their place of residence, or who leases their residence and has express written permission from the property owner, to cultivate, possess, and use marijuana if registered with the department. Administration and R eview This bill requires the department to establish a process by which an adult may so register. The department may allow or require a registrant to list other adults residing in the household as part of the registration process. The department must establish a process for both online and in-person registration and secure verification by law enforcement agencies of va lid registration status. This bill provides that r egistration is valid for three years; costs $100; and is required for only one adult per residence and each adult residing in the household is deemed to be a registered adult for that property. The one-hundred-dollar fee collected must be used only for t he administration of the registration process. By each June 30, beginning in 2027, the department must review its actual and expected fee revenue and expenditures for the registration process for the current fiscal year and the next two fiscal years in order to determine surplus revenue. Each July 1, beginning in 2027, the department must deposit 90% of the surplus revenue identified into a fund for the farmers' market support program as described below. FARMERS' MARKET SUPPORT PROGRAM This bill establishes t he farmers' market support program to annually provide grants to support new and existing farmers' markets throughout the state. The commissioner of agriculture must promulgate rules to establish guidelines for evaluating grant requests and determining which farmers' markets will receive grants. The commissioner must also decide which grants to award and disburse the grants to the selected farmers' markets. This bill requires t he total amount of grants awarded each year to be divided among the three grand divisions of the state. The commissioner must endeavor to expend all funds appropriated to the program each year, and any funds remaining do not revert to the general fund but remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. RULEMAKING This bill authorizes t he department to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill."