Rulemaking authority; disposition of funds; powers and duties of department.

(a) The department may adopt rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, as necessary to administer an industrial hemp research program and to license growers to grow industrial hemp pursuant to this article, including rules establishing reasonable fees for licenses, permits, or other necessary expenses to defray the cost of implementing and operating the industrial hemp research program in this state on an ongoing basis. All revenue collected pursuant to rules adopted for the industrial hemp research under this section shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Agricultural Fund.

(b) The department or an institution of higher education may pursue any permits or waivers from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration or appropriate federal agency that are necessary for the advancement of the industrial hemp research program.

(c) The department and institutions of higher education may cooperate and work jointly toward implementing an industrial hemp research program.

(d) The department or the institution of higher education shall coordinate the implementation of this article with other state agencies or departments, as needed, to protect public safety, diversify the agricultural economy of the state, attract new businesses to the state, create new job opportunities for Alabama residents, and create a commercial market for industrial hemp.

(e) In accordance with the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, the department, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General, shall develop a plan under which the state monitors and regulates the production of hemp. The plan shall be submitted to the United States Secretary of Agriculture for approval.

(Act 2016-293, p. 730, §4; Act 2019-502, §1.)