Committee advances SB 3275 after debate over hemp, CBD rules and agency authority

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Feb. 19 recommended advancing SB 3275 after adopting a set of line-by-line edits and agency substitutions aimed at addressing recent federal actions affecting the hemp industry and CBD manufacturing.

The chair described the recommended amendments: strike specified lines on pages 10–11, remove pages 12–13, and change references from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation. "The recommendation is on page 10 to strike lines six to nine and lines 12 to 21," the chair said. The chair also noted technical, non‑substantive amendments.

During member discussion a committee member said they were reluctant to proceed without further work, citing concerns about existing CBD purveyors and impacts on program 329: "I have a lot of concerns about, we already have a problem with the CBD purveyors and the effect it's having both generally into the 3 2 9 program. So because of that, I'm just gonna go WR for now," the committee member said. Multiple senators told the record they had received constituent communications both for and against legalization; several signaled they would vote no or had reservations.

At the vote the chair recorded Aye, the vice chair recorded No, Senator Laal recorded No, Senator McKelvy recorded "reservations," and Senator Awa recorded Aye. The committee adopted the recommendation to keep SB 3275 moving with the described amendments and then adjourned.