Page 6 - Cannabis News July 2019

Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida Hemp Bill Signed Into Law

On June 25, 2019, SB 1020, the helping move this across the fin-
Florida hemp legislation was signed ish line. Together, we will keep
into law. Florida growing."
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” In the past week, the depart-
Fried offered the following state- ment released its draft rules for
ment: the new state hemp program,
“Tonight's hemp bill signing which will be finalized in the
marks a transformation in Florida, coming months. Commissioner
and a critical step on the journey to Fried hosted a series of three pub-
creating a green industrial revolu- lic workshops in South, Central,
tion, strengthening agriculture with and North Florida designed to
an alternative crop of the future, ensure anyone interested in learn-
and expanding access to safe, quali- ing more or getting involved with
ty CBD products. For months, our Commissioner Nicole the coming state hemp program
department has been developing had the opportunity to ask ques-
rules and gathering public input, and “Nikki” Fried tions and provide feedback.
we're hitting the ground running to With over 25,000 uses including
build a state hemp program that will be a model for the environmentally-conscious products and bio-
country." composite industrial materials like hempcrete,
“Florida has the potential to become the gold stan- food additives and cosmetics, and medicinal
dard on hemp — our deep agricultural heritage, climate products and CBD, cannabis is estimated to
and resources, and farming infrastructure will make become a multi-billion dollar industry in
Florida a national leader in this emerging new econo- Florida, with the potential to create hundreds of
my.“ thousands of jobs in the coming decade.
"Congratulations to Senator Bradley and In February, Commissioner Fried appointed
Representative Massullo for their hard work, diligence, Holly Bell as Florida's first Director of Cannabis
and collaboration, and to the Florida Legislature to to oversee the department's state hemp program.

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