TO REPEAL CHAPTER 55, TITLE 46 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CULTIVATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP, UPON THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S SUBMISSION OF THE STATE'S INDUSTRIAL HEMP PLAN TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Whereas, Act 216 of 2014 established an industrial hemp cultivation program in South Carolina; and

Whereas, the recently enacted federal Farm Bill allows for regulated hemp production in the United States, both for personal and industrial purposes; and

Whereas, under the new federal law, the regulation of hemp cultivation is different than the State's regulations and more favorable to farmers; and

Whereas, for farmers in South Carolina to cultivate hemp in this State under the new federal law, the United States Department of Agriculture must approve the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's state industrial hemp plan; and

Whereas, when the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's industrial hemp plan is approved, there will no longer be a need for Chapter 55 of Title 46. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Upon the approval of South Carolina's industrial hemp plan by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the 2018 federal Farm Bill, Chapter 55, Title 46 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.