Senate Bill 499 aims to revise the definition of hemp within Wisconsin's Controlled Substances Act. The bill redefines hemp as the plant Cannabis sativa L. and its derivatives, with a total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. It also introduces the term "industrial hemp," which encompasses various uses of the plant, such as for stalk, seeds, and edible products. The bill clarifies that hemp does not include certain products, such as viable cannabis seeds exceeding the THC threshold or hemp-derived cannabinoid products that contain synthesized cannabinoids or quantifiable amounts of THC.

Additionally, the bill includes several amendments to existing statutes to align with the new definition of hemp. It renumbers and amends sections related to the definition of hemp, the testing procedures for THC concentration, and the legal status of hemp and hemp-derived products. Notably, it specifies that a license is not required for the manufacturing of hemp and clarifies that hemp is not classified as marijuana under state law. The bill also maintains the exemption for FDA-approved prescription drug products from the definition of hemp.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 94.55(2)(b)2m.b, 94.55, 94.55(2)(b)4s, 94.55(3m)(a)2, 94.67(15c), 94.67, 446.01(2)(a), 446.01, 450.03(1)(k), 450.03, 450.07(1m), 450.07, 961.01(14), 961.01, 961.14(4)(t)3, 961.14, 961.32(2m)(b), 961.32, 961.32(3)(a)2