Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION
Chapter 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULES
Section 20 031 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULES

Universal Citation: VT Code of Rules 20 031 023

Current through August, 2024

Section 1 Authority and Purpose

1.1 The Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (Agency) adopts the Vermont Hemp Rules pursuant to 6 V.S.A. Chapter 34. Chapter 34 authorizes the Secretary to adopt rules to implement the chapter and the State Hemp Program (Vermont Hemp Program). The Secretary is required to adopt rules establishing how the Agency will conduct research and establishing requirements for the registration of processors of hemp and hemp-infused products.

1.2 The Secretary establishes the Vermont Hemp Program (Hemp Program) to conduct research and regulate the growing, processing, testing, and marketing of industrial hemp and hemp products in the State .

1.3 The Agency expects to continue operating Vermont's pilot program pursuant to the 2014 federal Farm Bill for the 2020 growing season. After the General Assembly updated Chapter 34 following enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-334, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) in late 2019 that makes important distinctions from the pilot program. USDA informed the Agency that it could continue to operate its pilot program during the 2020 growing season, and the Agency plans to do so. As federal law develops and evolves, the Agency continues to evaluate it, continues to propose pragmatic changes, and will continue to evaluate how hemp may be grown, produced, and regulated in the State of Vermont. Compliance with these Rules does not guarantee compliance with other legal requirements, and each registrant is personally responsible for complying with all applicable state and federal laws.

1.4 The Agency proposed legislation in 2020 to amend the current state statutory requirement that Vermont's hemp crop comply with the provisions of section 10113 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-334. If that pending proposal is passed, the Agency will continue its pilot program under the 2014 federal Farm Bill and the definition of "acceptable potency level" in section 3.1 will apply for the term the General Assembly authorizes. If the General Assembly does not authorize continuation of the pilot project, the Agency will not apply the "acceptable potency level" in section 3.1. Instead, the Agency will apply the potency level required by state statute. Absent legislative change, the following definition will replace the section 3.1 definition: " acceptable potency level means a hemp crop with the federally defined tetrahydrocannabinol concentration level of hemp." At all times subsequent to the 2020 legislative session, the Agency will explicitly identify the acceptable potency level that applies at that time.

Section 2 Applicability

2.1. A person who plans to or grows, processes, or tests hemp or hemp products in the State :

(a) must register annually with the Vermont Hemp Program;

(b) must register all hemp cultivation, drying, storage areas, and/or processing sites with the Hemp Program; and

2.2. A person is not required to register with the Hemp Program to sell hemp products or hemp-infused products in Vermont.

Section 3 Definitions

3.1. Acceptable potency level means a hemp crop that has a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of 0.3 percent or less on a dry weight basis. This initial requirement accords with the federal 2014 Farm Bill. As an additional policy limitation implemented to protect public safety, the Agency also requires that the total theoretical tetrahydrocannabinol concentration not exceed one percent on a dry weight basis. The acceptable potency level may change as the law develops following the 2020 growing season.

3.2. Agency means the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets.

3.3. Biomass means harvested hemp including the stalks and leaves and may include flowers/buds and/or seeds.

3.4. Broad spectrum means a concentrate extracted from hemp containing cannabinoids except THC which has been removed.

3.5. Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

3.6. Cannabinoid means any of a group of closely related chemical compounds which include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), CBD (cannabidiol), CBDA (cannabidiolic acid), CBN (cannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBL (cannabicyclol), CBV (cannabivarin), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBCV (cannabichromevarin), CBGV (cannabigerovarin), CBGM (cannabigerol monomethyl ether), CBE (cannabielsoin), CBT (cannabicitran), and other active constituents that are naturally occurring in the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

3.7. Cannabinoid content refers to the test-verified levels of specific cannabinoids in a harvest or process lot.

3.8. Certificate of analysis means a certified laboratory's report describing its analytical testing and results.

3.9. Certified laboratory means a laboratory certified by the Agency under 6 V.S.A. § 567.

3.10. Consumable means a hemp product or hemp-infused product intended for human consumption.

3.11. Consumption means human ingestion, inhaling, or topically applying to skin or hair.

3.12. Contaminant means a pesticide, solvent, heavy metal, mycotoxin, foreign material, bacterial and/or fungal impurity introduced through cultivation or processing.

3.13. Crop means hemp grown following proper registration through the Agency.

3.14. Cultivar means a plant variety with known characteristics that has been grown and produced by humans.

3.15. Cultivation area means one (1) contiguous tract of land, indoor facility or greenhouse used to produce or intended to be used to produce hemp.

3.16. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, also referred to as "THC," is the principal psychoactive cannabinoid found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

3.17. Distillate means a concentrate where a segment of cannabinoids from an initial extraction are selectively concentrated through heating and cooling, with all impurities removed.

3.18. Drying or storage area means any area where hemp is dried or stored. A drying or storage area may include areas where harvested hemp is confined, housed, or stored, whether inside or outside of any structure.

3.19. Dry weight means the weight of plant material with no greater than 13% moisture content.

3.20. Food means articles of food, drink, confectionery, or condiment for human consumption, whether simple, mixed, or compound, and all substances and ingredients used in the preparation thereof.

3.21. Full spectrum means a hemp product or hemp-infused product that is:

(a) derived from a hemp concentrate;

(b) contains cannabinoids, aromatics, essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, protein, chlorophyll, flavonoids, and terpenes; and

3.22. Grow may be used interchangeably with the word "produce" or "cultivate" and means:

(a) planting, cultivating, harvesting, or drying hemp, and/or

(b) selling, storing or transporting hemp.

3.23. Grower means a person who is registered with the Agency to produce hemp crops.

3.24. Handle means to possess hemp crops for any period of time on premises owned, leased, operated, or controlled by a registrant. "Handle" also means to possess hemp crops for any period of time other than during transport from a registrant's premises to another registrant's premises or out-of- state recipient. "Handle" does not mean possession of hemp products or hemp-infused products.

3.25. Harvest lot means a grower's harvested hemp produced during a single growing season in a contiguous area containing the same cultivar or variety.

3.26. Harvest lot number means a unique numerical identifier that begins with the last four digits of a grower's registration number, followed by the year of harvest, and a unique number to identify the harvest lot.

3.27. Hemp means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of the plant, including the seeds and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, acids, salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. The cultivation of hemp shall be subject to and comply with the required agricultural practices adopted pursuant to 6 V.S.A. § 4810.

3.28. Hemp concentrate means a process intermediate obtained by separating cannabinoids from a hemp crop using a mechanical, chemical or other process which consists primarily of cannabinoids. Hemp concentrate is not a hemp product or hemp-infused product as defined by these rules.

3.29. Hemp crop means a standing or harvested crop or biomass. Use of "hemp crop" or "hemp crops" includes both the singular and plural usages whenever appropriate and shall be read to be inclusive of both forms whenever possible.

3.30. Hemp product or Hemp-infused productmeans all product that satisfies the required tetrahydrocannabinol concentration level for hemp, derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants and/or plant parts, that are prepared in a form available for commercial sale, including cosmetics, personal care products, food intended for animal or human consumption, cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, construction materials, plastics, and any product containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol.

3.31. Ingredient means any substance that is used in the manufacture of a hemp product or hemp-infused product that is intended to be present in the finished process lot.

3.32. Isolate means a concentrate that is more than 95 percent comprised of a single cannabinoid compound created by a chemical process.

3.33. Label Guarantee is the declared minimum or maximum amount of individual cannabinoid content in a hemp product or hemp-infused product.

3.34. Negligence means the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in complying with Chapter 34 of Title 6 of Vermont law and these rules.

3.35. Person means:

(a) an individual, sole proprietor, or any form of partnership, corporation, association, unincorporated organization, trust, or other legal or commercial entity, including a joint venture or affiliated ownership, or

(b) any individual or entity affiliated with any other individual or entity for profit, consideration, or any other beneficial interest derived from agricultural management, including lessors and lessees.

3.36. Personal use means cultivating hemp on less than 0.5 acres for an individual's own use, when no hemp crop, hemp product, or hemp-infused product enters commerce from cultivation areas registered for this purpose.

3.37. Process means a processor's storing, drying, trimming, handling, compounding, and/or conversion of hemp crops into hemp products or hemp-infused products. "Process" includes processing hemp from single or multiple growers, and transporting, aggregating, or packaging hemp. "Process" also includes manufacturing hemp products or hemp-infused products from hemp concentrate.

3.38. Processor means a person who is registered with the Agency to process hemp crops. A retail establishment selling hemp products or hemp-infused products is not a processor.

3.39. Process lot means: any amount of hemp concentrate, hemp product or hemp-infused product of the same type, processed at the same time using the same ingredients and same standard operating procedures.

3.40. Process lot number means a unique numerical identifier that begins with the last five digits of a Processor's registration number, followed by the year of processing, and a unique number to identify the process lot.

3.41. Processing site means a single parcel of land and all infrastructure on that parcel used for the processing or intended processing of hemp.

3.42. "Produced in Vermont" means hemp products or hemp-infused products that are derived from hemp crops exclusively grown and processed in Vermont, and the products are formulated in Vermont in compliance with these Rules.

3.43. Registrant means a person registered with the Hemp Program.

3.44. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the precursor of delta-9 THC.

3.45. Total theoretical tetrahydrocannabinol content (or total theoretical THC) is the maximum amount of possible delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in a hemp crop if total conversion were to occur. The calculated amount is determined as follows: the sum of the concentration of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol added to the amount of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid after it is multiplied by 0.877 on a dry weight basis and reported to two significant figures. The mathematical equation follows:

Total theoretical THC = ([delta 9 THC] + ([THCA] * 0.877))

3.46. Whole plant means an extract that contains water and lipid soluble plant compounds.

Section 4 Program Registration Requirements

4.1. To register as a Grower or Processor with the Hemp Program, a person must apply by submitting the Agency's completed application form, the required documentation, and registration fee (collectively, the "application"). The person's application must include the location including GPS coordinates of all cultivation areas, drying or storage areas, and/or processing sites where the person plans to grow or process hemp. A person's cultivation, drying, storage areas, and/or processing sites are registered with the Hemp Program when the person receives the Agency's written notice of registration.

(a) To process an application, the Agency may request additional documents to verify the information provided in the submitted application.

(b) The application is not complete unless and until all requested documents are provided and the registration fee is received. The Agency may reject any incomplete application. A person whose application is rejected as incomplete may reapply for registration at any time.

(c) A person who materially falsifies any information in an application shall be ineligible to participate in the Hemp Program. The duration of the ineligibility shall be at the Secretary 's discretion after evaluating the applicant's conduct. If the applicant is permitted to reapply, the applicant must exclusively provide accurate information.

(d) To register multiple cultivation areas or processing sites, a person may submit a single application identifying all cultivation areas and/or processing sites associated with that application that includes all appropriate registration fee(s).

(e) Public information provided to the Agency as part of a person's application may be publicly disclosed consistent with the Public Records Act, and all information may be provided to law enforcement agencies without notice to the person.

4.2. Any change to registration information must be approved by the Agency before it may become effective. Registrations may not be sold or transferred by a person to any other person.

4.3. Registrations expire on December 31 of each year. A new application for registration must be submitted for each calendar year.

4.4. A person holding a valid registration on the date these Rules are adopted or amended will be considered registered for the remainder of the calendar year in which the Rules are adopted or amended.

4.5. A registrant shall exclusively operate within the terms of the specific type of registration issued and shall not exceed the scope of that authorized activity. As examples, a registrant licensed to test hemp shall not also grow or process it, and a registrant authorized to grow hemp for personal use shall not use it for anything other than personal use.

Section 5 Growing, Transferring and Selling, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements for Growers

5.1. A grower is responsible for demonstrating compliance with the acceptable potency level for all hemp crops.

5.2. A grower shall only grow hemp crops in registered cultivation areas and only handle hemp crops in registered drying and storage area.

5.3. When a grower transfers or sells hemp crop, clones, or plants, the grower must:

(a) provide a copy of a certificate of analysis for the cultivar being transferred or sold; and

(b) offer a list of any pesticides used in the cultivation of a hemp crop, clones, or plants.

5.4. A grower must assign each harvest lot a harvest lot number.

5.5. For a minimum of three (3) years from harvest date, a grower shall maintain the following records for each harvest lot organized by harvest lot number:

(a) Records of all purchases of hemp seed, starts, and clones, which shall include:

i. the date of purchase;

ii. the cultivar name;

iii. the name and address of the seller and the Agency-issued license number for each seed dealer or nursery dealer;

iv. a certificate of analysis by a certified laboratory demonstrating the cultivar's compliance with the required acceptable potency level; and

v. a copy of the map submitted during the registration process that shows the cultivation area where the cultivar was grown.

(b) Records of all hemp crop transfers to each in- state and/or out-of- state processor, which shall include:

i. the date(s) of harvest and transfer;

ii. the name and address of each processor and its registration number; and

iii. an estimate of the dry weight of hemp transferred measured in pounds.

(c) Copies of all sampling and testing records to demonstrate compliance with Vermont Pre-Harvest Sampling Protocols, and the testing required by these Rules including all certificates of analyses performed by certified laboratories.

5.6. A grower shall make all records available to the Agency for inspection upon request.

5.7. A grower shall annually submit a report to the Agency by December 1 detailing the total acreage of hemp planted, harvested, and if applicable, disposed or destructed. This information shall be publicly available upon request provided it is presented in a form which does not disclose the identity of individual persons, households, or businesses from whom the information was obtained, or whose characteristics, activities, or products the information is about. See 6 V.S.A. § 61.

Section 6 Processing, Transferring and Selling, Recordkeeping, and Reporting Requirements for Processors

6.1. A processor is responsible for demonstrating compliance with the acceptable potency level for hemp products and/or hemp-infused products offered for sale or transfer.

6.2. A processor shall only use lipid, ethanol, or carbon dioxide (CO2) botanical extraction methods, solvent free mechanical extraction methods, or other extraction methods which the Agency pre-approves in writing. All other methods of botanical extraction, including use of butane, propane, hexane and other hydrocarbons is prohibited.

6.3. A processor shall not use synthetic cannabinoids in the production of any hemp product or hemp-infused product.

6.4. A processor shall only process hemp crops at registered processing sites.

6.5. A processor must notify the Agency in writing of any processing site closure within 10 business days.

6.6. A processor, at the time of processing, must assign a process lot number to each lot of hemp concentrate, hemp product, and/or hemp-infused product extracted or formulated by the processor.

6.7. A processor shall only transfer or sell hemp concentrate for the purpose of reformulation into hemp products or hemp-infused products to:

(a) the grower of the hemp crop if the grower is also a processor, or

(b) to another processor.

6.8. For a minimum of three (3) years from the date of processing a process lot, a processor shall maintain the following records for each extracted hemp concentrate organized by process lot number:

(a) Records of all hemp crop(s) received by harvest lot number including:

i. The name, address, and registration number of the grower for any amount of hemp crop transferred to the processor;

ii. Date(s) each hemp crop was received;

iii. Amount of hemp measured in pounds as received;

iv. Copies of sampling and testing records as required by Vermont Pre-Harvest Sampling Protocols and these Rules; and

v. Certificates of analyses from certified laboratories.

(b) Records of hemp crops the processor receives from out-of- state , including:

i. The name and address of the out-of- state grower for any amount of hemp crop received;

ii. The out-of- state grower registration number in the respective state ;

iii. Date the hemp crop was received;

iv. Amount of hemp crop measured in pounds as received; and

v. Certificates of analyses for hemp crop potency.

(c) Certificates of analyses from certified laboratories organized by process lot number and detailing cannabinoid content for any hemp concentrate a processor produced.

6.9. For a minimum of three (3) years from the date of processing a process lot, a processor that formulates hemp products or hemp-infused products and offers a label guarantee, shall maintain the following records organized by hemp product or hemp-infused product process lot number:

(a) Copies of records from harvest lots as outlined in Section 6.8 that are used to formulate each product;

(b) The standard operating procedure for formulating each product;

(d) A copy of each product's label, as required in Section 11.

6.10. A processor of hemp products or hemp-infused products that offers no label guarantee of any specific quantity of cannabinoids in the product shall be required to maintain records of formulation, including certificates of analyses for the hemp concentrate, used in product formulation, but shall not be required to maintain records of certificates of analyses for every process lot of the finished product.

6.11. A processor shall make these records available to the Agency for inspection upon request.

6.12. When requested and in a format described by the Agency during the annual registration process, a processor shall provide the total dry weight (measured in pounds) of the hemp crop handled in the preceding year. This information shall be publicly available upon request provided it is presented in a form which does not disclose the identity of individual persons, households, or businesses from whom the information was obtained, or whose characteristics, activities, or products the information is about. See 6 V.S.A. § 61.

Section 7 Testing Requirements for Growers

7.1. A grower must test hemp crops for compliance with these Rules.

7.2. A grower must test each harvest lot for potency levels to be reported on a dry weight basis, including reporting total theoretical tetrahydrocannabinol concentration.

7.3. A grower must test all harvest lots for the following substances:

(a) target pesticides established in the Cannabis Quality Control program, unless it is a certified organic crop; and

(b) heavy metals when the property was previously used for orchard crops or a land use other than farming as defined in the Required Agricultural Practices Rule, unless a recent soil test demonstrates that the heavy metals are within the action limits for soils as authorized in the Cannabis Quality Control Program.

(c) testing for other potential contaminants when the Agency of Natural Resources has approved the property for biosolid application.

7.4. All hemp crop testing required by these Rules shall be conducted by a certified laboratory. This requirement excludes soil tests for heavy metals.

7.5. A harvest lot complies with the acceptable potency level and contaminant action limits under these Rules when a certified laboratory's certificate of analysis demonstrates as follows:

(a) a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis,

(b) a total theoretical THC concentration that does not exceed one percent, and

(c) contaminant levels below the action limits for pesticides and heavy metals established in the Cannabis Quality Control program.

7.6. When a harvest lot does not satisfy the acceptable potency level the grower must dispose of or destroy the hemp crop in accordance with Section 14.

7.7. When a harvest lot does not satisfy the heavy metal and/or pesticide action limits established in the Cannabis Quality Control Program the grower must either mitigate or destroy the harvest lot. The harvest lot may not be sold as trim flower to the consumer.

Section 8 Testing Requirements for Processors

8.1. A processor must ensure that all hemp products and hemp-infused products comply with these Rules.

8.2. A processor must have all process lots tested according to Table 1 for potency, water activity, pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and bacterial and fungal contaminants by sample type.

Table 1, Testing Requirements

Sample type	potency	moisture or water activity	mycotoxins, bacterial and fungal	heavy metals	pesticides	Residual solvents
Plant material
Trim flower	Note 1	Each process lot	Each process lot	Note 1	Note 1	N/A
Concentrates
Liquids	Each process lot	Each process lot	Each process lot	Each process lot	Note 3
Solids	Each process lot	Each process lot	Each process lot	Each process lot	Note 3
Infused products
Liquid-infused products (tinctures, water based)	Note 4	Note 2	Note 1 or 2	Note 2	N/A
Solid-infused products, edibles, tablets	Note 4	Note 2	Note 1 or 2	Note 2	N/A

Note 1: Testing completed for harvest lot is sufficient for showing compliance.

Note 2: Testing completed for trim flower or hemp concentrate is sufficient for showing compliance.

Note 3: Residual solvents are tested only if solvent-based extraction techniques are used.

Note 4: Please apply Section 8.3(a) for potency.

8.3. A hemp product or hemp-infused product process lot complies with these Rules when the following terms apply:

(a) a certified laboratory's certificate of analysis demonstrates that the product meets the acceptable potency level or the processor's formulation demonstrates compliance with the acceptable potency level, and

(b) a certified laboratory's certificate of analysis demonstrates compliance with Section 8.2 and that contaminant levels are below action limits for pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and bacterial and fungal contaminants as established in the Cannabis Quality Control program.

8.4. When a hemp product or hemp-infused product does not meet the acceptable potency level and/or the required action limits, the product must be disposed of or destroyed in accordance with Section 14.

Section 9 Reporting and Disposal, Destruction, or Mitigation Requirements

9.1. If a harvest lot exceeds the acceptable potency level or the required action limits in the Cannabis Quality Control Program, then the following conditions apply:

(a) The certified laboratory shall send the certificate of analysis containing the result and the testing request form within 24 hours of completing the harvest lot test to:

i. the Agency by certified mail or electronically to an individual identified by the Agency, and

ii. the registrant who requested the testing.

(b) The registrant, within 48 hours of receiving the certificate of analysis, shall provide the following information to the Agency by certified or electronical mail (to an Agency-identified individual):

i. a copy of the certificate of analysis for the harvest lot;

ii. a copy of the map used during the registration process depicting the harvest lot cultivation area; and

iii. the proposed action plan for disposal, destruction, or mitigation.

(d) A harvest lot exceeding the acceptable potency level shall not be processed into hemp concentrate or used to formulate hemp products or hemp-infused products. Concentrate, products or infused products created from such a harvest lot may result in the disposal or destruction of those concentrates or products.

9.2. The proposed action plan for disposal and destruction of harvest lots or process lots shall be reviewed and approved by the Agency prior to implementation.

9.3. The registrant is responsible for the full cost of disposal, destruction, and/or mitigation.

Section 10 Requirements for Handling Hemp Crops, Hemp Products and Hemp-Infused Products

10.1. Registrants shall only handle hemp crops that have an acceptable potency level.

10.2. Registrants shall not formulate or sell a hemp product or hemp-infused product that exceeds the acceptable potency level.

Section 11 Requirements for Labeling Hemp Products and Hemp-infused Products

11.1. All guaranteed hemp products or hemp-infused products produced in Vermont must be labeled and traceable to a certificate of analysis for all cannabinoid content label guarantees.

11.2. Registrants must label consumable hemp products and hemp-infused products in accordance with this section.

11.3. All label claims using the term "whole plant," "isolate," "full spectrum," "broad spectrum," and/or "distillate" shall comply with the applicable definition contained in these rules.

11.4. All labels for consumable hemp products or hemp-infused products grown or processed in Vermont must contain the following information:

(a) The name and principal mailing address of the processor of the hemp product or hemp-infused product;

(b) A statement that the product contains ingredients that are derived from "hemp;"

(d) When offering a guarantee, the guaranteed amount of any listed cannabinoid contained in the product by serving size measured in milligrams, milliliters, or grams;

(e) A statement that the product contains THC, if applicable; and

(f) A process lot number.

11.5. If a product is sold as a dietary supplement and in compliance with federal Food and Drug Administration manufacturing standards and label requirements, those label requirements supersede this Rule's Section 11.4(a)-(f) label requirements.

Section 12 Vermont Hemp Products and Hemp-Infused Products

12.1. The Secretary establishes and adopts the Vermont Hemp brand under its authority in 6 V.S.A. Chapter 21.

12.2. Vermont Hemp is a hemp crop, hemp product, or hemp-infused product that satisfies the following standards and is certified by the Agency:

(a) Vermont Hemp is produced in Vermont as defined in Section 3 by registrants of the Vermont Hemp Program;

(b) Vermont Hemp is a hemp crop, hemp product, or hemp-infused product exclusively grown and processed in Vermont by registrants that demonstrate compliance with all requirements enumerated by the Secretary ;

(c) Vermont Hemp is tested by a certified laboratory and proven to be compliant with the acceptable potency level and contaminant action levels; and

(d) Vermont Hemp is compliant with the Vermont Hemp Program's labeling requirements in Section 11.

12.3. Any registrant that wishes to use the Vermont Hemp brand must annually apply for certification using Agency-supplied forms and must meet all Agency requirements.

Section 13 Inspection, Research and Record Reviews

13.1. The Agency shall conduct annual registrant inspections, which may or may not be at random, to ensure compliance with these Rules.

13.2. The Agency may inspect a registrant's premises, machinery, equipment, facilities, any crop during any growth phase, and/or any hemp product or hemp-infused product during processing or storage. The inspection may include collecting samples, taking photographs and/or video, talking to registrants and/or witnesses, and/or inspecting records. The inspection may also include inspecting equipment and/or vehicles used for growing, processing or transporting hemp crops, hemp products, and/or hemp-infused products, and taking any other reasonable measure to evaluate compliance with these Rules.

13.3. The Agency may inspect any retail location offering hemp products or hemp-infused products. This inspection may include taking samples of such products.

13.4. The Agency may use any hemp crop samples to conduct genetic testing and/or research the potential of taxonomic determinations of hemp cultivars or varieties grown.

Section 14 Enforcement

14.1. Violations.

(a) If the Secretary determines that a registrant violated any provision of 6 V.S.A. Chapter 34 or these Rules, the Secretary may require corrective action, revoke the Agency's registration, issue and enforce a stop sale order, take administrative enforcement action, refer a matter to the Attorney General for civil enforcement, and/or refer a matter to law enforcement for potential criminal enforcement.

Examples of violations that will, at minimum, require corrective action are as follows:

i. failure to provide a legal description of the land where hemp is produced;

ii. failure to appropriately register with the Agency;

iii. failure to produce Cannabis sativa L. that complies with the required acceptable potency level.

(b) When instructed to correct a violation, the registrant shall:

i. propose a written corrective action plan to the Agency within 10 days of receipt of any notice of violation. The plan shall also include a proposed date for completion of the correction action plan;

ii. obtain written Agency approval for the corrective action plan once the plan is acceptable;

iii. comply with the approved corrective action plan; and iv. report to the Secretary in writing every six months for the next two calendar years explaining how the registrant is complying with Chapter 34 and these Rules.

(c) A registrant that negligently produces Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that exceeds the acceptable potency level shall arrange for the Secretary to destroy or order the destruction of the hemp crop.

(d) A person who negligently violates these Rules three times in a five-year period shall be ineligible to produce hemp for a period of five years beginning on the date of the third violation. The Secretary , for good cause shown, may choose to impose a different penalty.

14.2. Other violations.

If the Secretary determines that a registrant intentionally, willfully, and/or knowingly violated Chapter 34 or these Rules, the Agency will take more significant enforcement action than if the registrant made a good faith effort to comply with the law and these Rules.

Section 15 Exemptions

15.1. Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 of these Rules do not apply when the hemp product:

(a) is seed or seed oil for consumption and considered "Generally Recognized as Safe" by the United States Food and Drug Administration; or

(b) is not intended for consumption and will be used for fiber, building material, or animal bedding, and is not subject to the Secretary 's order of destruction or stop sale order.

Section 16 Severability

The provisions of this rule are severable. If any provision of this rule is invalid, or if any application of this rule to any person or circumstance is invalid, the invalidity shall not affect any other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Section 17 Effective Date

This rule shall become effective on its date of adoption.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

6 V.S.A. §§ 179, 564, 566

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Code of Vermont RulesAgency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETSSub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISIONChapter 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULESSection 20 031 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULES

Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION
Chapter 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULES
Section 20 031 023 - VERMONT HEMP RULES