R68-25. Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program for Processors  


R68-25-1. Authority and Purpose
Latest version.

  Pursuant to Section 4-41-103(4), this rule establishes the standards, practices, procedures, and requirements for participation in the Utah Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program for the, processing and handling of industrial hemp.


R68-25-2. Definitions
Latest version.

  1) "CBD" means cannabidiol.

  2) "Department" means the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

  3) "Industrial Hemp" means any part of a cannabis plant, whether growing or not, with a concentration of less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol by weight

  4) "Handle" or "Handling" means possessing, transporting, or storing industrial hemp for any period of time.

  5) "Processing" means any or all parts of harvesting, extraction, refining, altering, manufacturing, or making industrial hemp into a finished industrial hemp product ready for market.

  6) "Processor" means a person licensed by the department to engage in processing industrial hemp extracting and manufacturing industrial hemp and hemp products.

  7) "Manufacturing" means storing, preparing, packaging, or labeling of industrial hemp or hemp products.

  8) "THC" means total composite tetrahydrocannabinol, including delta -9- tetrahydrocannabinol and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.

  9) "Third-party laboratory" means a laboratory which has no direct interest in a grower or processor of industrial hemp or industrial hemp products that is capable of performing mandated testing utilizing validated methods.


R68-25-3. Application Requirements
Latest version.

  1) The applicant shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) years old.

  2) The applicant is not eligible to receive a license if they have:

  a) been convicted of a felony or its equivalent; or

  b) been convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years.

  3) An applicant seeking an industrial hemp processing license shall submit the following to the department:

  a) a complete application form provided by the department;

  b) a physical description of the processing facility;

  c) a plan review of the building, facilities, and equipment;

  d) a photographic aerial map and street address for each building or site where industrial hemp will be processed, handled, or stored;

  e) the planned source of industrial hemp material;

  f) a statement of the intended end use or disposal for all parts of the industrial hemp plant and hemp material; and

  g) a research plan.

  4) An applicant shall submit a nationwide criminal history from the FBI completed within three (3) months of their application.

  5) The applicant shall submit a fee as approved by the legislature in the fee schedule.

  6) The department shall deny any applicant who does not submit all required information.


R68-25-4. Processing Facility Restrictions
Latest version.

  1) A licensee shall not process or store leaf or floral material from industrial hemp in any structure that is used for residential purposes.

  2) A licensee shall not process or store industrial hemp within 1,000 feet of a school or a public recreational area.

  3) A licensee shall not process or handle industrial hemp or hemp material from any person who is not licensed by the department or from a person outside the state who is not authorized by the laws of that state.

  4) A licensee shall not permit a person under the age of eighteen (18) to handle living plants, viable plant parts, viable seeds, leaf material, or floral material.

  5) A licensee shall submit a nationwide criminal history from the FBI to the department for each employee with access to hemp material or product which contains over 0.3% THC or has the potential to contain over 0.3% THC within the first month of employment.


R68-25-5. CBD Extraction Methods
Latest version.

  1) In addition to the requirements of R68-25-3, an applicant seeking to engage in the extraction of CBD shall submit to the department a detailed description of the proposed extraction method.

  2) The applicant shall describe the proposed process for the removal of all harmful solvents added during the extraction process, if applicable.

  3) The applicant shall describe the safety measures proposed to protect the public and employees from dangers associated with extraction methods.

  4) The department may deny a license for methods which pose a significant risk to public health and safety.

  5) The department shall not allow the use of butane or propane in any extraction method.


R68-25-6. Processing Practices
Latest version.

  1) The department incorporates by reference 21 CFR 111, Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements for a licensee engaged in processing a CBD product intended for human consumption.

  2) The department incorporates by reference 21 CFR 110, Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food for a licensee engaged in processing non-CBD products for human or animal consumption.

  3) All other licensed processors shall comply with the federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. Chapter 9, and all other applicable state laws and regulations relating to product development, product manufacturing, consumer safety, and public health.


R68-25-7. Required Reports
Latest version.

  1) A licensee shall submit a completed Production Report on a form provided by the department by December 31st.

  2) A licensee shall submit a report of the results of the research as set forth in the research plan by December 31st.

  3) The failure to submit a timely completed form may result in the denial of a renewal license.


R68-25-8. Additional Records
Latest version.

  1) The licensee shall keep records of receipt for all industrial hemp material obtained including:

  a) the date of receipt;

  b) quantity received; and

  c) an identifying lot number created by the licensee;

  d) the seller's information including;

  i) the seller's department license number;

  ii) seller's contact information; and

  iii) the address of the facility or growing area from which the industrial hemp material was shipped.

  2) The licensee shall keep records for each batch of industrial hemp material processed containing the following information:

  a) the date of processing;

  b) the lot number of the material;

  c) the amount processed;

  d) the type of processing; and

  e) any lab test conducted on the industrial hemp material or product during the processing.

  3) The licensee shall keep records of all tests conducted with the identifying lot number

  4) All records shall be maintained for a minimum of three (3) years.

  5) All records are subject to review by department officials at the time of inspection or upon request.


R68-25-9. Testing
Latest version.

  1) For industrial hemp products that will be used for human consumption or absorption the product shall be tested for the following before being made available for retail:

  a) cannabinoid profile;

  b) solvents;

  c) pesticides;

  d) microbials; and

  e) heavy metals.

  2) The testing shall be completed by a third- party laboratory.

  3) The department shall conduct random testing of industrial hemp products and materials.

  4) The sample taken by the department shall be the official sample.


R68-25-10. Inspections and Sampling
Latest version.

  1) The department shall have complete and unrestricted access to all industrial hemp plants, seeds, and materials and all land, buildings, and other structures used to process industrial hemp.

  2) Samples of each industrial hemp product may be randomly taken from the facilities by department officials.

  3) The department shall review all records kept in accordance with rule requirements.

  4) The department shall notify a licensee of test results greater than 0.3% THC.

  5) Any laboratory test with a result greater than 0.3% THC may be considered a violation of the terms of the license and may result in an immediate license revocation.

  6) Any laboratory test with a result of 1% THC or greater of final product will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency and revocation of the processor license will be immediate.

  7) The department shall notify the licensee of any solvents, metals, microbials, or pesticides found during testing.

  8) The presence of deleterious or harmful substances may be considered a violation of the terms of the license and may result in a license revocation.


R68-25-11. Storage of Industrial Hemp and Hemp Material
Latest version.

  1) A licensee may store hemp and hemp products provided:

  a) the licensee notifies the department of the location of the storage facility;

  b) the licensee informs the department of the type and amount of the product being stored in the storage facility;

  c) the storage facility is outside of the public view; and

  d) the storage facility is secured with physical containment such as walls, fences, locks, and with an alarm system to provide maximum reasonable security.

  2) A licensee may store hemp product that exceeds the 0.3% THC provided:

  a) the product is kept in a secure room;

  b) the product is kept separate from other hemp products;

  c) access to the product is limited; and

  d) a record is kept of the amount of product being stored and when it is being moved.

  3) All storage facilities shall be maintained in accordance with the practice adopted inR68-25-6.

  4) All storage facilities and records are subject to random inspection by department officials.


R68-25-12. Transportation of Industrial Hemp Material
Latest version.

  1) A licensee may move nonviable hemp product without an industrial hemp transportation permit.

  2) An industrial hemp transportation permit is required for each day and each vehicle used to move industrial hemp or industrial hemp products.

  3) The licensee shall submit an industrial hemp transportation permit request form provided by the department.

  4) Requests for an industrial hemp transportation permit shall be submitted to the department at least five (5) business days prior to movement.

  5) An industrial hemp transportation permit authorizes the transportation of industrial hemp materials only within the borders of the state.

  6) The department may deny any application for an industrial hemp transportation permit that is not completed in accordance with this rule.

  7) A licensee extracting CBD shall not transport any product until the department has been notified of the THC test results for the product being transported.


R68-25-13. Restriction on the Sale and Transfer of Industrial Hemp Material
Latest version.

  1) A licensee shall not sell or transfer living plants, viable plants, viable seed, leaf material, or floral material to any person not licensed by the department.

  2) A licensee shall not sell or transfer living plants, viable seed, leaf material, or floral material to any person outside the state who is not authorized by the laws of that state.

  3) The licensee may sell stripped stalks, fiber, and nonviable seed to the general public provided the product's THC level is less than 0.3%.


R68-25-14. Renewal
Latest version.

  1) A licensee shall resubmit all documents required in R68-25-3, with updated information, before December 31st of the current year.

  2) The department may deny a renewal for an incomplete application.

  3) The department may deny renewal for any licensee who has violated any portion of this rule or state law.


R68-25-15. Violation
Latest version.

  1) It is a violation to process industrial hemp or industrial hemp material on a site not approved by the department as listed on the license or within 1,000 feet of a school or public recreational area.

  2) It is a violation to process industrial hemp or industrial hemp material from a source that is not approved by the department.

  3) A licensee shall not allow unsupervised public access to hemp processing facilities.

  4) It is a violation to employ a person under the age of eighteen (18) in the processing or handling of industrial hemp or its products.

  5) It is a violation to sell a product to the general public in violation of this section or state laws governing the final product.

  6) It is a violation to add CBD to a food product.

  7) It is a violation to fail to keep records required by this section.

  8) It is a violation for a licensee to allow an employee that has been convicted of a felony or its equivalent access to hemp material or product which contains over 0.3% THC or has the potential to contain over 0.3% THC.

  9) It is a violation for a licensee to allow an employee that has been convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years access to hemp material or product which contains over 0.3% THC or has the potential to contain over 0.3% THC.