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H 3601

Hemp Derived Canabis

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosalyn Henderson-Myers

Authorizes planning and funding for a ~12,000 sq ft Underground Railroad and Civil Rights Museum in Springfield to educate the public and boost local tourism.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · H 3601

Summary — H 3601

Note: The materials provided for H 3601 appear to contain text from two distinct proposals mixed together: (A) a Massachusetts bill authored by Rep. Bud L. Williams to authorize the creation of an Underground Railroad / Civil Rights & Black Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in Springfield; and (B) draft language (appearing to be from South Carolina) to create a regulatory regime for “hemp‑derived cannabinoids.” Below I summarize both elements and flag procedural/timeline inconsistencies in the record.

A. Massachusetts — Springfield Underground Railroad, Civil Rights & Black Heritage Museum and Cultural Center

Purpose / Intent

  • Authorizes planning, land acquisition, development and construction of a ~12,000 sq. ft. museum and cultural center in Mason Square, Springfield.
  • Intended to educate the public about Western Massachusetts’ role in the Underground Railroad and Civil Rights movement, highlight African American contributions to regional development, and stimulate tourism, conferences, and economic activity.

Key provisions

  • Calls for “sum sufficient” funding subject to laws governing public fund disbursement.
  • Defines “Project” to include acquisition, construction, expansion, rehabilitation, furnishing, parking (not to exceed 200 passenger automobile spaces), site preparation, demolition, landscaping, and related infrastructure.
  • Designates Mason Square (Springfield) as the site.
  • Directs the Department of Capital Planning and Operations (the “commissioner”) to conduct due diligence and prepare a report and preliminary specifications within 90 days of the act’s effective date, including:
    • Preliminary building specifications for exhibitions, conference rooms, library, small theater, and other operating characteristics.
    • Certified appraisals of land to be acquired and relocation costs.
    • Area‑wide traffic and transit impact studies and pedestrian/vehicular access planning, including parking cost estimates.
    • Criteria, duties, and financial responsibilities for the private or public “operator” who will manage, operate, and maintain the center.
  • Requires consultation with the African‑American Museum and Cultural Center of Western Massachusetts and the City of Springfield during planning.

Who is affected / impact

  • City of Springfield (land use, traffic, tourism impacts).
  • Regional tourism and hospitality businesses (potential increased visitors).
  • Local schools, colleges, museums, and cultural organizations (programming, resources).
  • Potential private/public operators that would contract to run the facility.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Filed/prefiled January 6, 2025 (House Docket No. 127) and introduced by Rep. Bud L. Williams.
  • Recorded as referred to the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development on 2025-02-27; also listed as “referred to Committee on Judiciary” in some records.
  • Hearing scheduled (per record) 10/21/2025, 1:00–5:00 PM in B‑2.
  • The bill text references a prior similar matter (House No. 3252 of 2023–24).

B. Hemp‑Derived Cannabinoid Regulatory Language (appears to be from another jurisdiction)

Purpose / Intent

  • Establishes a regulatory framework for the sale, distribution, manufacture and taxation of products containing “hemp‑derived cannabinoids.”

Key provisions

  • Definitions: detailed definitions for “hemp‑derived cannabinoid” (includes delta‑8, delta‑10, HHC, THCo, THCp, THCv, THCa, etc.; excludes CBD, CBG, CBN, certain hemp fibers/feeds/topicals), “producer,” “retailer,” “batch,” “serving,” etc.
  • Age restrictions: prohibits sale/distribution to persons under 21; violations classified as Class A misdemeanors.
  • Retail requirements: hemp‑derived cannabinoid products must be kept behind the counter and inaccessible to customers.
  • Enforcement: Department of Agriculture (or “department”) to enforce, conduct random unannounced inspections, and produce an annual enforcement report to the legislature and public.
  • Licensing: producers and retailers must obtain licenses from the Department of Agriculture prior to commencing business or by Jan 1, 2026 (whichever is later). Licensing requirements include information submission, consent to inspections, and fees:
    • Producer fee: $500
    • Retailer fee: $250 per location
    • Renewal: licenses valid one year; renewal fee equals initial fee.
  • Disqualification: individuals serving a sentence for, or within 10 years after, completion of a sentence for a drug‑related felony are ineligible for a license.
  • Taxation: 5% excise tax on retail sales of hemp‑derived cannabinoid products; tax remitted monthly and deposited into a special account in the general fund to be used exclusively by the Department of Agriculture for regulation of these products.
  • Miscellaneous prohibitions: unlawful to distribute samples in public spaces; unlawful to knowingly assist a minor to obtain products.

Who is affected / impact

  • Producers/manufacturers and retailers of hemp‑derived cannabinoid products (licensing, fees, inspections, age verification).
  • Department of Agriculture (new enforcement, licensing, reporting responsibilities; funded by a dedicated tax allocation).
  • Consumers 21+ (regulated access) and persons under 21 (sales prohibited).
  • Potential public safety and public health oversight implications given the range of cannabinoids covered.

Important caveats / next steps

  • The provided packet mixes two different legislative texts and shows inconsistent dates and committee referrals (e.g., “Hemp Derived Canabis” title but primary MA text is a museum bill). Confirm the official bill text and jurisdiction (Massachusetts vs. South Carolina) with the legislative clerk or the state legislature’s official website before relying on these summaries for decision‑making.
  • If you want, I can: (a) pull a clarified summary focusing only on the Massachusetts museum bill from the official MA legislative site, or (b) produce a standalone, detailed summary of the hemp/cannabinoid regulatory language and its regulatory implications for producers/retailers. Which would you prefer?

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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