(a) The production, processing, manufacture and distribution of hemp and hemp products constitute a paramount industry of this state that not only provides substantial and required revenues for the state and its political subdivisions, and employment and a means of livelihood for many thousands of its population, but also provides essential foods, supplements and other agricultural, commercial and industrial products that are vital to the public health and welfare.
(b) The stabilization, maintenance and expansion of the hemp industry of Oregon, and of the state, national and international markets for hemp products, are necessary to assure the consuming public an adequate supply of foods and supplements that are indispensable in a proper human diet, as well as other agricultural, commercial and industrial products to protect, for the state and its political subdivisions, a necessary source of tax revenue, to provide and maintain an adequate standard of living for a great segment of the population of this state, to maintain proper wage scales for those engaged in the hemp industry and to maintain existing employment.
(c) The essential nature of hemp and hemp products is such as to require that the public be made aware of the essential nature of hemp and hemp products, and be protected against misrepresentation and deception, by the dissemination of accurate and scientific information about various hemp and hemp products, their various classifications, the food values and industrial and therapeutic uses of hemp and hemp products, the methods, care and precautions necessary to their proper production, processing, manufacture and distribution, the necessary costs and expenses of the production, processing, manufacture and distribution of hemp and hemp products and the necessity and desirability on the part of the public of using and consuming hemp and hemp products of the highest standards of quality.
(2) The purposes of ORS 571.400 to 571.501 are:
(a) To enable the hemp industry, with the aid of the state, to develop, maintain and expand the state, national and international markets for hemp and hemp products produced, processed or manufactured in this state, and the use and consumption of hemp and hemp products in the state, national and international markets.
(b) In aid, but not in limitation, of the purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, to authorize and enable the Oregon Hemp Commission to formulate and effectuate, directly or in cooperation with other agencies and instrumentalities specified in ORS 571.400 to 571.501, sales stimulation and consumer or other educational programs designed to increase the use and consumption of hemp and hemp products and to conduct research, education and information programs related to the hemp industry. [2021 c.216 §2]
Note: See note under 571.400.