An Act clarifying the definition of agriculture
HD 434 amends Massachusetts law to explicitly include the cultivation of hemp and marijuana within the legal definition of agriculture. This change directly affects farmers and businesses growing hemp or marijuana, bringing their operations under the state's agricultural regulatory framework. The bill modifies MGL Chapter 128, Section 1a by adding the phrase "the growing and cultivation of both hemp and marijuana" after existing references to floricultural and horticultural commodities. This clarification ensures hemp and marijuana cultivation is treated as agricultural activity for regulatory purposes, without altering the legal status of these crops.
Bill status
passed
3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025
Last action Mar 16, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jun 27, 2025
Committee
Referred, pursuant to an order adopted by the two branches, to the committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
legislature
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on Agriculture
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Lindsay Sabadosa
DDemocratic
Co
David LeBoeuf
DDemocratic
Co
Homar Gomez
DDemocratic
Co
Jake Oliveira
DDemocratic
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