Chris Mathias — Representative Mathias questioned the bill’s impact on hemp and CBD products, citing a letter warning that it could eliminate nearly all hemp- and cannabis-derived products in Idaho and asking whether a nearby store advertising CBD products would still be allowed to sell items containing more than just CBD.
Chris Mathias — Representative Mathias was referenced as one of the members asking questions about the bill’s current statutory framework and how the statute currently works.
Chris Mathias — Representative Diger asked for clarification on whether a crop that spikes above 0.3% THC late in the season due to heat stress can still be remediated back under the legal limit before transport or processing, and whether that understanding of last year’s process was correct.
Shawn Dygert — Shawn Dygert asked whether the bill needs to specify the THC amount or whether that is already addressed elsewhere in the code, and the follow-up note referenced his question as the same THC-limit issue.
Shawn Dygert — Representative Dygert is referenced as one of the members who raised questions about how the bill's current statutory framework works.
Jack Nelsen — Raised concern that the bill does not include an allowable lower THC limit and asked how law enforcement would interpret it.
Jack Nelsen — Representative Nelsen followed up on a prior question about hemp products and THC limits, citing a hemp fiber shipment that tested positive for THC despite not being intended for consumption. He argued that hemp products need a clear minimum or maximum THC threshold so law enforcement is not left in a difficult position. The director then addressed his concern, explaining that the hemp fiber case he referenced occurred in the gap between the 2018 Farm Bill and Idaho’s hemp law.
Cameron Colos — Cameron Colos, a Boise police officer and alcohol compliance officer with 18 years of law enforcement experience, explained that Boise police had contacted many vape and smoke shops because of concerns about drug paraphernalia and controlled substances being sold. He said there is currently no enforcement arm to regulate the products in these stores, and that the bill would give law enforcement and the Department of Agriculture a testing process to better regulate retail products. He noted the complexity of fully extracting THC from CBD, that lab testing often finds THC in retail CBD products, and that the goal is to ensure products are THC-free. He concluded that Boise police were trying to enforce existing law against stores selling paraphernalia and cannabis-related products and had already gone through about 60 stores.
Lori McCann — Asked how it can be legal for retailers to sell paraphernalia that would otherwise be illegal to possess.
Lori McCann — Representative McCann is briefly called on by the chair, and shortly afterward is referenced again in what appears to be a procedural motion or remark, likely the same member despite a possible transcription error in the name.
Lori McCann — Noted as leaving the committee, but a quorum remains.
Dan Garner — Asked whether retail outlets are knowingly selling illegal products because of technicalities in Idaho law.
Mr. Colos — Mr. Colos explained that some retailers knowingly or unknowingly sell CBD products that may not comply with Idaho law, often due to misinformation and manipulated lab tests from distributors. He said state lab testing has found products that test positive for THC, and that law enforcement generally cannot test products unless there is an active criminal investigation. He described the bill as creating a Department of Agriculture testing process funded by licensing fees, allowing questionable products to be collected, tested, and either used for retailer education or enforcement action. He also noted that businesses selling THC-containing products could face charges for delivery of a controlled substance, and that selling drug paraphernalia could lead to distribution or delivery charges. Finally, he clarified that legal CBD must be THC-free and that the bill would require retailers to carry only products that have undergone the necessary process to ensure they contain CBD only, after which he concluded his testimony.
David Leavitt — Asked what happens when a product is found to contain THC and what legal action could follow.
Haley Zutt Talbot — Named as the next witness to testify.
Haley Talbitts — Haley Talbitts, a Boise Police Department officer with 10 years of experience focused on DUI and related drug investigations, described a traffic-stop case involving a driver who believed he had purchased a CBD cigarette labeled as containing zero THC and 17% CBD. Officers field-tested the product, sent it for further testing during an active investigation, and it was confirmed to contain THC. She said the driver was not charged because he intended to buy a non-THC CBD product, and she used the case to argue that regulation is needed to prevent mislabeled products and protect consumers, including family members, from unknowingly purchasing THC-containing items.
Officer Colos — Officer Colos was referenced as having covered most of the relevant material in his testimony, with the follow-up remark noting that he had essentially covered the rest of the presentation as well.
Pam Eaton — Pam Eaton, President and CEO of the Idaho Retailers Association, introduced herself and said the association appreciates the sponsor’s work and supports the bill’s basic intent. She then explained that, after initially seeing no problem, the association realized the bill could create new regulation for many mainstream hemp-based products sold in retail stores. She gave examples of affected non-consumable items such as shampoos, lotions, hemp rope, and hemp-containing clothing, noting that this was not the legislation’s intended focus.
Ms. Eaton — Ms. Eaton explained that sponsors were open to narrowing the bill’s scope so that traditional CBD stores remain subject to oversight while stores selling mostly ancillary products are excluded from this part of the regulation. In response to concerns about market barriers, she said the fee does not seem outrageous or unreasonable and does not appear likely to prevent people from entering the market.
Director T. Walt — Requested to provide additional clarity on permissible THC limits.
Chanel T. Wall — Identified herself as director of the ISDA and offered to answer technical questions.
Director Chanel T. Wall — Explained that properly produced CBD can be made without THC, that the process is expensive, and that ISDA works closely with law enforcement.
Mr. Jensen — Referenced as having raised the issue of parity.
Mr. Jensen — Mr. Jensen discussed hemp THC compliance, explaining that crops must stay within the 0.3% THC threshold and that if THC exceeds that level, the hemp must remain on site and be remediated before processing. He clarified that the bill is intended to ensure such spikes are not treated as negligent violations when certain conditions are met, because accumulating three negligent violations could jeopardize a grower’s hemp license. He emphasized that THC spikes can occur outside the grower’s control and thanked the committee for its consideration.
Director — Responded that a bit of history may help explain the prior hemp fiber case.
Mr. Jansen/Jensen — Explained that mature plants can spike in THC and that crops must be tested and remediated before leaving the premises if they exceed 0.3% THC.
Don Galswick — Identified as chairman for IDPC and present with Dairy West.
Steve Seppi — Steve Seppi, CEO of Dairy West, introduces himself for the record, then begins his presentation about Dairy West’s work on behalf of producers. He notes that he will not reference THC in his remarks, while the chair briefly thanks him and turns the floor over to him.
Heidi — Staff member who was expected to attend but is under the weather; described as a dietitian who grew up on a beef ranch in Idaho.
Julie VanOrden — No direct speech attributed, but the section continues the budget presentation likely before the committee including this member.
John Shirts — Representative Shirts is introduced and speaks on the bill, identifying himself and his district and indicating that House Bill 771 will be held at the call of the chair while the committee continues working through issues. Other speakers then thank him, reiterate that the bill will be held at the call of the chair, and note that the committee is receiving helpful feedback on possible ways to address the issue.
John Shirts — Representative Shirts is referenced during the committee’s consideration of House Bill 772, then asked to take his seat as the committee moves to vote, and finally excused because he has responsibilities in another committee.
Jerald Raymond — The chair is addressed in thanks at the end of the section.
Jerald Raymond — During this committee segment, the chair manages the proceedings by recognizing speakers, inviting closing remarks, and handling procedural motions. The discussion includes the sponsor or witness being asked to close, followed by thanks to the chair and the start of testimony/closing remarks, with repeated references to the chair as the meeting is guided toward conclusion.
Jerald Raymond — No direct speech attributed, but the committee/board context includes the chair's oversight of the financial discussion.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation testified in support of the bill, explaining that it is intended to improve oversight and enforcement of Idaho’s hemp laws. He confirmed that the proposed $600 license fee is meant to fund Department of Agriculture enforcement and emphasized that the state should more strictly enforce existing laws. He also clarified that the bill is focused on retail oversight and that other code sections address cannabinoids and THC. In response to questions, he distinguished CBD from THC, noted that the language could be clarified further, and said law enforcement testimony could help address how the THC threshold is being interpreted.
Braden Jensen — Spoke on behalf of Farm Bureau and asked to bring up Director T. Walt for clarification on THC limits.
Braden Jensen — Braden Jensen is present with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and then testifies in strong support of House Bill 772 on behalf of the organization, indicating he is available to answer questions.
Chris Mathias — Asked whether the $600 license fee would go to the Department of Agriculture to support enforcement.