Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, industrial hemp is an agricultural product which may be grown, produced and possessed in the state as part of an agricultural pilot program pursuant to authorization under federal law and the provisions of this article. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary restricting the growing or cultivating of industrial hemp, and subject to authorization under federal law, the commissioner may authorize no more than up to ten sites for the growing or cultivating of industrial hemp as part of an agricultural pilot program conducted by the department and/or an institution of higher education to study the growth and cultivation of such hemp provided that the sites used for growing or cultivating industrial hemp are certified by, and registered with, the department.