Section 001-273-VI - VariancesA. A variance may be granted by the State Horticulturist to allow for importation and field experimentation of invasive plants listed in Section V for scientific, educational, or other purposes under conditions prescribed by the State Horticulturist. Any variance(s) shall be in the form of a permit issued by the State Horticulturist.B. Preserved specimens in the form of herbaria or other preservation means are exempt from this rule.C. Varieties, cultivars, hybrids and/or subspecies that have been shown not to be invasive through scientific research and analysis may be considered exempt from this rule after review by a committee established by the Department. 1. Data submitted must include sources with no financial interest in the species, such as universities, agricultural experiment stations, cooperative extension, USDA or botanical gardens; and 2. Regulatory status in nearby states shall also be considered.01-001 C.M.R. ch. 273, § VI