COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 57 on Tuesday.
The bill directs the Ohio Department of Agriculture to draft rules to regulate the licensing and processing of hemp.
This removes hemp from the controlled substances list, consistent with the 2018 federal Farm Bill.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture says hemp is a cannabis plant that does not produce intoxicating effects, grown for its many industrial uses. Hemp contains a fiber, a grain, and oil that can be extracted for CBD, which is now being used in food and dietary supplements.
The department has created a hemp program which sets up a licensing structure for farmers who are interested in growing the crop and those interested in processing it. It also allows for universities to grow and cultivate the crop for research purposes.
The department will also be testing CBD and hemp products for safety and accurate labeling to protect Ohio consumers.
Learn more on the Ohio Department of Agriculture's website.
