Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed into law a bill legalizing the growth and processing of hemp.
DeWine signed a bill yesterday at the Ohio State Fair that legalized growth of the plant and the oil that's used in health supplements. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is creating rules for its new hemp program along with making a request for more money.
The department says it needs $12 million to start its testing facility and to bring lab technicians on board.
Governor Mike DeWine says it's now up to farmers to decide if they want to jump into this industry.
DeWine: "This is a decision that farmers have to make based on what their particular needs are and what's in their best interest so this crop is just an additional crop that they can now legally grow. They're gonna have to see if there's a market for that."
The bill also allows stores to
The state hopes farmers can be licensed and growing the crop by next spring.
