Section 928.02 | Regulation and monitoring of hemp cultivation; licensing.
(A)(1) The director of agriculture may establish a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation and shall establish a program to monitor and regulate hemp processing in this state.
(2) If the director establishes a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation in this state and subsequently intends to transfer authority to the United States department of agriculture to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation in this state, the director shall take whatever actions necessary to effectuate such transfer.
(3) If the director implements a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation under division (A)(1) of this section, the director shall issue hemp cultivation licenses in accordance with rules adopted under section 928.03 of the Revised Code.
(4) If the director implements a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation under division (A)(1) of this section and as authorized by the director, the department of agriculture or a university may cultivate hemp without a hemp cultivation license for research purposes.
(5) As authorized by the director, the department of agriculture or a university may process hemp without a hemp processing license for research purposes.
(B) If the director implements a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation under division (A)(1) of this section and except as authorized under division (A)(4) or (E) of this section, any person that wishes to cultivate hemp shall apply for and obtain a hemp cultivation license from the director in accordance with rules adopted under section 928.03 of the Revised Code. Except as authorized under division (A)(5) or (E) of this section, any person that wishes to process hemp shall apply for and obtain a hemp processing license from the director in accordance with those rules. Such licenses are valid for three years unless earlier suspended or revoked by the director.
(C) The department, a university, or any person may, without a hemp cultivation license or hemp processing license, possess, buy, or sell hemp or a hemp product.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the addition of hemp or a hemp product to any other product does not adulterate that other product.
(E) If the director implements a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation under division (A)(1) of this section, the director shall issue a hemp cultivation license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:
(1) The individual holds the applicable license in another state.
(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a hemp cultivator in a state that does not issue the applicable license.
(F) The director shall issue a hemp processing license in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:
(1) The individual holds the applicable license in another state.
(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a hemp processor in a state that does not issue the applicable license.
Last updated July 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Available Versions of this Section
- July 30, 2019 – Amended by Senate Bill 57 - 133rd General Assembly [ View July 30, 2019 Version ]
- December 29, 2023 – Amended by Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly [ View December 29, 2023 Version ]
- September 30, 2025 – Amended by House Bill 96 - 136th General Assembly [ View September 30, 2025 Version ]