Ohio § 928.02

§ 928.02.

(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 product made with hemp. (D) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code to the contrary, the addition

of hemp or a product made with hemp 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.