Hemp, CBD Products Legalized In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation decriminalizing hemp and some CBD products on Tuesday. Senate Bill 57 will also paves the way for the production of hemp in Ohio.

DeWine signed the bill while attending the Ohio State Fair. His signature, and emergency clause in the text, means the law takes effect immediately and removes hemp and CBD from the state's controlled substance list. It also clears the way for institutions to begin growing hemp next year, once federal rules are made and aligned with Ohio rules.

Senate Bill 57 also outlines the state's Hemp Cultivation and Processing Program. That program, overseen by the state's Director of Agriculture, will include licenses for hemp cultivation. There is no plan to limit the number of hemp cultivation licenses issued, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The legislation also notes that land used for hemp farming will be valued based on its current agriculture use value (CAUV).

“I am proud to see hemp farming included in the CAUV program to ensure that Ohio’s farmers and their families are taxed fairly,” said State Rep. Randi Clites, a Democrat from Ravenna who advocated for the CAUV provision.

Hemp was once on the federal controlled substance list because it derives from cannabis plants, like marijuana. However, hemp has significantly lower concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance that produces a high in marijuana.

There has been at tidal wave of change over the past few years for the hemp production industry. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the federal controlled substances list, decriminalizing hemp nationwide. Hemp is now legal under certain restrictions, and considered an agriculture product, the National Conference of State Legislatures noted on its website.

Ohio is now the 46th state to legalize hemp production in some form.

“I am excited about the new opportunities this legislation opens up for Ohio’s farmers, manufacturers and workers,” said Clites in a statement. “Creating a hemp growing and manufacturing program holds great promise for Ohio’s economy in the years to come.”