Section 928.02 - Regulation and monitoring of hemp cultivation; licensing(A)(1) The director of agriculture shall establish a program to monitor and regulate hemp cultivation and processing in this state. Under the program, the director shall issue hemp cultivation licenses and hemp processing licenses in accordance with rules adopted under section 928.03 of the Revised Code.(2) As authorized by the director, the department of agriculture or a university may cultivate or process hemp without a hemp cultivation license or hemp processing license for research purposes.(B) Except as authorized under division (A)(2) 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)(2) 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) The director shall issue a hemp cultivation license or 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 cultivator or hemp processor in a state that does not issue the applicable license.Amended by 134th General Assembly, SB 131,§2, eff. 12/29/2023.Added by 133rd General Assembly, SB 57,§1, eff. 7/30/2019.