Rep. Brent announces state funds to support newly-created Hemp Program

State Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today announced the release of $3,295,035 in state funding from the Emergency Purposes Fund to the Ohio Department of Agriculture to support the state’s newly-created Hemp Program.

“By granting the Ohio Department of Agriculture these funds, the state will provide the Hemp Program with the support it needs to finally get off the ground,” said Rep. Brent. “Speeding up the establishment of the hemp industry will help ensure that our farmers can live, work and retire with security here at home in Ohio.”

The Hemp Program will allow the state to begin sampling hemp products to ensure that Ohioans are presented with safe and truthful products. The funding will support the collecting and testing of hemp or CBD products for sale, a hemp-specific software program that will map Ohio’s hemp fields, and the purchase of lab equipment and supplies.

The funds were approved Monday by the state Controlling Board, a bipartisan panel that oversees state spending.