From the Ohio Department of Agriculture on Application for Hemp Cultivators and Processors:
The Ohio Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications from potential hemp cultivators and processors on March 3 at 12:00 p.m. ODA will work as quickly as possible to process applications. The response time will depend on:
the completeness of the application
the number of applications received - they will be reviewed in the order received
the completion and return time on a background check
For processors, an inspection of the processing site may be required to complete the application. ODA anticipates this will take a few weeks and will make every effort to perform these inspections in a timely manner.
The application process will be accessed online. ODA will send an email with a link to the website prior to 12:00 p.m., March 3.
All applicants and key participants must undergo a background check prior to applying with ODA. “Key Participant” means a sole proprietor, a partner in partnership, or a person with executive managerial control in a corporation. A person with executive managerial control includes persons such as a chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer. This definition does not include non-executive managers such as farm, field, or shift managers.
Background checks are now available. In order to obtain a background check, please visit one of Ohio’s WebCheck locations listed here:www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing. When visiting one of these locations you must provide the address of ODA’s Hemp Program. Please bring this information with you at the time you visit:
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Hemp Program
8995 E. Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Ohio Department of Agriculture Hemp Program at 614.728.2101 or email us at hemp@agri.ohio.gov.