Processing
General Information
In order to process hemp in Ohio, a processor must obtain a license from ODA. ODA inspects each hemp processing facility to ensure that the hemp products are in compliance with Ohio’s laws and rules.
A “hemp product" is any product, containing a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than three-tenths per cent, that is made with hemp. "Hemp product" includes hemp buds, flowers, cigarettes, cigars, shredded hemp, cosmetics, personal care products, dietary supplements or food intended for animal or human consumption, cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, and any other product containing one or more cannabinoids derived from hemp, including cannabidiol.
Licensed processors are required to test their finished products. For more information, on the testing process please see the Laboratory Testing and Analysis tab on this page.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Application Process
In order to apply for a hemp processor license, you must first create an OH|ID account. This account must be in the name, email, and phone number of the: individual applicant, principal researcher, and/or the individual who is authorized to sign on behalf of the business. If you need assistance, detailed instructions for creating a new OH|ID log-in are available online.
Once your account has been created, sign into your new OH|ID account. After you have signed into your OH|ID account, please visit hemp.ohio.gov to begin your application. On this page you will find all the information needed in order to apply for a hemp processor license.
License Fees
Processors must pay an application fee of $100.
Annual license fees for each processing site:
- $500 for processing raw grain.
- $500 for processing raw fiber.
- $3000 for processing the raw floral component. This includes extraction facilities and the processing and packaging of smokable hemp.
Annual license fees for processing cannabinoids in human and animal food, dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care products for each processing site:
- $500 for wholesale production.
- $250 for retail production.
Background Checks
All applicants and key participants must undergo a background check prior to applying with ODA. "Key Participant" means a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, or a person with executive managerial control. 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.
In order to obtain a background check, please visit one of Ohio's WebCheck locations listed here. When visiting please select “Licensing for hemp cultivation and processing” from the drop-down menu. Please note that all applicants and key participants must obtain both a BCI and a FBI background check.
Please contact the Hemp Program at hemp@agri.ohio.gov or 614.728.2101 if you have questions or concerns regarding our background check requirements.
Certificate of Occupancy
A processor shall comply with all applicable OSHA regulations as well as comply with and pass inspection for any applicable fire, safety, and building codes pertaining to the use and storage of the equipment and solvents used in the manufacture of hemp products. In order to demonstrate compliance with this regulation, all processor applicants must upload the certificate of occupancy for their facility. For more information please review this document: Application for Certificate of Occupancy.
Label Review
Once your license application has been reviewed by ODA Hemp staff, it will be handed to ODA Food Safety for completion. ODA Food Safety will conduct a label review of your hemp products along with reviewing your processes and discussing how you will be controlling the hazards that are associated with your products.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Inspection
After your labels have been reviewed and appear in compliance, we will schedule an initial inspection to review your labels in person, inspect the facility, and review food safety practices. You may be subject to additional fees from food safety depending on the product you intend to produce.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Surety Bond
Processors who purchase raw, unprocessed hemp plant material must obtain a surety bond. The amount of the surety bond depends on the amount of raw, unprocessed hemp material purchased by the processor in the previous calendar year. See the table below for specific information:
| Amount of Hemp Material Purchased | Required Surety Bond Amount |
| $100,000 or Less | $10,000 |
| More than $100,000 | $20,000 |
Operation Plan (Extraction Facilities Only)
All processors extracting cannabinoids from hemp plant material shall have and follow an operational plan. The plan shall include at a minimum:
- Implementation of standards and guidelines for processing of plant material and the extraction of cannabinoids;
- Establish training and safety policies for the safe operation and maintenance of any and all equipment that will be used for extracting cannabinoids to ensure that any person involved in processing hemp:
- Has been fully trained in the safe operation and maintenance of any and all equipment that will be used for hemp extraction, with supporting documentation of the training;
- Has been fully trained in the safe use, handling, and storage of any and all chemicals that will be used for hemp extraction, in accordance with OSHA protocols, with supporting documentation of the training;
- Has been fully trained in the safe and sanitary execution of any applicable post-extraction refining protocols; and
- Has been fully trained in the safe and sanitary execution of any applicable manufacturing processes, including any applicable food safety standards under Chapter 901:3-117 of the Administrative Code.
- Documents the processing and extraction methods, techniques, and standards used which complies with rule 901:14-2-12 of the Administrative Code.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Additional References
Please find links to Hemp Processing Regulations and the current Good Manufacturing Processes (basis food regulations):
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Laboratory Testing and Surveillance
Product Testing
All hemp products manufactured in Ohio must be tested prior to being offered for sale. The licensed hemp processor shall select a random sample from every batch or lot of hemp products produced at their facility that is of sufficient quantity to perform the required tests. This testing is completed by a testing laboratory which meets the requirements of rule 901:14-2-14 of the Administrative Code. Unless otherwise exempt, a processor shall have the testing laboratory test every required hemp product sample for:
- Microbial contaminants of public health concern;
- Cannabinoid potency including, at minimum:
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA);
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC);
- Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA);
- Cannabidiol (CBD); and
- All other cannabinoids listed on the product label.
- Mycotoxins;
- Heavy metals, including, at a minimum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury; and
- Residual solvents, if a solvent other than carbon dioxide was used in the extraction process, if applicable.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.
Licensed Processors
You may download the full list of licensed processors here. Here are the different kinds of processors in the state of Ohio:
- Facilities which handle the grain component of hemp. These facilities produce products such as hemp grain, hemp grain oil, and products that contain these ingredients.
- Fiber Processing: Facilities which handle the fiber component of hemp. These facilities produce products such as rope, clothing, and building materials.
- Extraction Facility: Facilities that handle raw hemp flower and extract cannabinoids from the material. These facilities extract “crude oil” and further process this into various hemp products.
- Raw Flower: Facilities that are handling raw hemp flower, but are not an extraction facility. These types of facilities produce smokeable hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, etc.
- Wholesale: Facilities that use pre-processed cannabinoids in hemp products. Wholesale facilities distribute their products to a separate location where the products are produced.
- Retail: Facilities that use pre-processed cannabinoids in hemp products. Retail facilities sell their product in the same location where they are produced.
For questions please contact the Food Safety Division at 614-728-6250.