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Newly Signed Law Allows For Hemp Program to License Processors

South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner

Media Contacts: Clint Leach, 803-734-2191, jcleach@scda.sc.gov / Vanessa Elsalah, (803) 734-8339, velsalah@scda.sc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 17, 2019

Newly Signed Law Allows For Hemp Program to License Processors

COLUMBIA – On March 28, 2019, South Carolina Governor Henry D. McMaster signed into law a bill which expands the state’s hemp farming program. The hemp farming program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), and set forth by state law, now allows for the department to license processors throughout the state.

“SCDA is excited to announce a new hemp processor licensing program to enhance the credibility and validity of new hemp processors throughout the state. This new measure will help protect our growers by establishing licensed, compliant, and recognized hemp processors in South Carolina,” says Derek Underwood, Assistant Commissioner for Consumer Protection.

Details on the processor licensing application and procedures can be found at https://agriculture.sc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SCHempProcessorApplication2019.pdf. Hemp Processors must also obtain a SCDA Dealers and Handlers license, a SCDA Weighmasters License, and successfully pass a federal and state background check (“No person who has been convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance under state  or federal law during a ten-year period from the date of the conviction shall be eligible to obtain a license to cultivate, handle, or process hemp”). Hemp Processors will be subject to routine audits by the SCDA Consumer Protection Division.

For more information about the Hemp Program, please contact Vanessa Elsalah, (803) 734-8339, velsalah@scda.sc.gov and also visit www.agriculture.sc.gov.

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Newly Signed Law Allows For Hemp Program to License Processors Press Release (.pdf)

 

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