COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law Wednesday that he said will be good for farmers and industry across the state.
The bill, officially House Bill 3449, allows more farmers to grow industrial hemp as long as they have a hemp license with the State Department of Agriculture.
At the signing, the department said hemp has thousands of uses in industry including clothes, oils, concrete-like products and many others.
The governor said he was happy to sign the bill to help one of the state's biggest industries become more profitable.
"Anything that helps agriculture helps the rest of the state. There's an expression in some parts of our state that says 'if momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy' Well, if agriculture isn't happy nobody's happy," McMaster said at the bill signing.
In the law's first year, 160 farmers will be able to participate. After that, an unlimited number of farmers can apply for the license and begin growing industrial hemp.
McMaster and others said the bill is an important step in helping South Carolina farmers diversify and add profits.