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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new law is on the books that could eventually lead to the return of the production of industrial hemp in Pennsylvania.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed a bill that would let the Agriculture Department and institutions of higher education grow the plant for research purposes, directly or through approved contractors.

It also sets up a board to work on regulations.

The sponsor, Lebanon County Republican Rep. Russ Diamond, says large scale production could occur under the law’s research provisions.

Industrial hemp does not contain levels of the cannabis plant’s chemicals that are sufficient to produce intoxication.

Wolf says one of the first laws passed by the General Assembly in 1683 encouraged growing hemp.