A $24 million hemp-processing plant that will specialize in extracting CBD oil from Indiana-grown hemp is coming to Westfield.

Torrential spring rains across the Midwest either washed out some of their crops, including hemp, or delayed planting efforts.

Between the two Midwestern states, hundreds of permits have been issued to plant thousands of acres of hemp.

After months of deliberating, lawmakers took the final step in bringing the hemp market to Indiana and are now sending it to the governor for final approval.

Previous attempts to legalize the plant have failed in the Senate because some lawmakers thought it was tantamount to condoning marijuana, which is still illegal nationally.

A total of 11 bills dealing with medicinal cannabis or hemp have been introduced this session.

Indiana farmers interested in industrial hemp's economic potential can learn about the best production practices for that still-illegal crop at an upcoming Purdue Extension event.