Last Friday, Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill that will pave the way for hemp farming in Connecticut.

Hemp cultivator Norm Plude grew cannabis for researchers at the University of Connecticut in 2017. Now he says he's looking to use greenhouses in the area for commercial use after the state approved a pilot program for industrial hemp last week.

This isn't full legalization of hemp in Connecticut. Farmers interested in growing this crop will have to apply for a license and will be limited to 10 acres of hemp production.

Norm Plude is optimistic about the 10-acre limit. He says the limitation will prevent people trying to grow the crop from going overboard or injuring any of their properties.

With this license, farmers will also be able to sell cannabis with under .3% of psychoactive THC. Plude says the goal is to progress the levels of cannabidiol grown in the crops and to stop the THC. He says CBD can be used in products ranging from CBD oil for joint pain to biodegradable plastics.

The bill does not say anything about medical marijuana, but Plude says it could open the door to patients having the ability to grow their own plants. He says, "We're the only state in New England that has a medical program that does not have patient grow rights."

Plude says that this could lead to a major boost for Connecticut's agricultural economy.