SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois farmers will be able to add industrial hemp to their crop production under a bill signed Saturday by Governor Bruce Rauner.

While hemp products are already sold all over the state, Rauner said that previously Illinois farmers were legally prohibited from growing the crop.

The governor noted that hemp has many great uses — Paper, fabrics, biodegradable plastics, construction materials. He says the state wants to make sure Illinois farmers are able to compete and grow in their product distribution just like farmers in some other states are able to.

The issue has been debated for years, since the hemp plant contains a minimal amount of THC.