(a) Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, the Department may grow or cultivate industrial hemp for the purpose of agricultural or academic research.
(b) The Department is authorized to certify any higher education institution in Delaware to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for the purpose of agricultural or academic research where such higher education institution submits the following to the Department:
(1) The location where the higher education institution intends to grow or cultivate industrial hemp;
(2) The higher education institution's research plan; and
(3) The name of an employee of the higher education institution that will supervise the industrial hemp growth, cultivation, and research.
(c) The Department shall maintain a list of each higher education institution certified to grow or cultivate industrial hemp under this chapter.