Minnesota Hemp Growers Must Apply For License by April 30

ST. PAUL (KDLM) – Minnesota Hemp growers must apply for a license by April 30.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says those wanting to grow, process, breed, or research hemp in Minnesota in 2021 must apply for a license. To date, over 370 people have applied for an MDA license.

The online application for growers and processors can be found on the MDA website at www.mda.state.mn.us/industrialhemp. Along with the online form, first-time applicants need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check.

This is the sixth year of the state’s Industrial Hemp Program. Last year, 542 people held licenses to grow or process hemp. Over 5,800 acres and 1.46 million indoor square feet were planted in Minnesota.

The 2018 Federal Farm Bill legalized hemp as an agricultural commodity. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a final rule that outlined state and tribal plans for growing the crop. Minnesota is operating under a federally approved plan that governs production and regulations. Prior to 2021, Minnesota had been working under a pilot program.