MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Want to grow industrial hemp in Alabama? You'll need a license for that, and applications are open now through January 15, 2024 through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 defines hemp as all parts of the plant containing less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids.
Alabama hemp growers, processors/handlers and universities may apply for an industrial hemp license from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) at https://agi.alabama.gov/hemp/formsandapplications/. The final day to apply for a hemp license is January 15, 2024 by 5:00 pm (CST). Applications are only accepted online,
According to ADAI, in 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975, tasking ADAI with the development of a licensing and inspection program for the production of industrial hemp. The program launched in 2019, after The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e. Farm Bill) declassified hemp as a schedule I drug and deemed hemp as an agriculture commodity.
“This is the department’s sixth year to administer the hemp program. It has always been our goal to manage the program in a fair and timely manner to benefit Alabama farmers and hemp producers and develop industrial hemp as an alternative crop,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate.
More information on the program and application requirements are available here.
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Did you know?
Some fascinating research is being done at the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station of Alabama A&M University and it has to do with hemp plants - but it's not being grown and used for what you might think.
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