Industrial hemp licensing
Get authorized to grow, process, and handle industrial hemp
Types of licenses
You must be authorized to work with industrial hemp in the state of Louisiana. You may apply for individual or multiple licenses on one application. This at-a-glance comparison tells you what you might need. To view certified or licensed industrial hemp professionals, visit industrial hemp licensees .
What you want to do | Type of license needed |
|---|---|
Produce hemp | |
Process non-consumable hemp | |
Transport, harvest, clean, package, and test hemp | |
Produce, transport, and sell hemp seed |
Requirements to stay compliant
Licenses cost $500 each, and renewals are due by November 30 of each year.
Laws and regulations must be followed, including those for purchasing and transporting hemp seeds or stock .
Planting and production reports must be filed by the deadlines.
Before you apply
Review the industrial hemp law , rules and regulations , and compliance checklist .
Complete an LDAF background check authorization form .
Complete a rapsheet disclosure form .
Get two sets of fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) from the Louisiana State Police (LSP). (While you can also get them from a post office, they might not be accepted and could significantly delay the process).
Mail or hand-deliver fingerprint cards, the background check form, the rapsheet disclosure form, and background check fees to the LSP Criminal Records Dissemination Section:
LSP, Criminal Records Dissemination Section 7919 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Phone: 225-925-6095 Business hours: M-F 8 am - 3 pm Website: https://www.lsp.org/
If applying for multiple licenses, you’re only required to provide one state and federal background check report as long as the background check is performed within 60 days of the date the application is received by LDAF.
Create a color photographic map for each growing, storage, handling, or processing location. See instructions for creating maps .
Updating your information
If the designated responsible party changes, complete a new Designated Responsible Party Declaration .
If the location of growing, processing, handling, or storing changes from what was on your original application, complete a Site Modification Request. You can submit a Site Modification Request using this online form or by submitting this PDF form .
Licenses
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If you want to cultivate industrial hemp, regardless of its intended use, you need an industrial hemp growers license. The license fee is $500.
Apply online
Complete the online application .
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
Apply by mail
Print and complete a paper application .
Mail to: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Industrial Hemp Program 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 3004 Baton Rouge, LA 70806
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
If you want to process non-consumable industrial hemp in Louisiana, you need a processor license. The license fee is $500.
Apply online
Complete the online application .
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
Apply by mail
Print and complete a paper application .
Mail to: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Industrial Hemp Program 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 3004 Baton Rouge, LA 70806
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
If you want to transport, commercially harvest, clean, and package hemp seed, and/or broker and test industrial hemp, you need a handler license. The license fee is $500.
Apply online
Complete the online application .
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
Apply by mail
Print and complete a paper application .
Mail to: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Industrial Hemp Program 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 3004 Baton Rouge, LA 70806
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
If you want to produce, transport, and/or sell industrial hemp seed (this includes seedlings, transplants, and clones), you need a hemp seed producer's license. The license fee is $500.
Apply online
Complete the online application .
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
Apply by mail
Print and complete a paper application .
Mail to: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry Industrial Hemp Program 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 3004 Baton Rouge, LA 70806
When notified of approval, pay the license $500 license fee.
Contact info
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