Industrial Hemp

The following information about the USDA Hemp Production Program and USDA NIFA industrial hemp research is being provided since the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law and implementation of 2018 Farm Bill provisions by USDA.

USDA Hemp Production Program

With the 2018 Farm Bill signed into law, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has been designated as the lead USDA agency to administer the new USDA Hemp Production Program. AMS issued an interim final rule on October 31, 2019, to implement the 2018 Farm Bill provisions. Currently, all rules and restrictions must be followed as per Section 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill. USDA cannot help with interpretation and implementation of the laws related to your state permitting and interstate commerce. For those questions, please seek advice from your legal counsel or state.

The AMS has posted information on their website regarding the 2018 Farm Bill hemp program at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp.

The link to AMS Questions/Answers is found at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp/questions-and-answers.

If you have additional needs regarding the Hemp Production Program, please send questions or requests for information to: farmbill.hemp@usda.gov.



Industrial Hemp Research

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) handles the extramural research aspects of industrial hemp. Researchers should continue following the guidance received regarding Section 7606 of the 2014 Farm Bill.

Researchers should seek their own legal counsel and guidance from their state regulatory agency regarding what is allowable for conducting research in their respective state. The USDA cannot provide advice regarding state specific policies.



Frequently Asked Research Questions

NIFA Industrial Hemp Frequently Asked Questions resource page is now available.

