Hemp Cultivation in Mississippi

Senate Bill 2725, also known as the Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act, was signed into law on June 29, 2020.  This act legalized the cultivation of hemp under a state plan to be created and implemented by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.  Although the act allowed for a state hemp cultivation program, the necessary funding to implement the program was not appropriated by the Mississippi Legislature.

As a result, currently the only legal option for a producer to cultivate hemp in Mississippi now is to obtain a hemp license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program.  To apply for a USDA hemp production license, you will need to create an account using the Hemp eManagement Platform (HeMP) and use HeMP to submit a USDA Hemp Application and a copy of your FBI criminal history report. Instructions on how to obtain the report from the FBI may be viewed here: FBI Criminal History Report.  An applicant will not receive a USDA hemp production license if the applicant has been convicted of a felony related to a controlled substance in the last 10 years.  Once issued, USDA hemp production licenses are active for three years unless the State of Mississippi elects to administer a State hemp production program.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce does not issue hemp licenses.

All requirements and information related to the USDA hemp program may be viewed at https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp.  If you have questions, please email farmbill.hemp@usda.gov or call 202-720-2491.