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) (usda.gov) 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 (fbi.gov). 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 (usda.gov). If you have questions, please email farmbill.hemp@usda.gov or call 202-720-2491.
Useful links for more information:
Alabama Cooperative Extension System Hemp Information
Louisiana State University Hemp Information
National Agricultural Law Center
National Hemp Growers Cooperative
University of KY Hemp Agronomic Research