Is it legal for an individual to grow hemp in Kentucky?
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Moogdummy
As an individual, you cannot.
Kentucky is a little behind the times. They are currently still operating under the 2014 farm bill pilot program guidelines.
Hopefully, soon, they will implement the 2018 farm bill guidelines.
wordsmith
For an individual to legally grow and possess hemp in Kentucky, one must acquire first a license issued by the Department of Agriculture in Kentucky. For license qualification, background checking is required for an interested grower. Buyers and processors of hemp are also required to have a license so an applicant can harvest. Farmers’ source of seed must be from Seed & Transplant Providers.
CrayM
Yes, it is. Like many other states, you will need to obtain a license to grow and sell hemp. Like any business endeavor, you will want a business plan in place and identify any hurdles that you may have to overcome.
amanda.tolar
Yes! But, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean anyone can go out and grow it. You have to apply and be approved through the KDA, and pay the associated licensing fees. I think it was around $1,000 total for us last season, which included the $500 per-location charges for cultivation and storage, as well as a background check. This year the process looked a little different, with some of the fees removed and much of the process expedited. It’s been legal here since 2013-2014, but at that point, it was difficult to acquire permission to grow as a small family farm, since the pilot program operated in conjunction with the University of Kentucky, and they tended to favor larger operations, for obvious reasons (since it was a lot of research). Here you cannot legally possess raw floral matter or intact plants without a license. I’m pretty sure they communicate this to local law enforcement, as we’ve had plants starting on our front patio and various areas throughout the spring, and no one has come to say anything lol.
Seymour Simone
No, you must have a license from their Department of Agriculture.
Melody
No, you can’t legally grow hemp as an individual at home in the state of Kentucky. Only farmers with a license from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture can grow, process, and sell hemp. It is legal to buy the products they sell though, so never fear people of Kentucky! You can still get your hemp.
wavess
How much industrial hemp can farmers in Kentucky grow? Is there a limit to the amount of hemp that can be grown or sold in Kentucky?
Cleverclogs
Hey – just checked this one! Here’s the latest! As of 2019, for those with licenses to grow hemp in Kentucky, the allowed area of cultivation is 50,000 acres. Compared to 16,000 acres in 2018, this number increased dramatically.