Industrial Hemp Program

Industrial Hemp Applications and Forms

Applications, Forms and Instructions to apply for a license to grow, harvest, transport, and/or process industrial hemp are found here.

Arizona Industrial Hemp Program Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 3/12/24

 

The AZDA has moved into a new location. The AZDA main office is located at 1110 W. Washington St., Suite 450, in Phoenix. We also have a new mailing address, different from our physical location. Please send any industrial hemp related mail correspondences and applications to:

POSTAL DELIVERIES ONLY:
Arizona Department of Agriculture
EPSD - Industrial Hemp Program
1802 W. Jackson St., #78
Phoenix AZ  85007

We are also still working remotely on select days of the week, so please be sure to contact us to make an appointment if an in-person meeting is required.

Phone: 602-542-0955 or Email: [email protected]


 

 

MARIJUANA INQUIRIES

 


 

For a copy of the 2021 Hemp Production Report please click here: https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZDA-HempAnnualReport2021.pdf

For a copy of the 2022 Hemp Program Update please click here: https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZ%20Hemp%20Program%202022%20Update.pdf


USDA Approved Arizona State Hemp Plan

Hemp producers may be eligible for many USDA programs, including:

  • Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)
  • Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
  • NRCS-administered conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and Agricultural Conservation
  • Easement ProgramFarm loans, including operating, ownership, beginning farmer, and farm storage facility

Click here for more information regarding these programs: https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/row-crops/hemp

Hemp Licensing and Regulatory Oversight is maintained through the Arizona Department of Agriculture as it has in previous growing seasons. However, hemp producers are required to file acreage reports with FSA, which includes these steps:

  1. Obtain a hemp production license (Grower and/or Nursery) issued by the AZDA.
  2. File an acreage report with FSA, including the license or authorization number and identifying each field or subfield where hemp is planted.
  3. These fields could be referred to as a “lot” and includes greenhouses.
  4. Identify the intended use of the reported hemp acreage:
    • Fiber – used for cloth, pressed plastics, ropes, animal bedding, paper, biofuel, packaging, concrete additives, spill cleanup.
    • Cannabidiol (CBD) – grown for extraction of plant resin, which includes CBD and other phytocannabinoids to be extracted from the flower. Subject to FDA regulations, resin may be used in oils, lotions, cleansers, bath or other pharmaceutical or topical products.
    • Grain – used for hemp hearts, crushed seed oil (not CBD), protein supplements (human or animal consumption)
    • Seed – used for propagation stock, hybrids (non-human consumption)
  5. Producers should contact their local FSA county office for more details on acreage reporting. https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

 

ENFORCEMNT DISCRETION OF A.A.C. R3-4-1008(C)(6)

Under USDA’s Domestic Hemp Production Program regulations (Final Rule; 86 FR 5596) and Arizona Administrative Code (“A.A.C.”) R3-4-1008(C)(6), starting January 1, 2023, all hemp was required to be tested by a laboratory registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Due to inadequate DEA-registered laboratory testing capacity, USDA has delayed enforcement of the requirement for hemp testing to be done by a DEA-registered laboratory until December 31, 2024. Therefore, the Arizona Department of Agriculture shall also delay enforcement of A.A.C. R3-4-1008(C)(6) until December 31, 2024.

Further information regarding the USDA delay of enforcement can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp/hemp-testing-enforcement-discretion

2024 HEMP PROGRAM RENEWALS AND NEW APPLICATIONS

Industrial Hemp Renewal Notices have been sent out in the mail. If you have not received your renewal application, please contact [email protected].

New Hemp Applications are posted to the Applications and Reports page.

Changes to Hemp Regulations Effective Now. See "Industrial Hemp Laws, Rules, Orders and Policies" below.

  

Questions about Adult Use Marijuana can email [email protected] or call 602-364-0857.

 

ARE YOU GROWING HEMP?

YOU MUST FILE A PLANTING REPORT FOR ALL HEMP THAT IS PLANTED.

FAILURE TO FILE A PLANTING REPORT WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS OF PLANTING COULD RESULT IN A VIOLATION OF THE PROGRAM REGULATIONS.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER YOUR HEMP CROPS WITH USDA-FSA, NO EXCEPTIONS. IF CROPS ARE NOT REGISTERED, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE STREAM OF COMMERCE.

PLEASE VISIT THE USDA-AMS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/row-crops/hemp

 

YOU CAN FIND REPORT FORMS HERE, UNDER "INDUSTRIAL HEMP REPORTS": https://agriculture.az.gov/plantsproduce/industrial-hemp-program/industrial-hemp-license-applications

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 602-542-0955

 

CURRENT HEMP PROGRAM LICENSES 2/14/2024


 

Because of a statewide initiative to encourage teleworking by state employees, the Arizona Department of Agriculture is asking our customers to interact with us via phone and email.
If you must come to the office please schedule an appointment with the appropriate person to ensure they will be at the office when you do get here.
Walk-in customers, without an appointment, may experience significant delays in processing times due to staffing issues.
Customers with an appointment will take priority. If you require a meeting with program staff you must schedule an appointment prior to your visit. Please call 602-542-0955 or email [email protected].

FOR PROGRAM APPLICATIONS (New and Renewal): Please mail completed application packets and payments directly to: 

Arizona Department of Agriculture
EPSD - Industrial Hemp Program
1802 W. Jackson St., #78
Phoenix AZ  85007

 

FOR CURRENT LICENSE HOLDERS: To continue to serve you effectively and in a timely manner, please submit any form, notice, report, or any other correspondence via email to [email protected]. If you do not have access to submit documents electronically please contact Brian McGrew at 602-542-3228 to arrange alternate methods for submission.

If you have any questions please call 602-542-0955 or email [email protected]

 




HEMP MICROGREENS AND GREENS PRODUCER GUIDANCE

Starting in 2022, Arizona hemp growers will be able to commercially produce hemp microgreens and hemp greens that comply with state and federal regulations. Since these products are not produced to a mature, flowering state where a sample would be collected to determine THC concentration, an alternative protocol has been developed to determine crop compliance. This method was approved by USDA-AMS as part of the Arizona State Hemp Plan for Domestic Hemp Production, starting January 1, 2022. In addition to the requirement of utilizing verified hemp seed, and timely crop reporting, the method will involve requiring crops to be harvested prior to flowering, and visually verified by the Department that crops were harvested to the standards listed in the Department's Substantive Policy, SP21-02. Crops are subject to sampling by the Department to verify THC concentrations are below compliance levels. Crops will still be required to meet all other food safety guidelines separate from the hemp program requirements.

YOU MUST REGISTER HEMP MICROGREEN CROPS WITH USDA-FSA 

 https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/row-crops/hemp


Links to Hemp Microgreens Guidance Documents and Forms:

Hemp Microgreen Crop Report

Arizona Industrial Hemp Program Hemp Microgreens and Hemp Greens Producer Guidance Document

USDA State Hemp Plan - Exhibit E - Performance-Based Sampling

Substantive Policy SP21-02 - Performance Based Sampling


 

 

INDUSTRIAL HEMP LAWS, RULES, ORDERS & POLICIES

Arizona Revised Statutes

Hemp Laws are found in Title 3, Ch. 2, Art. 4.1 Industrial Hemp

Industrial Hemp Statutes

 

Arizona Administrative Rules - UPDATED OCTOBER 1, 2021

Hemp Regulations are Under Arizona Administrative Code Title 3., Chapter 4., Article 10

 

 

Director's Administrative Orders

DAO 19-02: Industrial Hemp Advisory Council

DAO 19-05: Industrial Hemp Program Processor Notification

 

Substantive Policy Statements

SP 19-01: Industrial Hemp Sampling Method

SP 21-02: Industrial Hemp Performance Based Sampling

  


Hemp and Pesticides: Please Read

Please make sure and read this document carefully.  When considering using a pesticide, review the actual label of the pesticide registered here in AZ to ensure the language allows this use.  Language on products can vary from state to state.  Ensure the product is registered for use here in AZ.   

Hemp and Pesticide Use

 


 Industrial Hemp Seed

You must be a licensed seed labeler and follow Arizona's seed labeling laws if you are going to be labeling hemp seed for sale in Arizona.

You must be a licensed seed dealer if you are going to be selling seed for planting.

 

Visit our Environmental Services, licensing page for more information: https://agriculture.az.gov/about-us/divisions/environmental-services

 

!!IMPORTANT!!!

Please read this document if you are purchasing hemp seed for planting or selling hemp seed to Arizona producers.

AZDA -Hemp Seed

AZDA Hemp Seed Letter.pdf Download

FOR ALL HEMP RELATED Q&A CHECK THIS PAGE FIRST

https://agriculture.az.gov/industrial-hemp-faq-page 

 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED OF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND IMPORTANT UPDATES, PLEASE SEND YOUR REQUEST, INCLUDING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION TO: [email protected]

INDUSTRIAL HEMP CERTIFIED LABORATORY

Click below for information regarding laboratory certification. For additional information or questions on laboratory certification contact Dominique Ramirez ([email protected]).

Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card

A valid fingerprint clearance card is required for the applicant, including all key participants, to apply for any Industrial Hemp License.

To apply for a fingerprint card or if you have questions regarding fingerprint clearance cards please visit: https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/fingerprint or call 602-223-2279

NOTE: Under A.R.S. 3-314, only a valid Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card will be accepted as a form of eligibility to participate in this program. No other background check credentials can be accepted. 

Industrial Hemp Program Rules Committee

The Industrial Hemp Program Rules Committee's term expired on 8-3-19.

Thank you

 

 

If you have questions regarding the Industrial Hemp Program or you would like to receive updates on upcoming events and important announcements please email Brian McGrew, [email protected](link sends e-mail)

Check back to this page for periodic updates and information.

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