Hemp growers reminded to verify license information

From Montana Department of Agriculture

HELENA — The Montana Department of Agriculture is reminding Montana’s hemp growers that verification of license information and additional fees are required before growers can be issued their hemp production license, which is needed to harvest and process or sell their crop.

The department sent letters to each license holder at the beginning of July asking growers to verify the crop information that will be printed on each grower’s license certificate.

The department’s hemp program involves a two-step licensing process. The first step was a planting license that allowed the grower to procure seed and get their crop planted. The second step is the production license, which is issued upon receipt of the appropriate fees and the verification form, confirming the variety, field locations and acreage of hemp that was actually planted. The production license is required for the licensee to harvest and process or sell their crop. The information provided should be sent to the department as soon as possible as it helps the department track production and develop timelines for sampling and testing.

Growers who did not receive a letter from the department, are asked to contact Andy Gray at 406-444-0512.

For more information on Montana’s hemp program, visit https://agr.mt.gov/hemp online.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries. For more information on the department, visit https://agr.mt.gov/.