Grow Hemp in Indiana
1) What are the Hemp regulations in Indiana?
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp and provided a federal framework for industrial hemp production. Under this framework, states desiring to regulate industrial hemp must have a state hemp plan that has been approved by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the Indiana State Hemp Plan for commercially growing and processing hemp. In Indiana, hemp processing and production are regulated through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC). Find the full press release here.
2) How can I register to be a hemp grower in Indiana?
To register to grow hemp in 2021 click here. If you are currently registered you can log into the hemp portal here. We also recommend reviewing the Ten Questions to Ask Before Growing Hemp in 2020 and the Indiana Hemp Frequently Asked Questions.
An interactive map of hemp grown in Indiana is available here.
3) What does the term Certified Hemp Seed mean?
Certified Seed is seed produced from a crop that has been inspected for trueness to variety (TTV), allowable limits on weeds, allowable set back distances from other hemp fields where pollen could travel and other stringent requirements. In the case of hemp grown for seed the setback limits are three miles. Indiana Crop Improvement Association (ICIA) is the organization that oversees the certified seed program in the state. AOSCA – Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies - has created hemp certification standards and ICIA has reviewed those standards. We anticipate Indiana will be involved in the production of certified hemp seed in the future. (Genetics at CBD Seed Labs are 100% USDA approved)
4) Where can I buy hemp seed?
Several hemp seed suppliers are in business in California, Colorado, Oregon, North Dakota, Kentucky and other states. We anticipate a move by some Indiana companies into growing certified hemp seed and selling certified hemp seed in the upcoming years, but that industry is not in place currently. The Office of Indiana State Chemist will list possible seed suppliers on our hemp website at the appropriate time as a requirement of the new SB 516 Law. Ask for seed lab reports, Certificate of Analysis of parentage crop, etc to confirm you are buying seed from a compliant crop.
5) What soil types does hemp grow in best?
Anecdotal evidence would state that hemp grows best in silt loam or sandy loam soils. Heavy clay soils may not be the best place for production acres. Again, this is anecdotal in nature. Time will tell. One thing that is known is that hemp does not like wet soils.
6) I’ve heard there will be a maximum number of Indiana hemp licenses handed out in 2020?
Is that true? Yes. This was not part of the original plans, however, with the USDA rules being late it has forced us into a research year. That being said, we have to limit licenses to 300 active licenses. It is a requirement that you have a production contract, a letter of intent to buy your crop or be the processor yourself in order to apply for a license.