Grow Hemp in Maine
1) DACF’s Hemp Program in Maine?
Department of Agriculture, Conservatory, and Forestry is the licensing authority for growing hemp in Maine. Hemp is low-THC Cannabis sativa that is grown for CBD, fiber, food, and more. It is legal to grow in the US, but it is regulated, and you need a license to grow it.
In Maine, an adult can have up to 3 hemp plants for personal (non-commercial) use without a license.
2) Maine Legislative News about hemp?
To implement a USDA approved hemp licensing plan in 2022, amendments will need to be in place to bring state statutes into conformance with the USDA final rule for hemp. Once the new statutes are in place the Department will have to amend the current licensing rules in CMR 01-001 Chapter 274 to fully implement an approved state plan for the 2022 growing season.
A hearing for this bill, "An Act To Improve the Laws Governing Hemp by Bringing Them into Compliance with Federal Law", occurred on February 11, 2021 at 10 am (Watch on YouTube). Anyone interested in submitting testimony can do so electronically.
3) What is the future of hemp in Maine?
Maine Legislature considered the possibility that Maine maintains a state program with its own THC threshold allowing cannabis with up to 1% total THC to be considered hemp. However, without a USDA-approved program, Maine hemp growers will not have access to out-of-state markets.
The Maine Hemp Program understands this uncertainty disrupts the local hemp markets and makes it much harder to consider hemp as a viable crop. Therefore, we need your input to help guide the program into the future.
4) When are Maine’s hemp planting reports due?
Within 14 days after planting hemp, growers need to submit a planting report. This report confirms exactly where you planted within the area(s) licensed and documents that the hemp varieties planted came from stock that contained no more than 0.3% delta-9-THC by dry weight.
5) How to apply for a license to grow hemp in Maine?
There is no longer an application deadline. We ask that you apply 30 days before you intend to plant your crop so that you have a signed license agreement in hand before you plant.
Download Hemp License Applications:
Those wishing to sell hemp seedlings/clones (plants under 12 inches tall and not flowering) need to apply for a License to Sell Nursery Stock.
6) Fees associated with Maine’s hemp department?
Maine law requires that the Department cover the costs of operating the hemp program by charging an application fee, license fee and a per acre fee. These fees are as follows:
$100 application fee – this fee must be submitted with the application.
$500 license fee – this fee is due after approval of the application and must be submitted with the signed licensing agreement. (A separate $500.00 fee is due for both indoor and outdoor licensing agreements)
Outdoor growing license
$50/acre fee – this fee is due after approval of the application and must be submitted with the signed licensing agreement.
Indoor growing license
$0.25/square foot - this fee is due after approval of the application and must be submitted with the signed licensing agreement. (multiple growing tiers are additive)