Qualifications for Becoming Licensed to Grow Hemp Seed in Illinois

Thinking about growing hemp seed on your farmland in Illinois? You’ll need to become licensed first.

Growing industrial hemp is different than growing any other crop. There are very specific rules regarding hemp cultivation because of its general nature as a plant. Yes, it’s legal to grow hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill. But growers have to adhere to guidelines outlined by their state government.

Hemp is classified as an agricultural commodity so long as THC levels don’t exceed 0.3%. Once they rise above this level, it’s no longer considered “industrial hemp.” THC, at certain doses, creates an intoxicating effect. Therefore, the federal government has taken great care to ensure proper regulation of industrial hemp.

But don’t worry, applying for a license to cultivate hemp in Illinois isn’t very difficult. However, there are some requirements that you must meet first. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly what those qualifications are.

Requirements for Obtaining a License to Plant Hemp Seed in Illinois

The requirements for obtaining a license to buy and plant hemp seed in Illinois are the same as many other states. They aren’t difficult to meet, but they are important to know. So, if you’re thinking about growing hemp on your land, you’ll want to double check to make sure you possess all the necessary qualifications. These include:

• Farmers who wish to grow hemp in Illinois cannot have received a felony related to a controlled substance in the last ten years.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check
• Farmers must own a minimum of one quarter of an acre of land that can be used for hemp farming, if growing outdoors. If growing plants indoors, growers must possess a grow house that’s at least 500 square feet in size.
• Land being used for hemp cultivation cannot contain cannabis plants that will produce a THC concentration greater than 0.3% by dry weight. This means you cannot have marijuana on the same land on which you’re growing hemp.
• Meet additional requirements as specified by the 2018 Farm Bill and the Illinois Industrial Hemp Act

Process in Illinois for Applying for License to Grow Hemp

If you want to grow hemp in Illinois, you must take the follow steps to obtain a license:
1. Form a partnership with a supplier who can provide you with certified hemp seeds. You’ll need to provide information about plant varieties on your application.
2. All key participants must obtain a criminal background check.
3. Fill out the application for hemp licensing online.
4. Provide details about your growing location and supply maps.
5. Pay the application fee.
6. Wait for your application to be approved.
7. Pay the licensing fee.

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