Grow Hemp in Montana
1) Montana's Hemp Plan for Implementation?
The 2021 Indoor/Outdoor License is valid from the time of issuance until December 30, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. Please note there will be no online application option for submission in 2021, the form must be mailed or emailed.
The department issues hemp licenses in (2) two progressive stages. Upon approval of the initial application, eligible applicants will be issued a Planting Permit so they may purchase seed or live plants, and seed or transplant hemp. To receive full licensure, the applicant must submit a Planting Report confirming information about the crop(s) that was planted. Successful candidates will be issued the second stage Production license. The Production license allows for the production and harvest of compliant hemp. Any applicant that does not meet the conditions of the Production License will forfeit their Planting Permit and the crop(s) will require destruction.
2) Hemp License Application in Montana?
he initial license application stage requires, entity information, key participant information, and verification of seed/live plant source. Additional requirements include payment in full of the nonrefundable application fee, and signatures acknowledging the Attestation Statement as well as the Risk Acknowledgment Statement. See detailed instructions and requirements within the Hemp License Application, Stage 1. Click here to download the form.
3) Fees associated with growing hemp in Montana?
Licensees who plant a Category C cultivar are required to pay the $1,100 fee. This fee includes the initial inspection and testing of the first Category C sample. An additional $250 testing fee will be required for each additional sample and an additional $250 inspection/sampling fee will be required for each additional inspection.
Licensees who plant only Category A or B varieties are required to pay the $850 fee. The initial inspection fee and the first sample testing fee is waived under Montana’s Pilot Program. Additional inspection and testing fees will apply as outlined above.
Regardless of Category planted, growers who request sampling (e.g., insurance claim) will be charged the standard $250 inspection fee and the standard $250 testing fee.
The department may assess a processing fee of $100 for any late or incomplete documentation associated with the licensing process and a change fee of $50 for a request for each new cultivar or location associated with a previously processed license application.
4) Hemp Planting Report due dates?
Indoor and Outdoor crops:
Within 4 weeks after planting seeds, receiving starter-plants, or rooting of clones
If a crop, Lot, or a certain variety/strain was not planted, report “Not Planted”
If a crop, Lot, or a certain variety/strain failed and will not be harvested, report “Crop Failed”
For Outdoor crops, the Hemp Planting Report is due no later than July 30 th.
Late or incomplete submissions are susceptible to a $100 processing fee.
The Hemp Planting Report must be received and approved before the Production license can be issued. Allow approximately 3 - 4 weeks for processing.
6) Are there any limits to the number of hemp growers that can participate or acres that can be planted?
No minimum or maximum field sizes are being considered at this time. Before determining the size of your hemp crop, you may consider researching hemp processors and markets to avoid growing more hemp than can be sold. A list of licensed processors in Montana can be found at https://agr.mt.gov/HempProcessors
7) Where can I purchase hemp seed?
There are several international and US-based seed companies that sell certified hemp seed. Montana Department of Agriculture does not have a list of all current hemp seed companies in the world. Growers are encouraged to do extensive research and required to purchase only from licensed seed dealers. (CBD Seed Labs offers the finest genetics that are 100% USDA approved)