Grow Hemp in Montana

The 2021 Indoor/Outdoor License is valid from 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 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) 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.

The 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.

Category C cultivars: $1,100 fee (includes initial inspection and testing of the first Category C sample). Each additional sample: $250 testing fee. Each additional inspection: $250 inspection/sampling fee.

Category A or B only: $850 fee. Under Montana’s Pilot Program, the initial inspection fee and the first sample testing fee are waived. Additional inspection and testing fees apply as above.

Regardless of category, grower-requested sampling (e.g., insurance claim) is charged the standard $250 inspection fee and the standard $250 testing fee.

The department may assess a $100 processing fee for late or incomplete documentation and a $50 change fee for each new cultivar or location added to a previously processed application.

Indoor and Outdoor crops:

• Within 4 weeks after planting seeds, receiving starter-plants, or rooting clones.
  • If a crop, Lot, or variety/strain was not planted, report “Not Planted”.
  • If a crop, Lot, or 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.
• Late or incomplete submissions may incur a $100 processing fee.
• The Planting Report must be received and approved before the Production license can be issued. Allow approximately 3–4 weeks for processing.

No minimum or maximum field sizes are being considered at this time. Before determining crop size, 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.

There are several international and US-based seed companies that sell certified hemp seed. The Montana Department of Agriculture does not maintain a complete list. Growers are encouraged to do extensive research and are required to purchase only from licensed seed dealers. (CBD Seed Labs offers the finest genetics that are 100% USDA approved.)