Missouri Industrial Hemp Plan Receives Federal Approval

The Missouri Department of Agriculture says the state’s Industrial Hemp Plan has received federal approval. The approval means that the USDA will require no changes to existing state regulations, and Missouri’s industrial hemp producers can continuing operating under current regulations.

This year is the first year that Missouri producers can legally grow industrial hemp within the state. State data indicates there are 197 registered producers for the 2020 growing season and 75 agricultural hemp propagule and seed permit holders. Missouri growers have indicated an intent to grow nearly 3,700 acres of planned growth for the first year. The state has also trained 63 industrial hemp samplers.

Since the federal legalization of industrial hemp growth for research purposes in 2014, interested producers in Missouri have seen multiple changes to state and federal laws and regulations. The Department urges producers to anticipate further changes in laws and regulations over the next several years as USDA and all 50 states work to establish final guidelines for the crop.

To learn more about the Missouri Industrial Hemp program, please visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov.