Industrial Hemp Program

Applications, Forms and Instructions to apply for a license to grow, harvest, transport, and/or process industrial hemp are found here.

Arizona Industrial Hemp Program Frequently Asked Questions

The AZDA has moved into a new location. The AZDA main office is located at 1110 W. Washington St., Suite 450, in Phoenix. We also have a new mailing address, different from our physical location. Please send any industrial hemp related mail correspondences and applications to:

POSTAL DELIVERIES ONLY: Arizona Department of Agriculture EPSD - Industrial Hemp Program 1802 W. Jackson St., #78 Phoenix AZ 85007

We are also still working remotely on select days of the week, so please be sure to contact us to make an appointment if an in-person meeting is required.

Phone: 602-542-0955 or Email: [email protected]

MARIJUANA INQUIRIES

For a copy of the 2021 Hemp Production Report please click here: https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZDA-HempAnnualReport2021.

For a copy of the 2022 Hemp Program Update please click here: https://agriculture.az.gov/sites/default/files/AZ%20Hemp%20Program%20202.

USDA Approved Arizona State Hemp Plan

Hemp producers may be eligible for many USDA programs, including:

Click here for more information regarding these programs: https://www.farmers.gov/your-business/row-crops/hemp

Hemp Licensing and Regulatory Oversight is maintained through the Arizona Department of Agriculture as it has in previous growing seasons. However, hemp producers are required to file acreage reports with FSA, which includes these steps:

  1. Obtain a hemp production license (Grower and/or Nursery) issued by the AZDA.
  2. File an acreage report with FSA, including the license or authorization number and identifying each field or subfield where hemp is planted.
  3. These fields could be referred to as a “lot” and includes greenhouses.
  4. Identify the intended use of the reported hemp acreage:
  5. Producers should contact their local FSA county office for more details on acreage reporting. https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION OF A.A.C. R3-4-1008(C)(6)

Under USDA’s Domestic Hemp Production Program regulations (Final Rule; 86 FR 5596) and Arizona Administrative Code (“A.A.C.”) R3-4-1008(C)(6), starting January 1, 2023, all hemp was required to be tested by a laboratory registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Due to inadequate DEA-registered laboratory testing capacity, USDA has delayed enforcement of the requirement for hemp testing to be done by a DEA-registered laboratory until December 31, 2024. Therefore, the Arizona Department of Agriculture shall also delay enforcement of A.A.C. R3-4-1008(C)(6) until December 31, 2024.

2024 HEMP PROGRAM RENEWALS AND NEW APPLICATIONS

Industrial Hemp Renewal Notices have been sent out in the mail. If you have not received your renewal application, please contact [email protected] .

New Hemp Applications are posted to the Applications and Reports page.

Changes to Hemp Regulations Effective Now. See "Industrial Hemp Laws, Rules, Orders and Policies" below.

Questions about Adult Use Marijuana can email [email protected] or call 602-364-0857.

ARE YOU GROWING HEMP?

YOU MUST FILE A PLANTING REPORT FOR ALL HEMP THAT IS PLANTED.

FAILURE TO FILE A PLANTING REPORT WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS OF PLANTING COULD RESULT IN A VIOLATION OF THE PROGRAM REGULATIONS.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER YOUR HEMP CROPS WITH USDA-FSA, NO EXCEPTIONS. IF CROPS ARE NOT REGISTERED, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE STREAM OF COMMERCE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 602-542-0955

CURRENT HEMP PROGRAM LICENSES 2/14/2024

Because of a statewide initiative to encourage teleworking by state employees, the Arizona Department of Agriculture is asking our customers to interact with us via phone and email.

If you must come to the office please schedule an appointment with the appropriate person to ensure they will be at the office when you do get here. Walk-in customers, without an appointment, may experience significant delays in processing times due to staffing issues.

Customers with an appointment will take priority. If you require a meeting with program staff you must schedule an appointment prior to your visit. Please call 602-542-0955 or email [email protected] .

FOR PROGRAM APPLICATIONS (New and Renewal): Please mail completed application packets and payments directly to:

Arizona Department of Agriculture EPSD - Industrial Hemp Program 1802 W. Jackson St., #78 Phoenix AZ 85007

FOR CURRENT LICENSE HOLDERS: To continue to serve you effectively and in a timely manner, please submit any form, notice, report, or any other correspondence via email to [email protected] . If you do not have access to submit documents electronically please contact Brian McGrew at 602-542-3228 to arrange alternate methods for submission.

If you have any questions please call 602-542-0955 or email [email protected]

MARIJUANA INQUIRIES

Starting in 2022, Arizona hemp growers will be able to commercially produce hemp microgreens and hemp greens that comply with state and federal regulations. Since these products are not produced to a mature, flowering state where a sample would be collected to determine THC concentration, an alternative protocol has been developed to determine crop compliance. This method was approved by USDA-AMS as part of the Arizona State Hemp Plan for Domestic Hemp Production, starting January 1, 2022. In addition to the requirement of utilizing verified hemp seed, and timely crop reporting, the method will involve requiring crops to be harvested prior to flowering, and visually verified by the Department that crops were harvested to the standards listed in the Department's Substantive Policy, SP21-02. Crops are subject to sampling by the Department to verify THC concentrations are below compliance levels. Crops will still be required to meet all other food safety guidelines separate from the hemp program requirements.