Missouri’s Industrial Hemp Program Shares Proposed Rules

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is working to establish regulations and procedures in advance of the 2020 industrial hemp growing season. As part of the rulemaking process, the department is asking for public comment on the proposed industrial hemp rules from Nov. 1 – Dec. 1, 2019. To view the proposed rules, visit https://agriculture.mo.gov/plants/industrial-hemp.

Missouri’s final rules will incorporate citizen feedback from the rulemaking process, as well as federal regulatory guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture. The department will operate under emergency regulations that will allow applications to be accepted and regulations and permits to be issued in time for the 2020 growing season, pending USDA’s approval of Missouri’s State Plan.

The ag department will publish applications for Producer Registrations and Agricultural Hemp Propagule and Seed Permits on its website on Dec. 2. The department does not intend to issue registrations or permits until USDA approves Missouri’s State Plan. Industrial hemp may not be grown in Missouri and individuals may not possess seeds or propagules without an applicable Producer Registration and/or Agricultural Hemp Propagule and Seed Permit.