Indiana Hemp Regulatory Website
On December 20, 2018, the President of the United States signed the 2019 Farm Bill, which authorizes states to implement a hemp (= industrial hemp) program under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including removal of hemp from the definition of marijuana - a Schedule I drug. This change will allow commercialization of hemp as a legitimate agricultural crop separate from marijuana. Marijuana is still illegal to grow in Indiana.
On March 26, 2014, Governor Mike Pence signed the "Industrial Hemp" bill into law, IC 15-15-13, authorizing the Office of Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner to obtain the necessary permits and authorizations for and production and regulation of industrial hemp in Indiana.
Section 1: Authorities in Law
Indiana's USDA Approved Plan Documents:
Section 2: Frequently Asked Questions and Indiana Hemp Websites:
Section 3: Applications for Grower/Handler of Hemp with University Researcher/Research Advisors
OISC will license hemp growers and handlers under IC 15-15-13 and Hemp Emergency Rules.
The Hemp Licensing and Crop Management Software is ready for renewals and new licenses!
If you had a 2022 Indiana Hemp License, you are already a registered user - please refer to the e-mail that was sent to that 2022 registered e-mail address to renew.
DO NOT APPLY for a renewal until the 2022 License Required Actions have all been taken care of and your year is finalized in all areas!
For new users, please follow the link below to register an account and start the licensing process:
Hemp Licensing and Crop Management Software: https://hemp.oisc.purdue.edu
NOTE: All growers or handlers must pass an FBI background check to be licensed to grow or handle, process, transport or test hemp. This background check must be completed within 60 days of your application per USDA rules. It is suggested that you do this electronically, as wait times for mailed background check forms is 2-4 weeks.
FBI Background Check Information: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
HELPFUL VIDEOS:
Grower/Handler Documents:
Section 4: Federal (USDA, FDA, EPA) Comments, Hemp Guidance, and Policy Announcements:
FDA Hearing Comments (July 25, 2019):
- USDA Testimony - Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (pdf, 117kb)
- FDA Testimony - Dr. Amy Abernethy, Principal Deputy Commissioner, FDA (pdf, 174kb)
- EPA Testimony - Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, Asst. Administrator, EPA (pdf, 91kb)
- Tribal Perspective Testimony - Honorable Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Tribal Chairman - Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians (pdf, 582kb)
- Hemp Farmer Testimony - Brian Furnish (pdf, 80kb)
- National Hemp Association Testimony - Erica Stark, Executive Director (pdf, 146kb)
USDA Comments:
FDA Comments:
DEA Comments:
FTC Comments:
Miscellaneous:
Section 5: Research Links for Hemp
Section 6: Seed & Seed Labeling of Hemp
- Seed Supplier List as Required by IC 15-15-13 (pdf, 183kb) - 05/04/22
- Average Hemp Total THC By Variety - this is not a recommendation, but is a listing of results only (pdf, 192kb) - 01/20/22
- How to Test and Label Hemp Seed - by Scottie Brittsan, Office of Indiana State Chemist (pdf, 707kb)
- Seed and Seed Labeling of Hemp in Indiana
Hemp seed is now an agricultural commodity crop and thus is now subject to the Indiana State Seed Law IC 15-15-1 and Administrative Rules 360 IAC. A quick overview of this information is that hemp seed must be tested for purity, noxious weeds and germination and that the seed must be labeled properly. This means that the seed label must be affixed to each bag or container and that all required test results must be listed. Examples of that information are: Seed Kind (hemp), variety name or number, purity % by weight, inert % by weight, other crop seed % by weight, weed seed % by weight, noxious weed seeds found or the statement none found, if applicable. The company name and address of the labeler is also required. This is not an exhaustive list of seed labeling requirements. Contact seedlab@groups.purdue.edu with questions.
- What is certified seed?
Certified Seed is a new term to many in the hemp world. This term is a specific one that verifies varietal purity and the quality of the seed. For seed to be Certified, the grower must go through the stringent growing standards and inspections from an Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) member. In Indiana that agency is Indiana Crop Improvement Association based in Lafayette. Part of the certifying process for seed is an isolation distance away from all other hemp grow sites, documentation and verification of the source of the seed to be reproduced, varietal purity of the seed to be reproduced, field inspections for verification of the varietal characteristics, cleanliness of the crop from a weed perspective and other documentation. For more information on how to produce Certified Seed, please contact Joe DeFord at Indiana Crop Improvement Association at deford@indianacrop.org or 765-523-2535.
- What is a seed breeder?
Plant breeding is a defined science that requires generation after generation of back crossing to breed in certain traits and breed out certain traits. In many crops, back crossing for seven generations is required to create a new variety. Crossbreeding one time, or cross pollinating does not create a new variety. Nor does, selecting certain strains or off types. The vast majority of plant breeders in North America are PhD’s.
- Conventional and GM Breeding Processes - Glenn (2017 - pdf, 1.02MB)
- Guide to Seed Quality Management Practices - ASTA (2016 - pdf, 524kb)
- How to Certify Hemp Seed - AOSCA (pdf, 206kb)
Section 7: EPA & Pesticide Use in Hemp
Section 8: General Information: