Applications for Industrial Hemp Licenses

The Kansas Department of Agriculture implemented the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program as authorized by the Commercial Industrial Hemp Act; K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq. 

Persons seeking to cultivate or produce industrial hemp must be licensed by KDA pursuant to the Act. The application deadline for the 2023 growing season is March 15, 2023. Applications for the 2023 growing season are available October 2023. If you submitted an application, post-marked no later than the deadline and have yet to receive correspondence from KDA, please notify kda.industrialhemp@ks.gov. Additionally, persons seeking to process industrial hemp must register with the State Fire Marshal.

Applications

Table 1. Applications and Request Forms for the Commercial Industrial Hemp Program

What

Who

Due to KDA

Comments

License Application

 

Each individual seeking a license to cultivate or produce industrial hemp

March 15 each year

No later than March 15 for each growing season

Request for Permission (General)

 

The commercial hemp producer applicant or licensee

At the time of an application submission or request for modification of license

Utilize when requesting planting restriction exemption
State Educational Institution Request
The State educational institute application
At the time of an application submission
 




Checklist 2023 - Industrial Hemp Producer License Application

All Kansas Commercial industrial hemp producer license applications must include a legible map. Failure to include the required information may result in the application being returned or denied. An example of an acceptable map is located with the Commercial Industrial Hemp Producer License Application.  See the documents below for a map tutorial.

Step by Step Map Tutorial

Step by Step Tutorial How to Measure a Field

How to Submit Your Application

  • Submit together in one mailing:

  • Send to:

  • Deadline: No later than March 15 each year

  • State and National Criminal History Background Check

  • Guidelines for Filling Out License Applications

  • Important Deadlines

Program Fees

  • Summary of Fees

  • Application Fees

  • Criminal History Record Check Fees

  • License Fees

  • Testing Fees

  • Subsequent Sampling Fees

  • Modification Fees

  • Payment Options

Application Review Process

1.  Complete application arrives at KDA (including the application, fingerprint card, waiver, supporting documentation and applicable fees).

2.  Fingerprint cards and waivers are sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to begin the state and national criminal history check.  The check is expected to take two to three weeks upon the receipt of the fingerprint card and waiver by KDA.

  • If an illegible fingerprint card is submitted for an individual, the illegible card will be sent back to KDA and the individual who submitted the illegible fingerprint card must submit a new and legible card and a new waiver. Illegible fingerprint cards will greatly slow the process; click here for a list of the most common reasons fingerprint cards are returned.

3.  Applications are reviewed by administrative staff at KDA to ensure each meets all program requirements.

4.  If the Secretary of Agriculture approves the application, the applicant will be provided with a conditional approval notice and will be required to send the applicable license fee.

5.  Your license fee is due within 15 days of being notified of your conditional approval. If you do not pay the license fee within 15 days, your conditional approval will be terminated, and requested licenses will not be issued.

6.  Once your license fee is received, your license will be issued.

7.  See How to File Reports for additional dates that apply to licensed participants of the Program.

Watch your email! The primary method of communication throughout this process will be via email. Please report any communication that seems fraudulent to KDA.  Your security and privacy are very important to us.

Open Records

License applications and documentation submitted to KDA are subject to public disclosure pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act. You must maintain a copy of your completed License Application, all documents, and, if applicable, the mailing receipt and tracking number for your records. Record retention is required by regulation.