Connecticut Hemp Pilot Program
Contact us at 860-713-2502 or AGR.Hemp@ct.gov
What is Hemp? -Hemp is defined in federal law as: The plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
On May 9th, 2019, the Department of Agriculture launched a hemp program that was unanimously supported by the General Assembly and the Governor. Changes to the statute CGS 22-61l were signed into law on October 2, 2020, (effective October 31, 2020) amending our hemp law to conform to federal regulatory requirements issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The new law combines the grower license and processor license into one combined “producer” license. This simplifies the licensing for growers who may be processing on site and is in line with other states’ programs.
The current law adjusts the licensing period from two years to three years, which matches the USDA program for individual licenses. It also increases fees associated with licensing by a prorated amount from two years to three years proportionately as well as updates fees for applications and lot size registration. We have also added language to allow producers to go directly to the FBI for their national background check which they will need to upload as part of the application.
During our listening sessions, many producers expressed concerns that the disclosure of their site locations was leading to unwanted visits from vandals and thieves. The law expands the information exempt from disclosure under FOIA to include test results and producer location information to provide more protection for producers’ crops. The information will remain available for law enforcement purposes.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) continues to regulate Hemp and Hemp derived ingredients used in or manufactured into products intended for human ingestion, inhalation, absorption or other internal consumption including all CBD products for human use.
Hemp News and Upcoming Events
Recorded webinar from December 3, 2020
Documents presented during the December 3, 2020 webinar:
- Hemp Law Update
- Hemp Application Instructions
- Hemp Grower CAES Update
- Reporting Requirements for Hemp Producers
- Getting started with FSA
Connecticut Hemp Webinar Series 2021 (FREE)
Guidance Documents and Examples of Required Forms
Connecticut Hemp Production Data
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
|
Number of Licensed Growers |
109 |
140 |
|
Number of Licensed Lots |
218 |
384 |
|
Acres Planted |
172 |
156 |
|
Acres Harvested |
120 |
134 |
|
Average Lot Size |
1.44 Acres |
1.03 Acres |
Information about Hemp Production
Below, find links to some academic sites that provide information concerning growing and harvesting of Hemp:
Promoting Connecticut's Hemp Industry
Organizations involved in the promotion of Hemp include, but are not limited to:
- Connecticut Farm Bureau Association
- Connecticut Hemp Industry Association
- Hemp Industries Association
- National Hemp Association
- U.S. Hemp Authority™
- U.S. Hemp Round Table
Note: This is not an endorsement any of the above listed organizations.
For more information email AGR.Hemp@ct.gov or call (860) 713-2502.