Hemp Research Application Details
Hemp Research Application
For Institutes of Higher Education Only
Application for Hemp permit
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions for how to pay for your permit. You must mail in payment before your application can be approved. If the hemp will be grown on the institution's owned or controlled land, you will be billed for a total of $250 regardless of how many sites you register. If you will partner with an independent grower, you will be billed $250 for each site address.
- An institution of higher education is defined as "an educational institution in any State which (A) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such certificate, (B) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education, (C) provides an educational program for which it awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a two-year program which is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, (D) is a public or other nonprofit institution, and (E) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency."
This program requires you to submit an FBI background check for every key participant involved in the hemp production and research process.
- A key participant is defined as "a person or persons who have a direct or indirect financial interest in the entity producing hemp, such as an owner or partner in a partnership. A key participant also includes persons in a corporate entity at executive levels including a chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer. This does not include such management as farm, field, or shift managers.”
Maryland currently does not limit acres or the number of applications for this program.
*For use by Institutes of Higher Education only
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Approval Time
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Completion Time
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$250.00 - $10,000.00
Application Fee
Apply or Register
Ready to apply?
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Apply OnlineOnline Application
Complete the form
Instructions
Review the steps - read carefully
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Determine type of hemp
Determine what type of hemp you want to grow and what fits your farm operation: grain, fiber, floral material for CBD extraction.
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Select growing location
You may either grow the hemp for research on your institution's owned/controlled land or partner with an independent hemp farmer or business. If partnering with an independent grower, you will be prompted to fill out information about the grower and their hemp site(s). If the site is not owned by the applicant, you must have the land owner’s permission to grow hemp on their property.
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Determine research plan
Develop a research plan. You will be required to upload an explanation of your research, which details your plans for planting, maintenance, harvesting, and post-harvesting utilization of industrial hemp.
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Obtain background check
Apply for an FBI Criminal Background Check. Each key participant of the hemp production process must submit a background check.
(You may request a background check here by visiting the following site: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks)
• Key participants must not have a felony conviction in the past ten years.
• Key participants must be at least 18 years old.
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Fill out the online application
Fill out and submit the application for a hemp growing permit on OneStop. You must submit information about the sites where you will be growing hemp, including the FSA field IDs and coordinates. You will be required to submit maps of the property used for growing as well. If the hemp will be grown on rented property, you must also upload a signed landowner agreement document, which can be found under "Resources" below.
If you do not have a Maryland OneStop account click Register in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Enter your first name, last name, email address, and create a password, then click Register. Once you have submitted your information to create an account you will receive an email from onestop.support@maryland.gov. Click the "Verify Your Email" button in the email.
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Pay hemp sites registration fee
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to pay for the sites you registered. If the hemp will be grown on the institution's owned or controlled land, you will be billed for a total of $250 regardless of how many sites you register. If you will partner with an independent grower, you will be billed $250 for each site address.
Payment can be made out to Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Checks can be sent to:
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Turf and Seed Division
50 Harry S Truman Pkwy
Annapolis, MD 21401
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Receive certificate
Once payment has been received and processed by MDA, you will receive an email notifying you that your certificate is available. Click on "View Submission" at the bottom of the email and scroll to the bottom of the page to access, download, and print your certificate. This certificate serves as proof of permit.
Resources and Links
Good to know - Find helpful information
What Happens After Submission
Read carefully
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MDA Staff Reviews your Application
Once you submit your application with all supporting documents, a member of the MDA Turf & Seed Division will review your materials. If no actions are needed and your materials are satisfactory, your application for a hemp authorization will be approved and you will be prompted to pay the registration fee via mail-in check. Once payment is received and processed, you will be notified that a hemp growing certificate is available on OneStop.
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Certificate Generated
You will be notified via email when your certificate is available. Your certificate serves as proof of permit to grow hemp. All certificates expire on December 31 of the calendar year the permit was issued.
Please download and print your certificate and keep a copy for future reporting purposes.
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Renew Permit
You will be notified by email on December 1st that your permit will expire in 30 days. You may submit a renewal application via OneStop.
Agency/Contact
Who issues the Form?
Contact Information
Email: jim.drews@maryland.gov
Tel: (410) 841-5960
Address