Hemp Grower Licenses

Important: You must provide proof of citizenship or legal residency when you apply for a license. GDA requires S&V (Secure & Verifiable) documents for all licensees. See the S&V Details page and S&V FAQ for complete information.

Reminder: Please make sure your mailing address, email, and phone number are up-to-date, and that your voicemail is not full.  There will be a delay in getting your license if we need to reach you but don't have usable contact information.

NOTE: The system used to perform background checks requires fingerprinting take place at one of the approved locations in Georgia.  If you do not follow the exact instructions provided by GDA, your application approval may be delayed, or you may incur additional costs.  Please do not obtain fingerprinting or background check services until you receive an email from GDA with instructions on how and where to complete fingerprinting. 

Program Area

GDA’s Hemp program manages Hemp Grower licenses. For more details, including a full list of regulations, see the Hemp program page.

You Need this License If

You are an individual or business that wishes to grow hemp in Georgia.  If you grow hemp and process it yourself, you need both a Hemp Grower license and a Hemp Processor permit.

Fees and License Period

Licenses are good through December 31 of the year they are issued.

The fee is $50 per acre you intend to cultivate (up to a maximum fee of $5,000).

How to Apply for or Renew your License

Complete your applications and renewals for Hemp Grower licenses online through the GDA Hemp Licensing and Reporting System using the links below. 

Before you start, please read the Hemp Grower License Application Guide.

Background checks: as part of the application/renewal process you will need to get a background check each year.  Do not go for a background check until you receive an email from GDA with the access code and instructions.

What Happens When You Apply for a License

  1. When you apply online for your license, you will first have to create an account in the system.
  2. There are several sections to this application.  While you are working on your application, you may save your progress and return at any time.
  3. Once you submit your application, our staff will review your S&V paperwork.
  4. When the S&V paperwork has been approved, Hemp program staff will review your application. They may have questions or need to discuss further, so please make sure that your contact information is correct and that you respond promptly if someone tries to reach you.
  5. Once the program review is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete a background check. Everyone listed as a "key participant" must complete the check.
  6. GDA will get the results electronically.  After our staff has reviewed the results you will receive an email letting you know that the application has been fully approved and you can pay your application fee.
  7. To pay your fee, you will log in to the Hemp Licensing System and pay online. Once you have paid, your license certificate will immediately be available for saving or printing.

Respond promptly to any questions or notifications, and make sure GDA can contact you if needed!

Apply for a new Hemp Grower License

What we require on your application:

  • Your physical and mailing addresses
  • A valid phone number and email address
  • EIN and Certificate of Existence (for businesses only)
  • Deed/Lease and Property Legal Description
  • Legal Identification
  • Valid Email Address
  • S&V Paperwork
  • Annotated Aerial Map/Image and GPS coordinates

Renew your Hemp Grower License

Log in with your email and password to renew. License renewals open November of each calendar year. 

  1. Login to the GDA Hemp Licensing and Reporting System and start a renewal application
  2. Review all of your contact information and make sure it is still correct. Change other information as needed (for instance, if you add or remove a site), then submit the renewal for program staff to review.
  3. Once program review is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete a background check. Everyone listed as a "key participant" must complete the check each year.
  4. GDA will get the results electronically.  After the program staff has reviewed the results you will receive an email letting you know that the renewal application has been fully approved and you can pay your application fee.
  5. To pay your fee, you will log in to the Hemp Licensing System and pay online. Once you have paid, your license certificate will immediately be available for saving or printing.

Site Reporting 
 

Site Reporting

Licensed Hemp Growers must complete the following reporting requirements:

  • USDA FSA Reporting: Submit crop information to your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) by July 31 and obtain FSA Field Numbers. Visit Georgia FSA Offices for assistance.
  • GDA Reporting: Report all Plantings, Harvests, and Disposals to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) by December 1. Reports can be submitted throughout the year.  If you did NOT grow: you must still complete your report by checking the box "Site will not be used during this license period. No plantings, harvestings, or disposals will be recorded." for each applicable grow site(s).

To submit GDA reports, log into the Hemp Licensing System and click “Site Reporting” at the top. For detailed instructions, see the Reporting Instructions.

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