Those wanting to grow and process hemp this year must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. Each license is valid through Dec. 31 of the year it is issued. Licensees must reapply annually to remain in the program. A license from the MDA is required for individuals and businesses.
To date, about 30 people have applied for a 2026 MDA license, down from 84 applicants last year.
These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only. The hemp license application is not for the growth or sale of adult-use or medical cannabis. The application also is not intended for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Adult-use and medical cannabis information is available on the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) website.
Applications for industrial hemp are on the MDA website. Along with the online form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives must submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check.
There are also several updates for the 2026 season. Cannabinoid extraction from hemp is now regulated by the OCM, meaning anyone interested in that type of processing will need a separate license. Fees have changed as well. The base cost for a hemp license is now $400, with an added $250 for each growing or processing location. The previous $250 processor license fee has been removed, but a 5% surcharge now applies to support upgrades to the MDA's technology systems.
All authorized representatives listed on an application must pass a background check before a license can be issued. In addition, every lot of hemp must undergo pre-harvest THC testing, with each official sample collected by the MDA costing $100.
