Growers and Seed Producers Rules and Regulations

Please note that these explanations are not a substitution for reading, understanding, and abiding by the industrial hemp law and regulations. Please visit the LDAF website for further information.

The laws that govern industrial hemp production in Louisiana can be found in ACT No. 498 which was recently passed in 2022 and should be read and understood to ensure compliance. 

Seed Acquisition and Approval

All seed originating from out-of-state must be approved by LDAF prior to acquiring. Licensees must complete and submit a Seed Acquisition Request Form to LDAF for approval. A Variety Designation List is also published on the LDAF website. While this list does not contain LDAF approved varieties, it can help make an informed decision on varieties that have been tested in Louisiana previously.

Testing prior to harvest

• Industrial hemp testing for THC must occur prior to harvest, except for licensees approved for performance based sampling. Performance based sampling eligibility is determined by LDAF based on one or more of the following factors: the variety or strain grown is recognized as AOSCA Certified Seed or has consistently produced compliant hemp plants, the hemp is produced for grain or fiber and no leaf or floral material will be harvested, the producer is conducting hemp research, the producer has consistently produced compliant hemp plants over an extended period of time, and/or the producer is growing immature hemp plants which will be harvested prior to flowering.
• The licensee must allow LDAF to collect a representative sample throughout the entire crop.
• The fee is $250.00 which is due at the time of sampling.
• A failed crop can be remediated.
• For more information regarding testing, please visit the Sampling and Testing page.

Required reports

All commercial oil, fiber and seed production must be reported on a First Report of Planting form for each field, greenhouse, or growing structure to LDAF within 15 days of planting. All production and inventory of vegetative stock plants must be reported on a quarterly planting report to LDAF by March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st for each field, greenhouse, and indoor growing structure.

Growers and seed producers are also required to report their hemp crop acreage to the USDA Farm Service Agency and provide the assigned FSA Lot ID numbers to LDAF at time of planting. LDAF has a helpful guide to assist in reporting industrial hemp crop acreage.

Before harvesting, licensees must complete and submit a Harvest Report to LDAF. Prior to destruction of any hemp plot,  licensees must complete and submit a Destruction Report to LDAF.

Destruction

A licensee must destroy any harvested or unharvested industrial hemp plants resulting from either testing hot or other crop failures. Volunteer hemp plants must also be monitored and destroyed for at least three years after cultivation has occurred.

Approved Pesticides

The number of approved pesticides is limited in industrial hemp.

Miscellaneous Requirements

All licensed seed producers and growers are required to post an 18’’ x 24’’ sign at the main entrance of each field, and an 8.5’’ x 11’’ sign at the main entrance of each greenhouse, or indoor growing structure that contains the following: the statement ‘Louisiana Industrial Hemp Program’, their industrial hemp license number, and the LDAF industrial hemp program’s phone number. Sign templates are provided by LDAF at time of licensing.

LDAF has unrestricted access to all industrial hemp plants and all land and buildings that are used in the cultivation, handling, processing, and storage of industrial hemp. LDAF may sample and test any industrial hemp material at any time if LDAF believes a violation has occurred.