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STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Commissioner

December 17, 2021

Via Email: farmbill.hemp@usda.gov

Ms. Sonia Jimenez

Deputy Administrator

Specialty Crops Program

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

1400 Independence Avenue SW

Room 2077-S, Stop 0235

Washington, D.C. 20250-0235

Re: Submission of the Connecticut Hemp State Plan for USDA Approval

Dear Deputy Administrator Jimenez:

Please accept this as the State of Connecticut Hemp Plan as required in Subtitle G of the Agriculture 

Improvement Act of 2018.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture has been preparing for the growing and harvesting 

of Hemp in our state for the past several years. Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) 22-61l (“CT 

hemp law”, attachment A) incorporated by reference the United States Agricultural Marketing Act of 

1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) as amended from time to time, to include the federal Agriculture 

Improvement Act of 2018 (the “Act”). The CT hemp law provides the Department with the necessary 

authority to enforce the Act as written by Congress. Several amendments to the CT hemp law have 

incorporated changes need to comply with the Hemp Interim Final Rules published by USDA on January 

15, 2021, effective March 22, 2021. 

Connecticut Department of Agriculture State Hemp Plan

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, headed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, is a cabinet 

level agency within the executive branch of the State of Connecticut. The CT hemp law, and other 

existing statutory authority, provide the Commissioner of Agriculture with the authority to conduct 

inspections and investigations, issue penalties, promulgate regulations, issue cease and desist orders, 

issue hold and destroy orders, and other broad powers that enable the Department to effectively 

regulate a Hemp industry in our state.

The CT hemp law provides authority to the Commissioner of Agriculture to regulate all phases of 

producing hemp in the state of Connecticut. Additionally, C.G.S. § 22-4a permits the Commissioner to 

delegate their authority to “...any deputy commissioner or any employee, assistant or agent employed 

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov
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by the Department of Agriculture to exercise such authority of the Commissioner of Agriculture as the 

commissioner delegates for the administration or enforcement of any applicable statute, regulation, 

permit or order...”

As set forth below, the CT hemp law, along with Department guidance documents, meet each of the 

requirements forth in section 297B(a)(2)(A) of the federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, namely:

• Subsections (b), (c) and (d) of the CT hemp law fully incorporate by reference the United States 

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) as amended from time to time, which includes 

federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Document Hemp Producer License Application 

Instructions (information collected electronically through license application) Consent to Criminal History 

Records Check, Data Sharing Protocol, Due Date Overview, Fee Schedule, Greenhouse Indoor Planting 

Report, Harvest Request, Lot Modification Application, Outdoor Field Planting Report. Producer 

Reporting to FSA, Instructions for Creating Maps and Obtaining GPS Coordinates for Submission with 

the Application, and Sample Legal Description provide for the following:

Plan to maintain relevant producer and land information

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Sampling Procedures for Hemp and 

Laboratory Testing Procedures provide for the following:

Plan for accurate and effective sampling and testing using post-decarboxylation or similarly 

reliable methods [990.3 (a) (2)]

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Sampling Procedures for Hemp and 

Performance-Based Sampling Procedures provide for the following:

Procedures to either sample all lots or do performance-based sampling

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Sampling Procedures for Hemp, and 

Performance-Based Sampling Procedures, provide for the following:

Procedures for sampling agents (currently only Department employees are authorized under 

state law)

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Document Laboratory Testing Procedures provide for 

the following:

Procedures on testing

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Destruction Request and Remediation 

and Disposal Procedures provide for the following:

Plan for disposal procedures

• Subsection (c) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Destruction Request and Remediation 

and Disposal Procedures provide for the following:
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Plan for remediation procedures

• Subsections (c) and (r) of the CT hemp law provide for 

Plan for inspection procedures

Subsections (c), (g) and (s) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Documents Consent to Criminal History 

Records Check, Data Sharing Protocol, Due Date Overview, Fee Schedule, Greenhouse Indoor Planting 

Report, Harvest Request, Lot Modification Application, Outdoor Field Planting Report. Producer 

Application Checklist, Producer Reporting to FSA, Sample Legal Description, and Transporting Hemp 

Samples in CT provide for the following:

Plan for collection of information

• Subsections (c), (d), and (k) through (p) of the CT hemp law and Guidance Document Hemp Producer 

Enforcement Procedures, and Consent to Criminal History Records Check provide for the following:

Plan to comply with enforcement procedures

• Hemp Producer Enforcement Procedures

The following guidance documents, included as Attachment B (also referenced above) are key 

components of our State Plan, and address the following topics:

Consent to Criminal History Records Check

Data Sharing Protocol

Destruction Request

Due Date Overview

Fee Schedule

Greenhouse Indoor Planting Report

Harvest Request

Hemp Producer Enforcement Procedures

Hemp Producer License Application Instructions

Instructions for Creating Maps and Obtaining GPS Coordinates for Submission with the Application 

Laboratory Testing Procedures

Lot Modification Application

Outdoor Field Planting Report

Performance-Based Sampling Procedures

Producer Reporting to FSA

Remediation and Disposal Procedures

Sample Legal Description

Sampling Procedures for Hemp

Transporting Hemp Samples Hemp in CT

In addition, our website contains additional guidance on completing a license application, obtaining a 

background check, reporting to FSA, and our state’s reporting forms for producers.

https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Regulatory/Regulatory/Hemp-Home-Page (This link currently reflects the 

pilot program, updated language is attached as Attachment C and will go live on January 1, 2022.)
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The Connecticut Department of Agriculture will follow the federal law for submitting the information 

described in section 297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the Secretary not more than 30 days after the date on 

which the information is received.

Finally, the undersigned Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture hereby certifies that the State has 

the resources and personnel to carry out the practices and procedures described in clauses (i) through 

(vi) of sec. 297B(a)(2)(A) of the Act. 

I believe that this letter provides all of the information that is necessary for you to approve Connecticut’s 

State Hemp Plan within the 60-day period prescribed by law.

If you have any questions about Connecticut’s State Hemp Plan, or would like to request additional 

information about Connecticut’s Hemp program, please contact our staff attorney, Carole Briggs at 

carole.briggs@ct.gov or 860.883.8765.

Sincerely, 

__________________________

Bryan P. Hurlburt,

Commissioner of Agriculture

Encs. Letters from the Governor, CT state’s attorney, and Attorney General

Attachment A CT Hemp law

Attachment B Connecticut Guidance documents

Attachment C 2022 CT Hemp Web page

Cc: The Honorable N. Lamont w/encs.

CT State’s Attorney w/encs.

CT Attorney General w/encs.

 
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Attachment A

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-61l

Current through all Acts from the 2021 Regular and June Special Sessions. 

Sec. 22-61l Definitions. Hemp research. Pilot program. State plan. Licensure requirements. Fees. 

Violations. Penalties. Inspection and testing program. Records. Regulations. Indian tribe pilot 

program.

(a) For the purpose of this section and section 22-61m, the following terms have the same 

meaning as provided in 7 CFR 990.1, as amended from time to time: “Acceptable hemp THC 

level”, “Agricultural marketing service”, “Audit”, “Cannabis”, “Conviction”, “Corrective action plan”, 

“Culpable mental state greater than negligence”, “Decarboxylated”, “Decarboxylation”, “Disposal”, 

“Dry weight basis”, “Gas chromatography”, “Geospatial location”, “Handle”, Liquid 

chromatography”, “Immature plants”, “Information sharing system”, “Measurement of uncertainty”, 

“Negligence”, “Phytocannabinoid”, “Postdecarboxylation”, Remediation, “Reverse distributor and 

“Total THC”. In addition, for the purpose of this section and section 22-61m:

(1) “Cannabidiol” or “CBD” means the nonpsychotropic compound by the same name;

(2) “Certificate of analysis” means a certificate from a laboratory describing the results of the 

laboratory’s testing of a sample;

(3) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner’s designated 

agent;

(4) “Cultivate” means to plant, grow, harvest, handle and store a plant or crop;

(5) “Federal act” means the United States Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 USC 1639o et 

seq., as amended from time to time;

(6) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture;

(7) “Hemp” has the same meaning as provided in the federal act;

(8) “Hemp products” means all manufacturer hemp products and producer hemp products;

(9) “Independent testing laboratory” means a facility:

(A) For which no person who has any direct or indirect financial or managerial interest in the 

laboratory and also has any direct or indirect interest in a facility that:

(i) Produces, distributes, manufactures or sells hemp or hemp products, or marijuana in any state 

or territory of the United States; or

(ii) Cultivates, processes, distributes, dispenses or sells marijuana; and

(B) That is accredited as a laboratory in compliance with section 21a-408-59 of the regulations of 

Connecticut state agencies;

(10) “Laboratory” means a laboratory that meets the requirements of 7 CFR 990.3 and that is 

accredited as a testing laboratory to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 by 

a third-party accrediting body such as the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation or 

the Assured Calibration and Laboratory Accreditation Select Services;

(11) “Law enforcement agency” means the Connecticut State Police, the United States Drug 

Enforcement Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Consumer 

Protection Drug Control Division or any other federal, state or local law enforcement agency or 

drug suppression unit;

(12) “Licensee” means an individual or entity that possesses a license to produce or manufacture 

hemp or hemp products in this state;
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(13) “Manufacture” means the conversion of the hemp plant into a by-product by means of adding 

heat, solvents or any method of extraction that modifies the original composition of the plant for 

the purpose of creating a manufacturer hemp product for commercial or research purposes;

(14) “Manufacturer” means a person in the state licensed by the Commissioner of Consumer 

Protection to manufacture, handle, store and market manufacturer hemp products pursuant to the 

provisions of section 22-61m and any regulation adopted pursuant to section 22-61m;

(15) “Marijuana” has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240;

(16) “Market” or “marketing” means promoting, distributing or selling a hemp product within the 

state, in another state or outside of the United States and includes efforts to advertise and gather 

information about the needs or preferences of potential consumers or suppliers;

(17) “On-site manager” means the individual designated by the producer license applicant or 

producer responsible for on-site management and operations of a licensed producer;

(18) “Pesticide” has the same meaning as “pesticide chemical” as provided in section 21a-92;

(19) “Lot” means a contiguous area in a field, greenhouse or indoor growing structure containing 

the same variety or strain of hemp throughout the area;

(20) “Post-harvest sample” means a representative sample of the form of hemp taken from the 

harvested hemp from a particular lot’s harvest that is collected in accordance with the procedures 

established by the commissioner;

(21) “Pre-harvest sample” means a composite, representative portion from plants in a hemp lot, 

that is collected in accordance with the procedures established by the commissioner;

(22) “Produce” means to cultivate hemp or create any producer hemp product;

(23) “State plan” means a state plan, as described in the federal act and as authorized pursuant 

to this section;

(24) “THC” means delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol;

(25) “Controlled Substances Act” or “CSA” means the Controlled Substances Act as codified in 

21 USC 801 et seq.;

(26) “Criminal history report” means the fingerprint-based state and national criminal history 

record information obtained in accordance with section 29-17a;

(27) “Drug Enforcement Administration” or “DEA” means the United States Drug Enforcement 

Administration;

(28) “Farm service agency” or “FSA” means an agency of the United States Department of 

Agriculture;

(29) “Key participant” means a sole proprietor, a partner in partnership or a person with executive 

managerial control in an entity, including persons such as a chief executive officer, chief operating 

officer and chief financial officer;

(30) “Manufacturer hemp product” means a commodity manufactured from the hemp plant, for 

commercial or research purposes, that is intended for human ingestion, inhalation, absorption or 

other internal consumption, that contains a THC concentration of not more than 0.3 per cent on a 

dry weight basis or per volume or weight of such manufacturer hemp product;

(31) “Producer” means an individual or entity licensed by the commissioner to produce and 

market producer hemp products pursuant to the federal act, the state plan, the provisions of this 

section and the regulations adopted pursuant to this section;

(32) “Producer hemp product” means any of the following produced in this state: Raw hemp 

product, fiber-based hemp product or animal hemp food product, and each of which contains a 

THC concentration of not more than 0.3 per cent on a dry weight basis or per volume or weight of 

such producer hemp product;

(33) “USDA” means the United States Department of Agriculture;

(34) “Entity” means a corporation, joint stock company, association, limited partnership, limited 

liability partnership, limited liability company, irrevocable trust, estate, charitable organization or 

other similar organization, including any such organization participating in the hemp production as 
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a partner in a general partnership, a participant in a joint venture or a participant in a similar 

organization; and

(35) “Homogenize” means to blend hemp into a mixture that has a uniform quality and content 

throughout such mixture.

(b) The Commissioner of Agriculture shall establish and operate an agricultural pilot program, as 

defined in 7 USC 5940, as amended from time to time, for hemp research to enable the 

department, and its licensees, to study methods of producing and marketing hemp. All producer 

licensees licensed pursuant to this section shall be participants in the state agricultural pilot 

program for hemp research. Until such time as said commissioner adopts regulations, in 

accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, the Department of Agriculture shall utilize 

procedures and guidance policies that the commissioner deems to be consistent with the 

provisions of 7 USC 5940, as amended from time to time, provided such procedures and 

guidance policies shall, at a minimum, require: (1) The commissioner to certify and register any lot 

used to grow hemp, (2) any person who produces hemp to produce plants that meet the definition 

of hemp and verify such, (3) the maintenance of records by any person who grows hemp and the 

availability of inspection of such records by the commissioner, and (4) verification of compliance 

with the definition of hemp by a laboratory, at the expense of any licensee. The provisions of this 

section shall take precedence over any such procedure or guidance policy. Participants in the 

state agricultural pilot program for hemp research shall be licensed in accordance with the 

provisions of this section. Such pilot program shall operate until the earlier of the date of a fully 

approved state plan under the federal act, as described in this section, or the date of repeal of the 

federal law permitting the state’s agricultural pilot program for hemp research.

(c) 

(1) The commissioner shall prepare a state plan in accordance with the federal act and 7 CFR 

990.3, for approval by the Governor, in consultation with the office of the Chief State’s Attorney 

and the Attorney General. The state plan, once approved by the Governor and the Attorney 

General, shall be submitted by the commissioner to the United States Secretary of Agriculture for 

his or her approval. The commissioner shall have the authority to amend the state plan, in 

consultation with the Governor, the Attorney General and the office of the Chief State’s Attorney, 

as necessary to comply with the federal act.

(2) The commissioner shall operate the state plan, which shall include, at a minimum, the 

following requirements:

(A) The sampling of hemp shall comply, at a minimum, with 7 CFR 990.3 and be performed by an 

authorized sampling agent;

(B) The testing of hemp shall comply, at a minimum, with 7 CFR 990.3;

(C) The control, remediation and disposal of noncompliant cannabis plants shall comply with 7 

CFR 990.27 and 7 CFR 990.3;

(D) The department shall comply with all recordkeeping and reporting requirements in the federal 

act, and 7 CFR 990.1 to 7 CFR 990.71, inclusive;

(E) The department shall comply with enforcement procedures in 7 CFR 990.6;

(F) The department shall conduct annual inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample of 

producers to verify that hemp is not produced in violation of the federal act, the state plan and the 

provisions of this section, and shall enforce any violation as provided for in the federal act and as 

defined in 7 CFR 990.6;

(G) Producers shall report their required license, lot and hemp crop acreage information to FSA, 

in accordance with the requirements in 7 CFR 990.7; and

(H) Producers shall report to the commissioner the total acreage of hemp planted, harvested and, 

if applicable, disposed of or remediated, and such other information as the commissioner may 

require.

(3) All sampling and testing of hemp shall be done using protocols that are at least as statistically 

valid as the USDA’s published protocols for sampling and testing of hemp, which protocols shall 
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be posted on the department’s Internet web site. During a scheduled sample collection, the 

producer, or an authorized representative of the producer, shall be present at the lot. A producer 

shall not harvest the cannabis crop prior to the taking of samples. Samples of hemp plant material 

from one lot shall not be commingled with hemp plant material from other lots. Lots tested and not 

certified by a laboratory at or below the acceptable hemp THC level shall be handled, remediated 

and disposed of in accordance with the federal act, the provisions of this section and the state 

plan, as applicable.

(4) The commissioner shall collect, maintain and provide to the USDA, on a timely basis, and not 

less than once per month, license status of each hemp producer, contact information for each 

hemp producer licensed in the state, including lot legal descriptions and locations, and any 

changes to such information. The commissioner shall also report to the USDA, on a timely basis, 

and not less than once per month, all required hemp test results and disposal information for all 

nonconforming hemp plants and plant material. Such information shall not include state and 

federal fingerprint-based records pursuant to section 29-17a.

(d) The commissioner shall have the authority to enforce the federal act, as amended from time 

to time, the state plan, this section and any regulations adopted in accordance with the federal act 

and chapter 54 for hemp production in the state. The commissioner shall have the authority to 

enforce the applicable standards for producer hemp products. The commissioner may consult, 

collaborate and enter into cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency, municipality 

or political subdivision of the state concerning application of the provisions of the federal act and 

the regulations adopted pursuant to the federal act, as may be necessary to carry out the 

provisions of this section.

(e) Any person who produces hemp shall: (1) Be licensed by the commissioner; (2) comply with 

the federal act, the state plan, the provisions of this section and any regulation adopted pursuant 

to this section; and (3) transport hemp and hemp samples in a manner and with such 

documentation as required by the commissioner.

(f) Any person who sells hemp products shall not be required to be licensed provided such 

person only engages in: (1) The retail or wholesale sale of hemp or hemp products in which no 

further producing or manufacturing of the hemp products occurs and the hemp products are 

acquired from a person authorized under the laws of this state or another state, territory or 

possession of the United States or another sovereign entity to possess and sell such hemp 

products; (2) the acquisition of hemp or hemp products for the sole purpose of product distribution 

for resale; or (3) the retail sale of hemp products that are otherwise authorized under federal or 

state law.

(g) Any applicant for a license pursuant to this section shall meet each of the following 

requirements, as applicable:

(1) Each applicant, whether an individual or an entity, shall submit an application for a license that 

consists, at a minimum, of the following: (A) The name, telephone number, electronic mail 

address, business address and address of any individual who is the applicant, the full name of 

any entity that is the applicant, including any applicable principal business location and the full 

name, title and electronic mail address of each key participant; (B) the name and address of each 

lot for the hemp cultivation or producing location; (C) the geospatial location of each lot by means 

of global positioning system coordinates and legal description of each lot used for the hemp 

cultivation; (D) the acreage size of each lot where the hemp will be cultivated; (E) written consent 

allowing the commissioner to conduct both scheduled and random inspections of and around the 

premises on which the hemp is to be cultivated, harvested, stored and produced; (F) the 

applicant’s employer identification number or the applicant’s Social Security number if an 

employer identification number is not available; and (G) any other information as may be required 

by the commissioner;
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(2) Each individual who is an applicant and each key participant of any entity applying for a 

producer license, or renewal thereof, shall submit to state and national fingerprint-based criminal 

history records checks conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, at his or her own expense;

(3) No individual, including any key participant of any entity, who has been convicted of any state 

or federal felony, related to a controlled substance, shall be eligible to obtain or hold a producer 

license for ten years from the date of the conviction, provided such restriction shall not apply to 

any individual who lawfully grew hemp with a license, registration or authorization under any state 

pilot program authorized by section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 before December 20, 

2018. Any individual or entity that materially falsifies any information in an application pursuant to 

this section shall be ineligible to obtain a producer license; and

(4) Each individual or entity who is required by this section to obtain a producer license shall pay 

for all costs of sampling, testing, retesting and resampling any samples at a laboratory for the 

purpose of determining the THC concentration level of any cannabis under their control, or in their 

possession. Each individual or entity who is required by this section to obtain a producer license 

shall pay for all costs of disposal of all noncompliant cannabis plants under their control, or in their 

possession.

(h) Any producer license issued by the commissioner shall expire on the third following December 

thirty-first and may be renewed during the preceding month of October. Such licenses shall not be 

transferable.

(i) The following fees shall apply for each producer license and inspection:

(1) A nonrefundable license application fee of fifty dollars, provided any constituent unit of higher 

education, state agency or department shall be exempt from such application fee if such 

production is for research purposes;

(2) A nonrefundable triennial producer license fee of four hundred fifty dollars for up to one acre 

of planned hemp plantings and thirty dollars per each additional acre of planned hemp plantings 

rounded to the nearest acre, except no license fee charged shall exceed three thousand dollars, 

provided any constituent unit of higher education, state agency or department shall be exempt 

from such license fee if such production is for research purposes; and

(3) In the event that resampling by the commissioner is required due to a test result that shows a 

violation of any provision of this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section, the 

licensee shall pay an inspection fee of fifty dollars. Such fee shall be paid prior to the inspection 

and collection of the sample to be used for resampling.

(j) After receipt and review of an application for producer licensure, the commissioner may grant a 

triennial license upon a finding that the applicant meets the applicable requirements. Each 

producer licensee shall notify the commissioner of any changes to their application information, 

not later than fifteen days after such change. While the pilot program is in effect, the 

commissioner may grant a conditional approval of a producer license, pending receipt of the 

criminal history records check required by this section. The commissioner shall assign each 

producer with a license or authorization identifier in a format consistent with 7 CFR 990.3.

(k) Whenever an inspection or investigation conducted by the commissioner pursuant to this title 

reveals any violation of the state plan, this section or any regulation adopted thereunder, the 

producer license applicant or respondent, as applicable, shall be notified, in writing, of such 

violation and any corrective action to be taken and the time period within which such corrective 

action shall be taken. Any such producer license applicant or respondent may request a hearing, 

conducted in accordance with chapter 54, on any such notification. Any notification issued 

pursuant to this section shall be made by certified mail, return receipt requested to the producer 

license applicant or respondent’s last known address, by in-hand service by the commissioner or 

designated agent of the commissioner, electronic mail service with the consent of the recipient, or 

by service in accordance with chapter 896. The commissioner shall report all producer violations 

made with a culpable mental state greater than negligence to the United States Attorney General 

and the State’s Attorney for the judicial district in which the producer violation occurred.
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(l) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the commissioner’s authority to issue a cease 

and desist order pursuant to section 22-4d, or an emergency order, in order to respond to a 

condition that may present a public health hazard, or issue orders necessary to effectuate the 

purposes of this section, including, but not limited to, orders for the embargo, partial destruction, 

destruction and release of hemp or hemp products. Any cease and desist order or an emergency 

order shall become effective upon service of such order by the commissioner. Following service of 

any such order, subsequent proceedings shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of 

section 22-4d and the rules of practice for such agency. Any embargo, partial destruction, 

destruction or release order issued pursuant to this section shall be served by certified mail, return 

receipt requested to the respondent’s last known address, by in-hand service by the 

commissioner or designated agent of the commissioner, or by service in accordance with chapter 

896.

(m) Following a hearing conducted in accordance with chapter 54, the commissioner may impose 

an administrative civil penalty, not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars per violation, and 

suspend, revoke or place conditions upon any producer licensee who violates the provisions of 

this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.

(n) 

(1) Any individual who produces hemp in this state without obtaining a license pursuant to this 

section, or who produces hemp in this state after having a license suspended or revoked shall 

have committed an infraction.

(2) Any entity that produces hemp in this state without obtaining a license pursuant to this 

section, produces hemp in violation of this section or produces hemp in this state after having a 

license suspended or revoked may be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars per 

violation, after a hearing conducted in accordance with chapter 54.

(o) 

(1) Any negligent violation, as described in the federal act, of this section or the state plan shall 

be subject to enforcement in accordance with the federal act, and the state plan for negligent 

violations.

(2) For any negligent violation, a producer shall be required to correct such negligent violation, by 

means of a corrective action plan approved by the commissioner. Each corrective action plan 

shall include, at a minimum, a reasonable completion deadline for correction of the negligent 

violation, periodic reporting to the commissioner for at least two years and compliance with the 

state plan.

(3) Any producer that negligently violates the state plan shall not, as a result of such negligent 

violation, be referred by the commissioner for any criminal enforcement action by the federal, 

state or local government.

(4) Any producer that negligently violates the state plan three times during any five-year period 

shall be ineligible to produce hemp for a period of five years beginning on the date of the third 

violation.

(5) The commissioner shall conduct an inspection to determine if the corrective action plan for a 

producer who commits any such negligent violation was properly implemented.

(p) Any person aggrieved by an order issued pursuant to this section may appeal to the 

commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Such appeal shall be made in 

writing to the commissioner and received not later than fifteen days after the date of the order. If 

no appeal is made pursuant to this subsection the order shall be final.

(q) 

(1) All documents submitted under this section shall be subject to disclosure in accordance with 

chapter 14, except: (A) Information depicting or describing (i) the test results of any producer, (ii) 

the location of any hemp growing, harvesting, processing or storage location, or (iii) hemp 

producer location security schematics; and (B) the results of any criminal history records check.
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(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, all documents and 

records submitted or maintained pursuant to this section shall be disclosed to any law 

enforcement agency upon request of such law enforcement agency.

(r) The commissioner may inspect and shall have access to the buildings, equipment, supplies, 

vehicles, records, real property and other information that the commissioner deems necessary to 

carry out the commissioner’s duties pursuant to this section from any person participating in 

producing, handling, storing marketing or researching hemp.

(s) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any licensee of palliative marijuana 

authorized pursuant to chapter 420f.

(t) All licensees pursuant to this section shall maintain records required by the federal act, the 

state plan, this section and any regulation adopted pursuant to this section. Each licensee shall 

make such records available to the department immediately upon request of the commissioner 

and in electronic format, if available.

(u) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 

implement the provisions of this section including, but not limited to, the labeling of producer hemp 

products.

(v) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes: (1) Marijuana does not include hemp or 

hemp products; (2) THC that does not exceed 0.3 per cent by dry weight and that is found in 

hemp shall not be considered to be THC that constitutes a controlled substance; (3) hemp-derived 

cannabidiols, including CBD, shall not constitute controlled substances or adulterants solely on 

the basis of containing CBD; and (4) hemp products that contain one or more hemp-derived 

cannabidiols, such as CBD, intended for ingestion shall be considered foods, not controlled 

substances or adulterated products solely on the basis of the containing hemp-derived 

cannabidiols.

(w) Whenever the commissioner believes or has reasonable cause to believe that the actions of a 

licensee or any employee of a producer licensee are in violation of the federal act, the state plan, 

or any state law concerning the growing, cultivation, handling, transporting or possession of 

marijuana, the commissioner shall notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public 

Protection and the State Police.
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Attachment B

Connecticut Guidance documents
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Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Consent to Conduct Criminal History Records Check

For the

Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Hemp Producer License Application

450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 702

Harford, CT 06103

Phone: 860.713.2502 Email: Agr.Hemp@ct.gov

(rev. 12.2.21)

You have received this form because you have applied for a hemp producer license for which a fingerprint-based 

criminal history records check is required pursuant to CGS 22-61l. No key participant listed in the application 

shall have any felony conviction for a controlled substance now or in the 10 years prior to the date of the 

application.

As a condition of being considered for licensing for the growing of Hemp:

• I hereby consent to and authorize the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (the Department) 

through the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of State Police to 

conduct a criminal history records check that includes a fingerprint-based search of state and federal 

registries and databases. I hereby release the Department and the Connecticut State Police from any and 

all liabilities, claims or lawsuits in regards to the use of information obtained from any and all sources 

used.

• I understand the Department, pending the results of the state and federal criminal history record 

search, may issue a conditional license for the growing of Hemp. I understand and agree that if the 

criminal history records check reveals a disqualifying conviction, the conditional license will be 

revoked.

• I agree to provide all the information necessary to conduct the required criminal history records 

check.

• I understand that the Department may receive additional and ongoing criminal history information 

related to me subsequent to the initial fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
17

Applicant Information

Applicant Type: 

Individual Applicant (Key Participant) for Producer License Yes____ No_____

Key Participant for Applicant for Producer License Yes____ No_____

“Key participant” means a sole proprietor, a partner in partnership or a person with executive managerial control 

in an entity, including persons such as a chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer;

Last Name

First Name

Date of Birth

Business Name

Complete Address
18

Agency Privacy Requirements

Authorized governmental and non-governmental agencies/officials that conduct a national fingerprint-based 

criminal history record check on an applicant for a noncriminal justice purpose (such as employment or a license, 

immigration or naturalization matter, security clearance, or adoption) are obligated to ensure the applicant is 

provided certain notice and other information and that the results of the check are handled in a manner that protects 

the applicant’s privacy. These obligations are pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5, United States Code 

(U.S.C.) Section 552a, and Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 50.12, among other authorities.
19

 Requesting Entity:

FBI Privacy Act Statement

Authority: The FBI’s acquisition, preservation, and exchange of fingerprints and associated information is

generally authorized under 28 U.S.C. 534. Depending on the nature of your application, supplemental

authorities include Federal statutes, State statutes pursuant to Pub. L. 92-544, Presidential Executive Orders,

and federal regulations. Providing your fingerprints and associated information is voluntary; however, failure to

do so may affect completion or approval of your application.

Principal Purpose: Certain determinations, such as employment, licensing, and security clearances, may be

predicated on fingerprint-based background checks. Your fingerprints and associated information/biometrics

may be provided to the employing, investigating, or otherwise responsible agency, and/or the FBI for the

purpose of comparing your fingerprints to other fingerprints in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification (NGI)

system or its successor systems (including civil, criminal, and latent fingerprint repositories) or other available

records of the employing, investigating, or otherwise responsible agency. The FBI may retain your fingerprints

and associated information/biometrics in NGI after the completion of this application and, while retained, your

fingerprints may continue to be compared against other fingerprints submitted to or retained by NGI.

Routine Uses: During the processing of this application and for as long thereafter as your fingerprints and

associated information/biometrics are retained in NGI, your information may be disclosed pursuant to your

consent, and may be disclosed without your consent as permitted by the Privacy Act of 1974 and all applicable

Routine Uses as may be published at any time in the Federal Register, including the Routine Uses for the NGI

system and the FBI’s Blanket Routine Uses. Routine uses include, but are not limited to, disclosures to:

employing, governmental or authorized non-governmental agencies responsible for employment, contracting,

licensing, security clearances, and other suitability determinations; local, state, tribal, or federal law

enforcement agencies; criminal justice agencies; and agencies responsible for national security or public safety.

As of 03/30/2018

Note: This privacy act statement is located on the back of the FD-258 fingerprint card.

This document must be retained by the Entity.

SIGNATURE DATE
20

Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights

Requesting Entity:

As an applicant who is the subject of a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check for a noncriminal justice purpose 

(suchas an application for employment or a license, an immigration or naturalization matter, security clearance, or adoption), 

you have certain rights which are discussed below. All notices must be provided to you in writing. 1 These obligations are 

pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974, Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 552a, and Title 28 Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR), 50.12, among other authorities.

• You must be provided an adequate written FBI Privacy Act Statement (dated 2013 or later), by the agency that will 

receive your criminal history results, when you submit your fingerprints and associated personal information. This Privacy Act 

Statement must explain the authority for collecting your fingerprints and associated information and whether your fingerprints

and associated information will be searched, shared, or retained. 2

• You must be advised in writing of the procedures for obtaining a change, correction, or update of your FBI criminal 

history record asset forth at 28 CFR 16.34.

• You must be provided the opportunity to complete or challenge the accuracy of the information in your FBI criminal 

history record (if you have such a record).

• If you have a criminal history record, you should be afforded a reasonable amount of time to correct or complete the 

record (or decline to do so) before the officials deny you the employment, license, or other benefit based on information in the 

FBI criminal history record.

• If agency policy permits, the officials may provide you with a copy of your FBI criminal history record for review 

and possible challenge. If agency policy does not permit it to provide you a copy of the record, you may obtain a copy of the 

record by submitting fingerprints and a fee to the FBI. Information regarding this process may be obtained at 

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity- history-summary-checks and https://www.edo.cjis.gov.

• If you decide to challenge the accuracy or completeness of your FBI criminal history record, you should send your 

challenge to the agency that contributed the questioned information to the FBI. Alternatively, you may send your challenge 

directly to the FBI by submitting a request via https://www.edo.cjis.gov. The FBI will then forward your challenge to the 

agency that contributed the questioned information and request the agency to verify or correct the challenged entry. Upon 

receipt of an official communication from that agency, the FBI will make any necessary changes/corrections to your record in 

accordance with the information supplied by that agency. (See 28 CFR 16.30 through 16.34.)

• You have the right to expect that officials receiving the results of the criminal history record check will use it only for 

authorized purposes and will not retain or disseminate it in violation of federal statute, regulation or executive order, or rule, 

procedure or standard established by the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council.3

Updated 11/6/2019

If you need additional information or assistance, please contact:

Connecticut Records: Out-of-State Records:

Department of Emergency Services and Public

Protection State

Agency of Record

Police Bureau of Identification (SPBI) OR

1111 Country Club Road FBI CJIS Division-Summary Request

Middletown, CT 06457 1000 Custer Hollow Road

860-685-8480 Clarksburg, West Virginia 26306

This document must be retained by the Entity.

1 Written notification includes electronic notification, but excludes oral notification. 2 See https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compact-council/privacy-act-statement

SIGNATURE DATE
21

3 See 5 U.S.C. 552a(b); 28 U.S.C. 534(b); 34 U.S.C. § 40316 (formerly cited as 42 U.S.C. § 14616), Article IV(c); 28 CFR 20.21(c),

20.33(d) and 906.2(d).
22

Confirmation of Consent

I affirm that I have not committed a disqualifying offense, and acknowledge that a disqualifying offense 

reported in the criminal history records check, required by CGS 22-61l, shall constitute good cause for 

rejection of the application to grow Hemp or revocation of a conditional license to grow Hemp.

I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department 

of Justice Privacy Act Statement and Notice of Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights.

I certify that the above information is true and correct, under penalty of false statement, punishable under 

Section 53a-157b of the Connecticut general Statutes.

Applicant’s Name (please print): ________________________________________

 

 

Signature of Applicant: ______________________________ Date:________________ 
23

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email : AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Data Sharing Protocol

(rev. 12.2.21)

This protocol specifies the data that the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DOAG) collects during 

the licensing, inspection, and sampling process for the Hemp Program, and indicates the procedure by 

which DOAG will report such data to the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Data Collection

DOAG collects data from Hemp Program applicants during the application process. The data is entered 

by the applicant into an online application form and the collected data is stored in a State License

System. The following data is collected from each Applicant during the license application process and 

maintained byDOAG:

1. Full name of each Applicant

2. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) of Entity Applicant if available

3. Physical address of individual Applicant

4. Physical address of principal business location of Entity Applicant

5. Mailing address, if different from physical address

6. Telephone Number

7. Email address

8. Full name, title, and email address (if applicable) of Key Participants

9. Criminal History Report of each individual Applicant or Key Participants

10. Date of application and Date of licensing

11. Legal description of each registered land area where hemp will be grown or processed.

12. Geospatial location data on land area where hemp will be grown or processed.

 DOAG creates or assigns the following data for each licensee at the time of application:

1. License Number

2. License Status (i.e. Active, Inactive, etc.)

DOAG inspects and samples a random subset of registered grow locations and submits samples to a 

Department- approved lab for THC analysis. Samples collected by all entities will follow procedures as 

outlined in the Department’s Sampling Procedures. The lab reports the test results to DOAG. DOAG 

hempprogram staff makes the determination of whether a specific hemp Lot conforms to the legal 

definition of hemp based on the test results. The data collected during this process are listed below.
24

This data will be maintained by DOAG and shared with the USDA to the extent necessary to comply

with 7 C.F.R. Part 990: 

1. Sample number

2. Hemp variety sampled

3. Name of the producer/license holder

4. FSA Lot Number (Farm, Tract, CLU/Field number)

5. Producer’s license number

6. Geospatial location of the land area where the sample was collected

7. Date of sampling

8. Date of lab submission

9. THC test results for the sample

10. Legal determination of sample (Pass/Fail)

 Data Retention

 The Hemp Program will maintain application, licensing, and testing information for a minimum of three years.

DOAG Data Reporting

Producer Report: As required by 7 C.F.R. § 990.70(a), DOAG will share a Producer Report with the 

USDA. DOAG will upload the data to USDA using the online H.eM.P. system by the first of each 

month. DOAG will only send data on new licenses issued and changes to licenses in the 30 days 

since the last report was sent

Disposal and Remediation Report: In accordance with 7 C.F.R. § 990.70(b), DOAG will notify the 

USDA of any occurrence of cannabis plants or plant material that do not meet the definition of hemp, 

and attach records demonstrating the appropriate Disposal or Remediation of all of those plants and 

materials from the Lot from which therepresentative samples were taken. DOAG will provide USDA a 

Hemp Disposal and Remediation Report using the online H.eM.P. system every month with the 

information required by that subpart, including:

1. Name and address of the producer

2. Producer license number

3. Location information, such as Lot number, location type, and geospatial data, or other location descriptor 

for theproduction area subject to Disposal or Remediation, Disposal or Remediation completion date

4. Total acreage

Annual Report: DOAG will provide USDA with an Annual Report using the online H.eM.P. 

system by December 15 of each year, as required by7 C.F.R. § 990.70(c), with the following

information:

1. Total planted acreage.

2. Total harvested acreage.

3. Total acreage Disposed or Remediated
25

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Destruction Request

 (rev. 12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the DOAG ELicense portal. Paper applications will not be accepted.

The following reporting requirements must be entered in eLicense within 15 days prior to destruction. No 

destruction is authorized until you receive approval in writing from the Department. Note: An inspector from the 

Department may be present at the growing lot during the producer’s scheduled hemp crop destruction. 

Producers must email DoAg in writing at AGR.Hemp@ct.gov before submitting a Destruction Request. You 

must include the following information for the Destruction Request in your email.

• Why the crop is being destroyed

• When it is expected to be destroyed

• Method of destruction or remediation plan (for biomass only) for the crop

Once you have received a reply from DOAG authorizing you to file a Destruction Request, you must include the 

following information for the Destruction Request in eLicense.

• FSA Lot ID, as soon as available

• Planned Date of Destruction

• CT DoAg Embargo # (if under embargo)

• Destruction Acres

• Destruction Square Feet

• Destruction Reason

• Planned Destruction Method

• Remediation Plan for biomass only

• Date of Report

• Attestation
26

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email : AGR.Hemp@ct.gov

860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Due Date Overview

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Event Due Date

Application May be filed at any time. Producer licenses expire on the third 

anniversary of the license, and do not automatically renew. 

Hemp Planting Producers plant on their own schedule

Planting Report Formsrequired for every lot ID Due dates:

• Field Planting Report

- DUE within 15 days following the first day of each 

planting.

• Greenhouse/ Indoor Growing Report

- DUE within 15 days following the first day of each planting 

in an empty structure.

CT Department of 

Agriculture Site 

Inspection

Verification inspections by the Department can take place at 

any time with or without notice. 

Pre-Harvest Sample 

Collection by Authorized 

Sampling Agent 

Producer will contact authorized sampling agent (currently 

DOAG staff only) to take the official sample to an approved 

laboratory for each lot to be tested within 30 days prior to 

harvest. Authorized sampling agents will follow the Hemp 

Sampling Protocol. 

THC Testing The laboratory will report THC rest results to the Department, 

licensee and the USDA.

Sample Results Pass: Once the Department receives notification from the lab of 

a passed sample, the Department will notify the producer IN 

WRITING to proceed with the harvest. Fail: Contact the 

Department to determine whether to resample the plot or 

destroy the crop. 

Harvest/ Destruction 

Report Form

DUE within 30 days prior to harvest or 15 days prior to 

destruction of a crop. Destruction requests must be 

accompanied by required information stated in request form.

Harvest Harvest must be completed within 30 days of sample collection, 

and approval to harvest. Lots should not be commingled until a 

test result showing an acceptable hemp THC level is received 

for each lot.

Post-Harvest Report DUE within 15 days post-harvest
27

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Hemp Research Program Fee Schedule

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Producer

Fee Type Program Fees Fee Due Date

License Application 

Fee *nonrefundable 

$50 (academia, state agency or 

department research projects 

exempt)

At time of application

Licensing Fee $450 for the first acre (43,560 

sq. ft.) of planned hemp 

plantings 

$30 an acre for each additional 

acre

Max license fee $3,000

(academia, state agency or 

department research projects 

exempt)

At time of application.

Triennial License. License 

expires 3 years from date of 

issuance.

Post-Harvest 

Inspection by the 

Department

$50 inspection fee per instance

These tests are only required if 

warranted by initial test results, 

or at the Department’s discretion 

if a producer fails to harvest 

within 30 days of the pre-harvest 

sample. 

Prior to the inspection and 

collection of the sample

Lot Modification Fee $30 per added acre (above the 

first acre)

At time of request
28

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Greenhouse/ Indoor Planting Report (rev. 12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the DOAG E-License 

portal. Paper applications will not be accepted.

The following reporting requirements must be entered in eLicense within 15 days of first planting. 

You must include the following information in the Greenhouse/Indoor Planting Report in eLicense.

• FSA Lot ID

• Date Planted 

• Hemp Variety Planted

• Seed (Y/N)

• Transplants (Y/N)

• Square Feet planted
29

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Harvest Request

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the 

DOAG E-License portal. Paper applications will not be accepted.

The following 

reporting requirements must be entered in eLicense for every lot (indoor or outdoor) you are requesting to harvest. 

This report is due no more than 30 days prior to the intended harvest date. (note: if harvest must be expedited due to 

an urgent situation, e.g. mold, weather, contact the Department. Harvest shall occur no more than 30 days from the 

date of the sample. No harvest is authorized until you receive approval from the Department. 

Provide the following harvest request information in eLicense. 

• FSA Lot ID

• Sample Date

• Complete Harvest (Y/N)

• How many acres/square feet will be harvested?

• Date when Harvest will be Completed

• Hemp Variety

• Where you will be Drying/Storing Hemp

Lots should not be commingled until a test result showing an acceptable hemp THC level is received for 

each lot.
30

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Hemp Producer Enforcement Procedures

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Per 7 CFR 990.6 and CGS 22-61l(k) through (p) violations of the State Plan shall be addressed as follows:

Producer Violations

Producer violations of the Connecticut state plan shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with 7 CFR 990.6 

and CGS 22-61l(k) through (p).

Negligent Violations

Negligent violations are:

1. Failure to provide a legal description of land on which the producer produces hemp

2. Failure to obtain a license or other required authorization from the Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture

3. Production of cannabis with a delta-9 THC concentration exceeding the acceptable hemp THC level. 

Hemp producers do not commit a negligent violation under this section if they make reasonable efforts to 

grow hemp and the cannabis(marijuana) does not have a delta-9THC concentration of more than 1% on a 

dry weight basis

If the producer commits more than three negligent violations in a five-year period, the producer may be subject 

to additional civil and or criminal penalties. 

The Department shall require a Corrective Action for Negligent Violations

Each correction action plan for negligent violations shall include, at a minimum, the following terms:

1. A reasonable date by which the producer shall correct the negligent violation.

2. A requirement that the producer shall periodically report to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture on 

their compliance with State plan for a period of not less than the next 2 years from the date of the 

negligent violation.

3. A producer that negligently violates the Connecticut State Plan shall not as a result of that violation be 

subject to any criminal enforcement action by the Federal, State, Tribal, or local government.

4. A producer that negligently violates the Connecticut State Plan three times in a 5-year period shall be 

ineligible to produce hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of the third violation.

5. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture shall conduct an inspection to determine if the corrective 

action plan has been implemented as submitted.

Culpable Violations
31

Culpable violations are producer violations made with a culpable mental state greater than negligence, and shall 

be addressed by the Department as follows:

If the Connecticut Department of Agriculture determines that a producer has violated the plan with a culpable 

mental state greater than negligence, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture shall immediately report the 

producer to the U.S. Attorney General and the applicable chief law enforcement officer in Connecticut, and take 

such additional action as permitted by 7 CFR 990.6 and CGS 22-61l(k) through (p). 

Restrictions on Licensing due to certain Felony Convictions

1. Any person with at State or Federal felony conviction relating to a controlled substance is subject to a 10-

year ineligibility restriction on participating in the plan and producing hemp under the Connecticut State 

Plan from the date of the conviction. An exception applies to a person who was lawfully growing hemp 

under the 2014 Farm Bill before December 20, 2018, and whose conviction also occurred before that 

date.

2. Any producer growing hemp lawfully with a license, registration, or authorization under a pilot program 

authorized by section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 before October 31,2019 shall be exempted 

from (1) of this section. 

3. Business entities shall identify to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture which participants are 

considered to be “key,” or have executive managerial control and subject to the felony conviction 

restriction for purposes of (1) of the section, which shall be subject to Department verification of 

accuracy.

False Statements By Applicants and Licensees 

Any person who materially falsifies any information contained in an application to participate in this program 

shall be ineligible to participate in the program.
32

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Hemp Producer License Application Instructions

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Important definitions you need to understand:

"Key participant" means a sole proprietor, a partner in partnership, or a person with executive managerial 

control in an entity, including persons such as a chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief 

financial officer. 

"Entity" means a corporation, joint stock company, association, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, 

limited liability company, irrevocable trust, estate, charitable organization, or other similar organization, 

including any such organization participating in the hemp production as a partner in a general partnership, a 

participant in a joint venture, or a participant in a similar organization.

Are you applying for a Hemp Producer license as a business entity or as individual sole proprietor?

Please note: If you registered with E-License as an individual and are planning to operate your hemp business 

as a separate business entity (defined above), then you must log out and create a registration under the entity's 

name, before applying for your hemp producer license.

You must be logged into this application under your personal ID, business ID or organization ID that you intend 

to use for this license application. Using your personal ID and attempting to enter information for your business 

or organization information may affect other personal licenses or permits you hold in the E-License system.
33

Required Documents to complete this application 

You must have available electronic copies of the several documents available for uploading when requested. 

Full instructions and required forms can be found by following this hyperlink.

All supporting documents must be uploaded through this system. These include: 

• Site location documentation to include:

• Latitude and Longitude coordinates in decimal degrees to the thousandth place 

• A map showing boundaries 

• A Legal description of each lot.

You will also need to provide the following information:

• Personal Information for the individual applicant and the key participants for any business entity 

applicant (key participants are the officers of the entity) 

• SSN or FEIN for entities

• Date of Birth for individual applicant and the key participants

• Business Address for applicant 

• Home Address for individual applicants and key participants, and other contact information

Criminal History Records check:

At the present time, the federal and state criminal history records check program for the State Department of 

Agriculture has not been approved by the FBI, and background checks cannot be completed at this time. 

The commissioner has the discretion to issue conditional grower licenses without the completion of this 

records check. Once the state and federal criminal history records check program has been approved and the 

required background checks can be completed, you will be notified, and have 30 days to complete the 

background checks for the individual applicants and all key participants. The Commissioner shall revoke or 

terminate any conditional grower license upon expiration of the 30 day period, if the applicant’s or 

conditional licensee’s, (including all key participants) results do not meet the requirements of the federal 

act, and CGS 22-61l.

Once background checks are authorized, you must authorize the release of the results to DOAG for each 

individual applicant and key participant of an application, on the Consent to Criminal History Records 

Check form. 

DOAG will not accept criminal history reports completed more than 60 days before the submission of an 

application. 

Research Institutions, Microgreens Producers, Greens Producers and Transplant Producers:

Research Institutions, Microgreens Producers, Greens Producers and Transplant Producers must submit to 

the Department a description of their objectives that demonstrates to the Commissioner’s satisfaction that 

research of hemp, hemp breeding, or growing of immature hemp for sale is being performed, a timeline of 

activities and a sampling plan that demonstrates, the alternative method has the potential to ensure, at a 

confidence level of 95 percent, that the cannabis plant species Cannabis sativa L. that will be subject to the 
34

alternative method will not test above the acceptable hemp THC level. Sampling plans must also 

demonstrate a process for collecting a representative sample that is a homogeneous composition of the lot 

and provide a disposal and/or remediation plan for any cannabis plants that are found to exceed the 

acceptable hemp THC level.

Next Steps after application is approved and conditional license is issued:

If your application is approved, remember to bring your license certificate with you when you visit your local 

Farm Service Agency field office to report your hemp crop acreage. Click this hyperlink. to find you county 

FSA office. You will need to provide DOAG with the lot numbers issued by FSA for each of your lots. Your 

license is not complete until this step is completed. 

You must inform the DOAG of the FSA lot numbers by using the eLicense system. Log back in and select the 

Online Service and select the Address and General Maintenance tab. Then select the start button with your 

HEMP Producer number. Use the down menu to select FSA lot updates. Remember to page all the way through 

the update screens using the "NEXT" button --- This transaction is not completed until you select the "Finish' 

Button on the last screen and information is processed

Term of License:

Once DOAG approves an application, DOAG will issue a conditional producer license. Licenses are valid until 

for three (3) years from the date issued and do not automatically renew. Licenses must be renewed every three 

years and will be required to include an updated criminal history report. If any of the information on your 

license application changes, you must notify the department within 15 days, in writing, and receive approval of 

the changes, in writing, before the changes are effective.
35

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email : AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Instructions for Creating Maps and Obtaining GPS Coordinates for 

Submission with the Application

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the 

DOAG E-License portal. Paper applications will not be accepted.

The following instructions outline required lot map contents and basic instructions for obtaining a map. If you 

need more information after reading these instructions, contact us at 

(860) 713-2502 or AGR.Hemp@ct.gov. 

You are required to provide to DoAg a photographic aerial map of all growing, handling, and storage locations. 

This requirement applies to all applicants and License Holders, and will assist with the DoAg’s required 

reporting to law enforcement.

Each map should be in color and contain the following:

• Contain only one address per map and all locations for that address on a single map

• The applicant’s full name printed on the page

• If applicable, the full name of the business entity

• The map location’s street address, city, state and zip code printed on the page

• The map should show the lot location, a public roadway, and the road name.

• Field location. This includes:

o Outline of each separate field to be used for planting 

o Lot ID/name for each separate field; and 

o Indicate the acreage for that field intended for planting

• Greenhouses, indoor growing structures, storage buildings, or handling facilities and the lot ID/name of 

each structure. 

• GPS coordinates for each field or building. GPS coordinates should be provided in DECIMAL 

DEGREES (to four decimal places) with a pinpoint showing exactly where the GPS coordinate was 

taken. The Google Earth instructions on the DoAg’s website (link at top of this page) gives specific 

instructions for obtaining the coordinates in the correct format. Other websites like, Map Quest, Google 

Maps etc. can also be used to obtain GPS Coordinates. There are also apps on some smart phones that can 

be used to obtain GPS coordinates. 

The DoAg prefers maps created with Google Earth. You can download Google Earth Pro for free by visiting 

https://www.google.com/earth/versions/#earth-pro . Electronic USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) maps or 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service maps with legible handwritten information will also be 

acceptable.
36

To obtain a map online:

• You can go to Google Maps online at http://maps.google.com/ . When you have the address on your 

screen, you can click the button in the lower left corner that says “Earth” or “Satellite” for an aerial view 

of the location.

• On Map Quest at http://www.mapquest.com/ , locate the address on your screen, then click in the upper 

right corner on “Satellite” for an aerial view of the location. 

Print out the map when you are satisfied with the level of zoom (i.e. should show at least one nearby road, the 

entrance to the lot, and the location of the hemp locations), then finish by legibly handwriting the required 

information. The map must be named with the lot id and in pdf format for uploading. 
37

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Connecticut Laboratory Testing Guidelines

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Purpose: 

1. Standard testing procedures are specified for samples taken in accordance with the Connecticut Sampling 

Procedures for the Connecticut Hemp Production Program to measure the total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol 

(THC) concentration levels of samples on a dry weight basis.

2. The results are intended to measure the total THC concentration of composite hemp samples collected from a 

“lot” of hemp crop acreage designated by a hemp producer and as reported to Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture as required under the Connecticut Hemp Program. The purpose of the measurements is to determine 

whether the total THC concentration of the tested material is within the acceptable hemp THC level.

3. Acceptable Hemp THC Level definition: When a laboratory tests a sample, it must report the total delta-9 

tetrahydrocannabinol content concentration level on a dry weight basis and the measurement of uncertainty. For 

the purpose of compliance with the requirements of the CT Hemp Plan, the acceptable hemp THC level is when 

the application of the measurement of uncertainty to the reported delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol content 

concentration level on a dry weight basis produces a distribution or range that includes 0.3% or less.

Scope: 

1. Hemp grown under the CT Hemp Plan is subject to sampling and compliance testing for THC concentration. 

Certain producers, including research institutions and facilities growing immature plants may have different 

testing requirements. 

2. Tests shall measure the total THC concentration in a sample submitted to a laboratory for analysis. The 

laboratory will perform chemical analysis on the sample using postdecarboxylation or other similarly reliable 

methods where the total THC concentration level considers the potential to convert delta-9-

tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into THC. See Summary of Practice section 1.8 and Testing Guidelines 

item 2 for currently approved testing methodologies. 

3. The total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration level shall be determined and reported on a dry weight 

basis. 

4. Laboratories shall calculate and include the Measurement of Uncertainty (MU) when they report THC 

concentration test results. “Measurement of uncertainty” is defined as “the parameter, associated with the result 

of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be attributed to the 

particular quantity subject to measurement.” USDA does not establish or standardize an upper or lower boundary 

for general use by laboratories to calculate a measurement of uncertainty. MU is typically not standardized, but 

rather is controlled using test methods controlled by performance standards (e.g., AOAC Standard Method 

Performance Requirements 2019.003 that can be found at https://www.aoac.org/resources/smpr-2019003/). 

5. Hemp testing laboratories are required to be ISO 17025 accredited.
38

6. It is the responsibility of the licensed producer to pay any fees associated with testing or retesting.

Summary of Practice:

1. As required under USDA Hemp Production Program regulations, laboratories that analyze hemp to determine 

total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) should meet the following standards: 

1.1. Laboratory quality assurance protocols must ensure the validity and reliability of test results; 

1.2. Analytical method selection, validation, and verification protocols must ensure that the testing 

method used is appropriate (fit for purpose) and that the laboratory can successfully perform the testing; 

1.3. Protocols for demonstrating testing validity must ensure consistent, accurate analytical performance;

1.4. Method performance specifications must ensure analytical tests are sufficiently sensitive for the 

purposes of the detectability requirements of this part; and 

1.5. Testing protocols must include an effective disposal procedure, in accordance with USDA 

guidelines, for non-compliant samples that do not meet the requirements of this part. 

1.6. Measurement of uncertainty (MU) must be estimated and reported with test results. Laboratories 

shall use appropriate, validated methods and procedures for all testing activities and evaluate 

measurement of uncertainty.

1.7. Sample preparation of pre- or post-harvest sample shall require grinding of the sample to ensure 

homogeneity of plant material prior to testing.

1.8 At a minimum, analytical testing of samples for total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration 

levels must use post-decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods approved by the Secretary in 

writing. The testing methodology must consider the potential conversion of delta-9 

tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in hemp into delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the test result 

must reflect the total available THC derived from the sum of the THC and THCA content. Current testing 

methodologies meeting these requirements include gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. 

Other methods may be approved if they meet the regulatory requirements. 

1.9 The total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration level shall be determined and reported on a dry 

weight basis.

2. Laboratories should create an internal SOP specific to testing and retesting hemp and should have the SOP 

available upon request for inspection. 

3. After December 31, 2022, laboratories approved for THC testing must also be registered with DEA to handle 

controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), 21 CFR part 1301.13. 

General Guidelines:

General Sample Preparation and Testing Procedures should be conducted as follows:

1. Laboratory receives sample. 

2. Sample may be dried prior to analysis, or results may be corrected for moisture content.
39

3. Grind entire sample including leaves, seeds, twigs, and stems.

4. Separate sample into “Test” and “Retain” specimens. 

5. Package and store the “Retain” specimen(s) until needed. 

6. Analyze the “Test” specimen. 

7. Determine moisture content or dry to a consistent weight. 

8. Perform chemical analysis.

9. Calculate total THC concentration on a dry weight basis. Test results should be reported on a dry weight basis.

Sample Preparation Guidelines:

Samples should be prepared for testing as follows: 

1. Laboratories must receive and store items according to procedures that prevent deterioration of the test item. Samples 

must be clearly labeled and identified.

2. Once the composite sample is received by the laboratory, the laboratory should dry the composite sample until brittle in 

a manner that maintains the THC level of sample. If it is not possible to dry the composite sample within 24 hours from 

the time of sample arrival, the sample should be held in a freezer at approximate -20°C or lower until the sample is 

dried.

3. After the initial drying step, the laboratory should grind the entire sample including leaves, seeds, twigs, and stems 

using centrifugal rotor mill or other method as appropriate. All samples received should be ground, regardless of 

whether they consist of the initial intact material or “remediated” (shredded or blended) material, as allowed under 

USDA regulations.

4. The laboratory should create both a “Test Specimen” and a “Retain Specimen for reanalysis and/or confirmation as 

needed.” One sample part should be selected for analysis and labeled ''Test Specimen.” The other sample part should 

be marked "Retain Specimen" and should be packaged and stored in a secured place. The testing laboratory internal 

SOP should define the sample size and distribution of “Test Specimen” and “Retain Specimen.

5. Samples should be stored in secured locations, in appropriate containers (e.g., bottles, tubes, vials, etc.).

6. The laboratory should then either determine moisture content or dry the test specimen to a consistent weight. Samples 

should be dried to a consistent loss (typically 5- 12% moisture content) so that the test can be performed on a dry 

weight basis, meaning the percentage of THC by weight, after excluding moisture from the sample. The moisture 

content is expressed as the ratio of the amount of moisture in the sample to the amount of dry solid in the sample.

6.1 The sample can be dried to a consistent weight to remove all water and then be tested on a dry weight 

basis. If the sample is not to be extracted immediately after drying, it should be stored in a desiccator.

6.2. Alternatively, the sample can be analyzed for moisture content and this moisture content can be factored 

into the total THC result to give a dry weight basis.

7. Extraction of the sample should occur as soon as possible from the time of sample arrival. Extracts should be 

stored in secured locations, in appropriate containers (e.g., bottles, tubes, vials, etc.).

Testing Guidelines: 
40

1. The laboratory will perform chemical analysis on the sample using post- decarboxylation or other similarly reliable 

methods where the total THC concentration level considers the potential to convert delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid

(THCA) into THC. 

2. Testing methodologies meeting these requirements are those using gas chromatography and liquid chromatography.

3. The laboratory will then calculate total THC concentration on a dry weight basis.

Testing Methods: 

1. The total available THC, derived from the sum of the THC and THCA content, shall be determined and 

reported on a dry weight basis. 

2. Laboratories shall use appropriate, validated methods and procedures for all testing activities and shall 

evaluate measurement of uncertainty. 

3. Laboratories should meet the AOAC International standard method performance requirements for Quantitation 

of Cannabinoids in Plant Materials of Hemp (Low THC Varieties Cannabis sp.) (SMPR 2019.003) for 

selecting an appropriate method.

4. The range of estimated uncertainty is reported as a ± value and is the same unit as the hemp THC threshold 

(e.g., +/- 0.05), following best practices for significant figures and rounding. 

5. There are resources available for defining, guiding, and calculating measurement uncertainty. They include the 

GUM, ISO, and Eurachem. Once the expanded measurement uncertainty (MU) is determined, then the 

confidence interval can be calculated around a designated threshold. (i.e., the hemp threshold of 0.3% THC.)

Test Results Exceeding 0.3% THC Concentration:

1. If the results of a test conclude that the THC concentration levels of a sample are higher than the acceptable hemp THC 

level, the laboratory will promptly notify the producer and the CT Department of Agriculture via Agr.hemp@ct.gov. 

1.1 If the results of a test conclude that the THC concentration levels of a sample are higher than the acceptable hemp 

THC level, the producer is prohibited from handling, processing, or permitting the entry into the stream of 

commerce of any hemp grown in a lot. CT Department of Agriculture shall issue an Embargo pursuant to section 

22-61 l(l) of the general statues. The laboratory will state “Fail” on the test results.

2. Retest Procedures

2.1. Any hemp program licensee may request that the laboratory retest samples if it is believed the original THC 

concentration level test results were in error. 

2.2. If this occurs, the laboratory shall follow the same procedures as used to conduct the initial test. 

2.3. The licensee requesting the retest of the second sample will pay the cost of the test. 

2.4. The retest results shall be issued to the licensee requesting the retest, and a copy shall be provided to Connecticut 

Department of Agriculture at AGR.hemp@ct.gov and USDA.

Information Sharing: 
41

1. Laboratories performing THC testing for compliance purposes of this program are required to share test results with the 

licensed producer, the CT Department of Agriculture via Agr.hemp@ct.gov and USDA. If necessary, laboratories shall 

report all test results, whether passing or failing, to USDA using AMS Form 22 found here: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp/information-laboratories

2. Laboratories shall indicate that a test result is for “official compliance” purposes on lab testing results for compliance 

purposes. Laboratories shall not mark test results for monitoring of THC levels throughout the growing season as for 

“official compliance” purposes. Official compliance samples shall specify “pass” or “fail” on the test results based on 

the laboratory analysis. Laboratories shall retain a legible copy for inspection upon request of all test results for official 

compliance purposes for a period of three (3) years from date of analysis. 

3. Laboratories may provide test results to licensed producers in whatever manner best aligns with their business 

practices, but producers must be able to produce a legible copy of test results upon request for inspection purposes. For 

this reason, providing test results to producers through a web portal or through electronic mail, so the producer will 

have ready access to print the results when needed, is preferred.

4. Results of testing conducted throughout the growing season for the purposes of monitoring THC concentration should 

not be submitted to USDA. Only the official test result for compliance testing purposes shall be submitted to the 

USDA.

Testing Remediated Hemp Samples:

1. Licensees can “remediate” hemp following an initial failed test by shredding plant material in a product called 

“biomass.” In this instance, laboratories will receive samples of remediated biomass material for retesting. 

2. For remediated testing, the laboratory shall follow the same testing procedures as described in this document for 

samples of remediated Hemp.

3. For remediated testing, the laboratory shall follow the same reporting procedures as described in this document. A 

licensee must maintain a legible copy of the remediated test results, available for inspection, for a period of three years 

from receipt of the testing results provided by the laboratory. Therefore, laboratories are required to provide such 

documentation to licensees.
42

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Lot Modification Application

(rev. 12.2.2021)

You are receiving this form due to a deficiency in your application. Please enter the new or corrected lot 

information below. You must also upload a map including lot boundaries and GPS Coordinates for those lots into 

the eLicense portal. Upload this document and the maps into the eLicense system. 

Paper applications will not be accepted. 

 Application Name: Date:

Key Participant:

 Email: Phone#:

Enter the MODIFIED lot information in the cells below. 

Location 

1

Lot(s)

Planting Address 1 City State Zip Own/Rent*

GPS Latitude (Decimal 

Degrees**)

GPS Longitude (Decimal 

Degrees**)

Acres/ 

SqFt

Location (Outdoor, 

Greenhouse/Indoor, 

Drying/Storage)

Lot 1

Lot 2

Lot 3

Lot 4

Lot 5

Location 

2 Lot(s)

Planting Address 2 City State Zip Own/Rent*

GPS Latitude (Decimal 

Degrees**)

GPS Longitude (Decimal 

Degrees**)

Acres/ 

SqFt

Location (Outdoor, 

Greenhouse/Indoor, 

Drying/Storage)

Lot 1

Lot 2

Lot 3

Lot 4

LOT MODIFICATION
43

Lot 5

By accurate and complete. I understand that giving a false statement is punishable by law under section 53a157b of the Connecticut General Statutes.

____________________________ signing my name below, I attest that I am a key participant for the license, 

and that this information is 

Date: __________________

Signature of Key Participant 
44

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Outdoor Field Planting Report 

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the 

DOAG E-License portal. Paper Application will not be accepted.

The following reporting requirements must be entered in eLicense for every licensed lot on your 

application and any subsequent Lot Modification Requests. This form is due within 15 days following 

the first day of each planting. If you will NOT plant at a licensed lot, report of a “NO Planting” is due 

by July 31st. 

You must include the following information in the Outdoor Field Planting Report in eLicense.

• FSA Lot ID

• Date Planted 

• Hemp Variety Planted

• Seed (Y/N)

• Transplants (Y/N)

• Acres planted
45

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Performance-Based Sampling Procedures

(rev. 12.2.21)

Applicability: The sampling procedures in this document apply to research institutions and hemp producers of 

non-flowering hemp plants such as: hemp microgreen producers, hemp green producers or hemp transplant 

producers who sell, offer for sale or transfer immature non-flowering hemp plants.

I. Definitions: 

1. Research Institution: an accredited institution of higher learning, or a research facility that conducts 

scientific research on hemp, or any licensee growing hemp for research purposes, and when none of the 

hemp is intended for commerce.

2. Hemp Microgreens: immature hemp seedlings for human consumption that are cut-off above the soil or 

substrate line and harvested prior to flowering and not more than 14 days after germination. Hemp 

microgreens are typically between two (2) and three (3) inches in height, but not taller than five (5) 

inches.

3. Hemp Greens: hemp leaves from immature plants germinated from seed and the plants are no more than 

ten (10) inches tall and are not flowering.

4. Hemp Transplants: hemp seedlings, rooted cuttings (clones), immature plants produced from tissue 

culture, or other means of reproduction, which are not harvested but transplanted into a large container or 

field to mature for harvest. 

II. General Requirements for all Performance Based Sampling

1. A lot of hemp shall only be eligible for performance-based sampling consideration if the 

licensee maintains records documenting the subject cultivar’s compliance with the acceptable hemp 

THC level.

2. All licensees shall ensure that the seeds, clones and starts used to produce hemp are from cannabis 

varieties that meet the definition of hemp. 

3. A licensee’s sampling program accepted under this protocol that demonstrates, at a confidence level of 

95 percent, that the cannabis plant species Cannabis sativa L. that will be subject to this alternative 

method will not test above the acceptable hemp THC level. Sampling plans must also demonstrate a 

process for collecting a representative sample that is a homogeneous composition of the lot and provide 
46

a disposal plan for any cannabis plants that are found to exceed the acceptable hemp THC level. The 

department reserves the right to sample, and test any hemp lot at any time to ensure compliance with the 

acceptable hemp THC level. The licensee will provide the Department with documentation on why their 

crop is eligible for the performance-based sampling plan, a sampling plan for sampling their crop and a 

disposal and remediation plan for any cannabis plants that are found to exceed the acceptable hemp THC 

level. Sampling plans must demonstrate a process for collecting a representative sample that is a 

homogeneous composition of the lot. The sampling plan should also include frequency of sampling. All 

official samples will be completed by the Department’s authorized sampling agents. 

4. The department shall conduct random inspections, including records review of licensees, regardless of 

whether or not all licensees are subject to the sampling and testing requirement. 

III. Research Institution Requirements:

1. Licensing: Research institutions must hold a producer license.

2. Not for Commercial Use: Hemp produced by a research institution shall not enter the stream of 

commerce, or be transferred to any third party.

3. Application Procedure: In addition to the Producer License application requirements, research 

institutions must submit to the Department a description of their objectives that demonstrates to the 

Commissioner’s satisfaction that research of hemp is being performed, a timeline of activities and a 

sampling plan that demonstrates, the alternative method has the potential to ensure, at a confidence level 

of 95 percent, that the cannabis plant species Cannabis sativa L. that will be subject to the alternative 

method will not test above the acceptable hemp THC level. The licensee will provide the Department 

with documentation on why their crop is eligible for the performance-based sampling plan, a sampling 

plan for sampling their crop and a disposal and remediation plan for any cannabis plants that are found to 

exceed the acceptable hemp THC level. Sampling plans must demonstrate a process for collecting a 

representative sample that is a homogeneous composition of the lot. The sampling plan should also 

include frequency of sampling. All official samples will be completed by the Department’s authorized 

sampling agents.

4. Testing Data: Research institutions must provide testing data to the Commissioner when requested and 

are subject to inspection, sampling and testing by the Department.

5. Reporting Requirements: Research institutions shall follow reporting requirements for each lot where 

hemp is produced, including reporting to FSA. 

6. Documentation of Destruction and/or Remediation of Non-Compliant Materials: Any noncompliant lots of hemp produced by a research institution shall be disposed of and reported to the 

Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

7. Inspection: Research institutions shall be subject to a facility and records inspections on an annual basis 

by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to determine compliance with requirements under this 

section. Licensees are also subject to official sampling if deemed necessary as a result of any inspection.

8. Negligent Violations: Research institutions shall be assessed a negligent violation if the THC content of 

a sample collected by the department exceeds the acceptable hemp THC level. 
47

9. Labeling and Sale of Seed and Transplants: Any seed sold as a product of hemp breeding, must 

comply with the Connecticut and Federal Seed Law. Any transplant sold as a product of hemp breeding 

must be accompanied with a seed label for that variety.

IV. Hemp Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants

1. Licensing: Hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants must hold a producer license.

2. Commercial Use: Licensees are permitted to allow their hemp to enter the stream of commerce, and 

transferred to third parties, provided they have met the requirements of the state plan, any other 

applicable state and federal laws, and these sampling and testing requirements for growing Microgreens, 

Greens, and Transplants. Hemp Microgreen and Green producers may be subject to the Connecticut 

Produce Safety Rule.

3. Application: In addition to the Producer License application requirements, hemp producers of 

Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants must submit to the Department a description of their objectives 

that demonstrates to the Commissioner’s satisfaction that growing Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants 

is being performed, a timeline of activities and a sampling plan that demonstrates, the alternative method 

has the potential to ensure, at a confidence level of 95 percent, that the cannabis plant species Cannabis 

sativa L. that will be subject to the alternative method will not test above the acceptable hemp THC 

level. The licensee will provide the Department with documentation on why their crop is eligible for the 

performance-based sampling plan, a sampling plan for sampling their crop and a disposal and 

remediation plan for any cannabis plants that are found to exceed the acceptable hemp THC level. 

Sampling plans must demonstrate a process for collecting a representative sample that is a homogeneous 

composition of the lot. The sampling plan should also include frequency of sampling. All official 

samples will be completed by the Department’s authorized sampling agents.

4. Testing Data: Hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants must provide testing data to the 

Commissioner when requested and are subject to inspection, sampling and testing by the Department. 

When hemp transplants move from the greenhouse/indoor facility to either larger pots or the field, this is 

not considered a harvest, and therefore would not require sampling because the final crop shall be 

sampled prior to harvest. The mature crop produced from hemp transplants is subject to sampling and 

testing.

5. Reporting Requirements: Hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants shall follow 

reporting requirements for each lot where hemp is produced, including reporting to FSA. 

6. Documentation of Destruction and/or Remediation of Non-Compliant Materials: Any noncompliant lots of hemp produced by hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants shall be 

disposed of and/or remediated, and reported to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

7. Inspection: Hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants shall be subject to inspections on 

an annual basis by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture to determine compliance with 

requirements under this section. Licensees are also subject to official sampling if deemed necessary as a 

result of the inspection.
48

8. Negligent Violations: Hemp producers of Microgreens, Greens, and Transplants shall be assessed a 

negligent violation if the THC content of a sample collected by the department exceeds the acceptable 

hemp THC level. 

9. Labeling and Sale of Seed: Any transplant sold by producer of Transplants must be accompanied by a 

seed label for that variety of hemp which complies with the Connecticut and Federal Seed Law.
49

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Producer Reporting to FSA

 (12.2.2021)

Applications, supporting documents and payments will only be accepted through the DOAG ELicense portal. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Producers are required to establish farm records with the Farm Service Agency. Producers will be asked for 

the following information.

• Name

• Business type – Individual/entity

• Members (if applicable)

• Address

• Contact Information

• Participation Interest

• Tax ID number (if participating in FSA programs for payment)

• Land Documentation

o Owned: Proof of landowner by deed, assessor card or town’s assessor website.

o Leased: a written lease, letter from the landowner of record. 

Contact your local FSA office farmers.gov/service-center-locator 

Producers planting hemp are required to file acreage reports with FSA by July 15th. The acreage report must 

include the following information:

• Producer’s License or authorization number

• Street address

• License holders must designate the location and number of lots intended to be planted. For FSA purposes, 

the term “lots” refers to the specific subfield located within the field on the tract.

• Producers must report each variety or strain as a separate “lot”.

• Hemp crop acreage

o Reporting total acreage of hemp planted, harvested, and disposed.

o Acreage of greenhouse or indoor square footage dedicated to the production of hemp.

• Geospatial location(s) of each lot or greenhouse where hemp will be produced.

FSA Crop Acreage Reporting Fact Sheet crop-acreage-reporting-20.pdf (usda.gov)
50

Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov

Remediation and Disposal Procedures

(rev. 12.2.21)

Purpose: 

1. Standard Remediation and Disposal guidelines are specified for commercial indoor and outdoor production of 

hemp as well as the production of hemp for research purposes.

2. Remediation refers to any process by which non-compliant hemp (THC concentration > 0.3%) is rendered 

compliant (THC concentration ≤ 0.3%). Remediation can be achieved by separating and destroying noncompliant flowers while retaining stalks, leaves, and seeds; or by shredding the entire hemp plant to create a 

homogenous “biomass” that can be retested for THC compliance. 

3. Disposal means destroying non-compliant hemp or hemp for research purposes using one of the approved onfarm methods. Approved methods include plowing under, mulching / composting, disking, bush mowing, and 

deep burial.

Scope: 

1. Lots shall be subject to remediation or disposal when a sample tests over the acceptable hemp THC level 

according to laboratory results obtained through Connecticut sampling and testing protocols.

2. Lots that test above the acceptable hemp THC level shall be subject to either remediation or disposal. 

3. All remediation samples must be collected by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

4. All remediated hemp lots must be retested to verify acceptable THC level before the material may enter the 

stream of commerce.

5. It is the responsibility of the licensed producer or researcher to pay any fees associated with resampling, 

remediation, and/or disposal. 

6. Producers must verify disposal or remediation by submitting required documentation in accordance with 7 

CFR §990.27. All records regarding disposal and remediation of all cannabis plants that do not meet the 

definition of hemp shall be made available for inspection by Connecticut Department of Agriculture inspectors, 

auditors, or their representatives during reasonable business hours in accordance with the Connecticut State Plan.

7. Laboratories should have an effective disposal procedure as part of an internal SOP for noncompliant 

samples.
51

Summary of Practice:

1. This practice provides procedures for ensuring the disposal or remediation of non-compliant hemp. When a 

cannabis sample tests over the acceptable THC concentration level, all cannabis plants in the lot shall be 

embargoed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and then either be remediated to bring the lot under the 

acceptable THC concentration level, or all cannabis plants shall be disposed of. Both remediation and disposal 

may be performed by the producer, researcher or an approved representative of the Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture. Hemp produced for research must be disposed of using acceptable disposal procedures outlined in 

this document.

2. Non-compliant hemp plants may be remediated by separating and destroying non-compliant flowers, while 

retaining stalks, leaves and seeds.

3. Non-compliant hemp plants may be remediated by shredding the entire hemp plant to create “biomass.” All 

flowers, buds, trichomes, leaves, stalks, seed, and all plant parts from a lot should be chopped or shredded in 

such a way as to create a homogenous, uniform blend of the lot called “biomass.” Lots should be kept separate 

and not be combined during this process. This biomass shall be resampled and retested by the Connecticut 

Department of Agriculture to ensure the biomass material tests within an acceptable THC concentration level 

before it may enter the stream of commerce in accordance with §990.3(d) and §990.27(c). If the biomass tests 

above the acceptable THC concentration level is non-compliant hemp and must be destroyed through one of the 

disposal options provided herein.

4. Disposal means destroying non-compliant hemp by performing any one or combination of the following onfarm activities: plowing under, mulching / composting, disking, bush mowing, and deep burial. Prior to the 

disposal of a hemp crop, the licensee must submit a Destruction Report to the Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture. 

Equipment and Supplies: 

1. Equipment for Remediation 

1.2. Gloves 

1.3 Shears, clippers, scissors, shredding equipment (to remove non-compliant flowers from stalks) 

1.4 Striping, shredding, or mulching equipment 

1.5 Large plastic bags or other containers to store shredded biomass

1.6 The bags and containers should be made from material known to be free from THC 

1.7 Marking and labeling equipment (to mark and label hemp lots for remediation from other lots)

2. Equipment for Disposal

2.1. Plow or tractor (for plowing, mulching, composting, disking, bush mowing, deep burial)

2.2. Composter (for composting) 

3. Equipment for Resampling for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture

3.1. Disposable gloves – Nitrile 

3.2. Scoop with long handle (cleaned prior to and following each sample)

3.3 Bag to store resample
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3.4. Permanent markers 

3.5. The bags should be made from material known to be free from THC 

3.6. A 750 mL or similar measuring instrument (cleaned prior to and following each sample)

Remediation Guidelines:

1. The licensee or designated employee; or an approved representative of the Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture shall remediate or destroy non-compliant hemp in accordance with §990.3(d) and §990.27(c). The 

non-compliant hemp shall be properly destroyed and rendered unusable. A Connecticut Department of 

Agriculture inspector may be present during the remediation or disposal process.

2. Upon notification that a lot has tested above the acceptable hemp THC level, the licensee should notify the 

Connecticut Department of Agriculture of the licensee’s decision to either destroy or remediate the noncompliant lot in accordance with the Connecticut State Plan. Additionally, the licensee should notify the 

Connecticut Department of Agriculture of the remediation or disposal method set forth in §990.70 and §990.71. 

3. If the licensee chooses to remediate the non-compliant lot, the licensee should select either to separate and 

remove all flowers from stalks, leaves and seeds of the lot or to shred the entire lot into “biomass.”

4. Separation and removal of the flowers from stalks, leaves and seeds: 

4.1 The flowers, including buds, trichomes, “trim,” and “kief,” should be removed from the lot and destroyed. 

Methods for removal of the flowers may include, but are not limited to, the removal, by hand, of non-compliant 

flowers and floral materials and the mechanical removal of non-compliant flowers and floral materials. 

4.2 Until such time as the non-compliant flowers and floral material are disposed of, the stalks, leaves, and seeds 

should be separated from the non-compliant floral material and clearly labeled and demarcated as “hemp for 

remediation purposes.”

4.3 Seeds removed from non-compliant hemp during remediation should not be used for propagative purposes.

5. Creation of Biomass

5.1 The entire lot, as reported to the FSA, should be shredded to create a homogenous, uniform biomass. 

Methods for the creation of biomass may include, but are not limited to, the shredding of hemp plants through 

shredders, composters, or specialty mechanical equipment. 

5.2 The biomass created through this process shall be resampled and retested to ensure compliance before 

entering the stream of commerce in accordance with §990.3(a)(6) and §990.27(c). The Connecticut Department 

of Agriculture will conduct the resampling and retesting of the biomass. Biomass that fails the retesting is noncompliant hemp and shall be destroyed. 

5.3. Remediated biomass should be separated from any compliant hemp stored in the area and clearly labeled and 

demarcated as “hemp for remediation purposes.” All lots subject to remediation should be stored, labeled and 

demarcated apart from each other and from other compliant hemp lots stored or held nearby. 

5.4. Remediated biomass should not leave the labeled and demarcated area until a test result showing compliance 

with the acceptable hemp THC level is received or until the biomass will be destroyed.
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Re-sampling Remediated Biomass: 

1. Remediated biomass shall be resampled and retested to ensure compliance before entering the stream of 

commerce in accordance with §990.3(a)(6) and §990.27(c). The Connecticut Department of Agriculture will 

conduct the resampling and retesting of the biomass. Biomass that fails the retesting shall be destroyed. 

2. The resample shall be taken by a Connecticut Department of Agriculture sampling agent as described in the 

“Sampling Guidelines."

3. A representative sample of the biomass should be taken for compliance purposes. When taking the resample, 

the sampling agent should take biomass material from various depths, locations, and containers in the labeled 

and demarcated area to collect a representative sample of the material. At minimum, ~750 mL or three (3) 

standard measuring cups of biomass material should be collected. Sampling agents may collect more biomass 

material based on the requirements of the testing laboratory. If ~750 mL of material is not available, the 

sampling agent should collect enough biomass material for a representative sample. 

4. An original copy of the resample test results, or a legible copy, should be retained by the producer or an 

authorized representative and available for inspection for a period of three (3) years from the date of receipt. 

5. Laboratories testing a resample should utilize the same testing protocols as when testing a standard sample as 

described in the “Laboratory Testing Guidelines.”

Disposal Guidelines:
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Note: In accordance with 7 CFR 1.901(e), the contents of this document does not have the force and effect of law 

and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide clarity to the 

public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
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Bryan P. Hurlburt

Commissioner

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Bureau of Regulatory Services

450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 702 Hartford, CT 06103

 Phone: 860-713-2502 Email: AGR.Hemp@ct.gov 860-713-2501

CTGrown.gov
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 701, Hartford, CT 06103

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Sampling Procedures for Hemp

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Purpose: 

1. Establish hemp sampling procedures in accordance with 7 CFR 990.3

2. Samples are taken to obtain specimens for the measurement of total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 

content, which determine whether the specimens are hemp or marijuana. The measurements are intended 

to be representative of the total THC content in a “lot” of hemp crop acreage as identified by the 

producer. Hemp producers may not harvest hemp prior to the hemp being sampled for THC 

concentration. Testing procedures are provided in a separate guidance document.

Scope: 

1. Samples collected under this procedure are acceptable for submission to a qualified testing laboratory 

for determination of total THC concentration in hemp. After December 31, 2022, all laboratories testing 

hemp under the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program must be registered with the DEA in 

accordance with §990.3(a)(3)(iii)(H) and §990.25(g)(iii). 

2. Harvest shall be completed within 30 days from sample collection.

3. Samples shall be collected only by an authorized trained sampling agent, currently only Department 

of Agriculture employees. Authorized sampling agents must be trained under Connecticut Hemp 

sampling training procedures. Connecticut Department of Agriculture must maintain information, 

available to producers, about authorized trained sampling agents. Hemp producers may not act as 

sampling agents. Representatives of the sampling agency shall have complete and unrestricted access 

during business hours to all hemp and other cannabis plants and all land, and building, used for 

cultivation and/or handling, except private residences.

4. It is the responsibility of the licensed producer to pay any fees associated with sampling.

Summary of Practice: 

A “lot” is a contiguous area in a field, greenhouse, or indoor growing structure containing the same 

variety or strain of cannabis throughout. In addition, “lot” refers to the batch of contiguous, 

homogeneous whole of a product being sold to a single buyer at a single time. The size of the “Lot” is 

determined by the producer in terms of farm location and field acreage and is to be reported as such to 

the FSA. The terminology used by FSA to denote land areas include terms like “farm,” “tract,” “field,” 

and “subfield,” which are equivalent to AMS’s term “lot.” 

1. This practice provides procedures for entering a growing area and collecting the minimum number of 

plant specimens necessary to represent a homogeneous composition of the “lot” that is to be sampled. A 

trained sampling agent enters a growing area, strategically examines the growing area, establishes an 
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approach for navigating the growing area, and collects individual specimens of plants in order to obtain a 

representative sample of hemp in the designated lot.

2. Cuttings from each “lot” of hemp crop acreage, as identified by the producer, and submitted to 

and uniquely identified by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) per the requirements of the USDA hemp 

production program, shall be organized as composite samples. 

Standard Sampling Protocols: 

1. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture standard sampling method must be used by all sampling 

agents.

2. The standard sampling protocol ensures, at a confidence level of 95 percent, that no more than one 

percent of the plants in each lot would exceed the acceptable hemp THC level and ensures that a 

collected sample represents a homogeneous composition of the lot.

3. Every lot of every producer must be sampled and tested.

4. All samples must be collected from the flowering tops of the plant by cutting the top five to eight 

inches from the “main stem” (that includes the leaves and flowers), “terminal bud” (that occurs at the 

end of a stem), ”or “central cola” (cut stem that could develop into a bud) of the flowering top of the 

plant. 

Equipment and Supplies: 

1. Garden pruners/shears (Cleaned prior to and following each composite sample. Some examples of 

appropriate cleaning agents and supplies to use on garden pruners/shears are bleach, rubbing alcohol, 

steel wool, and/or sandpaper.)

2. Sample bags. 

2.1. The size of the bags will depend upon the number of clippings collected per lot. 

2.2 The bags should be made from material known to be free from THC. 

3. Security tape 

4. Permanent markers 

5. Sample collection forms 

6. GPS Unit of lot being sampled

7. Disposable gloves – Nitrile 

8. Ladder (if necessary)

Sampling Guidelines: 

1. The licensee or designated employee should be present throughout the sampling process, if possible. 

2. Surveillance of the growing area. 
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2.1. The sampling agent should estimate the average height, appearance, approximate density, 

condition of the plants, and degree of maturity of the inflorescences (flowers/buds).

2.2. The sampling agent should visually establish the homogeneity of the stand to establish that 

the growing area is of like variety. 

2.3. The sampling agent should verify the GPS coordinates of the growing area as compared with 

the GPS coordinates submitted by the licensee to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. 

3.Time of Sampling: 

3.1. Within 30 days prior to the anticipated harvest of a designated hemp lot, an authorized 

sampling agent shall collect representative samples from such cannabis plants for THC 

concentration level testing. 

4. Lot Sampling: 

4.1 For purposes of determining the number of individual plants to select for sampling, the size 

of the growing area should be considered. For sampling purposes, samples from separate lots 

must be kept separate and not be comingled. 

4.2 When sampling use the tables (below) to determine the sample size. 

 

4.3 Sampling agents should always walk at right angles to the rows of plants if possible, beginning at 

one point of the lot and walking towards another point on the opposite side of the lot. If the lot is too 

dense for this to be possible, the sampling agent should take all reasonable steps to ensure that a sample 

is collected that represents a homogeneous composition of the lot by avoiding edges and thoroughfares. 

The sampling agent may also follow the sawtooth survey pattern (below).
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4.4 While walking through the growing area, the sampling agent should cut at least “n” (n is the number 

of samples from the charts in 4.2) inflorescences (the flower or bud of a plant), at random but convenient 

distances. Avoid collecting sample specimens from the borders of the field/greenhouse. 

4.5 The cut should be obtained from the flowering tops of plants when flowering tops are present, and 

shall be approximately five to eight inches in length from the “main stem” (that includes the leaves and 

flowers), or “terminal bud” (that occurs at the end of a stem), or “central cola” (cut stem that develops 

into a bud) of the flowering top of the plant.

4.6. Utilize bag(s) for collecting sample cuttings. Ensure that each bag has the minimum number of 

cuttings, n, as calculated by 4.2. If one bag cannot accommodate the minimum number of cuttings due to 

lot size, the sample may be divided into multiple bags, but must be clearly labeled in such a way that 

each bag is appropriately matched with the corresponding lot. (i.e. For lot 101 with three corresponding 

sample bags: 101 1 of 3, 101 2 of 3, 101 3 of 3.) 

4.7. Seal each bag and label as described in Section 5.1 of this document.

5.Sample identification: 

5.1 The sampling agent should seal each bag and record the sample identification number. The sample 

should also be identified with the following information: Sampling collector contact information; name 

and contact information of the producer; producer hemp license; date of sample; time of sampling; 

address where sample was collected and lot identification. 
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Transporting Hemp Samples in Connecticut

(rev. 12.2.2021)

Transporting Hemp Samples to the Laboratory for Analysis

Hemp Samples for official sample results can only be taken and transported by authorized 

sampling agents. 

Producers who transport unofficial hemp samples to laboratories shall keep them in sealed tamper proof 

packages. A copy of the Producer license must also be present. Each hemp sample label shall contain at 

a minimum:

• The date and time the sample was collected

• Licensee name and contact information

• Hemp Producer license number

• Sample collector contact information

• Lot Identification number

• Address where sample was collected

• A sample identification number or laboratory accession number

Hemp samples delivered to a laboratory via a delivery service such as FedEx, UPS or USPS must 

contain the above information and forms with the sample(s), and comply with any special 

labeling/packaging requirements the service requires.

*See Sampling Procedures for more details on taking an unofficial hemp sample for laboratory analysis*
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Attachment C

Connecticut Hemp Program

Connecticut has an approved state plan by the United States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) for hemp producers. Under the state plan, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture 

is authorized to issue producer licenses, conduct inspections and investigations, issue 

penalties, promulgate regulations, issue cease and desist orders, issue hold and destroy 

orders, and other broad powers that enable the Department to effectively regulate the Hemp 

industry in Connecticut. 

If you are interested in obtaining a hemp producer license, please go to the following page 

where you will find all of our application instructions and producer guidance documents. For 

more information you can also email AGR.Hemp@ct.gov or call (860) 713-2502.

Hemp Producer Application Information and Guidance Documents 

The current Hemp Licensing Fee schedule is: 

Fee Type: Program Fees: Fee Due Date: 

License 

Application Fee

*nonrefundable

$50 (Academia, State Agency, or 

Department Research Projects 

are exempt)

At time of application

Licensing Fee $450 for 1st acre (43,560 sq. ft. 

$30/acre for each additional acre

Max License Fee: $3,000

(Academia, State Agency, or 

Department Research Projects 

are exempt)

At time of application. 

Triennial license. 

License expires 3 years 

from date of issuance. 

Post-Harvest 

Inspection by the 

Department of 

Agriculture 

$50 inspection fee per instance. 

Inspections only required when 

warranted by initial test result, or 

at the Department’s discretion if a 

grower fails to harvest within 30 

days of the pre-harvest sample. 

Prior to the inspection and 

collection of the sample. 

Site Modification 

Fee

$30 per additional acre (Above 

initial acreage)

At time of request. 
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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

Manufactured Hemp Products Information

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) regulates products intended 

for human ingestion, inhalation, absorption or other internal consumption or external use 

manufactured from Hemp or Hemp derived ingredients including CBD products for human use. 

For more information, please see the Department of Consumer Protection’s website here.

Information Resources about Hemp Production

The federal USDA Hemp Program information can be found here.

Below, find links to academic sites that provide information concerning growing and harvesting 

of Hemp:

• University of Connecticut

• Cornell University

• Purdue University

• University of Kentucky

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 AuthorityTM
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• 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.