The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets have recently released the new 2020 hemp rules and registration, and amongst the many changes from the last year, you may now register to grow hemp indoors.

Earlier this month the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) publicly unveiled the new 2020 hemp rules and regulations which now includes indoor cultivation. The new indoor application is divided into 2 classification by cultivation area, there is no plant count. Growers may register 500 sqft or less of grow space for $1,000, and greater than 500 sqft will cost $2,000. The indoor cultivation includes bringing plants to flower under lights for commercial production of floral material, viable seed, or cannabinoids and processing.

Below is the registration link to VAAFM’s official 2020 hemp registration form. Use this form if you plan to grow and/or process.

Other notable changes to the hemp rules and registration for 2020 include a streamline registration process for all growing and processing activities, no longer are you required to file separate registrations for growing and processing, this is now on a single application.

Outdoor rules and registration also has some updates, this year. A person registered to grow, process, or grow and process hemp for floral material production, viable seed, or cannabinoids shall not grow more acres of hemp or process more pounds of hemp than the amount identified in the registration without first notifying VAAFM and paying an additional registration fee, if necessary.

• Less than 0.5 acres or less than 500 pounds is $100.00

• 0.5 to 9.9 acres or less than 10,000 pounds is  $500.00

• 10 to 50 acres or less than 50,000 pounds is $1,000.00

• Greater than 50 acres or greater than 50,000 pounds is $3,000.00

Like the other years, once VAAFM receives the complete application and payment it takes approximately 10 business days to certify locations and to issue the registration.  Registrations are sent via email to the business email address in the application. 

Are you interested in hearing about the New Vermont Hemp Rules for the 2020 growing season? Join Stephanie Smith from VAAFM on Thursday, June 11, 2020, from noon to 1:00 p.m. via a Zoom webinar. This free webinar will share the new rules, and is coordinated by the UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Northwest Crops & Soils Program. Register for webinar →