Is a Viable Hemp Industry in Florida’s Future?

Hemp is Cannabis sativa with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol that does not exceed 0.3% Hemp is a regulated agricultural commodity at state and federal level. Hemp in Florida is regulated by the FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industries: Hemp Cultivation Licensing.

Have a hemp farm plan?

Hemp is predicted to have a high risk of invasion in natural areas according to the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas and may be problematic as an agricultural weed. FDACS requires an Environmental Containment and Transportation Plan with licensing application, pre-harvest sampling, and notice of harvest.

UF/IFAS is working to identify varieties and planting recommendations that can be profitable for growers and environmentally responsible, with variety trials to find marketable hemp that grows well in Florida‹s diverse soils, climates, latitudes. Economic research is being conducted to find the input costs and expected market value. Additionally, we are conducting a study for risk of invasiveness.

UF/IFAS Web Resources

• UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project
• FAQs
• Resources

FRE departmental programs reflect the diversity of Florida's agriculture which has more than 200 commodities. The Department has 40 faculty members involved in a full range of research, extension, and teaching programs including Agribusiness and Consumer Behavior, International Development, Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Marine Resource Economics, and Agricultural Economics, Trade, and Policy. In addition to 33 faculty members located at the main campus in Gainesville, seven faculty are found at research and education centers located throughout the state.