Ensure you have the correct licenses and permits in place to operate.
Below is information about licenses and permits you may need to legally operate your business. If you have any questions, please contact us or reach out to TDA’s Hemp Program Coordinator for more information or guidance.
Tennessee Dept of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Program
TDA Consumer and Industry Services Division
PO Box 111359
Nashville, TN 37222-1359
(615) 837-5137 or industrial.hemp@tn.gov
Hemp Program Coordinator
Denise M. Woods
(615) 837-5326 or Denise.M.Woods@tn.gov
State & Federal Regulation Resources
Hemp Producer, Propagator, Broker Application
Any person in the state of TN who is growing hemp, regardless of quantity, is required to have a Hemp Growers License. You may apply for a license at any time. Applications can be submitted to the submitted online on the TDA website.
Hemp Processors / Food Manufacturing Permit
If you are processing hemp for a product for human consumption, you are required to be licensed as a food manufacturing facility. You can get more info and obtain a Food Manufacturing Permit on the TDA website. If you are not processing hemp for a product for human consumption, you are not required to be licensed or registered with TDA for processing hemp.
Movement Permit
If you will be transporting rooted hemp plants and/or harvested hemp to a processor for commercial purpose, you must have a Movement Permit. It is strongly recommended you have a Movement Permit on file before you transport hemp. A best practice is to call and alert your local law enforcement agency prior as well. You can apply online for the Permit.
Plant Dealer License
If you are buying and re-selling seedlings or clones, you will need a Plant Dealer License. The License is required for each location where you are selling, offering for sale, distributing, or holding the plants for distribution on a commercial basis. Visit the linked page for further information and to apply via online form or by mail.
Plant Certification Greenhouse License -
If you are growing seedlings or clones for sale, you will need a Plant Certification Greenhouse License for each location where you are using a greenhouse to grow or propagate nursery stock or plants for sale or distribution on a commercial basis.
TN Seed Sellers License
All seed sales, including hemp, are regulated in Tennessee. Seed sellers are required to obtain a TN Seed Sellers License, and they can be directly requested from TDA. To be authorized to manufacture, distribute or label, contact Cissy Neely at (615) 837-5406 or cissy.neely@tn.gov.
Hemp Inspection Requirements
Every crop grown and every variety may be inspected and sampled by a TDA plant inspector prior to harvest. The grower should contact TDA 30 days prior to harvest for inspection.
Soil and Plant Sample Analysis Information
Though you are not required by the TDA to submit soil tests, you may want to have a better understanding around the nutrients of your soil before you grow. Nutrient soil tests can be submitted performed by UT Extension, for a small fee. Testing for pesticide residue or heavy metals is not included in the nutrient soil test, you must use a private lab for those tests.
Hemp Seed Information: reading labels, best practices and more
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has developed educational information around buying seed, seed sale regulations, understanding how to read a seed label and more. We encourage you to check out their materials.