By Ringsak, Justin
As hemp growers throughout Montana harvest the 2019 crop, the Montana Department of Agriculture has announced that a Hemp Processor License is now available. The department has created a hemp processing license to provide consistency and comply with new USDA oversight established in the 2018 Farm Bill. The new rule will help the Department of Agriculture avoid jurisdictional confusion with the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and allow new businesses to have some degree of regulatory certainty.
The rules allow persons wanting to process hemp plants or plant parts to apply for a Hemp Processor license. The processor license allows licensees to produce derivatives that may be included in products for food, fiber, oils, supplements or drugs (excluding THC) for the wholesale or ingredient market. Hemp processors must comply with city, county, and tribal ordinances and laws. The approval of manufactured hemp derived products at the retail level continue to be subject to the laws and regulations of the United States Food and Drug Association (FDA) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
An applicant may apply for a license to process hemp floral and root extracts (Part A) and/or to process hemp grain, seed, seed oil and fiber (Part B) on the same application form. Part A is required of persons who process hemp floral or root extracts and the fee is $2,500 per calendar year. Part A also allows for the processing of hemp grain, seed, seed oil and fiber. Part B is voluntary and only allows for the processing of hemp grain, seed, seed oil and fiber, the fee is $1,000 per calendar year.
The license expires on December 31 of each calendar year. The application period will remain open throughout the year. Persons who have a current and compliant hemp Grower’s license can process their own hemp production without a Processor license.
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.
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Source : mt.gov