Applications for growing or processing/handling hemp in Arkansas can be found here.  Before applying, please review all Department Hemp Program webpages, including the latest Hemp Program Orientation PowerPoint below and Hemp Program Rules. For questions, e-mail: [email protected]. 

2025 PROGRAM ORIENTATION POWERPOINT

The Department is not in the position to offer direct consultation on completing a license application or to educate individuals about the production of hemp.

Application Deadlines for the 2025 Season:

NEW Field Grower Application Deadline: MAY 2^nd, 2025

NEW Indoor Grower Application Deadline: Accepted All Year

NEW Processor/Handler Application Deadline: Accepted All Year

RENEWING Grower Application Deadline: MAY 2^nd, 2025

RENEWING Processor/Handler Application Deadline: MAY 2^nd, 2025

2025 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS PACKET

2025 GROWER APPLICATION

2025 PROCESSOR/HANDLER APPLICATION

PROGRAM FEES & PAYMENTS

The AR Hemp Program accepts payments via post-mail and online. Online payments include a convenience processing fee.

There is a nonrefundable $50 application fee required for each application submitted to the Department for a Hemp License. Completed applications can be electronically submitted via e-mail to the Program at [email protected].

Online payments to the AR Hemp Program may be made here: CLICK HERE

Online Payment Process with AR Hemp Program:

1. Complete all fields in the payment portal, ensuring your hemp company name matches the applicant name on the first page of your submitted application. Make sure no information is left blank.
2. When prompted to search for a product, enter “HEMP APPLICATION.”
3. Select the HEMP APPLICATION FEE line. Set the quantity to one (1) for a single application or two (2) for both hemp grower and hemp processor/handler licenses.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page, click “update,” and verify the Total Amount.
5. Click “Pay” and enter your Card/Billing Information.   

Post-Mail Payment Process with AR Hemp Program:

If you are mailing your $50 nonrefundable application fee(s), make sure to include a copy of page 1 of your completed application(s) in the envelope with your cash, check, or money order. Omitting page 1 of your application may result in processing delays.

Post-mail $50 Application Fee(s) with copy of Page 1 from Application(s) to:

ATTN: AR Hemp Program
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
1 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

If approved for licensure, note that additional program fees apply. Please budget your operations accordingly.

2025 PROGRAM FEES CHART

If approved for a license with the Program, you will be invoiced via e-mail, with payment due within 30-days of issuance.

Important Considerations for Grower Applicants:

Each Lot of hemp produced in the program costs $100/each at the time of harvest. Grower applicants should take this into account when developing business plans. A “Lot” is defined as a grouping of hemp, containing the same variety throughout, in a contiguous area in a field, greenhouse, or grow location.

For more information, refer to the Program’s Sampling, Testing, Remediation and Disposal Guidelines Document, located on the “License Holders – Forms & Deadlines” webpage.

 PROGRAM E-MAIL USE STATEMENT

E-mail is the primary method of communication with license holders. Please ensure this suits your needs prior to applying for a license with the AR Hemp Program. E-mail use ensures the timely receipt of program report and request forms, which are time-sensitive documents.

CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS WITH ARKANSAS STATE POLICE

All signing authorities and key participants in a company must get an annual criminal history background check from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Identification Bureau. Follow ASP’s instructions to obtain an “Individual Record Check Request Form” criminal history background check, which is form “ASP-122” below. Key participants refers to anyone with a vested interest in the company.

STEP 1:

FILL-OUT and submit the latest ASP-122 form:  https://static.ark.org/asp/criminal/pdfs/ASP-122-ID-State-Background-Check-Current-On-Website-Fillable-Form-9272022.pdf

Follow all ASP instructions on this form. This form requires a notarized signature from the person requesting the background check. Make sure you are using the most current version of the ASP-122 form. In the top right-hand corner of the form should say “ASP-122 (Eff. 09/21/2022).”

STEP 2:

RELEASE the criminal history background check results to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, ATTN Hemp Program, 1 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205.  This is done under the “APPLICANT RECORD NOTIFICATION” section on page 2 of the ASP-122 Form.

STEP 3:

Submit your criminal history background check request to the Arkansas State Police with the required $25 check or money order.  Do not send cash. ASP will release results directly to the Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Program.

NOTE:  The criminal history background check process can take anywhere between 2-3 weeks. The Department must receive the background check results within 14 days of the application received date. The Department will not accept background check results that are more than 60 days old.  

LEGAL LAND DESCRIPTION – REQUIRED FOR ALL PRODUCTION/GROWING LOCATIONS

All requested growing “Location IDs” must have a legal land description provided within the application. This information is usually provided within a land’s title or deed legal documentation.  If the land or property is leased, you may have to ask the land or property owner for this detailed information.

AERIAL ‘LOCATION ID’ MAP HELP

All applicants are required to provide the Department with a photographic aerial map of all requested growing, handling, processing, and storage locations where hemp material may be present. Improper or mislabeled aerial Location ID maps will result in denial of a submitted application. 

For detailed aerial ‘Location ID’ map making help, please refer to the “Applications Instructions Packet” posted above. 

ADDITIONAL KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEMP PROGRAM

• Program Licenses run on the financial “Fiscal Year,” which is from July 1^st to June 30^th annually.
• Make sure you read the latest Hemp Program Orientation PowerPoint posted above.
• Grower applicants are required to register at least one (1) Storage Location ID.
• Annual criminal history background checks from Arkansas State Police (ASP) are required for all applicants and all company key participants within a business entity.
• Any site/location changes after a license is approved by the Department must be documented using the Program’s Site Modification Request Form. Any changes to sites/locations after an application is approved will require site modification fee charges. 
• The Department highly encourages applicants to make sure they have their final plans in place before submitting an application as to avoid site modification fee charges.
• Hemp Program Staff will not be able to assist applicants through the application process. This includes assistance with making aerial “Location ID” maps. For complete instructions and an example aerial Location ID map, please review the Application Instructions Packet.
• Make sure you are especially familiar with Program Rules, Section 3: LAND USE RESTRICTIONS before requesting Location IDs within an application.
• The status of a submitted application will be communicated back to the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable via e-mail.
• Please keep in mind that the Department has up to 60-days to review all Hemp Program Applications submitted. Application review may be suspended for a period of time depending on Hemp Program Staff workload.

Reviewed all Hemp Program webpages and still have a question?

E-mail your hemp-related questions to [email protected]