Hemp Certification Standards
Certification standards for hemp seed, feminized hemp seed, vegetatively propagated hemp, and hemp transplants.
Program Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Certified Crop | Hemp |
| Certification Classes | Foundation, Registered, Certified |
| Application Deadline | See Hemp Program Requirements |
| Required Inspections | Varies by hemp type |
| Reference | AOSCA Hemp Standards |
Eligibility
- Production is subject to regulatory approval.
- Only hemp varieties approved by the appropriate regulatory authority are eligible.
- Growers must meet all applicable state and federal requirements.
Land Requirements
- Foundation and Registered hemp must not be grown on land that produced hemp during the preceding three years.
- Certified hemp must not be grown on land that produced certified hemp of the same variety in the preceding year, or non-certified hemp or a different hemp variety in either of the preceding two years.
Field Inspection
- Dioecious hemp: Registered and Certified production require one inspection; Foundation dioecious requires a second inspection during seed development.
- Monoecious hemp and unisexual hybrids require two inspections: one just before or at early flowering and one during seed development.
- Isolation areas are inspected for volunteer hemp at each inspection.
Isolation Requirements
- No Cannabis sativa plants shall be present within 330 feet of the crop.
- Beyond 330 feet and within the isolation requirement, no more than four hemp plants per acre are permitted.
- Use the official AOSCA isolation table for dioecious and monoecious hemp by class.
Field Standards
- Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) is cause for rejection.
- Impurity counts are based on approximately 10,000 plants per count with at least six counts or equivalent.
- Use the AOSCA impurity table for pollen-shedding male plants and off-types or other varieties.
Seed Standards
- Certified seed must meet the AOSCA seed standards for pure seed, inert matter, weed seed, other crop seed, other varieties, other kinds, and germination.
Production Guidelines
- Fields should be planted to facilitate inspection, roguing, and harvesting.
- Rogue throughout the season and remove off-type male flowers before the receptive stage of female flowers.
- Maintain varietal purity during harvesting, cleaning, and storage.
Special Hemp Sections
- Feminized Hemp Seed
- Vegetatively Propagated Hemp
- Hemp Transplants
Required Forms
Use the crop application first. Submit tag orders, blending reports, or supporting forms only when they apply.