Since the inception of Michigan’s Agricultural Hemp Pilot Program in 2019, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has overseen the regulation of hemp production in Michigan. However, over the past few years, the number of licensed hemp growers has significantly declined, from 631 in 2020 to just 34 in 2024. As a result, the program is no longer financially sustainable. In addition, MDARD’s continued investigation and enforcement efforts against farms intentionally growing marijuana under the guise of hemp adds to the time and expense of managing the program.

Legislation has been introduced to rescind Public Act 220 and shift the regulation of hemp cultivation from MDARD to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is only a proposed change, and adjustments may be made as the process moves forward.

If the legislation passes, MDARD will work closely with USDA to ensure hemp growers have a smooth transition to the federal program.

Currently, some key differences in the USDA program include:

• No license fee.
• Licenses are valid for three years.
• Growers must contract with USDA-certified sampling agents and private labs for THC testing.

For more details on the USDA hemp program and available resources, visit USDA Hemp Program and see the “For USDA Licensed Producers Only” section.

Depending on the status of the legislation, MDARD may delay mailing out renewal applications later than mid-December, which is when renewal applications are typically mailed. MDARD will continue to provide updated information as the legislative process unfolds.