Hemp Legalization in Virginia

In 2014, James Madison University (JMU), University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia State University (VSU), and Virginia Tech (VT) began research programs. In 2016, the four state-owned universities planted 37 acres in hemp. In 2018, the state authorized private institutions of higher education to join in the research. By 2018, that grew to 135 acres on both privately-owned land and public land.

The Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) regulates industrial hemp cultivation and processing. The state requires separate licenses for growers, processors and dealers.

On July 15, 2019, Virginia hemp processors were notified by VDACS that it would “treat hemp-derived extracts intended for human consumption as approved food additives and place qualifying Registered Industrial Hemp Processors under food safety inspection so that inspected and approved processors may manufacture a hemp-derived extract for human consumption”.

On November 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) plan to regulate hemp production in the Commonwealth. This approval allows VDACS to continue as the primary regulator of hemp production in Virginia.

• When offered for retail sale, a hemp product may not exceed 0.3 percent total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and may not have more than two milligrams of total THC per package unless the product’s cannabidiol (CBD) to THC ratio is at least 25 parts CBD for every one part THC. “Total THC” means all of the THC in a product, including delta-8 and delta-9 THC.
• Any person that intends to manufacture, sell, or offer for sale a substance intended to be consumed orally that contains an industrial hemp-derived cannabinoid must submit an Edible Hemp Products Disclosure Form.
• A VDACS Food Permit may be required to sell these products unless the retail establishment is exempt. A Food Permit is required to manufacture food products.

and effective at a future date:

• Anyone selling at retail a hemp product intended for smoking or an edible hemp product must have a Regulated Hemp Product Retail Facility Registration from VDACS.

Hemp Licenses and Registrations Available in Virginia

“Grower” means any person registered to plant, cultivate, or harvest industrial hemp.
The application fee is $150.

“Handler” means any person registered to handle in (temporarily possess industrial hemp grown in compliance with state or federal law) industrial hemp. “Handler” does not include a retail establishment that sells or offers for sale a hemp product.
The application fee is $250.

“Processor” means any person registered to convert industrial hemp into a hemp product, that means any finished product that contains industrial hemp, including rope, building materials, automobile parts, animal bedding, animal feed, cosmetics, oil containing an industrial hemp extract, or food or food additives for human consumption.
The application fee is $200.
Registered Industrial Hemp Processors who plan to produce a hemp-derived extract intended for human consumption should submit an application to operate as a Manufacturer of a Hemp-Derived Extract Intended for Human Consumption.

Beginning November 15, 2024, anyone selling at retail hemp products intended for smoking or edible hemp products must have a Regulated Hemp Product Retail Facility Registration from VDACS.

Virginia Hemp Industry Stats

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services database, there were 1,291 growers, 234 dealers and 360 processors registrations in 2020, and 9,093 acres registered land areas comparing to 1,183 growers, 262 dealers,117 processors registrations and 2,244 acres in 2019.

In 2021 the amount of approved acreage declined as a result of oversupply and market correction across the industry and totaled 350 acres planted and 300 acres harvested. According to the National Hemp Report 2024, the number of planted acres increased to 650 acres and 750 acres correspondingly in 2022 and in 2023; 500 acres and 250 acres were harvested of which around 90% for fiber.

In 2024, 395 acres were planted, and 90 acres were harvested primarily for floral biomass.

According to the USDA Hemp Public Search Tool, as of June 2025, there were 115 active grower licensees in Virginia. According to the latest data from VDACS, as of June 2025, there were 24 registered industrial hemp handlers and 42 processors, including 21 processors specializing in floral hemp.

Virginia Hemp Industry Infographics

Virginia Cannabis Market