Vermont authorized hemp cultivation in 2013 and started growing in 2014, as allowed under a pilot program of the 2014 Farm Bill.

In spring of 2018, H. 663 was signed into law by the governor providing the opportunity for any farmer who registered with the Agency to grow hemp and participate in a new research program. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) administers Vermont’s hemp program.

In May 2019, the (AAFM) submitted a new set of rules governing the cultivation and processing of hemp in Vermont to the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office.

The state requires separate licenses for cultivation and processing hemp.

The Hemp Industry Daily reported that in Vermont, growers made about $100 or more per pound of dried hemp flower for CBD extraction, around $1 per pound of seed, and 10 cents per pound of stalk. Even though Vermont allows seed and fiber production, almost all the hemp growers are growing plants for CBD extraction.

The Vote Hemp reported that about 3,000 acres of hemp were grown in Vermont in 2018 comparing to 575 acres in 2017. According to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, 985 growers were licensed to plant over 9,000 acres of hemp in 2019, with a 200% growth from 2018, and it has also issued 115 hemp processor registrations to perform CBD extraction.

There were 584 growers with about 1,600 acres registered in the state in 2020. In 2021 the amount of approved acreage declined further as a result of oversupply and market correction across the industry and totaled 1,100 acres planted and harvested.

Vermont’s State Plan was submitted and approved by U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2021. The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will withdraw its USDA approved Hemp Production Plan as of December 31, 2022. In order to cultivate hemp beginning with the 2023 growing season, in compliance with federal law, an individual will be required to register with USDA.

In 2022, 59 acres were planted in Vermont according to the National Hemp Report, of which 42 acres (860 acres in 2021) were dedicated to growing floral hemp.

Vermont Hemp Industry Infographics

Vermont Cannabis Market