Hemp Legalization

Hemp cultivation was legalized in Mississippi on June 29, 2020, through Senate Bill 2725 (Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act). The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce  was  made responsible for creating and implementing the state plan. However, the necessary funding to implement the state hemp cultivation program was not appropriated by the Mississippi Legislature.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce does not issue hemp licenses. Currently, the only legal option for a producer to cultivate hemp in Mississippi is to obtain a hemp license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program. USDA hemp production licenses are valid for three years unless the State of Mississippi elects to administer a State hemp production program.

What Hemp Products are Legal in Mississippi

All hemp products are legal in Mississippi, including topicals, flower, tinctures and edibles as long as they have no more than 0.3% THC.

How to Obtain a USDA Hemp Producer License

Application Process:

1. Create an account on the USDA’s website.
2. Submit a complete USDA hemp application along with the required information (mentioned below) through the Hemp eManagement Platform or by mail.
3. The USDA will review the application for completeness and to determine if the applicant is eligible.
4. The USDA will notify the applicant by mail or email to inform them whether their application has been approved or denied. If the application has been approved, a producer license will be issued.

There is no application fee.

If the license application is denied, applicants may appeal the denial in accordance with Subpart D of Part 990 of the Domestic Hemp Production Program.

Information required to be provided with the completed application form is not limited to:

• Contact information of the applicant.
• If the applicant is a business entity:
  • Full name of the business.
  • Address of the principal business location.
  • Full name and title of the key participants on behalf of the entity.
  • Email address (if available).
  • Employer Identification Number.
• FBI criminal history report for an individual or, if the applicant is a business entity, all key participants, issued within 60 days of the application submission date.

Applicants must also certify that they will adhere to the USDA Domestic Hemp Production Plan.

Hemp producer licenses must be renewed every three years. The expiration date of a hemp producer license is on December 31 of the year that is at least three years after the license is issued. Applications for renewal must have the same information as required for the initial application. There is no renewal application fee.

Mississippi Hemp Industry Stats

National Hemp Report revealed that about 50 acres of industrial hemp were planted and 20 acres harvested in 2021 in Mississippi. Acres of industrial hemp planted increased to 55 in 2022 with 37 acres harvested which is a 67.3% yield – higher than the 40% yield achieved in 2021.

As of April 2025, there were 134 active hemp licensees in Mississippi according to the USDA hemp public search tool.

Mississippi Hemp Industry Infographics