Key Takeaways

• Hemp Industry Regulations:
  • The hemp industry in Florida is regulated by the Laws of Florida, Title XXXV Chapter 581, Section 217 and Rule 5B-57.014, Florida Administrative Code.
  • Activities related to hemp products intended for human consumption through inhalation or ingestion are governed by Florida’s Administrative Code, Section 5K-4.034.
• Licenses and permits available:
  • Cultivation license.
  • Wholesale/Manufactured Food Establishment Permit
  • Retail Food Establishment Permit
• Products legal:
  • Hemp products and hemp-derived CBD products that contain no more than 0.3% THC. Hemp extract, including CBD, that is intended for human consumption must meet labeling requirements.
• Industry stats:
  • The estimated economic impact of Florida’s hemp industry in 2020 was $370 million. It created more than 9,000 jobs and generated over $17 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue.
  • In the 2023 growing season, 87.5% of harvested hemp acreage was floral hemp.
  • The latest FDACS data shows that 431 licenses have been issued for the 2025 growing season.

Florida Hemp Industry: Regulations

The state of Florida and FDACS have updated the rules and regulations to allow private production of hemp or adopt the federal regulations.

On May 13, 2019, the Florida Legislature passed the hemp bill (SB 1020).

On June 25, 2019, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1020 and on July 1, 2019, the bill became law.

The bill sets a regulatory framework for hemp cultivation, handling, processing, and sale of hemp, hemp products, and hemp extract in Florida. The bill requires CBD products to be independently tested and have a stamp of approval from the FDA. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (“FDACS”) regulates industrial hemp cultivation.

The University of Florida (UF) has been authorized by Florida State Statute, the FDACS, and UF Board of Trustees approval to execute the Industrial Hemp Pilot Project. The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project aims to study and share with Florida farmers sustainable methods by which to grow and profit from three types of hemp production: fiber, grain, and essential oils.

In April 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) approved the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hemp plan. With the approval, the FDACS has assumed primary regulatory responsibility for hemp production within its jurisdiction.

From March 12, 2025, Rule 5K-4.034 went into effect, regulating hemp and hemp extract products for human consumption.

How to Start a Hemp Business in Florida?

Cultivation License

Those interested in cultivating hemp in Florida can apply online through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website for an industrial hemp license by visiting www.FDACS.gov/hemp.

Along with the application, the following information must be submitted, pursuant to regulations:

• A detailed description of each location where hemp will be cultivated, including the address, legal land description, tax parcel number and GPS coordinates.
• A full set of fingerprints for each Control person and the Responsible person, submitted through a Livescan service provider evaluated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for state and national processing to Department ORI number FL925080Z.
• An environmental containment plan.

After submitting your application, you can review the progress of your application and then renew your license if your application is successful.

The license is valid for 12 months after its issuance date.

Licensed cultivators have certain ongoing responsibilities, like reporting crop harvests, maintaining environmental containment, and submitting samples for THC testing (hemp cultivation rules).

Wholesale/Manufactured Food Establishment Permit

Those who wish to wholesale, manufacture, process, pack, hold or prepare products containing hemp extract that are intended for human consumption through ingestion or inhalation must obtain a wholesale/manufactured food establishment permit from the FDACS.

A food permit application should be submitted 21 days before opening, with a completed application and documentation demonstrating approved water and sewage (septic) system. Within 3-5 business days, a field inspector will schedule an onsite inspection. If the inspection is successful, then the permit fee must be paid and the permit will be issued.

Annual permit fee: $650

Hemp Food Establishment Permit

Those who wish to sell and distribute products containing hemp extract that are intended for human consumption (consumed through ingestion or inhalation) must obtain a food establishment permit from the FDACS.

A food permit application should be submitted 21 days before opening, with a completed application and documentation demonstrating approved water and sewage (septic) system. Within 3-5 business days, a field inspector will schedule an onsite inspection. If the inspection is successful, then the permit fee must be paid and the permit will be issued.

Annual permit fee: $650

Products containing hemp extract must comply with the requirements outlined in Florida’s Administrative Code, Section 5K-4.034.

Florida Hemp Industry: Stats and Projections

In 2020, the FDACS issued 705 licenses to grow industrial hemp, representing about 22,000 acres, and 9 licenses were issued for processing. It was estimated that the economic output in the first operational year of the state hemp industry would be $500 million and more than $17 million in tax revenue. The actual estimated economic impact of Florida’s hemp industry in 2020 was $370 million. It created more than 9,000 jobs and generated over $17 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue, as forecasted.

In 2021, the FDACS issued 732 cultivation permits in 65 counties with about 12,000 acres approved for planting hemp, of which 300 acres were planted and 165 acres harvested, producing 91,000 pounds of floral hemp according to the USDA statistics. Around 63,000 pounds of it was utilized, valued at $4.366 million.

In 2022, there were 761 hemp cultivation licensees, 945 cultivation sites, and 8,000 of approved acres across 64 of Florida’s 67 counties. Cultivators planted 210 acres and harvested 125 acres. Floral and fiber hemp production was 35,000 pounds and 2,000 pounds, respectively. Around 28,000 pounds of floral hemp were utilized, valued at $3.22 million.

In 2023, 482 hemp cultivation licenses were registered with 584 cultivation sites. According to the 2023 National Hemp Report, only 47 acres were planted – a dramatic fall from the 210 acres planted in 2022. In the 2023 growing season, 87.5% of harvested hemp acreage was floral hemp, producing 18,000 pounds of floral hemp. Of this, 17,000 pounds were utilized, valued at $3.128 million.

The latest FDACS data shows that 431 licenses have been issued for the 2025 growing season.

Florida could be in prime position to gain on industrial hemp with its unique growing season and markets.

There are at least 140 stores selling hemp and hemp CBD products in Florida. As these products become more accepted and consumers’ demand for them grows, retailers will have to increase their stocks and in turn fuel the demand for hemp plant material and hemp extract. Indeed, the hemp CBD market in Florida is so big that some of the state’s largest medical cannabis companies are converting some of their dispensaries into hemp-only retail stores. One of the most popular products are hemp-infused beverages which are quickly gaining attention due to being alcohol-free but still providing a feeling of euphoria – hence, why many consumers are switching from alcoholic drinks to hemp-infused beverages.

Given the particular interest towards hemp products containing CBD, Florida’s hemp cultivators are well-positioned to take advantage of this as they mainly cultivate hemp to harvest flower – from 2021 to 2023, more than 50% of hemp harvested was floral hemp – and concentration of CBD is very high in the flower part of hemp.

Florida Hemp Industry Infographics

Florida Cannabis Market