Section 16-306-050 - Hemp producer license(1) A person must obtain a hemp producer license prior to planting or growing hemp in this state, including growing hemp seed crop.(2) A licensed producer may sell or exchange hemp produced under the license once the department has issued documentation declaring the hemp to meet the THC concentration requirements.(3) The department may inspect and sample a producer's licensed operations. The producer must permit unrestricted access to all hemp plants, plant parts, grain and seeds within a registered land area whether growing or not, and all land and facilities used by the producer for the growing and storage of hemp, pesticide storage or housing, and all documents and records pertaining to the licensee's hemp business operations during business hours.(4) The licensee must pay all applicable fees adopted under this chapter for any required inspections and testing. Samples may be taken at the department's discretion for testing.(5) No registered land area may contain cannabis plants or parts thereof that the licensee knows or has reason to know are of a variety that will produce a plant that when tested will produce more than 0.3 percent THC concentration on a dry weight basis. No licensee shall use any such variety for any purpose associated with the growing of hemp.(6) Licenses will expire on the last day of April following the year the license is issued. This date is not tied to the harvest and planting season. Rather it is tied to the window for applications (January 1st - March 31st) and the 30 days for the department to make a decision. For example, if a producer applies for a license February 1, 2020, and is granted a license on March 1, 2020, the license would expire April 30, 2021.(7) Unless the license is renewed, the licensee must dispose of any plant material that is not harvested prior to expiration of the license.(8) Upon any change to the registered land area(s) after issuance of the license, the licensee must submit to the department for approval an updated legal description, geospatial location, and a description of the changes to the registered land area(s) and required fees.(9) At a minimum, licensees are required to post a sign on each side of every registered land area listed on the application including the following information: (a) The department-issued license number;(c) The department contact phone number.(10) Licensees growing hemp for seed certification must also follow the requirements in chapter 16-302 WAC.Wash. Admin. Code § 16-306-050
Adopted by WSR 20-03-174, Filed 1/22/2020, effective 2/22/2020Amended by WSR 22-19-033, Filed 9/14/2022, effective 10/15/2022