Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently announced that the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has approved the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s hemp production program. Farmers can start applying for a license to grow hemp on April 1. Detailed instructions on how to apply for a hemp license are available at iowaagriculture.gov/hemp. All individuals associated with the hemp production operation must be listed on the hemp license application and must submit their fingerprints for a background check. Interested growers can request a fingerprint card at 515-725-1470 or [email protected]. A license cannot be issued until all applicants associated with the hemp license pass the background check. Before selling, distributing, advertising, soliciting orders, offering, or exposing hemp seed for sale in Iowa, a retailer must obtain a seed permit from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Seed dealers can apply for a seed permit now. Detailed information about hemp seed testing and labeling requirements are available at iowaagriculture.gov/hemp. All questions about applying for a hemp license or seed permit should be directed to [email protected] or 515-725-1470. Additional resources for hemp growers are available at iowaagriculture.gov/hemp. This commercial hemp production program does not legalize the use of cannabidiol for human consumption, extraction or processing in Iowa. The Federal Drug Administration is still working to determine if CBD is safe for human consumption. Hemp grain, hemp seed oil and protein powder derived from hemp grain have been cleared by the FDA for human consumption.