Florida Hemp Handbook

Hemp is Cannabis sativa with delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol that does not exceed 0.3% Hemp is a regulated agricultural commodity at state and federal level. Hemp in Florida is regulated by the FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Plant Industries: Hemp Cultivation Licensing.

What should industrial hemp farmers know?

Have a hemp farm plan?

Hemp is predicted to have a high risk of invasion in natural areas according to the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas and may be problematic as an agricultural weed. FDACS requires an Environmental Containment Plan with licensing application.

Editorial Team

Zack Brym - Editor

Publications

thumbnail for publication: Industrial Hemp in the United States: Definition and History

Introduction 1: Industrial Hemp in the United States: Definition and History

Mark Tancig, Christine Kelly-Begazo, Navdeep Kaur, Lakesh K. Sharma, and Zachary Brym

This publication provides information about industrial hemp, its origins, and its cultivation. Written by Mark Tancig, Christine Kelly-Begazo, Navdeep Kaur, Lakesh K. Sharma, and Zachary Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, September 2021.

thumbnail for publication: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Flower Production

Economics 2: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Flower Production

Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework and provisional values to estimate costs and returns of hemp flower production for commercial producers in Florida. Written by Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, August 2024.

thumbnail for publication: Field Guide to Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Diseases

Management 2: Field Guide to Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Diseases

Kevin Korus, Wael Elwakil, Nicholas Dufault, and Zachary Eldred

Industrial hemp is Cannabis sativa that contains < 0.3% THC and can be legally grown with permits in Florida. The plant may be grown for flower, grain, or fiber production. Other than the lower THC levels, hemp is the same plant botanically as marijuana. Because this plant has long been on the Schedule 1 controlled substance list in the U.S. (United States), knowledge of pests and diseases is limited, and labelled control measures are almost non-existent. This publication provides information and general management recommendations for hemp diseases found in Florida. Management options are currently limited as there is a lack of resistant varieties and other management strategies for industrial hemp production.

thumbnail for publication: Uses of Raw Products Obtained from Hemp: Fiber, Seed, and Cannabinoids

Introduction 2: Uses of Raw Products Obtained from Hemp: Fiber, Seed, and Cannabinoids

Navdeep Kaur, Lakesh K. Sharma, Christine Kelly-Begazo, Mark Tancig, and Zachary Brym

This publication discusses three main harvestable products of hemp: fiber, seeds, and cannabinoids, along with their current and potential uses. Written by Navdeep Kaur, Lakesh K. Sharma, Christine Kelly-Begazo, Mark Tancig, and Zachary Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, September 2021.

thumbnail for publication: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Fiber and Seed Production

Economics 3: Estimated Costs and Returns of Hemp Fiber and Seed Production

Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework and provisional values to estimate the costs and returns of hemp production for fiber and seed for commercial producers in Florida. The primary objective is to illustrate the infrastructure, labor, and input costs associated with a hemp cropping system for the production of fiber, seed, or both related to the potential returns from sales of raw materials. Written by Trent Blare, Zachary Brym, Andres Bejarano Loor, and Fredy H. Ballen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, November 2024.

thumbnail for publication: Fire Ants Management in Industrial Hemp

Management 3: Fire Ants Management in Industrial Hemp

Nkem J. Nwosu, Hardeep Singh, Zachary Brym, Lakesh Sharma, Ethan Carter, Alexandra M. Revynthi, and Lance Osborne

This publication highlights the presence, damage, and management of imported fire ants in industrial hemp production. This UF/IFAS Extension publication offers practical knowledge to researchers, Extension agents, growers, crop consultants, agricultural professionals, and students on the effects and management of imported fire ants in industrial hemp production. Written by Nkem J. Nwosu, Hardeep Singh, Zachary Brym, Lakesh Sharma, Ethan Carter, Alexandra M. Revynthi, and Lance Osborne, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, May 2024.

thumbnail for publication: Is a viable hemp industry in Florida’s future?

Economics 1: Is a viable hemp industry in Florida’s future?

Trent Blare, Martha Rivera, Fredy H. Ballen, Zachary Brym

Disease and foreign competition have made many growers question the viability of traditional commodity crops such as tomatoes, citrus, and avocados. Industrial hemp appears to be an attractive alternative, as the 2018 Farm Bill permitted its production. Florida has followed several other states in approving permits in 2020 to allow production of industrial hemp. Markets for industrial hemp products were promising in the first years of production, but market prices started to decline dramatically in 2020 with many growers unable to sell all their product. In this publication, we examine the hemp value chain with a focus on opportunities in the Florida market. Better coordination between regulators, processors, financial institutions, research and Extension services, and the retail sector to build confidence, harmonize policies, and lower transaction costs would help the industry flourish and ensure growers, consumers, and hemp-related enterprises can benefit from this emerging market.

thumbnail for publication: UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Recommendation Series: Hemp

Management 1: UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Recommendation Series: Hemp

Zachary Brym, Lakesh Sharma, Hardeep Singh, Thomas Obreza, and Rao Mylavarapu

Nutrient management recommendations for hemp are described according to the standard UF/IFAS recommendation format of 1) a calibrated soil test result; 2) target soil pH; 3) the "4Rs" of fertilizer management: rate, timing, placement, and source; and 4) water management factors.

thumbnail for publication: Using Supplemental Lighting to Grow Hemp in Florida

Management 4: Using Supplemental Lighting to Grow Hemp in Florida

J. Desaeger, J. Coburn, and S. Agehara

With the removal of hemp from the controlled substances list, hemp is now one of the emerging crops in Florida. There is limited information on how to grow this crop in Florida. Like hops, hemp is another recently introduced crop in the state, with one of the major yield-limiting factors of premature flowering induced by inadequate day length. This article provides guidelines for hemp growers in Florida on the use of supplemental lighting to control flowering and improve growth of hemp under Florida’s environmental conditions. Written by Johan Desaeger, Jacqueline Coburn, and Shinsuke Agehara, and published by the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department; 4 pp.

What should industrial hemp farmers know?

Have a hemp farm plan?