USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates hemp cultivation under the 2018 Farm Bill, administering the Domestic Hemp Production Program through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) pursuant to 7 C.F.R. Part 990. USDA approves state and tribal hemp plans (or licenses growers directly in states without an approved plan), establishes sampling and testing protocols (post-decarboxylation total THC via HPLC or GC), sets disposal/remediation procedures for non-compliant crops, and collects cultivation data. USDA has no jurisdiction over marijuana (Schedule I) or over hemp-derived finished products intended for human ingestion (FDA jurisdiction). Crop insurance for hemp is administered by USDA's Risk Management Agency. P.L. 119-37 (Nov. 12, 2025) leaves USDA as the lead cultivation regulator but narrows the statutory hemp definition; implementing regulations from USDA are expected before the November 12, 2026 effective date. *→ See also: Hemp, 2018 Farm Bill, FDA