SALEM, Ore. — To be a USDA approved state for hemp regulations, the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) had to adopt rules requiring a criminal background check for hemp growers. These background checks are for both the state and federal levels.

The Oregon Legislature gave ODA the authority to conduct the background checks through HB 3000 (2021 Legislative Session). ODA started working with the Oregon State Police (OSP) as soon as HB 3000 passed. OSP is the state delegated authority and lead agency in Oregon for the FBI.

ODA recently learned that there is a problem getting approval at the federal level. ODA is working with the Oregon State Police, the Oregon Department of Justice, and the Governor’s Office to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

In the meantime, ODA has not issued any hemp grower licenses for 2022. We are working with applicants to make sure all applications are complete. That way we can do the background checks as soon as the issue is fixed.

Any grower who was licensed in 2021 and submitted a renewal before the deadline of December 31, 2021 can legally continue to operate until ODA makes a determination on their 2022 application.

This issue does not affect hemp handler licenses. They do not need a criminal background check.

Application Deadline Reminder

There is an application deadline this year of May 31st for any hemp grower applications. ODA will not consider any applications received after May 31, 2022 for the 2022 growing season.

What Can You Do

As soon as the background check piece is resolved, ODA will send emails to hemp growers who need to do the background check.  There will be detailed instructions on the next steps.  Be sure to check your emails.  We will also send an update to this email list.

Thank you

And, finally, thank you for your patience and help working through this new process. We share your frustration that this process has been so difficult.

— ODA