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With more than 22,600 farms and 4.6 million acres of farmland, South Carolina is driven by agriculture. Agribusiness (agriculture + forestry) is the state’s No. 1 industry, accounting for nearly 260,000 jobs and $51.8 billion in annual economic impact.

Hemp Applications

Applications for hemp farming are currently closed. The next application will be available in January 2027.

Contact 803-734-8339 or hempstaff@scda.sc.gov with any questions.

Download the Hemp Processor Permit application

Information about the Hemp Processor Application:

  • The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is administering the South Carolina Hemp Farming Program as authorized by SC Code Ann. 46-55-10 et seq.
  • Anyone processing hemp in the State of South Carolina must successfully complete the full application process with the SCDA and be issued a Hemp Processing Permit prior to processing and prior to taking possession of any in-program harvested hemp materials (biomass) or any other sort of hemp plant material. Processors who are growing hemp must apply for a Hemp Farming Permit. Handlers or service providers (storage facilities, couriers, etc.) who are not growing, or processing must complete the Hemp Handler Permit Application.
  • A Processor Permit will not allow the Permit Holder to cultivate, farm, or take ownership of living clones or any other type of living plant material. If you wish to cultivate or take ownership of living clones or any other type of living (rooted) plant material, you must obtain a separate Hemp Farming Permit.
Permitting Fees
  • Hemp Processor Permit Fee
    • $100.00 Non-Refundable Application Fee per location
    • $1,500.00 Permit Fee per location
    • Each separate address, even if under the same business name, will need its own Processing Permit, Dealer/Handler License, and Weighmaster License.
    • Hemp Processor Permits will be issued once processing facilities have passed inspection.
  • Failure to comply with state regulation may result in appropriate action, including suspension from the program and the destruction of hemp materials. Processors may only purchase hemp from South Carolina permit holders or individuals licensed or permitted by another state or Indian tribe.
  • Federal law now requires that all states have a testing protocol to measure delta-9 THC post-decarboxylation – this means total THC must be not more than 0.3 percent.
  • In accordance with federal law, cultivating or processing hemp with a total THC level greater than 0.5% will constitute a “negligent violation” of the Hemp Farming Program. If a Permitted Processor has three negligent violations in 5 years, he or she will face permit suspension for five years.

Key Information:

  • Applicant must be an individual. SCDA does not issue processing permits to business entities.
  • This Hemp Processor Permit Application Packet is designed to provide sufficient instructions for completion by any individual who would be prepared to participate in the Hemp Farming Program. The application packets include a broad understanding of the program, but applicants should read the South Carolina Hemp Farming Act S.C. Code Ann. § 46-55-10 et seq. (which may be accessed here), the USDA Interim Final Rule (which sets forth the national hemp regulatory scheme, and which may be accessed here)
  • Please make sure to fully review all application materials and regulations prior to contacting hemp staff with questions. SCDA is not in a position to offer direct consultation on completing a permit application or to educate individuals about the production or processing of hemp.
  • All costs associated with the production or processing of hemp are the responsibility of the permit holder, including both profits and loss. There are no sources of funding from SCDA to cover any aspect of hemp production or processing. Potential applicants should understand that at the present time it is possible that they may suffer a loss on their hemp processing operation. Limited production knowledge combined with an uncertain federal regulatory environment, recent changes to the sampling and testing protocol as required by the USDA that will make compliance more difficult, and unstable pricing creates significant risk for the participant. The focus of this program is the collection of research data and learning through experience.
  • Application Deadline: New Processor Permit Applications will now be accepted year-round. Permits issued will be subject to the annual renewal requirements which will be one year from date issued.
  • Please note that permits will not be issued until your facility has passed an SCDA inspection. Once SCDA receives and approves your processing application, SCDA will contact you to schedule your processing facility’s inspection.  Please allow SCDA up to 10 business days to process your application and schedule facility inspection.
  • SCDA will only issue permits for processing facilities. SCDA will not issue permits to applicants who only intend to operate retail outlets.
  • Please note that a Processing Permit only gives you the ability to process and possess hemp. As a reminder, “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. This Processing Permit does not give you the ability to process or possess materials with a total THC concentration of more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.

Download the current Hemp Handler Permit application

There are several categories of Permitted Hemp Handler:

  • Warehouse/Storage/Drying Facility
  • Transporter
  • Laboratory
  • Seed Dealer/Supplier

Information about the Hemp Handler Permit Application:

  • The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is administering the South Carolina Hemp Farming Program as authorized by SC Code Ann. 46-55-10 et seq.
  • Anyone handling hemp in the State of South Carolina must successfully complete the full application process with the SCDA and be issued a Hemp Handler Permit prior to handling and/or taking possession of any in-program harvested hemp materials (biomass) or any other sort of hemp plant material. Farmers who are growing hemp must apply for a Hemp Farming Permit. Handlers or service providers (storage facilities, couriers, etc.) who are not growing, or processing must complete the Hemp Handler Permit Application. Processors must apply for a Hemp Processor Permit.
  • A Handler Permit will not be issued to Retail Operation (including online sales) or Retail Stores.
  • A Handler Permit will not allow the Permit Holder to cultivate, farm, or process. If you wish to grow hemp you will need to obtain a separate Hemp Farmer Permit. If you wish to process hemp material, you will need to obtain a separate Hemp Processor Permit.  If you possess a Hemp Farming Permit or a Hemp Processor Permit, you do not need a Hemp Handler Permit because the two permits allow you to handle hemp.  You only need to obtain a Hemp Handler Permit if you are handling, but not processing. 
  • Failure to comply with state regulation may result in appropriate action, including expulsion from the program and the destruction of hemp materials. Handlers only purchase hemp from South Carolina Permit Holders or individuals licensed or permitted by another State or Indian Tribe.
  • Federal law now requires that all states have a testing protocol to measure delta-9 THC post-decarboxylation – this means total THC must be not more than 0.3 percent.
  • Federal law will no longer allow SC to have a remediation safeguard. Now hemp total THC must test at or below 0.3 percent (after accounting for the measurement of uncertainty, which is likely less than a 0.099% variance) or be subject to destruction.
  • In accordance with federal law, cultivating, handling, or processing hemp with a total THC level greater than 0.5% will constitute a “negligent violation” of the Hemp Farming Program. If a Permitted Processor has three negligent violations in 5 years, he or she will face permit suspension for five years.

 Key Information:

  • Applicant must be an individual. SCDA does not issue Handler Permits to business entities.
  • This Hemp Handler Permit Application Packet is designed to provide sufficient instructions for completion by any individual who would be prepared to participate in the Hemp Farming Program. The application packets include a broad understanding of the program, but applicants should read the South Carolina Hemp Farming Act S.C. Code Ann. § 46-55-10 et seq. (which may be accessed here), and the USDA Interim Final Rule (which sets forth the national hemp regulatory scheme, and which may be accessed here)
  • Please make sure to fully review all application materials and regulations prior to contacting hemp staff with questions. SCDA is not in a position to offer direct consultation on completing a permit application or to educate individuals about the production of hemp.
  • All costs associated with the Hemp Farming Program are the responsibility of the permit holder, including both profits and loss. There are no sources of funding from SCDA to cover any aspect of the Hemp Farming Program. Potential applicants should understand that at the present time it is possible that they may suffer a loss on their hemp operation. Limited production knowledge combined with an uncertain federal regulatory environment, recent changes to the sampling and testing protocol as required by the USDA that will make compliance more difficult and unstable pricing creates significant risk for the participant. The focus of this program is the collection of research data and learning through experience.
  • Application Deadline: New Handler Permit Applications will now be accepted year-round. Permits issued will be subject to the annual renewal requirements which will be one year from date issued.

$100.00 Non- Refundable Application Fee per location

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