Hemp suppliers must be on Indiana seed permit list

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — This is the first year that hemp is allowed to be grown in Indiana as a commercial crop, not just a research crop.

Donald Robinson, seed administrator for the Office of Indiana State Chemist, said this is the first year that hemp has been considered a full-fledged commercial crop just like soybeans and corn.

However, Robinson said, hemp growers need to be aware of what they are up against because some farmers are buying their seed from individuals who aren’t on the Indiana seed permit list.

In some cases, individuals don’t realize that they aren’t buying hemp seed from suppliers on the seed permit list, which is Indiana’s law, Robinson said.

OISC wanted to get out a list of all hemp suppliers that are on the Indiana seed permit list and the steps they had to complete to get on the list of approved suppliers.

Robinson said most problems with growers buying hemp seed from unworthy suppliers have been in northern Indiana.

OISC is trying to take a proactive approach and make sure Hoosiers that are growing hemp this year buy from a supplier on the Indiana seed permit list.

Robinson added that buying hemp from unworthy suppliers is a problem across the country.

The list of companies holding an Indiana seed permit to sell hemp seed can be found online at: tinyurl.com/y3lpgr26.