Nez Perce Tribe Hemp Program Licensing Process
Licenses are valid for a one-year term (January 1st – December 31st), unless revoked or suspended. Late applications are valid from date of issuance until December 31st. Fees cannot be pro-rated and are non-refundable once a license has been issued (*license fees are currently waived for Tribal Members). In the event of a violation, licenses are subject to suspension or revocation in accordance with Title 6 Chapter 13 of the Nez Perce Hemp Regulatory Code and the USDA Final Hemp Rule.
| Land Ownership: You must possess 51% ownership minimum (verified through NPT Land Services) or a current lease from the land owner and be located within the boundaries of the Nez Perce Tribe Indian Reservation. NOTE: Land Owners do not require license if they are not doing the actual growing. Only the actual farmer working the field (site) requires licensing. Identify Key Participants: Gather contact information for each key participant that will be handling hemp. This includes licensee (applicant) but does not necessarily include land owners and certain site managers. NOTE: The Agriculture Office will run all background checks as of 2023. Applicants/key members can not have any drug related felonies within the last ten (10) years. Lot or Facility Information: Print and label a map with the lot and/or facility information. This can be as simple as a printed map off of Google Earth or similar with hand written labels. Our office can assist with maps if needed. You can find more information and an example map here. | |
| Application: Gather all required information listed above and print and fill out the application. | |
| Application Review: All applications will be reviewed by the Office of Agriculture. Application Approval: Applicants will be notified when the application has been approved. Upon notification of approval of license application, the applicant must remit to the Agriculture Office the any remaining licensing fees. Upon receipt of payment of the license fee (not applicable to Nez Perce Tribal Members), the license will be issued. FSA Registration: All new hemp fields/sites must be registered with your local Farm Service Agency. This is a USDA requirement and the FSA will issue you a lot number that is required by our office to remain compliant in reporting to the USDA. The FSA is a very useful resource for new farmers. They can assist you with things like crop insurance, grants and loans, etc.. Our office can assist with FSA registration as well, if needed. Application Denial: Applicants will be notified when the application has been denied. Upon notification of denial of license application, applicants may contact the Agriculture Office for additional information. | |
| Inspection: All sites will be inspected for compliance with the Nez Perce Hemp Regulatory Code prior to approval and at least annually thereafter. | |
| Sampling: A license holder must notify the Agriculture Office no less than thirty-five (35) days prior to the expected harvest date. All transplants sold for wholesale or retail will require sampling and results prior to sale. The Agriculture Office will conduct an inspection and collect samples of each lot no more than thirty (30) days before the hemp is harvested. The hemp may only be harvested after the official sample has been collected. The licensee or key participant should be present at the sampling event. After sampling, the hemp must be harvested within 30 days. Otherwise, it must be re-sampled. | |
| Sampling Results: No hemp may be transferred or enter the stream of commerce until the license holder is notified by the Agriculture Office that the hemp lot sampled and tested is compliant within the acceptable THC level of 0.3%. Re-Test: Producers may request a re-test on the original samples retained by the lab. | |
| Remediation/Disposal & Reporting: Producers must choose to either dispose of or remediate non-compliant hemp. Disposal: Producers must notify the Agriculture Office of disposal process; The Agriculture Office will verify disposal. Remediation: Retesting can occur once product has been remediated. The Agriculture Office will verify and resample. Report: All hemp produced and destroyed must be reported monthly to the Office of Agriculture via hardcopy or email to the Agriculture Office. | |
| License Certificate: To be displayed on site in a visible location if possible. | |
| Producers and Key Participants: Farms and facilities are expected to adhere to the USDA Final Hemp Rule and the Nez Perce Tribe Hemp Regulatory Code at all times. | |
| New License or License Renewal: Licenses are renewable annually. License application or renewal for upcoming calendar year begins October 1st and closes December 31st. | |