The
Seed Regulatory and Hemp Programs are jointly responsible for regulating the production,
labeling, and sale of hemp seed in Oregon. Other programs, such as Plant Health and Market Access and Certification can assist in seed testing and exporting hemp seed. Find more information in the Agricultural Hemp Seed Requirements & FAQs
What is agricultural hemp seed?
- Seed that is sold or intended to be sold for planting
- Unprocessed or partially processed
- Capable of germination
- Harvested from hemp plants that have been tested pre-harvest and found to contain no more than 0.3% THC.
Hemp registrations are required for hemp seed
- Under Oregon law, hemp seed is classified as hemp, therefore to possess hemp seed in the state of Oregon you must have a valid hemp grower or handler registration.
- Prior to providing any seed-related services (i.e., seed testing, phytosanitary certificates, etc.) the department will verify hemp registrations - customers must have valid registrations at the time service is requested.
- Note: one exception to the need for registration is if the seed has been processed such that it is no longer capable of germination.
Hemp seed exports
- Contact PlantHealth@oda.oregon.gov for assistance with phytosanitary seed testing, inspection, and obtaining phytosanitary certificates for hemp seed exports.
Buying hemp seedWhen purchasing seed, its is important to know what you are getting. All seed that is being sold for the purpose of planting needs to be in a package labeled accurately to reflect its contents.
Selling hemp seed
To sell hemp seed in Oregon, either a retail or wholesale seed dealers license is required, depending on the end consumer. However, if a person is selling only seeds that they produce, a license is not needed. The state of Oregon does not recognize seed licenses issued by other states; out-of-state entities must have an ODA-issued license.
- A retail seed dealer license is required for any person who
offers or sells agricultural or vegetable seed directly to the consumer
or user
- A wholesale seed dealer license is
required for any person who sells, offers, or holds for sale,
agricultural or vegetable seed to retailers, distributers, brokers, or other wholesalers for resale.
Certified hemp seed
- Oregon does not require that only certified hemp varieties be grown, sold, or purchased in the state.
- Seed certification is a program to ensure genetic purity and varietal identity. Certified seed does not guarantee any specific THC level in hemp plants grown from that seed.
- The Oregon State University Seed Certification Service manages seed certification in Oregon. Separate standards for essential oil and fiber hemp are in development.
- Some states and Canada require that only certified hemp varieties are grown, or publish an annual list of approved cultivars. These lists are based on THC testing results during past growing seasons and can provide useful information about how a variety may perform in the future.
Record keeping
Oregon Seed Laws and the Federal Seed Act require
certain records to be maintained for each lot of seed produced and
sold. In addition, Oregon law requires hemp seed growers and handlers to
maintain records. These requirements may not overlap—check with both
programs to ensure that the correct information is maintained.
Labeling hemp seed
Hemp seed is considered an agricultural seed as defined in ORS 633.511 to 633.750 and therefore the labeling requirements outlined in the Federal Seed Act and Oregon Seed Laws must be followed.
Testing hemp seed
Resources
Hemp Seed Webinar - November 2020
Learn about the Oregon Seed Certification Service located at OSU and about ODA's Seed Regulatory Program including: hemp seed certification, seed labeling, seed regulations, and buying and selling hemp seed. Hemp seed webinar