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Processing, Sales, and Distribution

This Program, The Colorado Department of Agriculture's Hemp Program, has a regulatory role (authority) that is limited to the cultivation (growing) of hemp only.

Use the following as a guide to finding the appropriate Regulatory Agency and/or CDA Program to contact for information on hemp-related regulations and requirements that are outside the scope of cultivation (growing) of Hemp, and as such, are outside the scope of this Program.

Processing and Extraction Operations, and Hemp Products

The CDA does not regulate the processing and/or extraction or end-use products. Our program staff is not able to answer any questions about regulations or requirements for processing and/or extraction, sales, products, product testing, etc. since it is not within the scope of our program.

Who to Contact? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has regulatory authority over-processing and processed hemp materials and products intended for human consumption or use. Registration with CDPHE is a legal requirement. Please contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment directly for any further information.

For Information on hemp products (includes CBD products and cosmetics) and processing requirements please see CDPHE’s FAQ document: For information on how to apply to produce or sell hemp products please visit their website or contact them directly:

For further Processing, extraction, and Hemp Product information Justin Trubee at CDPHE: justin.trubee@state.co.us P 720.724.1894.

Sale and Distribution of Hemp (Raw Plant Material):

The CDA’s Hemp Program’s regulatory role is limited to the cultivation (growing) of hemp only. The CDA Hemp Program does not regulate the sale or distribution of hemp. Please visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Inspection and Consumer Services Division-Farm Products Program webpage for information on hemp regulation in relation to farm products and commodity handlers.

The CDA does not have information at this time on who may be interested in purchasing materials from growers.

Our program staff is not able to offer further suggestions about how to find answers to your questions about end-use products, sales and/or distribution since it is not within the scope of our program.

Hemp Seed - Purchasing and Sales

For information on selling seed please see our “Hemp Seed Information” page. Here you will find:

Information on how you can register with the Seed Program to sell seed.

Information on CDA Approved Certified Seed, for details on the 4-part process, and what the certification process is to have their seed CDA Approved and Certified.

You will also find a list of all CDA Approved and Certified Seed with distributor information, along with the most recent of press releases which CDA puts out as new varieties are added.

Exporting Plant Material

This section is applicable to farm products only, such as seed, clones, and flower. It does NOT APPLY TO FINISHED PRODUCT (see links below)

For more information other than what is posted here contact the CDA’s Export Program directly.   

If you are exporting raw plant material out of the state or country you may need a phytosanitary certificate.

What is a Phytosanitary Certificate?

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Export Program facilitates the export of plant products and commodities to other countries and other states by inspecting these products. Then certifying (issuing a phytosanitary certificate) that shows the product is free of insects, nematodes, plant diseases and/or weeds PRIOR to shipment. This service is offered to comply with the receiving country or state requirements and regulations. (Applicable to Farm Product, NOT APPLICABLE TO FINISHED PRODUCT). 

LINKS

For more information on exporting hemp (plant material) and phytosanitary certificates contact the CDA’s Export Program directly.   
Click here for quick information on seed exports. Click here for quick information on exporting live hemp plants.    

For Information on PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION OPERATIONS, OR HEMP PRODUCTS or contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment directly for further information.  

For Shipping Information please see Shipping Requirements.

The CDA Hemp Program only regulates cultivation (growers only). 
The links provided above will direct you to the appropriate program or agency. 
We do not have any further information as the subjects are outside of the scope of our program.    

Transportation Requirements

At this time, The CDA recommends that you carry the following documents with any shipment:

  • Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a certified lab showing THC of 0.3% THC or less
  • Travel Manifest or bill of lading (Showing the origin and destination for the shipment, and Registration or License information for both)
  • Any or All of the following that applies to you, so that documents can be verified by law enforcement with the issuing Authorities:
    • Colorado Dept of Agriculture Hemp Program Registration (issued to the grower for cultivation purposes)
    • Processor License (Issued by Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment to all processors)
    • Colorado Department of Agriculture Commodity Handler License (For those buying the raw products for processing or resale)
    • Phytosanitary certificate issued from originating state department of ag for plants/material shipped out of state (when destination state requires it).

 

For more information please visit the Phytosanitary Program's Website:
For Information on Finished Product see contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or see PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION OPERATIONS, AND HEMP PRODUCTS for more information.
For Shipping Information please see Shipping Requirements.
For Exporting to outside States or Country see Exporting Plant Material

Shipping Requirements

For information on shipping please contact the individual shipping company to find out their requirements. We cannot answer questions about the individual company policies or the United States Postal Service policies (they are a branch of the Federal Government, not a State Agency). At this time, it does not appear USPS, UPS, FED-EX or other carriers are allowing the shipment through the mail system.