With the rise of THCa flower as a legal, potent alternative to traditional cannabis, many entrepreneurs and farmers are eyeing the space to legally grow and sell cannabis-like products under the 2018 Farm Bill.
But before you plant your first seed, there’s a lot to know — and compliance is key. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what it takes to enter the legal THCa market.
🌱 What Is THCa and Why Is It Legal?
THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. It doesn’t get you high in its raw form, but when exposed to heat (like smoking or baking), it converts to Delta-9 THC.
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis is considered hemp — and federally legal — as long as the Delta-9 THC content is below 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
✅ This means you can legally grow and sell cannabis flower with high THCa, as long as Δ9-THC stays under 0.3% during official testing.
📋 Step-by-Step: Preparing to Grow THCa Hemp
✅ 1. Choose Your Land & Cultivation Site
You’ll need to secure land for your grow that:
- Is zoned appropriately under state/local agricultural use
- Can be fenced and secured
- Has accurate GPS coordinates, which are required during registration
Most growers use outdoor fields, greenhouses, or hoop houses, depending on local climate.
✅ 2. Register Your Grow Site With Your State or USDA
States either operate under their own USDA-approved hemp program, or you’ll apply directly through the USDA Hemp Program.
- Contact your state’s Department of Agriculture or visit the USDA Hemp Production Program
- Fill out your grower license or producer application
- Provide land coordinates, maps, and acreage
- Pay fees (varies by state or USDA)
NOTE: Not all states allow THCa flower cultivation — check your local laws carefully before applying.
✅ 3. Register Land With the FSA (Farm Service Agency)
Before planting, you must register your land with the Farm Service Agency (FSA):
- Visit your local FSA office
- Register the parcel(s) where hemp will be grown
- Submit form FSA-578 to report your crop
- You may need to provide a FSA farm number
This is a mandatory step for USDA compliance and required before any licensed hemp activity begins.
✅ 4. Pass an FBI Background Check
Every license applicant must pass a criminal history check through the FBI.
- Visit https://www.edo.cjis.gov
- Submit your fingerprints electronically or via mailed card
- The results must show no felony drug convictions in the last 10 years
Plan ahead — processing times can vary, and you’ll need to submit your clearance with your license application.
✅ 5. Source Compliant Seeds or Clones
Make sure to use hemp-registered cultivars that have proven to remain under 0.3% Delta-9 THC during testing.
- Choose THCa-dominant genetics
- Check COAs (Certificates of Analysis)
- Consider clones from trusted nurseries to avoid phenotypic variation
✅ 6. Test for Compliance Before Harvest
Under USDA rules, you must:
- Notify the USDA/state at least 30 days before harvest
- Use an approved sampling agent
- Submit flower for lab testing to ensure compliant Delta-9 THC levels
Failing the test may mean crop destruction — so plan your harvest timing carefully to avoid THCa converting early.
✅ 7. Harvest, Trim, and Store Properly
After passing compliance testing:
- Cut and hang dry your plants immediately
- Avoid high temperatures or long dry times, which can cause THCa to convert to Delta-9
- Store flower in climate-controlled areas to maintain compliance
💼 Going to Market
Once harvested and trimmed:
- You can sell to wholesalers, distributors, or retail (where legal)
- Label your products clearly and attach COAs
- Stay current on state laws around THCa flower sales and transport — they vary wildly
Some states allow direct-to-consumer shipping. Others restrict hemp flower altogether.
⚖️ THCa Laws Are Changing Fast
While THCa is federally legal under hemp rules, some states are cracking down. Always stay updated on:
- State-specific bans or restrictions
- Transport and interstate sales laws
- Local law enforcement education
✅ Final Word: Know the Law, Grow Smart
The legal THCa space is exploding, but you’ve got to stay compliant every step of the way.
To summarize:
- ✅ Register your land with the USDA and FSA
- ✅ Pass your background check
- ✅ Use compliant genetics
- ✅ Test pre-harvest
- ✅ Track everything with documentation
When done right, THCa hemp farming is not just legal — it’s profitable and scalable.
