How to Get Started Growing THCa Hemp Legally in the United States

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.