I asked Gemini A.I.: What does it take to get a license to grow hemp in GA, TN, WV, and AL — Republican states that had wide-open THC sales like NC has now? Like personal qualifications and fees? Answer for both nonintoxicating industrial hemp and regulated intoxicating hemp.
Gemini’s answer, which might contain hallucinations, for all I know:
In 2026, the landscape for hemp cultivation in these four states is significantly more regulated than the “wild-open” era of the early 2020s. While you can still grow hemp, the distinction between Industrial Hemp (fiber/grain) and Consumable/Intoxicating Hemp (cannabinoids like CBD, Delta-8) now dictates which licenses you need and how much you will pay.
1. Georgia (GA)
Georgia strictly distinguishes between growing the plant and creating products from it.
- Non-Intoxicating Industrial Hemp (Grower): * Fees:$50 per acre (capped at $5,000max).
- Personal Qualifications: Must be a “key participant” (owner/executive) with no felony drug convictions in the last 10 years. Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Requirements: Annual fingerprint-based background check and GPS coordinates for all grow sites.
- Regulated Intoxicating Hemp (Processor/Manufacturer): * Fees: If you process your own hemp into extracts, you need a Processor Permit ($25,000/year). If you manufacture finished goods (gummies/tinctures), a Manufacturer License ($5,000/year) is required.
- Notes: SB 494 (2024) requires all consumable products to be strictly lab-tested and registered.
2. Tennessee (TN)
Tennessee moved oversight of “Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids” (HDC) to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) on January 1, 2026.
- Non-Intoxicating Industrial Hemp (Grower):
- Fees: $250 annual license fee.
- Personal Qualifications: FBI “Identity History Summary” (background check) dated within 60 days of application. No drug-related felonies in the last 10 years.
- Regulated Intoxicating Hemp (Supplier/Manufacturer):
- Fees: To sell your harvest as a “supplier” to retailers, you need a Supplier License ($500 fee).
- Extreme Barrier: Wholesalers/Suppliers must now prove $750,000 in liquid assetsor a bond.
- Taxes: A wholesale tax of $0.02 per milligram of THC now applies to all intoxicating products.
3. Alabama (AL)
Alabama has high entry barriers, including local control “veto” power.
- Non-Intoxicating Industrial Hemp (Grower):
- Fees: $150 application fee + $1,000 per grow site.
- Personal Qualifications: Background check via Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). No drug felonies.
- Requirements: You must provide a “Site Addition” form for every GPS coordinate change, costing $1,000 each.
- Regulated Intoxicating Hemp (Retail/Manufacturer):
- Fees: $1,000 annual license fee.
- Personal Qualifications: Must be 21+. Requires a $25,000 surety bond.
- Local Veto: You cannot get a state license unless you provide a resolution from your local city or county specifically authorizing the business.
4. West Virginia (WV)
West Virginia remains the most accessible for small growers but has the strictest “per-product” registration.
- Non-Intoxicating Industrial Hemp (Grower):
- Fees: $100 base fee + $5 per acre.
- Application Window: You must apply between Sept 1 and Oct 31 for the following year.
- Personal Qualifications: State and Federal (FBI) background checks for the applicant and the landowner (if leasing).
- Regulated Intoxicating Hemp (Processor/Retail):
- Fees: $500 processor fee.
- Product Registration: Every single product (e.g., a specific flavor of Delta-8 gummy) must be registered with the state for $200 per product.
- Notes: There is no “cap” on the number of products, making a diverse inventory expensive.
Summary Comparison Table
| State | Grower Base Fee | Intoxicating Processor Fee | Background Check |
| GA | $50/acre | $25,000 | Fingerprints |
| TN | $250 | $500 + $750k asset proof | FBI Identity Summary |
| AL | $1,000/site | $1,000 + $25k Bond | ALEA (10-yr history) |
| WV | $100 + $5/acre | $500 | FBI + Landowner check |
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