Guidance

Industrial hemp cultivation: application and case processing guidance

Updated 18 December 2025

This guidance has been issued to guide growers through the hemp cultivation drug licensing application and case process.

December 2025

Version 1.9

Applications must be made online using the designated application portal. We do not accept hard-copy applications or submission of documents by email in lieu of an application by the designated portal.

Registering for the drug licensing system

You must first register as a user of the system. You will receive a confirmation email from DFLU containing a link where you will have the option to download your form.

A username and password will be auto generated which you will receive in two separate emails.

Your username and password do not provide immediate access to the web-based licensing portal. Access will only be granted if your registration application is successful. 

Please do not register more than once, as multiple registrations may delay the processing of your application.

Each request for registration is considered carefully on its own merits, taking into account the applicant’s ability to comply with regulatory standards in order to be issued with a licence under the terms of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Therefore, it is important that you provide information that will support your proposals at this stage as it is where an initial view is reached as to whether your proposals have a prospect of success.

You will receive an email confirmation if your registration application is successful.

If you have not received a response to your registration request within 5 working days, and you have already checked your spam or junk folder, please contact us via email at DFLU.dom@homeoffice.gov.uk When contacting us, use the following subject line format: Registration query - Company Name – registration number.

What happens if I forget or lose my password or username?

If you have forgotten or lost your login details or need your password reset, please email dflu.dom@homeoffice.gov.uk. When contacting us, use the following subject line format: Password reset required - Company Name - Company Account Number.

Unsuccessful registration applications

If your registration application is unsuccessful, you can apply to register again.

The new registration application would be considered according to its merit. However, you would need to address the points outlined in your unsuccessful registration application.

If any future registration applications are made on the same basis of an unsuccessful registration application, they will not receive a response.

If your registration is rejected, you will be informed by email and given a reason for this.

Applying for a licence

Log into the application portal and select the correct form; either:

• Controlled Drug licence application—this includes all cannabis cultivation activities not covered by the hemp policy
• Precursor Chemical Licence / registration application
• Industrial Hemp (low THC Cannabis) cultivation licence

Please note:

• if you save a partially completed application form it will only stay in the portal for 5 days and will auto delete if not submitted
• Each section of the application form must be completed in full—including the application declaration—before submitting’. Once all sections are complete, submit your application by clicking the ‘Submit’ button. Applications cannot be processed until they have been formally submitted
• after completing the application form you will have the option to generate a PDF however, you must return to the main page to press ‘submit’
• upon submission you will receive a ‘submission reference’ - contact us if you have not had an acknowledgment email containing an ‘application reference’ after 5 days
• if a ‘submission reference’ is not received then this would indicate that you have not submitted a successful application
• you can upload files to a total maximum of 25 MB - if you exceed this, you may still be able to submit your application but we will not receive it. Check the document size before you submit your application

The amendment form

The amendment form must be used to make changes to an existing application you have lodged with us, but which has not been decided. It should be used for minor changes only.  For example, if you have given incorrect growing location or field reference or seed details.

Completing the amendment form is not an application in its own right. Nor can it be used to amend a licence which has already been issued or to apply for a further licence before the expiry of an existing one.

Information needed to make an application

The following information is needed.

Person (grower) details

Names, business addresses, contact details, position of the people to be included on a licence. For example, person in charge, authorised witness, person responsible for security, regulatory compliance etc.

Farm business or company or organisation details

You must give information about the basis you are operating a farm business- e.g. as an owner occupied or whole tenanted farm, or, if you are bare-renting specific fields in a farm that you neither own nor are the tenant of. This information can be documented within the ‘free text box’ in Section 8. For example: Hemp Farm is a 200-acre farm with a mix of arable land and grass pasture. We raise 50 sheep and grow wheat, barley etc across 12 fields. We are tenant farmers of the Duchy of Greenfordshire. It is important you provide this information to ensure that we do not need to request furtherinformation from you after submission.

You must also provide information such as what you do, type of business, funding sources (profit/charity etc), (company/charity) registration details e.g. Companies House certificates, other relevant licence details e.g., firearms licences/shot gun certificates. Please note: if a registration or certificate is open ended, you may still need to insert a future date in the box to proceed. Licences requested - what you are asking for, in terms of activities (cultivate/possess low THC cannabis (industrial hemp)), and the reason you wish to hold licences i.e. produce hemp oil from pressing the seeds or produce hemp fibre - we need to understand why you are applying and be confident you are asking for appropriate licences.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - formerly Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) - check details

To ensure your application is progressed without undue delay we expect an enhanced DBS check obtained within the last three years through Security Watchdog for drug licensing purposes to be completed (certificate issued) at the point of application When completing the online DBS check, please enter DLCU in the organisation reference box and licence in the organisation code box. Details of the check - disclosure certificate, date, name the check is conducted in- must be provided for each person named on the application.

 If you have applied but not yet received the DBS disclosure, you may submit your application by inputting the DBS application reference details only if  you and/or the named individuals have passed the ‘completed identity (ID) stage’ i.e., individuals have provided ID at the Post Office. If applications are submitted that have not passed this stage, DFLU will reject the application.

Please note a DBS application that is processing means that the overall application process clock will stop. Failure to ensure that your DBS is complete will result in a delay to your application and if your application is withdrawn you will need to reapply. For further information on the ‘update’ service see below. If your DBS check is more than 3 years old the application form will not accept the date inputted and you will need to reapply for a new DBS check. Please also note that DBS checks should be continuously valid throughout the life of a licence.

The DBS update service

DBS checks are not transferrable unless you have subscribed to the recently launched ‘update’ service.

Information about this service should be dispatched with your disclosure certificate. You have a limited window to ‘opt in’ and there is a fee for this service. If you are part of a large organisation and may not see the letter directly, ask your employer.

Please note Drug Licensing do not handle the physical checks or any documents associated with your DBS application.

If you have subscribed to the update service, please note this in your application. You will need to provide written (email) permission/consent to verify/check your details. This email should include your full name, date of birth, DBS certificate number and the application reference this is linked to

Premises details

Be able to describe your premises and any physical security arrangements.

You should also provide details of any other businesses registered or operating within the extent of the land of your intended cultivation, and details of the cultivation location- field references, size etc (not applicable to owner occupied or whole-farm tenanted farms and/or those that rent a field from a farm).

Record keeping and audit

You should provide details of what records you will be keeping, including in what format they will be held (hard copy, electronic etc). Photos and/or images must be submitted with all applications.

Supplier/customer details

Where you are getting the seed from, and to whom you are intending to supply the products of cultivation (industrial end use). You can upload details of any purchase agreements to demonstrate your proposed end use.

Seed details and end use

What seed type and what industrial end use you have for the product. If you have purchased seed, you can submit copies of seed invoices or labels.

Documents

If you are applying for a location which is owner occupied or whole-farm tenanted farms and/or those that rent a field from a farm you do not need to submit details of the cultivation locations you propose within the farm extent for which you are applying.

In all other scenarios you should submit:

• aerial photos and site maps which identify the OS grid references and field numbers or an annotated cultivation location plan;  and

• photos or images of the perimeters of the site.

Fee payment and refund details

Who we send the invoice to, their contact details including email address and any purchase order number you need us to quote. We also ask for details to send you a refund if a situation arises where we need to return some or all of your payment to you.

Where the licence is to be sent to

Who we send the licence to and their contact details including email address.

You must be aware that we hold all information securely and do not routinely share with third parties (except for the prevention of the diversion of drugs) in accordance with the data protection legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation but are bound by Freedom of Information principles. Read more about how we handle your personal information.

After the form is submitted

Upon submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email from DFLU. This email will include a link allowing you to download a copy of your submitted form.

Please be aware that the reference number automatically generated by our web portal does not confirm that your application has been successfully received. It simply indicates that you have started or completed an application form.

If you do not receive an email acknowledgement, please:

1. Check your spam/junk folder

2. If the email is not there, contact us via email at DFLU.dom@homeoffice.gov.uk When contacting us, use the following subject line format: Application submission query - Company Name – submission reference number and include:

   • A screenshot of the submission confirmation page showing the reference number.
   • The date and time displayed on your device at the time of submission.

This information will help us locate and verify your application.

If your application has been submitted and is considered as ‘complete’ as all component parts are in place i.e., DBS completed, field maps and photos provided and all further information requested has been received etc., the following steps will occur:

Validation

We will firstly check your form and ensure it is valid. Improperly completed forms may be rejected. Please fully complete the form with accurate information.

Triage

We will carry out an initial appraisal of your application..

Visits—as required

We do not envisage routinely needing to visit growers but will inform you if we consider this necessary and tell you why.

Further information—as required

If you are asked to submit further information or confirm details, we will ordinarily give you a set timescale for this to be done. This will generally be done by email.

Consideration and decision making

All applications are considered individually on their merits, taking account of any relevant risk factors. More complex applications can take time to decide.  All decisions will be subject to a second pair of eyes check.

Fees payment

Assuming your application is successful, you will be issued an invoice by email for immediate payment. We will not issue a licence until we receive full payment and you will not be able to lawfully operate without a licence being issued.

What the licences cover

Low THC Cannabis (industrial hemp) cultivation licences are:

• time limited—from 2026 growing season new licences will  typically be valid for 6 growing seasons and always issued to expire on 31 December. This does not affect licences granted in previous growing season which were typically granted for 3 years.
• premises (farm) and company specific (i.e., A B Drugs at AB Farm)
• schedule and activity specific (i.e., cultivation and possession of plants of the genus cannabis)
• non-transferable (between premises (farm).
• Will be specific to low-THC cannabis only. or across drug schedules)
• conditional - some conditions are standard to all licences, some may be dependent on schedules and activities and others are specific to the individual case situation. Conditions are reasonable, rational and proportionate and not for negotiation.

Withdrawal of applications on account of failure to comply

We will withdraw an application where requested actions have not been undertaken in a reasonable or specified time. This may include a failure to manage your DBS application submission, which is beyond our control. We will always contact you in writing (typically email) setting out a timescale for an action to be taken, where we are intending to withdraw your application, so you have the chance to act.

Withdrawn applications will not be reinstated unless there is an error on our part.

Refused applications

If your application is refused, you will have 30 calendar days from the date of the refusal letter to submit any further representations in respect of the decision if you wish to. These will be considered accordingly.

You are free to re-apply but should only do so when you are in a position to provide additional information and directly address the reasons for refusal provided to you.

There is no option to appeal our decision to refuse an application or a decision to uphold that refusal following the submission of further representations. You have the option to take further action by following the pre-action protocol for judicial review proceedings.

Top tips for licensees or prospective licensees

If you are a new or prospective licensee, remember to complete both the registration and application processes outlined above. If you do not, we will not have an application to consider.

Do not apply to register as a user of a system unless you can show your proposals are compliant with all applicable UK laws and policies. We will not approve registrations or applications when there is no lawful route to market for a proposed product.

Do not submit an industrial hemp (low THC) cultivation licence application unless you are intending to cultivate approved seed varieties, subject to any UK marketing restrictions, of a percentage not exceeding that specified in Regulation 2(2)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs (Fees) Regulations 2010 (which at the time of drafting is 0.2%), outdoors, and for use of the fibre and/or seed only. It will be liable for rejection as it does not fit the published policy for this type of licence. If you intend to use controlled parts of the plant (flower and leaf - irrespective of whether that is from an ‘industrial hemp’ variety - you must seek to apply for a standard controlled drug/cannabis cultivation licence.

Read the guidance on our website, especially information about fees and the hemp grower notes.

Apply at the point the application window opens and within the specified date parameters as set out on our website under the section ‘important dates for prospective applicants’. We will work to sowing times wherever possible but need a reasonable period of time to consider applications. Seed should not be sown before a licence is granted.

To note, if you apply for a further licence prior to the expiry of your current licence, the conditions or validity of the previously issued licence do not continue whilst a ‘renewal’ application is pending, irrespective of whether the application was made before the previous licence expired.

Provide us with as much information as you can at the outset and use the facility to upload documents through the licensing form.

Settle your invoices promptly—we will not issue a licence until we have received full payment of the licence fee. Approval in principle of a licence application conveys no authority to cultivate—that is only in place when a licence is issued.

Post-issue considerations—what happens if my company changes its name?

If you change your company name, this will invalidate your Industrial Hemp (low THC) cultivation licence even where the Companies House number remains the same. You should expect to submit application(s) urgently to regularise this position.   You may contact us for information on what action you need to take.

If your company is planning to change its name and is being given a new companies house number this is considered to be a new legal entity. You will need to register for the drug licensing system under the new legal entity company name. Please do not re-register as a system user unless you are a new legal entity.

If your company name change remains the same legal entity, it is important you apply to amend your licence at the earliest opportunity. Do not wait until this has been completed by Companies House, if you do so, this will be at your operating risk as there is no licensing coverage.

If you have already changed your company name and it remains the same legal entity, please, select ‘yes’ in response to the question ‘Has your Companies House reference name changed since your last application?’ Please also upload a copy of the updated Companies House certificate of Incorporation on Change of name as evidence of the name change.

If you are considering or currently in the process of changing your company name where it remains the same legal entity, please, select ‘no’ in response to the question ‘Has your Companies House reference name changed since your last application?’ In addition to this in the ‘Add any extra information you might think might help your application. You must:

• provide the proposed date of the change
• provide the current name and the proposed name you wish to change to
• allow enough time for your application to be processed- we will not expedite late submissions

Please note that whilst you have provided a proposed date DFLU cannot guarantee that this will be met. A manager will contact you to confirm dates for the proposed change once all the related applications have received a decision in principle and the associated fees have been paid.

You should check the covering letter issued with your previous licence and if it indicated a compliance visit was needed at the next renewal point you must apply in adequate time for this to happen (Please refer to our website for timelines).

When you receive notification of a ‘decision in principle’ you should immediately pay the required fee and then contact DFLU 48 hours after payment. This is to ensure payment has been received and to formally notify us of your intention to proceed with the change at Companies House.

Please do not make the change in company name until DFLU has agreed that they can accommodate the date for change. 

You will be required to submit the acknowledgments of the change that you have received from Companies House via email, usually in the form of an email acknowledging receipt of the AD01 Change of Registered Address and NM01 Change of Company Name, to DFLU.dom@homeoffice.gov.uk  using the following subject format: Company Name - Company Account Number - Agreed Change of Company Name - Submission.

Upon receipt of this, and payment, on the agreed date of the change we will issue the licence(s).

What happens if my company registered address changes?

If you change your company registered address at Companies House this will invalidate your controlled drug licence. It is therefore important you apply to amend your licence at the earliest opportunity. Do not wait until this has been completed by Companies House. If you do so, this will be at your operating risk as there is no licensing coverage.

Due to a current system error, if you have already changed your company’s registered address, please select ‘no’ in response to the question ‘Has your Companies House reference number changed since your last application?’ Please also upload a copy of the updated Companies House certificate of Incorporation on Change of registered address as evidence of the name change.

If you are considering or currently in the process of changing your company’s registered address where it remains the same legal entity, please, select ‘no’ in response to the question ‘Has your Companies House reference name changed since your last application?’ In addition to this in the ‘Add any extra information you might think might help your application’ box which is at the end of the application. You must:

• provide the proposed date of the change
• provide the current registered address and the proposed registered address you wish to change to
• allow enough time for your application to be processed- we will not expedite late submissions.

Please note that whilst you have provided a proposed date DFLU cannot guarantee that this will be met. A manager will contact you to confirm dates for the proposed change once all the related applications have received a decision in principle and the associated fees.

You should check the covering letter issued with your previous licence and if it indicated a compliance visit was needed at the next renewal point you must apply in adequate time for this happen (Please refer to our website for timelines).

When you receive notification of a ‘decision in principle’ you should immediately pay the required fee and then contact DFLU 48 hours after payment. This is to ensure payment has been received and it if has to formally notify us of your intention to proceed with the change at Companies House.

Please do not change the Change in company registered address until DFLU has agreed that they can accommodate the date for change. 

You will be required to submit the acknowledgments of the change that you have received from Companies House via email, usually in the form of an email acknowledging receipt of the AD01 Change of Registered Address and NM01 Change of Company Name, to DFLU.dom@homeoffice.gov.uk  using the following subject format: Company Name - Company Account Number - Agreed Change of Registered Address - Submission.

If you need more help

If this document, or the other resources on our website do not fully answer your question, you can contact us on our telephone number which can be found on our web page: Controlled drugs: domestic licences - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or email: industrialhemplicensing@homeoffice.gov.uk

If you have received an ‘application acknowledgement’ email from a named caseworker you should  contact them by replying to  the email address that was used to send out your application acknowledgement letter.