Kentucky lawmakers asked to lower hemp licensing fees by business owners

Licensing fees in Kentucky’s hemp industry dominated discussion Thursday among lawmakers in Frankfort.

For comparison, large distilleries pay nearly $4,000 a year to operate, while a micro-distillery will pay about $2,000.

Annie Rouse, owner of Cannabuzz, told lawmakers Friday she pays more than $13,000 in licensing fees to manufacture and sell their products the same way distilleries do.

Rouse is now asking lawmakers to drop duplicate licenses, cut the shipper license to $100, the same as spirits, and create a new license that consolidates manufacturing licenses in order to put hemp businesses on par with alcohol operations.

Rouse also recommended the state increase fines for businesses operating without the proper licenses.

“By allowing the hemp program to ticket companies who are not licensed, as opposed to taking them to court, we’ll increase compliance in the market, ensure only registered products are sold, and get the state more tax revenue,” Rouse said.

Right now, a current bill in Congress is slated to ban some hemp products starting next month.

Kentucky’s hemp industry is currently one of the largest in the country and is worth $300 million.

https://www.wdrbwave.com/2026/10/15/kentucky-lawmakers-asked-lower-hemp-licensing-fees-by-business-owners/