(a) A person growing industrial hemp for commercial purposes shall apply to the Commissioner for a farming license on a form prescribed by the Commissioner.
(b) The application for the license must include the name and address of the applicant and the legal description of the land area to be used for the production of industrial hemp.
(c) The Commissioner shall require each first-time applicant for a license to file a set of the applicant’s fingerprints, taken by the Virgin Islands Police Department, and any other information necessary to complete a territory or state-wide and nationwide criminal history check with the criminal investigation bureau of the Department of Justice for territory or state processing and with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal processing. All of the costs associated with the criminal history check are the responsibility of the applicant. Criminal history records provided to the Department under this section are confidential. The Commissioner may use the records only to determine if an applicant is eligible to receive a license for the production of industrial hemp.
(d) Before issuing a license under this subchapter, the Commissioner shall determine that the applicant has complied with all applicable requirements of the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration for the production, distribution and sale of industrial hemp.
(e) If the applicant has completed the application process to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall issue a license that is valid for one year. An individual licensed under this section is presumed to be growing industrial hemp for commercial purposes.
(f) In addition to the license from the Department, a person desiring to grow commercial hemp shall apply for a business license to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs pursuant to title 27 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 9.
(g) Persons interested in the retail or manufacturing of hemp products shall apply to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs for a license.