NYS Cannabis sativa L. Production Manual

Daniela Vergara, Emerging Crops Specialist
Harvest New York

February 14, 2023
NYS Cannabis sativa L. Production Manual

The New York State Cannabis sativa L. Production Manual is intended to provide current data and findings about sustainable hemp cultivation to growers and members of the Cannabis industry to achieve a high-quality, profitable, and compliant yield. Cannabis sativa yields are used for the development of hemp-based cannabinoid products, fiber, grain, and medicine. As research and knowledge about hemp and, in general, the C. sativa plant increases, this manual will be updated to include new information. The perspectives of the manual authors are largely, but not exclusively, directed to the industry in New York State. 

The manual also includes information about the regulatory environment around hemp in New York and the United States, a description of C. sativa cultivation, information about testing and grading, as well as tips on how to produce a crop that meets international environmental and labor standards. Our objective is to help growers maximize yield, quality, profitability, and product integrity while maintaining compliance.

Funding provided by
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Harvest NY
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
NYS Office of Cannabis Management
Towards Sustainability Foundation

Lead author
Daniela Vergara, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Harvest NY

Co-authors
Savanna Shelnutt, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell
Heather Grab, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell
Andrew Demetri, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell
Spencer Rice, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell
Anthony Barraco III, USDA

Editorial review and publication design
Angela Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative Extension


We acknowledge the contributions to this publication made by Nicholas Kaczmar, Main Street Farms, Tap Root Fields, Wheat Field Gardens, Schwazze, Ananda Farms, Nuponix, Jennifer Bailey and Miranda Kinney from Pyxus, Erica Hernandez, Adirondack Hemp, SAF Produce, Hemp Farms of New York, Russel Patten, Kadie Britt, Nicole Gauthier, Anya Osatuke, Akio Lloyd, Vince Dyer, Anna-Liisa Fabritius, and AL&L Crop Solutions.

Additional contributions were made by over 20 Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, USDA, Alabama A&M University, and industry experts.



NYS Cannabis sativa L. Production Manual, 2023 (pdf; 81164KB)


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