Rules relaxed for industrial hemp growing

The rules around the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp are being relaxed.

Industrial hemp is a low-drug variety of the marijuana plant.

The Health Ministry's medicine regulatory agency Medsafe said that from August 1 it would be implementing a new but less onerous regulatory regime for the cultivation, processing and distribution of industrial hemp as an agricultural crop.

But those who wished to grow, trade in or process hemp would still need to be licensed.

Medsafe compliance team leader Derek Fitzgerald said individuals and organisations would be allowed to grow hemp for industrial purposes and research under certain conditions.

"The new regulations - the Misuse of Drugs (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2006 and the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations 2006 - take into account the low drug content of hemp, which was previously subjected to the same strict controls as those placed on illicit cannabis," he said.

"They seek to balance growers' appeal for practical and reasonable requirements against the need to maintain adequate controls on hemp seed and plants."

Mr Fitzgerald said licensees for any industrial hemp crops with THC levels higher than 0.5 per cent may be required to immediately harvest or destroy these crops.

Bare hemp stalks and processed hemp products are exempt from prohibitions in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and the licensing requirements of the Misuse of Drugs (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2006.

Licences for the import and export of industrial hemp will continue to be issued under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977.


Useful weed

* Hemp fibre is used in the manufacture of ropes, textiles, paper and plastics.

* Hemp seed oil is used in food, cosmetics and other bodycare products.

* Hemp derivatives are also used as replacement for petrochemical products or as a renewable energy source.

- NZPA