A proposed new licensing regime for industrial hemp growers in Canada would limit THC to 0.3% and eliminate the need for a license to produce or process “non-viable seed or mature stalk without any leaf, flower, seed or branch.” A license would not be required for the sale of derivatives from seed and grain that contain 10 micrograms per gram of THC or less under the proposed licensing framework from Health Canada.
Setting national framework
The recommendations come as the government agency launched a 60-day public consultation period for comments on a broader proposed Cannabis Act covering marijuana and industrial hemp. That measure is seen as setting a comprehensive national framework for Canadian cannabis, to control its production, distribution, sale, import, export and possession. It would also let provinces and territories oversee the distribution and retail aspects of the cannabis supply chain, Health Canada said.
An industrial hemp license would also authorize stakeholders to possess, transport, research and develop hemp products consistent with other classes of licenses, and would allow the intra-industry sale of leaves, flowers and branches (or the whole plant).
Exporter to South Korea
Canada is already a major producer of hemp seed for food, for which it has a fertile export market in the United States. Canadian hemp-seed producers have also found a major market in South Korea over the past two years.
Movement on hemp licensing comes after years of lobbying by Canadian industrial hemp stakeholders, led by the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance.
