A first license to grow hemp for CBD on Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, has been granted to Jersey Hemp in a signal that the government aims to develop a leading position in the sector.
“Jersey has real potential in this area, and the issuing of this license signals our clear intent to position ourselves as a center of excellence in CBD production, research, genetics and intellectual property,” said Lyndon Farnham, Jersey’s minister for economic development, tourism, sport and culture. Officials have said hemp can be a boon to farmers.
Jersey is first place in the British and Irish Isles to grant a license for farmers to harvest hemp flowers for CBD.
British Isles provenance
“(The license) will allow us to supply products made using CBD with clear British Isles provenance to retailers and direct to the public,” said David Ryan, Jersey Hemp’s chief executive. The company had been importing CBD for use in some of its products.
“The fact that we can produce the oil for ourselves legally here in Jersey will massively reduce our costs,” said Ryan, who runs the business with partners Kevin Mars and Blair Jones. Ryan is former Royal Marine commando, and all three have served as firefighters. “We can do it ourselves under one roof and then sell directly into the UK and beyond.”
Jersey Hemp has been growing hemp at Warwick Farm, which was once Jersey’s nurseries site. After growing a small plot in 2017, the company planted 30 hectares last year and again this year.
30-40 tons per year
The company said it will have capacity to produce an estimated 30 to 40 tons dry weight hemp annually. About 3% to 5% of the yield from their organic hemp farm will be for CBD production, according to the company
“We’ve just cut out first hemp flowers today and it’s a great feeling to know we now can make our own oil,” said Ryan. “We will be harvesting them from now until October.”
Industrial Hemp Partnership (IHP) received a license to grow hemp on Jersey in 2017.
