How to apply to grow hemp in New ZealandHemp farmers must apply to Medsafe for a permit to cultivate, deal, breed or import seed
In 2005 the Government approved regulations to allow the commercial cultivation of hemp (cannabis sativa) in New Zealand.
Hemp farmers still need to apply for a permit, and must pay a fee of NZ$500, but no longer need to pretend their crop is an experiment.
Commercial hemp cultivation has so far been mainly centered in the Canterbury Plains of the South Island, which provides the necessary sunshine, regular rainfall, good drainage, and access to harvesting and processing infrastructure. Most hemp is grown for its seeds, which yield a highly nutritious and valuable food oil, which is sold throughout New Zealand, used as a base for bodycare products, and exported around the world.
Please see the following links for more information:
Medsafe, a unit of the Ministry of Health, is the body in charge of approving applications:
www.medsafe.govt.nz
Medsafe press release: New licensing rules for industrial hemp take effect on August 1, 2006:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/media/2006/NewHempRules
List of Approved Cultivars:
www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/Hemp/cultivars
Medsafe Application Form 1A for Body Corporates or Partnerships to Cultivate Industrial Hemp
www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/Hemp/Hemp_licence1A_final5
Medsafe Application Form 1B for Individuals to Cultivate Industrial Hemp
www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/Hemp/Hemp_licence1B_final4
BioSecurity Health Import Standard (for seed importers)
www.biosecurity.govt.nz
The NZ Food Safety Authority has a page on hempseed foods, which are banned in NZ and Australia due to their being "too healthy"! The Government only wants people to hear bad news about cannabis, so they banned hempfoods for human consumption, even though officials said hemp foods would help reduce disease and create a healthier, longer-living population. New Zealand allowed itself an exception for hemp seed oil, and the seeds can still be exported or used for animal feed or other purposes.
www.nzfsa.govt.nz
The NZ Hemp Industries Association has more information and would-be hemp farmers should seriously consider joining:
www.nzhia.com
Unless stated otherwise, copyright © 1998-2005 by NORML New Zealand: working for marijuana law reform Published on: 2009-02-09 (2044 reads) [ Go Back ] |
