By definition, industrial hemp is cannabis that contains 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or less in the flowering heads and leaves and is grown outdoors for either its seed (oil production) or fibres (industrial and consumer products).

An Industrial Hemp Licence permits Canadian growers to grow low-THC cannabis for industrial use, under controlled circumstances.

It is important to note that not every activity that involves industrial hemp falls within the scope of the Industrial Hemp Regulations. A good example is the extraction of CBD or another phytocannabinoid from the flowering heads, leaves, and branches of the plant – this activity falls under the Cannabis Regulations and requires a Cannabis Processing Licence.

It is also important to note that hemp chaff (flowers, leaves and stems) can only be sold by Licensed hemp producers to Licensed cultivators, processors and sellers of cannabis under the Cannabis Act.

The following activities relate to industrial hemp:

• cultivation (including plant breeding/propagation)
• sale
• importation
• exportation
• cleaning
• preparing (conditioning)
• processing (including rendering non-viable and producing derivatives/products)

This licence allows you to:

• Grow industrial hemp
• Make derivatives/products from industrial hemp (Viable grain only, e.g. for hulled hemp seed, hemp protein powder, hemp seed oil)
• Sell industrial hemp (Pedigreed seed and viable grain, Flowering heads, leaves, and branches only)
• Import/export industrial hemp
• Sterilize (render non-viable) grain to make non-viable grain
• Clean industrial hemp seed or grain
• Prepare (condition) industrial hemp seed