What is hemp?

Hemp, or industrial hemp, plants are cultivars of Cannabis sativa which contain very low levels of THC (less than 1%). Hemp is usually grown on broad acre, outdoor in the summer seasons.

Under License

The following products can be made from hemp

Seeds

Fibre

Hurd

Quality control requirements for growers

Queensland 

Commercial industrial Cannabis plants grown for seed or fibre must not exceed 1%THC under Part 5B, Commercial production of industrial Cannabis, of the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, and Part 4, Commercial production of industrial Cannabis, of the Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987, and may only be grown from seed certified to produce plants with no more than 0.5% THC.

New South Wales

The Hemp Industry Act 2008  authorises and regulates the cultivation and supply of low-THC hemp in New South Wales, along with the Hemp Industry Regulation 2008. Low-THC hemp, being hemp with no more than 1% THC in the leaves and flowering heads of the plant, may be cultivated under licence.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Under the The Hemp Fibre Industry Facilitation Act 2004, industrial hemp must not exceed 1% THC in the leaves and flowering heads, and may be cultivated under licence from certified hemp seed.

South Australia 

Under The Industrial Hemp Act 2017, Industrial Hemp can be produced from cannabis plants with a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content – less than 1% THC in the leaves, flowers and stems.

Victoria

Under The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2008, industrial hemp or ‘Low-THC Cannabis’, is defined as containing no more than 0.35% THC in the leaves and flowering heads.

Western Australia

As per the Industrial Hemp Act 2004 and the Industrial Hemp Regulations 2005, Industrial hemp is defined as Cannabis containing no more than 0.35% THC in the leaves and flowering heads. 

Tasmania

The Poisons Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Act 2001, allows the growing of hemp plant material of up to 0.35% THC of dry weight under the conditions of licence.

New Zealand

The Poisons Act 1971 and Misuse of Drugs Act 2001, allows the growing of hemp plant material of up to 0.35% THC of dry weight under the conditions of licence.

 

Hemp seed

Cannot contain more than 5mg/kg of total THC, must be non viable and hulled.

 

Hemp seed oil

Cannot contain more than 10mg/kg of total THC

 

Beverage with hemp seeds

Cannot contain more than 0.2mg/kg of total THC

 

Other products derived from seed

Cannot contain more than 5mg/kg of total THC

Cannabidiol must not be present in any food a level greater than 75mg/kg.

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References:

  1. Supporting document 5 – Australian and New Zealand Hemp Regulations (2011), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

  2. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and Restricted Plants and Fungi TO TAKE EFFECT ON 12 NOVEMBER 2017