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Do you want to be a Hemp Farmer?

Current Licensing Information

  1. License Forms: You will need to fill out an Industrial Hemp License Application. These forms are available through Health Canada's website.
  2. A Criminal record employment check must be done at the local RCMP and included with your license application package.
  3. GPS coordinates for each hemp field: You will need GPS coordinates for your field to complete your application.

Once you have your criminal record check, your GPS, and have filled out the forms, (snail) mail the whole package to Health Canada's Hemp Office. They need the original documents.

Full information about the Hemp Regulations can be found here.

Health Canada Hemp Office Mailing Address

Industrial Hemp Section
Licences and Permits Division, Office of Controlled Substances
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
123 Slater Street, 2nd Floor
A. L. 3502A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1B9

Hemp Office numbers:
Phone: (613) 954-6524
Fax: (613) 941-5360
hemp:@:hc-sc.gc.ca

It's a good idea to call and touch base with Health Canada to check on status of your application. Typically there is a two week turnaround for a license. You are strongly advised to apply this before May 1st so that your planting is not delayed by a last minute licensing rush.

Field Sampling and Testing is a requirement for some hemp crops. Increasingly, cultivars are being exempted on an annual basis. Please check with Health Canada when applying for your license whether you are required to have your crop sampled and tested.

CHTA helps farmers find a licensed sampler and licensed testing lab. Sampling and testing usually happens before harvest in August. CHTA negotiates for best rate and receives a discount for members from both laboratory and sampler. Sampling can run between $140-200 and Testing is now about $150. These costs are by field. It is cost effective to plant in fewer fields.

Contracts and Marketing: For best results, growers are advised to seek a production contract. CHTA also maintains a list of surplus grain for new buyers.

Regulations in General – Other Activities: Operators who plan on processing, transporting or possessing industrial hemp may also be required to acquire a hemp license as well. Once hemp fibre is removed from the field, no license is needed. Seed, once processed into an edible or consumable product and so rendered non viable, does not require a license. Please contact Health Canada @ the Hemp Office address above for more information.

TestPledge

TestPledge is an industry-driven non-governmental program that regulates allowable THC content in food and cosmetics to undetectable levels. Pledge companies commit to implement quality control measures which limit the amount of trace residual THC in hemp nut and oil, thus eliminating the risk of a confirmed positive drug test. All CHTA members participate in this program and their website can be found here.