Prospective hemp farmers are anxiously awaiting government approval to grow the crop this spring.
As the warm spring days tick away with many licences still not granted, stress is increasing.
“It’d better happen in the next two weeks,” said one hemp grower, who didn’t wish to be identified while he was still waiting for
licences.
“If we get them soon, we’re OK.”
Jean Peart, manager of the hemp licensing program at Health Canada, said her staff knows farmers need approval quickly.
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“We are very aware of the very short time frame and we are trying to put a little bit of extra effort into getting them out very quickly,” said Peart.
Licences are required because industrial and health food hemp grown by farmers looks identical to illegal marijuana plants.
Peart would not say how many applications have been received by Health Canada, nor give many details about the licensing process.
But she said applications from prospective farmers are given first come, first served treatment, although seed importers have priority.
If applications are not fully completed, or lacking in some respect, they will not be approved until the farmer completes them correctly, Peart said.
If there are problems, producers will be alerted by fax or mail. Because spring is advancing quickly, some farmers are being sent letters by courier pointing out the shortcomings in their applications, Peart said.
Health Canada has sent out “Dear Stakeholder” letters to people it knows are interested in growing hemp this year. It has also sent out letters detailing common mistakes people make in application forms.
Producers looking for more information on the application forms can go to the hemp page of Health Canada at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb-dgps/therapeut.
