There have been a few changes to regulations, and a new act passed in Parliament, but it will be a few years before farmers are able to grow hemp legally, said an Alberta researcher.
Stan Blade said while the new bill is another step along in the hemp growing process, it may be years before farmers can add hemp to their list of alternative crops.
Bill C-8, Ottawa’s drug bill proclaimed into law May 14, makes changes for stronger penalties for illegal drugs. Some people may interpret these changes to mean commercial production is on its way, he said.
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Misunderstanding
“But I’ve read the bill and that’s a pretty broad interpretation,” said Blade, of the Crop Development Centre North in Edmonton.
The centre works with four research plots in the province where it researches hemp fibre production.
Geof Kime, president of Hemp-line, is more optimistic. He thinks it won’t be long before farmers can grow hemp commercially.
“Today Bill C-8 : The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, was proclaimed into force, making the fibre and stalks of the hemp plant legal,” wrote Kime in news release.
Advance industry
“Now that hemp fibre can be distributed on an unregulated basis the hemp industry in Canada will develop quickly,” he wrote from his London, Ont. office.
But an updated Health Canada fact sheet may dampen his enthusiasm.
“Until new regulations relating to the cultivation of industrial hemp are in effect, Health Canada will continue to issue licences for research studies related to the cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes.
“Minor technical amendments have been adopted to add clarification and maintain consistency with the CDSA but these amendments do not affect the way the various substances are currently controlled,” it said.
Blade said it may be years before hemp moves from the research plot to a more commercial basis.
