18 Investor Report Industrial Hemp Sector New Zealand ’ s New Export Opportunity 2020
While the cultivation of hemp is permitted in New Zealand for the production of hemp seed oil and hemp seeds , as well as fibre , it is important to note that products containing CBD are regarded by the regulator , the Ministry of Health , as being prohibited .
The only exception to this is a designation of CBD and CBD derived products , containing less than 2 % THC , as medicines , which are governed by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency , and must be prescribed by a doctor .
Due to its derivation from a plant infamous as an illegal recreational drug , the development of CBD ( and minimal THC ) based products overseas has required a liberalisation of legislation and other controls , and a recognition of the safety , health and nutritional benefits of cannabinoid-based products .
The discussion around liberalisation of cannabis can be confusing , as for many people cannabis is a synonym for marijuana , whereas for those in the research sphere or hemp industries ‘ cannabis ’ is simply a plant genus , which includes both marijuana ( containing THC ) and hemp ( minimal THC ) cultivars .
Without the psychoactive THC , Industrial hemp is just another agricultural crop . But unlike many other crops it can be used by a wide range of industries . Providing a safe and plentiful resource with great physical properties makes it an attractive and sustainable raw material for industry .
Nutraceuticals and Functional
Foods - The Growth Space for Hemp Many analyst reports over the past ten years have pointed out the growth opportunities which lie in the space between ‘ Food ’ and ‘ Pharmaceutical Medicine ’. As pointed out in Chapter 3 it is in this space that the largest boom in the American and European hemp markets has occurred , focused on nutraceuticals and functional foods . The following diagram shows the continuum between food and medicine , which are categorised as the ‘ natural health foods ’ market :
1 . FUNCTIONAL FOODS
Foods fortified with
THE GROWTH SPACE FOR NUTRACEUTICALS
BETWEEN FOOD AND MEDICINE
FOODS WITH STRONG NUTRITIONAL HEALTH RELATED LINKS
INDUSTRIAL HEMP INDUSTRY
FUNCTIONAL FOODS / INGREDIENTS
HEMP NUTRACEUTICALS
MEDICINAL CANNABIS
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
Raw Hulled Hemp Seeds Hemp Seed Oil Hemp Protein Powder Hemp Milk |
Hemp Protein Powder Hemp Snacks Hemp Flour Hemp Skin Balms |
FULL SPECTRUM OILS CBD OILS CBD PET FOOD |
Epidiolex Sativex |