32 Investor Report Industrial Hemp Sector New Zealand ’ s New Export Opportunity 2020
In effect this means that the THC content must be only 2 % of the overall CBD / THC content . The balance of the definition basically defines ‘ specified substance ’ as THC or related substances , those related substances only meeting the test of a ‘ specified substance ’ if they are ‘ capable of inducing more than a minor psychoactive effect in a person ’.
Most importantly this amendment had the effect of rescheduling CBD ( a controlled drug under MoDA ) into a prescribed medicine under the Medicines Act 1981 . However the fact that this was embedded in the amendment which provided for a medicinal cannabis scheme has led to a sometimes heated debate between the industry and the Ministry of Health , as to the status of non-medicine CBD products , such as balms and bodycare products . Confusion still exists , given that the stated purpose of descheduling CBD from the principal Act , was recognition of CBD ’ s non-psychoactive properties .
A further change of note in the same amendment was the provision of a statutory defence to a charge of possessing and using cannabis , specifically for persons using it for palliative care purposes .
A person requires palliation if “ in the opinion of a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner , the person has an advanced progressive life-limiting condition and is nearing the end of their life ”.
This is somewhat vague , and does not necessarily protect those with terminal diseases where their life expectancy is difficult to predict . It also completely excludes people suffering from chronic diseases , which while not terminal , can cause great pain and suffering .
There is pressure from organisations such as the NZ Drug Foundation to extend this defence to a wider range of patient and carers , including individuals who grow and provide cannabis to such patients , the so-called “ Green Fairies ”.
Growth in Hemp Cultivation
While there were licensed hemp growers ( universities , hemp enthusiasts ) in New Zealand taking licences to enable cultivation and research , it was not until the 2018 amendment to the regulations came into law that the hemp industry in New Zealand really got underway .
Previously , a number of individuals and companies had , under the cultivation licences , grown hemp and researched manufacturing fibre products ( such as the concrete substitute known as hempcrete ), and seed and hemp seed oil products . In addition , they researched the environmental benefits of hemp , including the use of hemp cultivation for the purpose of extracting heavy metals from the soil . However , they had not been able to commercialise their crops ; the 2018 amendment changed that . In relation to cultivation , the number of hemp licences increased from 65 licences ( 259 hectares ) in 2018 to 169 licences ( 2,627 approved hectares , 754 actually grown ) in 2019 .
The NZ Hemp Industries Association ( NZHIA ) estimates there were approximately 1,200 hectares grown in the 2019 / 20 season ( There is often a difference between approved hectares and what was actually planted ).
In fact , the conditions in New Zealand have proved to be excellent for hemp production , resulting in high yields per hectare . The crop can be harvested within 100 days or matured to produce a seed crop within 140 days .
The versatility of hemp means that seeds , hurd ( pulp ), fibres , leaves and roots can all be harvested and put to use .