15 Investor Report Industrial Hemp Sector New Zealand ’ s New Export Opportunity 2020
range of consumer seed products including premium oils and capsules , protein powders , raw seeds , balms , and hemp milk ;
• White label ( pre-packaged but wholesaled to retailers who add own branding ) seed products , as well as bulk products for food manufacturers ; and
• Fibre production and sales – bast and hurd products .
The largest of these companies is Hemp NZ with its subsidiary Hemp Farm NZ . This nationwide company manufactures and markets many hemp products including seed , oil , balms , milk and fibre . There are a number of other hemp seed food companies with online sales and branded product ranges ( as well as white label products ) including Hemp Connect , Kanapu Foods , Kakariki Fine Foods , Midlands Seed , Midland Nutritional Oils , NZ Hempress , Brothers Green , Larry ’ s Gold . They operate in many regions throughout New Zealand and are using both locally sourced and imported hemp seed .
New Zealand Regulatory Environment
Licensed Hemp Industry in New Zealand Misuse of Drugs Act ( Industrial Hemp ) Amendment Regulations 2006 and the amendments in 2018 allows cultivation of low THC ( less than 0.35 %) industrial hemp , and processing and trading in the seeds and stalk to produce hemp food and fibre products .
Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand Misuse of Drugs ( Medicinal Cannabis ) Act 2018-2019 made it legal from 1st April 2020 for licensed companies to grow and manufacture cannabis prescription medicines containing cannabinoids - including high THC dosages .
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 .