RULES RELAXED FOR INDUSTRIAL HEMP GROWING

The rules around the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp are
being relaxed.

Industrial hemp is a low-drug variety of the marijuana
plant.

The Health Ministry's medicine regulatory agency Medsafe said that
from August 1 it would be implementing a new but less onerous
regulatory regime for the cultivation, processing and distribution of
industrial hemp as an agricultural crop.

But those who wished to grow, trade in or process hemp would still
need to be licensed.

Medsafe compliance team leader Derek Fitzgerald said individuals and
organisations would be allowed to grow hemp for industrial purposes
and research under certain conditions.

"The new regulations - the Misuse of Drugs (Industrial Hemp)
Regulations 2006 and the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations 2006 -
take into account the low drug content of hemp, which was previously
subjected to the same strict controls as those placed on illicit
cannabis," he said.

"They seek to balance growers' appeal for practical and reasonable
requirements against the need to maintain adequate controls on hemp
seed and plants."

Mr Fitzgerald said licensees for any industrial hemp crops with THC
levels higher than 0.5 per cent may be required to immediately harvest
or destroy these crops.

Bare hemp stalks and processed hemp products are exempt from
prohibitions in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and the licensing
requirements of the Misuse of Drugs (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2006.

Licences for the import and export of industrial hemp will continue to
be issued under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977.

Useful Weed

* Hemp fibre is used in the manufacture of ropes, textiles, paper and
plastics.

* Hemp seed oil is used in food, cosmetics and other bodycare
products.

* Hemp derivatives are also used as replacement for petrochemical
products or as a renewable energy source.