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Hemp seed food will be legal on 12 November 2018
(links in bold below)
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Government press release – Hemp seed can now be sold as food
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Hemp seed as a food – Analysis of submissions and Government response
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Newshub reports “Government declares hemp seed “safe to eat”
The Government has changed the rules around hemp seed so that it’s treated as just another food – a move which aims to “stimulate regional economies”.
“The Misuse of Drugs (Industrial Hemp) Regulations 2006 and the Food Regulations 2015 will be amended to allow the sale of hemp seed as food”, Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor said on Tuesday.
He said the move is “great news for the hemp industry, which has argued for decades that the production of hemp seed foods will stimulate regional economies, create jobs and generate $10-20 million of export revenue within 3 to 5 years”.
More information available at:
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MPI – Hemp seed as food
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MOH – Information about using low-THC hemp seed as food, the review of current legislation and public consultation.
1938 Popular Mechanics article “New Billion $ crop”
UN 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
– Control of cannabis
Art. 28. – 1. If a Party permits the cultivation of the cannabis plant for the production of cannabis or cannabis resin, it shall apply thereto the system of controls as provided in article 23 respecting the control of the opium poppy.
– 2. This Convention shall not apply to the cultivation of the cannabis plant exclusively for industrial purposes (fiber and seed) or horticultural purposes.
– 3. The Parties shall adopt such measures as may be necessary to prevent the misuse of, and illicit traffic in, the leaves of the cannabis plant.
You can only grow certain cultivars with less than 0.35% THC. Licences cost $511.11. Ministry of Health will require a criminal check for all responsible people.
For more information go to: http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/medicines-control/hemp-industrial-hemp
May 2017 the variation to the food Code agreed by the Food Ministers on 28 April 2017 has been gazetted
The details of the variation have been posted on the NZHIA Website
See the Current Affairs page – ” Food” for more background information.
The NZHIA will be involved in the consultation process with MPI – Food, who will then issue a discussion paper to stakeholders, after the election. Once the feedback has been received and any revisions made, the changes will be presented for approval to Cabinet.
MPI have signaled the process will take 12-18 months, but we are hoping the required changes to Medicines Act, Food Act, Misuse of Drugs Act will be done by mid 2018 in time for the 2018/2019 planting season
A copy of the full variation has been posted on gazette.govt.nz