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Profile
Canada's Industrial Hemp Industry
As the world's premier renewable resource, hemp has been the source of food and fibre for the past 10,000 years. Hemp fibre has
been used to make clothing, ropes, and paper; the grain has been stewed, roasted, and milled for food; and the oil derived from the
grain has been used for cosmetics, lighting, paints, varnishes, and medicinal preparations.
Like the marijuana plant, industrial hemp belongs to the species Cannabis sativa L. However, unlike marijuana, it only contains
small quantities of the psychoactive drug delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Nevertheless, the cultivation of both marijuana and
industrial hemp were banned in Canada in 1938.
Since 1994, a small number of Canadian companies, as well as Canadian universities and provincial governments have researched
industrial hemp production and processing. Due largely to their initiative, the 60-year ban was lifted and the commercial
cultivation of hemp was authorized in Canada in 1998. The Industrial Hemp Regulations came into effect on March 12, 1998, and
cover the cultivation, processing, transportation, sale, provision, import, and export of industrial hemp.
Since its legalization, hemp has sparked much interest among Canadian farmers. The Government of Canada has been very
supportive of Canada's re-emerging hemp industry through changes in legislation and regulations, and through market
development funding. Today, hemp is enjoying a renaissance, with the global hemp market becoming a thriving, commercial
success. More than 100 Canadian farmers are currently taking advantage of the vast market potential for hemp and are growing
this crop in most provinces, primarily in central and western Canada.
Stringent Regulations
The regulatory system for the commercialization of industrial hemp is strict; however, it is crucial to protect the health and well-
being of Canadians, to abide by Canada's international commitments against illegal drugs, and to contribute to the production and
export of safe food products. Administered by the Office of Controlled Substances of Health Canada, the system operates by
issuing licenses for all activities involving hemp. It ensures that all industrial hemp grown, processed, and sold in Canada contains
no more than small amounts of THC, at levels far below those found in marijuana. For example, the upper limit in Canada
for THCin the industrial hemp plant is 0.3% of the weight of leaves and flowering parts, while marijuana plants often have
a THC level of 5% or more. In addition, Canada has set a maximum level of 10 parts per million (ppm) for THC residues in
products derived from hemp grain, such as flour and oil.
Uses
Like flax, wheat, corn, canola, and other major cultivated species, hemp is a crop that can be grown for food and non-food
purposes. Whole hemp seed is composed of approximately 45 percent oil, 35 percent protein and 10 percent carbohydrates and
fibre. As a result of the numerous nutritional benefits, many new food products containing hemp seed and its oil are finding their
way onto the Canadian market, including pasta, tortilla chips, salad dressings, snack products, and frozen desserts.
Recent scientific research indicates that essential fatty acids (EFAs) cannot be manufactured by the human body and deficiencies
can cause undesirable chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and eczema. Therefore, hemp seed
and its by-products can be used to supplement diets poor in EFAs in order to maintain health. One by-product, hemp seed oil,
contains 30% of its weight in EFA-rich oil, delivering an ideal combination of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for long term use.
Hemp seed oil may have potential health benefits for diabetes, cancer, lupus, asthma rheumatoid arthritis, depression and
hypertension. Hemp is one of only two plants that contain both EFAs as well as gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA has been
found to have many properties ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-depression. It can lower cholesterol and help to correct
dyslexia, dyspraxia, and hyperactivity (ADHD). Approximately one-third of the population lacks the enzyme to
metabolize GLA from omega 6 and must take GLA from an outside source to maintain good health, and hemp is an excellent way
for them to do so.
Hemp oil has traditionally been used for industrial functions such as lamp oil, paint, and varnish, but today is finding major new
markets in the cosmetic and functional food industries. One of the fastest growing sectors for hemp seed oil is the body care
products market. The EFA content of hemp oil makes it an ideal topical ingredient in both leave-on and rinse-off body care
products. The EFAs in lotions and creams help to soothe and restore skin, while their content in lip balms, conditioners,
shampoos, soaps, and shaving products are emollient and provide a smooth after-feel. With cosmetics companies taking
advantage of the moisture-retention qualities of hemp oils, the functionality and marketability of industrial hemp oil is expected to
continue to increase steadily. Increased consumer awareness and product availability are also expected to help expand the
markets.
Hemp fibre contains no measurable amounts of THC, and is renowned for its resistance to rotting and wear and tear, as well as for
its high tensile properties that make it durable and strong. These qualities have been recognized through real life applications over
thousand of years. The stalk of the plant offers two distinct types of fibre:
• The outer portion of the hemp stem contains the bast fibres, the strong, long, and slender fibres that provide the strength and
quality attributed to hemp. Bast hemp fibre excels in durability and absorbency, has anti-mildew and anti-microbial
properties, and is in demand for certain applications, such as car panels in the automobile industries in the U.S. and Europe.
The panels have the advantage of being stronger, lighter, and relatively less expensive than traditional car panels.
• The core fibre, sometimes referred to as the hurds, is derived from the sturdy, wood-like stalk of the hemp plant. Similar to
the bast fibre, the core fibre possesses anti-mildew and anti-microbial properties. It is currently being used for animal
bedding and simulated cedar shakes, as it is twice as absorbent as wood. It is also used for manufacturing hemp paper,
although only small quantities are currently being produced in North America.
Additional hemp uses are listed in the following table:
Table 1: Examples of hemp uses
Hemp Seed Product Uses
• Confectionary
• Beer
• Flour
• Feed
• Dietary Fibre
• Snacks
• Non-dairy Milk and Cheese
• Baking
Hemp Oil Product Uses
• Cooking
• Salad Dressing
• Dietary Supplements
• Body Care Products
• Fuel
• Detergents
• Spreads
• Paint
Hemp Fibre Product Uses
• Fabric
• Insulation
• Carpeting
• Paneling
• Pulp and Paper
• Recycling Additive
• Automobile Parts
• Animal Bedding and Mulch
Production
An annual fibre plant adapted to temperate regions, hemp has been genetically selected into dozens of varieties. As a result of
their proven low THC content, Health Canada has approved 27 cultivars or varieties of industrial hemp for the 2006 growing
season. Cultivated plants usually consist of a single main stalk and a growth of leaves, with the potential to grow up to 7 metres
(21 ft) in height. However, hemp plants usually reach heights between 2 and 4.5 metres (6-15 ft), with a period of seeding to
harvest ranging from 70 to 140 days, depending on the purpose, variety, and climatic conditions. One hectare of hemp can yield
an average of 800 kg of grain which in turn can be pressed into 200 litres of oil and 600 kg of meal. The same hectare will also
produce an average of 6 tonnes of straw which can be transformed into approximately 1.5 tonnes of fibre.
For more information on hemp cultivation, please consult your provincial ministry of agriculture. Hemp has been the subject of
much interest in rural communities, mainly because farmers are under pressure to find alternatives to traditional commodities, and
also because the possibilities of industrial hemp have sparked so much interest.
Economics
Experts indicate that production costs can be lowered by exploiting hemp as a dual-purpose crop, using both the grain and fibre
from the same plant. Of the 27 varieties legally authorized for cultivation in Canada in the year 2006, some are best-suited for the
production of fibre; others are outstanding in the production of grain, while certain varieties are ideal for a dual harvest of grain
and fibre. Moreover, there is great interest in developing varieties with the lowest THC content possible.
Growers tend to be clustered in loose alliances and co-operatives, or are geographically close to processing facilities in order to
keep transportation costs low. The first challenge for hemp growers is to find a buyer who can guarantee, through contract, the
purchasing of their harvest.
Hemp processors investigate and promote viable applications of hemp products in order to create new markets domestically and
abroad. The re-introduction of hemp as a legal crop and the development of markets is a slow process and the hemp sector will
need to expand carefully to ensure that supply and demand are harmonized. As the hemp sector continues to grow and as new
technologies are applied to production and processing, more commercial possibilities will become feasible.
Conclusions
Hemp's agronomic and environment attributes are remarkable: it can be grown without fungicides, herbicides and pesticides, it
absorbs carbon dioxide five times more efficiently than the same acreage of forest and it matures in three to four months. Hemp
can be used to create building materials, textiles, clothing, inks, and paints and has potential use in other non-food products. These
advantages are in tune with the environmental and health preferences of today's North American public. The growing curiosity of
consumers, the interest shown by farmers and processors, and Canada's excellent growing conditions for industrial hemp allow
optimistic views for its future.
Statistics
Industrial Hemp Statistics
For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following
publications:
• Canada: Outlook for Principal Field Crops
• Bi-weekly Bulletin
• Drought Watch
Associations
Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA)
P.O. Box 188
225 Pembina Trial
Ste. Agathe, MB
R0G 1Y0
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1-800-289-4367
Fax: 204-882-2529
Ontario Hemp Alliance (OHA)
P.O. Box 776
Tavistock, Ontario
N0B 2R0
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 519-352-9355
Fax: 519-633-5070
President: Gordon Scheifele
Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers Association (PIHG)
#3, 126 Main Street North
Dauphin, Manitoba
R7N 1C2
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 204-629-HEMP (4367)
Fax: 204-629-4368
Manager: Sue Schlingerman
Saskatchewan Hemp Association (SHA
P.O. Box 24007
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 4J8
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 306-757-HEMP (4367)
Fax: 306-757-4365
Executive Director: Duanne Phillippi
General Manager/Editor: Arthur Hanks
List of Approved Cultivars for the 2013 Growing Season
Links
Hemp Production in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Industrial Hemp Production
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Industrial Hemp Enterprise
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Hemp in Ontario
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
A Maritime Industrial Hemp Product Marketing Survey
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture
Other Useful Links
North American Industrial Hemp Council
Vote Hemp
The Hemp Report
The Hemp Industries Associ
Information on available statistics such as Canadian farm cash receipts, harvested area,
imports and exports, production and yield as well as Canadian export share by country.
Canada: Total Number of Hectares Licensed For Hemp Cultivation from 1998 to
2007
Yea
r
Canad
a
BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE
I
Yuko
n
1998 2,400 72 38 263 606 1,16
3
24 21
4
19 0 0
1999 14,202 22
5
754 3,09
6
8,889 1,02
1
86 4 12
6
4 0
2000 5,485 29
1
306 1,42
6
2,902 217 23
9
1 10
2
2 0
2001 1,312 96 113 392 472 209 30 0 0 0 4
Canada: Total Number of Hectares Licensed For Hemp Cultivation from 1998 to
2007
Yea
r
Canad
a
BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE
I
Yuko
n
2002 1,530 20
0
123 449 597 142 19 0 0 0 0
2003 2,733 7 153 672 1,468 397 13 4 18 0 0
2004 3,531 18 639 1,00
4
1,655 183 10 4 18 0 0
2005 9,725 0 916 3,42
9
5,018 251 74 19 18 0 0
2006 19,458 11 2,10 6,02 10,70 398 91 8 18 0 0
Canada: Total Number of Hectares Licensed For Hemp Cultivation from 1998 to
2007
Yea
r
Canad
a
BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE
I
Yuko
n
1 3 5 5
2007 4,684 43 605 2,07
8
1,728 53 17
3
4 0 0 0
Source: Health Canada
Statistics are preliminary and subject to change.
Canada: Industrial Hemp Total Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
1998 61 74,038 17 74,949
1999 349 351,441 187 164,183
2000 56 235,777 389 407,233
2001 88 95,395 212 238,774
2002 209 260,538 230 274,099
2003 276 272,000 134 201,821
Canada: Industrial Hemp Total Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
2004 210 351,288 88 142,906
2005 204 403,470 124 188,940
2006 416 637,349 383 2,121,545
2007 363 530,162 876 3,454,149
Export statistics prior to 2006 are for hemp fibre only
Source: Statistics Canada, May 2008
Canada: Industrial Hemp Fibre Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
1998 61 74,038 17 74,949
1999 349 351,441 187 164,183
2000 56 235,777 389 407,233
2001 88 95,395 212 238,774
2002 179 214,321 230 274,099
Canada: Industrial Hemp Fibre Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
2003 263 255,537 134 201,821
2004 205 314,248 88 142,906
2005 181 373,980 124 188,940
2006 411 625,549 85 110,344
2007 353 510,471 99 102,003
Source: Statistics Canada, May 2008
Canada: Industrial Hemp Seed Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
1998 0 0 n.a. n.a.
1999 0 0 n.a. n.a.
2000 0 0 n.a. n.a.
2001 0 0 n.a. n.a.
2002 30 43,739 n.a. n.a.
Canada: Industrial Hemp Seed Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
2003 13 13,738 n.a. n.a.
2004 0 693 n.a. n.a.
2005 21 22,310 n.a. n.a.
2006 4 6,888 256 1,555,430
2007 10 17,130 700 2,656,276
Export statistics prior to 2006 are not available
Source: Statistics Canada, May 2008
Canada: Industrial Hemp Oil Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
1998 0 0 n.a. n.a.
1999 0 0 n.a. n.a.
2000 0 0 n.a. n.a.
2001 0 0 n.a. n.a.
Canada: Industrial Hemp Oil Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
2002 0 2,478 n.a. n.a.
2003 0 2,725 n.a. n.a.
2004 4 36,347 n.a. n.a.
2005 2 7,180 n.a. n.a.
2006 1 4,912 42 455,771
Canada: Industrial Hemp Oil Imports and Exports
Year Imports Exports
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
Quantity
(tonnes)
Value
(Cdn$)
2007 0 2,561 77 695,870
Export statistics prior to 2006 are not available
Source: Statistics Canada, May 2008
Canadian Industrial Hemp Exports 1998-2007
Description
– Canadian Industrial Hemp Exports 1998-2007
2007 Canadian Industrial Hemp Exports
Description – 2007 Canadian Industrial Hemp Exports
