The Government of Alberta has released new information to assist producers to make decisions regarding hemp crop production, storage, handling and risk management.
The County has revamped its legacy weed inspection program in an effort to better track and control weed spread. Some residents will have received notifications that inspections will be occurring on their properties; if you are an area producer you will likely receive this notice as well.
The new guide, entitled Growing Hemp in Alberta, is now available on the Open Government Portal. This document is intended to assist current and prospective hemp producers in making informed decisions regarding hemp crop production, storage, handling and risk management. It is suitable for all levels of producers, including those producers considering growing hemp, new entrants to hemp growing and established growers. Also available on the Open Government Portal is the Industrial Hemp Cost and Returns document. A new cost and returns study is planned for 2021.
Overview of Hemp in Canada
Hemp is an ancient crop experiencing a rebirth as a commercial crop. It became legal to grow hemp for commercial production in Canada in 1998.
The Industrial Hemp Regulations, part of the Cannabis Act 2018, in Canada allows for whole plant utilization of the hemp crop.
Food is the economic base of the Canadian hemp industry driven by a strong regulatory structure, good manufacturing processes, and long-term sales relationships. 4 Changes in the hemp regulations now allow opportunities for high value bioactive components from flowering heads, leaves and roots, which have seen as surge in market demand. These plant parts contain CBD and other bioactives that are being extracted for use as ingredients for cosmetics, natural health products and pharmaceuticals.
Markets are developing for straw and grain feedstock processing as inputs for bioindustrial product manufacturing including construction, erosion control, horticulture, automotive parts, paper, sustainable packaging, textiles and bedding.
