INDUSTRIAL HEMP Cannabis sativa Part 2
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Society -> subcategory Politics.
Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Part 2
Canadian Regulations
In June 1996, the passage of Bill C-8 led to significant changes in the Canadian Drug Act, essentially decriminalizing industrial hemp with low levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). On May 14, 1997, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) came into effect, replacing previous narcotic control legislation, to allow the commercial cultivation of industrial hemp in Canada. This legislation set the stage for the production of hemp for fiber and grain, offering opportunities for growers, researchers, and processors.
By 1998, industrial hemp was legally grown as a commercial crop under stringent regulations, covering production, sale, transport, processing, export, and import. Hemp straw, once harvested and devoid of foliage, is not considered a controlled substance, whereas industrial hemp grain remains controlled until it is denatured. To engage in activities involving viable hemp seeds or large-scale field production, licenses from Health Canada are required. Additionally, any food products derived from industrial hemp must have THC levels below 10 ppm.
As Health Canada is reviewing Industrial Hemp Regulations, changes are anticipated, including new approaches to "hemp dust," more stringent THC thresholds, and adjustments to food labeling, which could boost hemp marketing. In the U.S., only Hawaii has undertaken licensed hemp research, with federal resistance limiting broader activities.
Since January 1, 2000, any seed planted in Canada for industrial hemp production must be pedigreed, aligning with international Seed Certification Schemes. Most approved hemp seeds are European varieties, which are still largely imported, although some are now produced under private contracts in Canada. In 1999, the ANKA variety, a Canadian development, was successfully grown in Ontario. Currently, Canadian-bred certified varieties include ANKA, Carmen, Crag, and ESTA-1.
Delta-9 THC Management
Cannabis is distinctive in producing cannabinoids, with its resin often associated with marijuana. Historical misconceptions have frequently conflated industrial hemp with its psychoactive counterpart, but they are distinctively different. The term "marijuana" emerged from Spanish origins and now typically refers to parts or extracts of Cannabis that cause psychoactive effects.
The classification of Cannabis sativa by Small and Cronquist (1976) distinguishes two subspecies based on THC content: C. sativa subsp. sativa and C. sativa subsp. indica. Only those with less than 0.3% THC are authorized for cultivation in Canada, aligning with European and Australian regulations. Health Canada's strict monitoring ensures compliance with these THC limits.
Environmental factors, such as soil characteristics and climate, can influence THC levels, though genetic stability maintains this within regulatory limits. Certain cultivars have been removed from approval because of occasional THC exceedance, but most maintain low levels consistently.
Hemp vs. Marijuana
Joseph W. Hickey, Sr., likens the confusion between hemp and marijuana to calling a rottweiler a poodle?"both are dogs, but vastly different. Health Canada's guidelines clarify that industrial hemp, grown mainly for fiber, contains minimal THC compared to marijuana. While hemp and marijuana appear similar, they differ in cultivation density and plant characteristics. Industrial hemp is grown at higher densities, and its THC levels at mid-pollen shedding are capped at 0.3%, compared to marijuana's 10-20% range.
Breeding programs for industrial hemp prioritize low THC content, selecting genotypes with less than 0.3% THC, along with enhancing fiber and grain quality. Hemp’s genetic traits cannot be reversed to marijuana levels, even after generations of cultivation. Studies, such as those in Ontario, show stable low THC levels in feral hemp even after long-term natural propagation.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: INDUSTRIAL HEMP Cannabis sativa Part 2.
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