About us Mō mātou

About the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand health system. 

Regulation & legislation Ngā here me ngā ture

Health providers and products we regulate, and laws we administer.

Strategies & initiatives He rautaki, he tūmahi hou

How we’re working to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Māori health Hauora Māori

Increasing access to health services, achieving equity and improving outcomes for Māori.

Statistics & research He tatauranga, he rangahau

Data and insights from our health surveys, research and monitoring.

On this page

About industrial hemp

Industrial hemp is varieties of Cannabis sativa that have a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content generally below 0.35 percent. Industrial hemp varieties are controlled drugs and are listed in Schedule 3 Part I of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.

It is an offence to advertise hemp for psychoactive purposes or to supply it to unauthorised persons. The Director-General of Health determines which varieties of Cannabis sativa can be cultivated. For further information please consult the guidelines below or contact us.

Licence fees

A licence is issued for a period of one year.

A general licence is $511.11 including GST. This allows for the cultivation, processing, possession and supply of low-THC cannabis varieties approved by the Director-General of Health.

A research and breeding licence is issued only if the applicant holds a general licence and is an additional $153.33 including GST. It allows for the cultivation and processing of approved and non-approved varieties.

Application forms

From July 2019 the following application forms are to be used to apply for a new industrial hemp licence, or to request an amendment (including extension) to an existing industrial hemp licence.

Medsafe will email application packs to licensees for renewal of existing licences reaching their expiry date.

Contact us

Contact the Regulatory Practice and Analysis Branch, Medsafe.

Email: [email protected]

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