Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries

Tools

Accessibility

Primary navigation


Home | Information paper | Guidelines | Application | Industrial hemp newsletter  

Industrial hemp

Opportunities to engage in commercial fibre and seed production in Queensland 

The Drugs Misuse Act 1986 (the Act), part 5B, provides for persons to engage in the commercial fibre and seed production of industrial cannabis, also known as industrial hemp, in Queensland under controlled conditions.

The object of part 5B of the Act is to facilitate the processing and marketing of, and trade in, industrial cannabis fibre and fibre products; the processing and marketing of, and trade in, industrial cannabis seed and seed products, other than for the purpose, directly or indirectly, of producing anything for administration to, or consumption or smoking by a person.

Part 5B of the Act, among other things, enables activities to be carried out  under controlled conditions for the commercial production of industrial hemp fibre and seed; research into the use of industrial hemp as a commercial fibre and seed crop and plant breeding programs to develop new or improved strains of industrial hemp.  The Act provides for a system of licensing of growers and researchers and authorisations for other ancillary persons such as but not limited to seed suppliers, seed denaturers, manufacturers and analysts.  Coupled with this system of licensing and authorisations is compliance monitoring program carried out by inspectors appointed for part 5B of the Act.  Persons wishing to obtain a licence to engage in the commercial production of industrial hemp must meet strict eligibility and suitability requirements.

Part 5B of the Act is administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

More information

Last updated 23 February 2007