Newsweed Cannabis news Cannabis in Oceania Cannabis in New Zealand
Published
on
By
The New Zealand raised the legal THC limit in hemp from 0.35% to 1%.
These changes repeal the 2006 Industrial Hemp Regulations and replace a licensing framework with a simpler notification system. Farmers no longer require the permission of health authorities to grow hemp. They must now simply notify the police and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) of their intention before proceeding with planting.
«This is fantastic news for industrial hemp growers, now simply called «hemp» in Aotearoa New Zealand,» said Richard Barge, president of the New Zealand Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA).
Under the new rules, hemp is now defined as a plant with Cannabis sativa containing no more than 1% THC in dry weight. Industry representatives state that this higher threshold will significantly reduce the risk of crops unintentionally exceeding legal limits.
The new framework also opens hemp cultivation to all regions of the country and removes several administrative hurdles that previously discouraged participation in this sector.
According to Mr. Barge, these reforms help to reposition hemp as «a legitimate agricultural crop with strong potential in the areas of seeds, fibers, food, manufacturing, construction, and the development of sustainable bioproducts.».
This package of reforms also strengthens ties between the New Zealand sector of medical marijuana and the hemp industry.
As part of this new system, hemp biomass, including leaves and flowers, can be provided to licensed medical cannabis operators.
«Collaboration between the hemp and medical cannabis sectors is an important and positive step forward,» said Sally King, Executive Director of the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council. «There are still significant opportunities surrounding the full utilization of the plant, notably by enabling the use of hemp leaves and flowers in the future for medicinal and wellness products for both humans and animals.»
Industry associations believe these new rules could help attract investment in processing infrastructure and the manufacturing of value-added products from hemp fibers, seeds, and biomass.
Despite deregulation of the culture, significant restrictions continue to apply.
The government now defines a hemp product as primarily one made from hemp seeds, hemp stalks, or food products made from hemp seeds. Consequently, the commercial use of leaves, flowers, and roots remains restricted outside of medical cannabis or export channels.
Proponents of the sector have long argued that these restrictions prevent the full utilization of the plant and limit the development of higher value-added wellness and industrial products.
Another major open question concerns theAnimal feed. The MPI recently reaffirmed that hemp-derived ingredients remain subject to regulation under the Animal Products and Veterinary Medicines Act. This means that hemp-based products cannot be freely incorporated into thelivestock feed, pet food or other agricultural compounds without regulatory approval.
1 newsletter per week,
every Wednesday!
We don’t spam! See our privacy policy for more information.
Check your inbox or junk folder to confirm your subscription.
New Caledonia Adopts a Historic Roadmap for Hemp
Aurélien founded Newsweed in 2015. Particularly interested in international regulations and the various cannabis markets, he also has an extensive knowledge of the plant and its uses.
New Zealand’s medical cannabis sector struggles to meet demand
New Zealand aims to boost its hemp industry with a new standard at 1% THC
Terphogz varieties soon available in Germany, Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand grants first license to grow indigenous magic mushrooms
New Zealand approves first locally produced medical cannabis products
The first medical cannabis flowers arrive in New Zealand
New Zealand police relaunch cannabis eradication program
New Zealand abandons helicopter surveillance of cannabis fields
Final votes confirm that New Zealand will not legalize cannabis
You must be logged in to post a comment Login
Vous devez être connecté pour poster un commentaire.
Follow all the latest news about vaporizers on LesVapos, tests and buying advice for dried herb vaporizers and concentrates.
Buy cannabis seeds feminized and autoflowering direct from Barney’s Farm in Amsterdam, free seeds with every order.
If you’re in the UK and need some amazing Cali Weed Strain Seeds, Barney’s Farm has the best selection.
Buy the best feminized cannabis seeds from Original Sensible Seeds, including their flagship variety Bruce Banner #3.
Discover the CBD flowers with Le Chanvrier Français
Mon-Cbd-Francais.com is the online CBD wholesaler for professionals. Benefit from wholesale prices, delivery (within 24 hours), recognized brands, analyzed and controlled products.
Weecl is the leading French B2B supplier in cannabinoids. They master the entire production chain to offer you the very best products.
Deli Hemp Pro, CBD wholesaler to ensure your store’s success!
Find your happiness with the best of CBD on the CBD.fr online store, the leader in France since 2003.
Silent Seeds offers Dinafem feminized cannabis seeds, a historic brand and cannabis seed bank since 2005.
With CBDOO, Access a wide range of carefully selected CBD varieties at a fair price.
CBD Discounter, Your cheap CBD expert: low prices on flowers, resins, oils, vapes and derivatives: 10-OH-HHC, CBDP, CBG9, CBDX… Premium quality and 24-hour delivery.
Nigeria moves a step closer to legalizing medical cannabis
Le Champ d’en Face aims to bring hemp back into the public discourse
French CBD industry to challenge CBD product control plan in court
Antigua and Barbuda: When Cannabis Becomes a Cultural Destination and a Tool for Sovereignty
Japan bans CBN
Germany imported over 50 tonnes of medical cannabis in the first quarter of 2026
Europe authorizes the first cannabis-derived medicine for the treatment of chronic pain
Trump’s reclassification of cannabis is being challenged in court
Newsweed is the first French media on legal and worldwide cannabis news – © Newsweed