Industrial Hemp License Canada

You must either own the land being used for cultivation or have written landowner consent authorizing hemp cultivation activities on the property.

Most Industrial Hemp Licence applications are approved within approximately 60 days, depending on application completeness and Health Canada review timelines.

Yes. Industrial hemp may be cultivated for CBD production provided the crop meets Health Canada’s industrial hemp requirements, including maintaining THC levels below 0.3%.

Yes. Once you obtain an Industrial Hemp Licence, you may apply for additional import or export permits through Health Canada depending on the products and destination country involved. Additional regulatory requirements and documentation may apply for international trade activities.

Industrial Hemp Licences in Canada are generally regulated based on acreage, approved cultivars, and THC compliance rather than a maximum plant count limit.

Industrial hemp cultivators must:

The number of plants grown may vary significantly depending on the cultivation method, intended use, and production goals. Outdoor fibre and grain operations often involve very high plant densities, while greenhouse or cannabinoid-focused operations may use different cultivation approaches.

Industrial hemp cultivation activities must remain compliant with applicable federal regulations, site information, and licensing conditions.

Yes. GrowLegally provides end-to-end support including application preparation, regulatory guidance, operational consulting, submission assistance, and ongoing support.

The List of Approved Cultivars (LOAC) is maintained by Health Canada and contains hemp varieties approved for industrial hemp cultivation in Canada. Approved cultivars are selected based on regulatory compliance and THC stability.

Yes. Industrial hemp cultivation is permitted in Ontario and across Canada, provided applicants comply with Health Canada’s Industrial Hemp Regulations and use approved cultivars where required.

Yes. Industrial hemp cultivators may develop their own hemp genetics or cultivars. However, cultivars intended for commercial industrial hemp production in Canada must comply with Health Canada requirements, including approval and inclusion on the List of Approved Cultivars (LOAC).

Yes. Industrial hemp cultivators may grow approved hemp varieties intended for CBD production, provided THC concentrations remain compliant with federal regulations.

No. A Cannabis Nursery Licence is not generally required for industrial hemp cultivation activities involving approved hemp genetics under the Industrial Hemp Regulations. However, activities must still remain compliant with applicable Health Canada regulations and operational requirements.

Yes. Selling viable hemp seeds in Canada requires compliance with Health Canada’s Industrial Hemp Regulations. Businesses involved in cultivating, processing, importing, exporting, or selling viable hemp seed generally require an Industrial Hemp Licence.

Industrial hemp cultivation must typically use approved cultivars listed on Health Canada’s List of Approved Cultivars (LOAC), and certain seed activities may involve additional regulatory, testing, or import/export requirements.GrowLegally can help guide applicants through the licensing and compliance process for hemp seed and genetics-related operations.

The primary difference between an Industrial Hemp Licence and a Cannabis Cultivation Licence in Canada is the THC concentration of the plants, the intended use of the crop, and the level of regulatory oversight required.

Industrial Hemp Licences are regulated under Health Canada’s Industrial Hemp Regulations (IHR) and are intended for low-THC hemp cultivation used for fibre, grain, seed, biomass, and certain CBD-related activities. Industrial hemp crops must contain no more than 0.3% THC and generally require the use of approved cultivars listed on Health Canada’s List of Approved Cultivars (LOAC).

Cannabis Cultivation Licences (Standard or Micro Cultivation) are regulated under the Cannabis Regulations and allow the cultivation of cannabis exceeding 0.3% THC for medical or adult-use markets. These licences involve significantly stricter security, infrastructure, recordkeeping, and operational requirements.

Industrial Hemp Licence

Cannabis Cultivation Licence

Depending on the intended business model, additional licences such as Cannabis Processing or Nursery Licences may also be required.

Industrial Hemp Licences are intended for low-THC hemp cultivation and related activities, while Cannabis Nursery Licences are generally associated with propagation, breeding, cloning, and genetic development activities involving cannabis plants.

Yes. Industrial hemp may be cultivated both indoors and outdoors depending on the goals of the operation, facility setup, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Outdoor cultivation is commonly used for large-scale fibre, grain, and biomass production, while indoor or greenhouse cultivation is often preferred for high-quality CBD flower and cannabinoid-focused operations due to increased environmental control.

Indoor and greenhouse cultivation may provide:

Outdoor cultivation may provide:

All industrial hemp cultivation activities in Canada must comply with Health Canada’s Industrial Hemp Regulations, including THC compliance requirements and applicable licensing obligations.