Driving Hemp Research and Promotion

The Canadian Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency Proclamation, SOR/2024-220, under the Farm Products Agencies Act, establishes a national body dedicated to promoting and advancing industrial hemp in Canada. The agency, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, is composed of nine members elected or appointed from across Canada, representing producers, importers, and stakeholders within the industrial hemp supply chain.
The agency’s mandate includes fostering the production, marketing, and research of industrial hemp and its derivatives across interprovincial, export, and import markets. Its responsibilities extend to enhancing the sector’s visibility, advancing research efforts, and ensuring industry-wide cooperation. A key element of its function is the preparation of annual budgets and business programs, submitted for approval to the National Farm Products Council. These plans must align with the agency’s overarching objectives and the statutory requirements outlined in the Farm Products Agencies Act.
The proclamation specifies a structured election process to ensure fair representation from Canada’s provinces and regions. Six members are chosen from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with one member representing producers in the Atlantic provinces. Another member is elected by hemp importers, while the ninth is selected from the broader supply chain. Members serve two-year terms, and mechanisms exist for appointing substitutes should vacancies arise. Leadership is determined internally, with members electing a chair and vice-chair.
The agency is authorized to impose levies or charges on those engaged in the marketing and importation of industrial hemp and its derivatives. These funds are intended to sustain administrative operations and support promotional and research activities. The agency is mandated to maintain separate accounts for revenues collected from imports, ensuring transparency and accountability. Unpaid levies are treated as debts enforceable by the agency, and collection processes are established to manage arrears effectively.
To foster industry cohesion, the agency emphasizes collaboration among producers, importers, and its members. It also bears the responsibility of conducting a comprehensive review of its strategic plan every five years, assessing effectiveness, and proposing necessary modifications to fulfill its objectives. These reviews and any recommended changes are reported to the National Farm Products Council within three months of the review meeting.
The proclamation integrates definitions and frameworks aligned with existing legislation, such as the Industrial Hemp Regulations and the Cannabis Act, ensuring consistency in the classification and management of industrial hemp products and derivatives. By situating the agency’s activities within a legal and operational framework, the initiative aims to solidify Canada’s position as a leader in the industrial hemp sector.
Canada (SOR/2024-220) November 20, 2024