Commercial industrial cannabis production licence - Queensland

Description

You will need a licence if you intend to grow industrial cannabis (hemp) for commercial purposes. Industrial cannabis or hemp (Cannabis sativa) is specifically bred to have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels of no more than 1% and does not have the psychoactive properties that marijuana does. In Queensland, the crop is grown commercially to produce fibre and seed. Industrial cannabis seed, or grain, is allowed to be produced for food for human consumption.

There are three licences available to engage in activities associated with the commercial production of industrial cannabis:

  • grower licence
  • researcher licence
  • seed handler licence.

A grower licence will allow you to:

  • possess and supply industrial cannabis and produce industrial cannabis plants and seed from planting seed - planting seed means cannabis seed that has been harvested from a cannabis plant with a THC concentration, in the plant's leaves and flowering heads, of not more than 0.5%
  • possess and supply industrial cannabis seed to a researcher, another grower, seed handler or analyst supply processed cannabis to authorised persons.

A researcher licence will allow you to:

  • possess and supply for research purposes, industrial cannabis and class A and B research cannabis plants and seed
  • produce industrial cannabis and class A and B research cannabis plants and seed for research purposes
  • supply processed cannabis to authorised persons.

There are two types of research plants.

  • Class A research cannabis plants - have a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 3% or more in its leaves and flowering heads.
  • Class B research cannabis plants - have a THC concentration of more than 1% but less than 3% in its leaves and flowering heads.

A seed handler licence will allow you to:

  • possess industrial cannabis seed for the purpose of storing, denaturing and trading in the seed
  • supply industrial cannabis seed and processed cannabis seed to authorised persons.

You will need to maintain records of your activities, including any industrial cannabis in your possession and when and how much you plant.

If you hold a licence, you cannot:

  • Extract and / or produce Cannabidol (CBD) oil or any other product from industrial cannabis leaves or flowering heads.
  • Supply industrial cannabis leaves or flowering heads to another person for the purpose of producing CBD oil or any other product.
  • Allowing food producing animals to consume industrial cannabis plants.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for this licence, applicants for any licence must not have been:

  • convicted of a serious offence within the previous 10 years
  • declared bankrupt.

Applicants for a research licence must also have the necessary qualifications and experience for plant breeding or other research.

When assessing your suitability, the department will:

  • check your criminal history
  • evaluate your ability to perform the activities authorised under a licence
  • review any suspensions or cancellations of previous licences
  • seek details on receivership or liquidation placed on corporations.

Duration

Three years

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
Apply Application All $1991.52

Researcher licence. Fees for 2022-23

Apply Application All $1337.57

Grower licence. Fees for 2022-23

Apply Application All $446.54

Seed handler licence. Fees for 2022-23

Comply Inspection All $330.10

Monitoring of an activity performed under a relevant authority - per hour. Fees for 2022-23

Renew Renewal All $446.54

Seed handler licence. Fees for 2022-23

Renew Renewal All $1086.45

Grower licence. Fees for 2022-23

Renew Renewal All $1612.17

Researcher licence. Fees for 2022-23

Vary Variation All $302.32

Amendment of a licence or licence condition. Fees for 2022-23

Forms

Other resources

Application process

Apply

Contact Biosecurity Queensland to discuss your licensing requirements and to obtain the relevant forms.

Once you have applied, Biosecurity Queensland will assess your application and as part of that determine if you are a fit and proper person to hold the licence. Accordingly, you will need to provide information on criminal history and bankruptcy clearance.

Lodgement process

Lodge

You will need to submit your application at least two months before you intend to undertake the proposed activities. This will allow enough time for an assessment to be completed.

Transfer

This licence cannot be transferred.

Administering agency

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Biosecurity Queensland

Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.