Commercial cannabis production licence - Queensland

Description

You will need a licence if you intend to grow hemp for commercial purposes. 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 2 types of research plants.

    • Class A research cannabis plants - have a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 3% or more in its leaves and flowering heads. These plants must be grown in a locked glasshouse.
    • 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.

    If you hold any of the above licences, you must maintain records of your activities, including any industrial cannabis in your possession and when and how much you plant.

    Service type

    Licence

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

    Exemptions

    Other participants in the industrial hemp industry who are not growers, researchers or seed handlers do not need licences. However, they need to comply with all legislative requirements.

    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:

    • require confirmation of character, honesty and integrity for licence applicants and close associates
    • check your criminal history
    • evaluate your ability to perform the activities authorised under a licence
    • interview your nominated referees
    • review any suspensions or cancellations of previous licences
    • seek details on receivership or liquidation placed on corporations.

    You may be required to have your fingerprints taken as part of the criminal history checking process. Applicants pay the costs of fingerprint checks.

    Duration

    Three years

    Fees

    Fees Details for this service in table format.

    Task Type Business Structure Amount Description
    Apply Application All $506.75 -
    General Miscellaneous All -

    Please note: Criminal history checks are required for both applications for initial licence and applications for licence renewal. Applicants pay the cost of these checks.

    Fees and charges for industrial hemp licences are not refundable.
    Renew Renewal All $202.80 -

    Forms

    Task Business Structure Resources
    Apply All Industrial cannabis production application form - Contact the department for more information on the current application process and relevant form.

    Application process

    Apply

    Contact our Customer Service Centre to request application forms. When you submit your application you will need to provide:

    • a completed application form
    • a completed supplement to licence application
    • two recent passport sized photographs
    • details of three character referees for each applicant, close associate or executive officer
    • payment of the relevant fee.

    Approval time

    Submit your application at least two months before you intend to undertake activities proposed under the licence to allow enough time for the 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.

    Please use these contact details for help or more information:

    Customer Service Centre

    Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity

    Biosecurity Queensland

    Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Mailing address: GPO Box 46
    Brisbane
    Queensland 4001
    Phone: 13 25 23
    Phone: 07 3404 6999
    Email: callweb@daf.qld.gov.au
    Website: Biosecurity Queensland (Opens in new window)