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%
  • 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 industrial cannabis and research cannabis to a grower or another researcher for research purposes
  • supply processed cannabis to authorised persons noting class A and class B research cannabis cannot be used for processed cannabis.

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.

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, you must be a fit and proper person.

When assessing if you are a fit and proper person, the department will:

  • check your criminal history
  • check your bankruptcy clearance
  • 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.

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

Duration

3 years

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

You can find the current fees here.

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.

Transfer process

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.