List of Approved Cultivars for the 2023 Growing Season: Industrial Hemp Varieties Approved for Commercial Production

Additions: Nadine was added to the list in December 2022.

Deletions: No varieties were removed from the list in 2022.

Observation: NWG 2730, Painted Lady, Rogue, Santiam and Umpqua are under observation.

Notes:
Subsection 26(1) of the Industrial Hemp Regulations (IHR) requires all seed planted for the production of industrial hemp in Canada to be of pedigreed status (Certified or higher class), other than seed used for plant breeding. This means that farm-saved non-pedigreed seed cannot be planted, and inspectors may request official seed tags as evidence of compliance.

Furthermore, under section 16 of the IHR, seeds that are imported into Canada for purposes other than plant breeding must be pedigreed seeds of approved cultivars that are recognized under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Seed Schemes or by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA).

Similarly, under section 17 of the IHR, importation of grain into Canada must be from a country that participates in the OECD Seed Schemes or a country that has an agency that is a member of AOSCA.

Health Canada must be informed as per paragraph 6(1)(h) of the IHR in the event of crop failure where samples cannot be drawn for THC testing.

Proposals for the addition of new cultivars on the LOAC will be evaluated twice yearly. Proposals are to be received by Health Canada before February 1 and September 1 of each year.

Questions regarding the List of Approved Cultivars for the 2023 growing season may be submitted to:

Industrial Hemp Unit
Health Canada
AL 0300A
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
hemp-chanvre@hc-sc.gc.ca