Health Minister Andrew Green has granted a licence to the Industrial Hemp Partnership – a new Jersey-based business venture – to grow hemp in the Island. Hemp is a variety of cannabis which can be used to make a wide range of products including rope, clothes and food. The Jersey licence has been granted on a trial basis to explore its use in cooking-oil production and hemp fibre.
Because hemp is a variety of cannabis, it is banned under Jersey drug laws. However, licences can be granted by the Health Minister.
Scott Meadows, assistant director for rural economy at the Environment Department, says that the hemp licence is part of a plan to ‘complement the dairy and potato industries’.
Under the terms of the licence, four varieties of hemp will be grown on a trial basis for a year.
It has not been revealed where in the Island the hemp will be cultivated or who is behind the company.
Mr Meadows said: ‘We have, for a couple of years, been looking a crops that will complement our traditional dairy and potato industries.
‘We have an intensive agricultural system in Jersey and we wanted crops that would have less impact on the industry.
‘I was approached by a company called IHP who were interested in producing hemp in the Island and I offered to assist them in getting a licence.’
