Industrial hemp and its potential for New Zealand

Abstract

This report is aimed at farmers, processors and the sections of government involved in the reintroduction of industrial hemp. It aims to provide, assuming no prior knowledge, background information on hemp and the issues surrounding it. It analyses the current political and legal situation; and estimates the potential economic, social and environmental costs and benefits for New Zealand, and makes recommendations based on that analysis. There are detailed briefings on the history, biology, agronomy, and end products of industrial hemp. These provide important technical information and support the analysis and recommendations of the report. These can be left unread if the reader’s main focus is policy issues.