In Canada, hemp was first cultivated in 1606 in Port Royal, Acadia, in present day Nova Scotia. This is also the first hemp crop grown in North America. Beginning in 1801, hemp seed was distributed free to farmers by the Lieutenant Governor of the province of Upper Canada on behalf of the King of England. Hemp was the first crop in Canada to be government-subsidized, and several thousand acres were grown at its peak in Western Ontario alone. In support of the war effort, both Canadian and American governments subsidized hemp farmers during World War Two, and American farmers grew more than one million acres of hemp between 1943 and 1945.

Fibre hemp cultivation continued in many regions to the 20th century. Through many Old World cultures, hemp seed also has a long tradition of in Canada: immigrants from Eastern Europe brought hemp seeds with them when they settled the Prairies. These they planted and used for fresh oil, baking and traditional dishes. Similarly, Chinese Canadians have also long eaten hemp for medicinal and dietary reasons.

In Canada and in the US, hemp was outlawed 70-80 years ago, because it was confused with other kinds of Cannabis. Hemp is often called industrial hemp to distinguish it from other varieties of the plant. In Canada, all commercial hemp strains are grown under science-based regulations to maintain and ensure genetic identity.

After a half century’s absence from Canada’s fields and factories, hemp cultivation was again allowed in 1998, reawakening this country’s relationship to this interesting, fascinating, flexible plant.

Canadian Hemp production was officially discontinued in 1938. In 1994, Health Canada began issuing hemp research licenses again. In March 1998, Health Canada allowed commercial production of the crop under a licensing system. 

Hemp is best suited to areas with temperate climates such as Canada. It does especially well in regions where corn is grown. The plant has a short growing season of three to four months, which means that the southern coastal regions of British Columbia could successfully cultivate two crops in a single year! Hemp is grown densely packed, up to 150 plants per square meter, so that tall plants containing long primary bast fibres will be produced. By the time they are ready to be harvested, the hemp plants have reached a height of two to four meters. Hemp requires no pesticides to aid in its growth, as it is naturally pest resistant. It has been known to reduce pests in future crops when grown in rotation. Hemp requires no herbicides because it is grown so densely that it smothers out other plants. Hemp also requires little or no fertilizer and it returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil.