Kazakhstan Sets Regulations for Industrial Hemp Cultivation

The government has approved new regulations for growing hemp for industrial purposes, excluding any use tied to narcotics or psychotropic substances, Orda.kz reports.

Key Requirements

• THC content in dry mass must not exceed 0.3%
  
• Only hemp varieties listed in the State Register under the Law “On Seed Production” may be used
  
• Using seeds of the second and later reproductions is banned
  
• Cultivation is allowed only under license

Location & Security

Fields must be at least 2 km from settlements, public roads, and other agricultural land. Plots must have:

• Clear boundaries
  
• Barbed or mesh fencing
  
• Round-the-clock security
  
• A single entry and exit point
  
• THC Monitoring

Seeds are tested before sowing. Plants are analyzed twice:

• 40–45 days after planting
  
• 90–120 days before harvest

Testing is done by forensic labs on a contractual basis and paid for by the grower. A formal report is issued after each test.

If THC levels exceed the limit, the entire field is subject to inspection. Any crop over the threshold must be destroyed.

Sampling Rules

Seeds and plant samples must be delivered quickly to avoid chemical changes. They should be packed in numbered paper or fiber bags, marked with the field location and sampling point.

The resolution takes effect immediately upon publication.

Original Author: Natalia Ovchinnikova