Application for Cultivation

Background information when applying for authorization to cultivate low-THC hemp (Cannabis L.) for research purposes.

How to apply for the authorization to cultivate low-THC hemp (Cannabis L.)

Background information when applying for authorization to cultivate low-THC hemp (Cannabis L.) for research purposes.

The general principles to be adopted in issuing Authorizations are that:

• both private and public entities are eligible;
• Authorizations will be issued to target the environments with the greatest potential for hemp production;
• Authorizations will be granted only for small-plot field trials of up to one hectare;
• authorized persons will be required to make available agronomic data from field trials for publication;
• the design arid method of conducting field trials must be approved by Agriculture Western Australia. Agriculture Western Australia will make available the designated coordinating officers to assist in the design of the proposed trials on a fee for service basis.

A steering committee, convened by the Minister for Primary Industry which includes representatives of the Department of Police, Health Department of Western Australia, Agriculture Western Australia and the farming community will consider applications for authorization, make recommendations on the issuing of authorizations, work with authorized persons and review any specified provisions of the trial as required.

The steering committee will select applicants for authorization on the basis of:

• location of trial sites to ensure that trials are distributed in areas of greatest production potential;
• demonstrated ability to implement appropriate security measures and other License provisions;
• effective collaboration with commercial end-users; and
• scientific merit of proposed research.

Samples of the hemp plants will be required for measuring the THC content. The sampling plan is as follows:

• up to 48 individual plant heads (16 heads per block) will be taken as a composite sample per variety grown per trial,
• successful applicants will pay the cost of the testing at a rate of S30 per sample. The cost will be approximately $200 for a trial of 6 varieties during the first year.
• the trial coordinator will take the samples prior to harvest and arrange for testing in an approved facility;
• If the concentration of THC is found to be greater than 0.35% the crop is to be destroyed immediately.

How to apply for the authorization to cultivate low-THC hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.)

A. Complete the application form:

1. FULL NAME OF APPLICANT
Please provide the full name of the person applying for the authorization

2. BUSINESS NAME OF APPLICANT
Please provide the registered business name, if any.

3. BUSINESS ADDRESS OF APPLICANT
Please provide your business address, or the address of the registered office in Western Australia if the organization is incorporated.

4. POSTAL ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
Please provide your preferred mailing address. If this address is the same as the address listed under number 3, enter 'as above'.

5. CANNABIS PLANT PROPOSED TO BE CULTIVATED
List varieties proposed to be cultivated.

6. ADDRESS OF PROPERTY ON WHICH CANNABIS PLANT IS PROPOSED TO BE GROWN
Please provide the address of property. This should include the Land Division and Location Number and the distance and direction to the nearest town. If it is proposed to cultivate cannabis plants on different properties, a separate application will be required for each property.

7. NAME OF PERSON SUPERVISING
The person named will be the primary contact person in respect of the proposed cultivation.

8. DECLARATION BY APPLICANT
The application must be completed and signed by the applicant in the presence of a witness.

B. Provide a detailed description of the research proposal

See attached information sheet for the details required.

C. Provide all relevant documents

For example:

* Documentation verifying information supplied.
* Certificate of Incorporation (showing address of registered office). if applicable.
* Certificate of Registration of a Business Name, if applicable.
* List of all directors, if applicable.
* Completion of authorization for Police clearance for the applicant and any directors (if applicable) and EACH employee who will have unsupervised access to cannabis plants.

Before your application can be processed, all the above must be completed and returned

Application for authorization to cultivate low-thc hem (Cannabis Sativa L.)

1. Full Name of Applicant:

____________________________________________________________
2. Business Name of Applicant (if any):

____________________________________________________________
3. Business Address + Post code and Telephone Number of Applicant:

____________________________________________________________
4. Postal Address + Post code for Correspondence:

____________________________________________________________
5. Varieties of cannabis plants to be used:

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
6. Location of property where the crop of cannabis plants are proposed to be cultivated:

____________________________________________________________
7. Name of person primarily responsible for supervision of cultivation:

____________________________________________________________
Contact telephone number:

____________________________________________________________
8. DECLARATION BY PERSON COMPLETING APPLICATION

I hereby declare that the information I have supplied in the application. is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true and correct in every particular; and I make this declaration in the knowledge that a person waking a false declaration is liable to prosecution under section 35 of the Poisons Act

Signed: ___________________ Date:
(Person Completing Application)

in the presence of:

____________________________________________________________
(Name and Signature of Witness)

APPLICATION FOR POLICE CLEARANCE TO CULTIVATE LOW THC HEMP (CANNABIS L.) AND/OR HAVE UNSUPERVISED ACCESS TO CROP SITES

To: Chairperson
Industrial Hemp Steering Committee

I, ____________________________________________________________
(Full Name)

____________________________________________________________
(Occupation, Date of Birth)

of ____________________________________________________________
(Residential Address)

authorize the Commissioner of police, or other member of the Western Australian Police Service, to investigate my suitability to cultivate [ THC Hemp for research purposes and/or to have unsupervised access to crop sites, and to report his opinion to the Chairperson, Industrial Hemp Steering Committee.

I acknowledge that such investigation may include any record of any conviction for an offense, particulars concerning any known or suspected associates and any antecedents or circumstances giving cause for a suspicion that I may have been concerned in any offense which has been or may be committed.

Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Dated:

Witnessed by:____________________________________________________________
(Full Name and occupation)

Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Dated:

DESCRIPTION OF INFORMATION REQUIRED IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION

In support of an application for authorization to cultivate low THC hemp for research purposes, the following information is required:

Applicant Details

1. Name of applicant.

2. Address of property on which it is proposed to Cultivate hemp. The Land Division and Location number will be required together with an indication of the distance and direction to the nearest town. Location of the proposed site in relation to local roads and residences will also be required.

3. Name and position of person supplying the information.

4. The varieties, source and anticipated THC content of the cannabis plants concerned. If the applicant is not importing seed for the trial, the relevant information is available from the trial coordinators.

Note: Official documentation verifying the above will be required.

Details of Proposed Research Project

5. Specify full details of the proposed research project, including treatments arid trial design, quantities of seed required, sowing method and rate number of sowings, area to be sown, period over which sowing is to take place and experimental data to be recorded.

6. Specify the intended stage of maturity of the crop at harvest, and method of determining that stage.

7. Specify the method of harvest of the crop, full details of the proposed disposal/destruction of harvested material, crop residues, re-growth from harvested plants and plants from germination of seed produced by the trial plants, and details of any proposed use of harvested material for processing tests.

Note:

(a) Authorizations will normally be granted only for small-plot field trials floral area up Co I ha). unless applicants can demonstrate char larger quantities of harvested material are essential for research on commercial end uses
(b) Authorized persons will be required to make available agronomic data from field trials for publication.
(c) To maximize the value of the research program, special consideration will be given to applicants who are collaborating with commercial end-users of hemp products.
(d) Trial coordinators nominated by Agriculture Western Australia can assist applicants in locating sources of low THC varieties of hemp and can provide technical advice on trial design if this expertise is nor otherwise available. These services will be provided on a fee for service basis.
(e) To ensure that the field trials are adequately designed and conducted applicants will be expected to be either technically qualified: or employ a suitably qualified person(s): or collaborate with Agriculture Western Australia or an appropriate research institution. The design and methodology must be approved by Agriculture Western Australia.
(f) Commercial end users, testing laboratories and any other person who may gain possession will require separate authorization for possession of cannabis plants.
(g) Applicants should note that authorization of a research program does not bind the Government in relation to possible future commercial production.

Project Personnel

8. Please list those persons proposed to have unsupervised access to the trial site.

Note:

(a) Full name, residential address. occupation and date of birth are required
(b) Applicants and all other persons who will have unsupervised access to the trial site are required to provide written authority for the Commissioner of Police to investigate their suitability for authorization to cultivate low-THC hemp or to have unsupervised access to the trial site, and for the Commissioner to report his opinion as to such suitability to the Chairperson. Industrial Hemp Steering Committee. An Application for Police Clearance is attached.
(c) A log to be kept to record the names of all supervised visitors.

Security Arrangements

9. Please specify proposed security measures to be used on the property on which the trial is proposed to be located.

Note:

(a) Adequate security measures will include barrier fencing and locked gates chat prevent easy access by unauthorized persons to the property and trial site. The fence should be a minimum overall height of 1.5 meters and be constructed with sheep netting (6-line ring-lock) with one line of plain wire at the bottom. one line of barbed wire above the netting. and one electrified wire held 300 mm above the barbed wire on standard 'outriggers.' The trial site should be located close to a residence. Signs at the trial site should alert unauthorized persons that access is prohibited and that the crop is low in THC content (e.g. 'Controlled Site Restricted Entry. low THC Fiber Hemp. Contact Person...'). Such signs will be clearly visible and have black letters, at least 50 mm high, on a white background. and be made of metal sheeting. Other security arrangements for limiting access to authorized persons and the degree of supervision of the trial site by authorized persons should be specified.
(b) Harvesting is to take place before seed set. and at the direction of the designated trial coordinator.
(c) Al/field trials must be monitored by a coordinator nominated by Agriculture Western Australia. The coordinator will:

• assist applicants in sourcing seed of low THC hemp varieties;
• receive seed after importation and clearance through Customs and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS);
• arrange for the testing of seed for physical purity and germination and hold the seed for safekeeping in preparation for sowing:
• monitor the sowing of field trials and hold any residual seed for safekeeping:
• monitor the harvest of field trials and removal/destruction of crop residues: and
• collate and publish results of field trials.

(d) Plants in the trials will be sampled by the designated trial coordinator, and tested for THC content by a laboratory, approved by the Health Deportment of Western Australian, on a fee for service basis. The Health Department of Western Australia will specify sampling methods and timing of sampling. Lea/samples from crop must not contain more than 0.35% w/w dry weight of THC. If the Tile content exceeds this level, the crop must be destroyed under supervision.
(e) Access to trial sites by officers of Agriculture Western Australia and the Departments of Police and Health will be required in accordance with legislative requirements.

10. Specify details of records which will be kept on all aspects of the trial, including records of samples taken, the type and quantity of material produced and destroyed or disposed of after harvest, and material lost through interference.

Note: Records must provide an audit trail on all seed used and hemp material produced.

Liaison with local agents

11. Specify arrangements made/to be made with Local authorities to inform them of the project and to report any interference with the crop.

Note:

(a) In view of the strong public interest in the trial program. effective liaison with local agencies and community leaders will be an important means of educating the public on the purpose of the trial program and the fact that low THC is of no value to drug users.
(b) Research sites may be made available for visits by industry participants such as primary producers and processors by prior arrangement with. and under the supervision of authorized project staff records of such visit must be kept.

Technical and coordination services provided by Agriculture Western Australia

Agriculture Western Australia has appointed two coordinators to provide technical advice to applicants in the planning and design of field trials, monitor the conduct of field trials, undertake sampling for THC testing, and publish trial results.

Agriculture Western Australia
3 Baron-Hay Court
South Perth 6151
Tel (09) 368 3778
Fax (09) 3672625

Agriculture Western Australia
Bunbury District Office
North Boyanup Road
Bunbury 6231
Tel (097) 25 5255
Fax (097)25 4136

All services by government agencies will be provided on a fee for service basis. It is estimated that the total annual cost of the planning including seed, monitoring, THC testing and publication of results will be between AUS$3,500 and AUS$5,000 depending on the complexity of the trial and the frequency of THC testing required.

(I think I know why we are running out of paper and trees, forms, forms, forms, -Ed)

Do you know more about this? e-mail us at Matthew@HempWorld.com

*Industrial-Hemp has no psychoactive properties following definition of the European Economic Community (EEC); THC content is less than 0.3%. In general, low THC-seed varieties without psychoactive properties are those that have a THC content of less than 1%. (See also No-THC Hemp-seed.) THC= Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol.