Sowing the Seed
The Hemp laws in New Zealand have changed, which means that people are able to grow this versatile plant without a licence.
See below for more information about the regulatory changes or to pre-order some Rua-raised hemp clones.
Keen to grow Hemp?
It’s pretty straightforward. The first step is to notify both the NZ Police and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), which you can do by filling out the form directly below. It pays to read through the summaries of the new regulations that we’ve provided at the bottom of this page before filling out the form. They outline what activities are and aren’t permitted under the new regulations.
Once your notifications have been submitted, you’re ready to source your seeds or clones and get growing! If you’re interested in growing from clones, you might want to pre-order some Rua-raised clones in the section below.
TIP: If you’re planning to grow from seed, and not growing to produce hemps seeds, make sure you use feminised seed to prevent cross-pollination with your own and others’ crops!
Hemp Cultivation Notification
Notify New Zealand Police and the Ministry for Primary Industries that you intend to grow hemp, under the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations 2026.
Planning on growing hemp this Spring?
Rua has you covered.
We’re taking expressions of interest from people who would like to buy hemp clones from Rua, available from October 2026.
Indication of price ~ $25 per unit.
Please fill out and submit the form to express your interest, indicating the region you will want them shipped to, and approximate numbers of clones you would like.
Be sure to check out the new regulations and guidelines below.
Nga mihi.
New Hemp Regulations
The procurement, cultivation, processing, supply and possession of hemp no longer requires a licence.
Hemp is defined as any Cannabis Sativa plant containing no more than 1% THC by dry weight.
Growers need to notify NZ Police and Ministry for Primary Industries before planting hemp, on an annual basis. Directly notify them both by filling out the form above.
Even people with prior convictions can legally cultivate and possess hemp. However criminal record checks will apply to the import/export of hemp.
Activities with Hemp stalk and seed are permitted. Activities with roots leaves or flower remain prohibited. This includes any form of extraction from hemp plant material.
However, any hemp material (including leaf and flower) may be supplied to a medicinal cannabis licence holder. Note though that activities related to the production of medicinal cannabis, including extraction, can only occur under a medicinal cannabis licence.
All applicable Food Safety, Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines, and Medicinal Cannabis Scheme requirements continue to apply.
NOTE: Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is still an illicit plant or controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Official Links
Sowing Seeds for the Future
At Rua Bioscience, we’re very aware of the effects that widespread non-feminised hemp seed would have on our wider communities of growers, so urge everyone thinking about getting into Hemp to be conscious of choosing feminised seed for your crops, where appropriate, or opting for clones (see above to pre-order from Rua).
A single male plant can release millions of pollen grains that travel kilometres. If this pollen drifts into another cannabis crop, it will pollinate their female plants, causing them to divert their energy into producing seeds rather than maximising flower growth.
Feminised seed means no male plants and no stray pollen drifting onto neighbouring crops, protecting their yields just as much as your own.
So if you’re thinking about growing hemp - for uses other than hemp seed - make sure you get your seed from reputable sources that can verify it is feminised.