Industrial Hemp Technical Manual - Standard Operating Procedures for Sampling, Testing and Processing Methodology

Approved Procedures For Rendering Cannabis Seed Non-viable

1. Purpose

To render seed or grain of Industrial Hemp non-viable to utilize the exemption under Schedule II of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act which permits the unrestricted sale and provision of non-viable seed of Cannabis sativa . The process of rendering seed non-viable is sometimes referred to as sterilization.

2. Scope

The possession of seed and viable grain is identified as a critical control point under the Regulatory Framework for Industrial Hemp. As such, the possession, sale and provision of seed, or viable grain, is prohibited except under licence or authorization, as applicable. Rendering seed or grain non-viable permits the free exchange of seed without the need for licences and official record keeping. A licence is required if a derivative is to be made from non-viable seed.

3. Background Information/Rationale

In Section 31 of the Industrial Hemp Regulations it states that "Every person who possess seed or grain for the purpose of rendering it non-viable shall render it non-viable in accordance with the methods set out in the Manual." This means that only methods that have been approved for publication in this Manual are recognized for the purpose of rendering seed or grain non-viable.

4. Required Testing

Section 31 of the Regulations also requires that persons who possess seed or viable grain for the purpose of rendering it non-viable shall have it tested for viability at a laboratory that is designated as an accredited laboratory under section 14 of the Canada Agricultural Products Act and keep records to demonstrate that the rendering process was successful. Please note that it is the responsibility of the processor, not the supplier of the grain or the recipient of the oil or meal to assure that testing is done after treatment. Accredited laboratories must also have authorization to possess industrial hemp grain or seed.

5. Approved Processing Methods

5.1 Steam Heat

The use of steam for rendering seed or grain non-viable requires that the seed lot be homogenous and that all parts of the seed lot be subjected uniformly and continuously to steam heat for a minimum of 15 minutes. Due to the insulating properties of seed, care must be taken to assure that the entire lot is exposed to live steam. If subsequent testing shows that the lot is not 100% non-viable, the process must be repeated.

5.2 Infra-Red Radiation

Industrial Hemp can be rendered non-viable through an infra-red cooking process. This is accomplished by first tempering the seed to a moisture content of 13 to 14 percent. The seed is then heated using natural gas generated infra-red energy of a wavelength of 1.8 to 3.2 microns. The seed must be heated to a minimum temperature of 110 degrees Celsius. The seed flow rate must be set to assure that the time of cooking includes heating time from ambient to treatment temperature, and that treatment time is sufficient to result in non-viable seed. If subsequent testing shows that the lot is not 100% non-viable, the process must be repeated.

Office of Controlled Substances
Document Code : HECS-OCS-007
Revision Number: 002