The cultivation of cannabis in Canada was banned by the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act in 1938, though industrial hemp was later legalized in 1998—initially, the hemp plant produced fiber, which created ropes, parachutes, and clothes.
To learn more about the history of hemp and delta 8 gummies in Canada, continue reading below.
Prohibition of Cannabis in Canada
The restriction of using Cannabis in Canada was done in 1923 and was stipulated in the Narcotics Drug Act Amendment Bill. The use of hemp also followed suit in 1938, which led to the collapse of the hemp business.
In the 1960s, possession of cannabis equaled imprisonment of 6 months and a fine of 1000 Canadian dollars. However, the policy did not reduce the number of people using hemp, so the government increased the penalties to 14 years of prison in 1961. Cannabis use eventually began to decline in the 1980s, owing to the harsh punishments.
However, marijuana use in Ontario surged dramatically in the 1990s, primarily among people aged 18 to 29, and by 2016, almost 5 million Canadians were consuming the substance. Therefore, it was legalized for adults only in 2017.
Cultivation of Hemp in Canada
When Ottawa finally decided to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana, they allowed the cultivation of the plant. As a result, after hemp was legalized, output was slow at first, but it quickly gained prominence.
Rene Saquet, as one of the pioneers, was always at the forefront to ensure that the benefits of hemp in the textile sector were acknowledged. He also picked hemp seeds and utilized them to make items such as vegetable oil and cosmetic treatments. However, after three years of practice, he chose to exit the operation due to losses.
Art Potoroka lives on the town’s northern outskirts and is another hemp grower and enthusiast. He cultivated hemp on 140 hectares of land, generating around 100kg of seeds and 500 bales of straw. But due to financial issues, the business was not doing so well.
Mike Fata has his own business on the other side of town. Unlike the other two names, Fata is more impressed by the nutritional benefits of hemp, which include omega 3, 6, and 9. Thus, Fata requests that Art Potoroka collect hemp seeds for him, and the trading business begins.
Hemp cultivation and its benefits have gained a keen eye for its production. As a result, the stem fibers can produce ropes, fabrics, construction materials, strings, and papers, while the seeds can manufacture beauty products, fuels, food, and plastics.
Due to Mike Fata’s investments, hemp cultivation seems to gain back its recognition all around Canada. Though some countries still ban the cultivation of hemp, Canada believes that hemp is a nice addition to traditional crops, all thanks to its brief cycle of growing and suitable growing conditions.
