Cultivation of low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa L. cultivation in Victoria, Australia: Do we know enough?

Late 2017, the ban on the cultivation and consumption of low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis sativa L. in Victoria, was lifted by the Federal Government of Australia. Its legalization presents the opportunity for Victoria to become a leading producer and distributer of these economically valuable hemp products. However, as a novel crop to Victoria, there is little information available for obtaining economically viable yields. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to firstly, develop an understanding of the environmental requirements shared by C. sativa cultivars, and what conditions promote fibre and grain yields. Secondly, it seeks to identify what farming practices have been conducted throughout Europe, Canada and China, and to explore whether these practices could be adapted to Victoria. Thirdly, the review will assist in making recommendations regarding which cultivars would be ‘potential’ candidates for commencing trials under Victorian climates so to find out the varieties that can provide high yields for fibre, grain and dual-purpose production. This review notes that Victoria shares a similar climate to central Europe, and has an ideal climate for the development of a successful hemp industry, as it has suitable lengths of daylight throughout spring and summer months and meets the precipitation requirements. This review has thus strongly suggested that the properties and attributes of European varieties of C. sativa should be further researched for site-specific cultivation in Victoria for fibre, grain and dual-purpose production in order to maximise harvest yields.