The Alberta Hemp Alliance will receive a one-time grant of $300,000 from the Federal Government and the Province to establish a provincial industry association for hemp processing

The funding will be distributed over two years through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The AHA is planning to be self-sustainable going forward by creating revenue streams from membership fees, an industry sales levy, education and training, webinars, conferences and trade shows.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership has also provided more than $950,000 in grants to BioComposites Group Inc. (BCG) in the past three years to support growth in the hemp fibre industry in Alberta.

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry says emerging industries like the hemp fibre sector are creating full-time local jobs and driving diversification in Alberta.

"It’s great to see BCG and the Alberta Hemp Alliance committed to rural revitalization and supporting our ambitious targets for job creation, investment attraction and increased agricultural and value-added exports."