Hemp crop at the Central Experimental Farm.

Hemp, which was used to make rope and cloth, was also grown at the Farm with varying degrees of success—especially during the First World War when supplies from Europe were unavailable in Canada.

Hemp production was prohibited by the Narcotics Drug Act in 1938, though some experimental varieties were allowed during the Second World War, again due to fibre shortages.

In 1977, the Central Experimental Farm grew a small plot of Cannabis for use in studies at the Department of National Health and Welfare. Though planted with corn stalks surrounding the crop, it soon grew taller than the surrounding cover. The RCMP installed a barbed wire fence, guard tower and watchdogs. These measures did not, however, prevent the birds spreading the seeds, which were found in the area for years after.