Research & Outdoor Trials

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Explore the story of our work with Icelandic hemp at 66° North.

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Plant research · Westfjords, Iceland

Developing hemp for northern agriculture.

High Latitude Hemp combines practical cultivation with plant research in Iceland’s Westfjords. Our long-term aim is to develop plant material and growing methods suited to northern conditions, supporting outdoor production of flower and seed.

CBD hemp plants in a Westfjords outdoor research trial in Iceland, with mountains behind.
The outdoor trial in its Westfjords setting.

400 plants

25 × 25 metre plot

Summer 2026

A season of outdoor research

In summer 2026, we carried out a 400-plant outdoor trial using an EU-listed CBD hemp cultivar. Plants were started indoors and moved to the field on 1 June, with harvest taking place in early September.

Throughout the season, we collected information on growth and development, including plant height, biomass and flower production. The trial forms part of our ongoing work to understand how hemp performs under northern growing conditions.

From preparation to the field

Young CBD hemp plants raised indoors before planting in an Icelandic outdoor trial.
Plants being raised indoors before field planting.
Marked rows prepared for a CBD hemp outdoor research trial in the Westfjords.
Preparing the outdoor trial plot.
Young CBD hemp plants established in rows during a 2026 outdoor trial in Iceland.
Young plants established in the field.
CBD hemp plant growing outdoors during a Westfjords field trial in Iceland.
Plant growth during the outdoor season.

Part of a longer research programme

Our work brings together indoor cultivation, outdoor trials and continued plant selection. The aim is to build practical knowledge that can inform the development of hemp for northern agriculture over successive growing seasons.

The outdoor trial is a research and development project. The flower currently offered in our store is grown indoors.

Continuing the research

The outdoor trial forms part of High Latitude Hemp’s ongoing research and development. The next phase builds on this experience through further cultivation trials and observations of plant growth and development.

Our aim is to develop a better understanding of growing in northern conditions by bringing practical cultivation experience and plant research together.

Hemp plant material gathered during the 2026 outdoor research harvest in the Westfjords.
Gathering plant material at harvest.

Previous research support

Our wider research and development has received support from:

  • Matvælasjóður — Bára · 2024
  • Uppbyggingarsjóður Vestfjarða · 2024 and 2025
  • Rannís — Tækniþróunarsjóður, Fræ · 2025

Discuss research and collaboration

For questions about our research or potential collaboration, contact the High Latitude Hemp team.

Contact our team