Action Gets Delayed On Italy’s Restrictive Hemp Laws

For centuries the hemp plant and its varied uses were fairly limited to textiles. While the practice of incorporating hemp into medicinal applications is thousands of years old, it wasn’t as widespread in use compared to using hemp to make things like rope and paper.

In recent years, hemp-derived products for medical patients and consumers have increased significantly. ‘Cannabis light’ products in Europe, which contain low amounts of THC and typically larger amounts of CBD, are very popular and widespread in many places, including in Italy.

Unfortunately, lawmakers in Italy have tried to hinder the nation’s emerging hemp-derived product sector, having issued a decree last year that equates cannabidiol (CBD) with dangerous narcotic substances. The decree sought to limit the sale of CBD products to pharmacies only (non-repeat prescriptions).

Members of Italy’s CBD industry have sought relief from the European Commission, requesting that the European Commission intervene. However, such an intervention has yet to materialize, and action from the EC is being delayed.

“Brussels has delayed addressing Italy’s restrictive measures on industrial hemp and CBD, with stakeholders warning that the holdup is stifling the country’s growing hemp industry, following a March 17 debate in the European Parliament.” reported Hemp Today in its original coverage.

“The conflict centers on two key Italian measures that have raised alarms among hemp advocates: a proposed amendment to the country’s Security Law and a decree that classifies oral CBD products as narcotics. The amendment, still under consideration in Italy’s Senate, would ban the production and trade of hemp flowers and derivatives, even those with THC content below the EU’s permitted 0.3% threshold.” the outlet also reported.

Until the European Commission makes a firm decision in either direction, Italy’s hemp and CBD industries will continue to remain in a state of limbo.