German Federal Ministry Of Food And Agriculture Publishes Draft Industrial Hemp Bill
According to the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW), the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has published a draft industrial hemp bill that would modernize policies pertaining to the cultivation and handling of industrial hemp in Germany.
“The aim of the planned Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act
“The plan is intended to provide greater legal certainty and more fields of activity for the industrial hemp sector. Cannabis products intended for consumption for intoxicating purposes, so-called edibles, will not be permitted under the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act.” the measure states (translated from German to English).
“The plan will in particular remove the so-called abuse clause and eliminate the associated legal uncertainty when dealing with industrial hemp. In addition, the indoor cultivation of industrial hemp will be permitted as a new field of activity.” the measure also states.
The Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act also points out that “there are no alternatives to the plan, because agricultural subsidies such as direct payments from the European Union for areas on which industrial hemp is grown have not led to the hoped-for increase in the area under cultivation in Germany.”
“In order to promote industrial hemp in Germany, the possibilities for cultivation must be expanded and the requirements for handling industrial hemp must be relaxed.” the bill’s text states.
In May 2024 at the last parliamentary evening in the House of Agriculture and Food Industry, Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) spoke publicly in favor of modernizing Germany’s hemp policies. Part of Minister Özdemir’s public statements included the announcement of the abolition of the intoxication clause.
“Imagine if dealers and producers of non-alcoholic beer were subjected to raids and punished because they could distill a schnapps from the remaining alcohol. In practice, such a complex extraction does not take place with industrial hemp,” said BvCW managing director Jürgen Neumeyer at the time. “This senseless noise clause has increasingly led to economic damage and bankruptcies in recent years. The abolition is urgently needed and we are therefore very pleased! This is an important step towards re-establishing the German industrial hemp industry. We look forward to a draft from the BMEL and will continue to support the parliamentary process constructively.”
Cannabis advocates have long pushed for this type of reform, including in the lead-up to the passage of the new CanG bill. Unfortunately, opponents were able to maintain the status quo under the premise that consumers could make intoxicating products out of hemp.
“If access to THC-containing flowers is to be made possible through clubs and home cultivation anyway, why should anyone go to the trouble of extracting low doses of THC from CBD flowers for several hours in their own home workshop?” Krautinvest.de pointed out in its initial reporting.
“Speaking at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) Berlin last year, industry veteran and President of EIHA Daniel Kruse said: “I would simply cancel this clause. All stakeholders will advocate for its abolition.” Business of Cannabis stated in its initial reporting.
“The debate about the ‘misuse of hemp’ needs to be brought to an end. Hemp has huge potential if the clause is abolished. Industrial hemp would lead to more sales than medical and recreational put together in Germany.” Daniel Kruse also stated at ICBC Berlin.
According to BvCW, the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act “is now being coordinated between departments, so that statements on this can probably be submitted soon. The BvCW is now preparing a statement on this.”
In addition to causing headaches in Germany, the lack of comprehensive hemp and CBD industry reform has also caused similar issues throughout Europe. Germany’s hemp policy modernization efforts and how it fits into the greater continental context will be a major topic of discussion at the next International Cannabis Business Conference B2B event in Berlin. Registration is now open.
