Colorado was one of the first states in the nation where hemp commerce reemerged. Is Colorado, once a bastion of hemp cultivation, still a ripe land for starting a cannabinoid business? Learn all about the incentives and barriers that hemp cultivators might encounter in Colorado throughout this comprehensive guide.

Colorado cannabinoid law overview

– Colorado hemp commerce is overseen by two entities: the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE)
– CDA oversees hemp cultivation¹
– CDPHE oversees hemp processing²
– Hemp cultivation licensing costs $500 per year plus $5 per acre of outdoor cultivation or $3 per 1,000 square feet of indoor cultivation
– Hemp processing costs an annual fee of $1600 per registered business
– CDA also oversees hemp seed licenses³, which cost between $75 and $700 per year
– Consumer sales of hemp products are not overseen in Colorado, incentivizing operators to choose a white-label approach

Can I sell CBD in Colorado?

Yes, sales of finished CBD products to consumers are not overseen by any Colorado state government entity. In that regard, law defaults to the federal precedent, which dictates that CBD products are legal so long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.

Is it legal to grow hemp in Colorado?

Cultivating and processing hemp is under the jurisdiction of Colorado state law. You must acquire licensing for either activity, and the cost remains low compared to the national average.

Colorado holds steady as one of the most popular states for hemp cultivation with Cannabis Business Times⁴ reporting that 10,100 acres were planted and 3,100 acres harvested in the state in 2022. While the Colorado hemp market is no doubt competitive, those seeking to either cultivate or retail hemp within the state should find a highly receptive audience.

Do you need a license to grow hemp in Colorado?

Yes, hemp cultivation in Colorado requires licensing. The Colorado Department of Agriculture simplifies the process and keeps fees low to encourage market participation.

Finding adequate acreage in prime arable land may be difficult, though, given the increased land acquisitions by affluent individuals⁵ in agricultural states like Colorado. Leveraging out-of-state hemp sources may provide an advantage over local producers lacking adequate land to achieve optimum output.

Colorado hemp cultivation license process

The Colorado Department of Agriculture oversees the straightforward process of acquiring a hemp cultivation license. Applicants pay a base fee of $500 per year, plus $3 per square foot for indoor grows or $5 per acre for outdoor operations. Licenses must be renewed annually, and the CDA typically approves or denies applications within 45 days.

– Colorado Hemp License Application Portal

Colorado hemp processing license process

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, not the CDA, oversees the processing of raw hemp materials into extracts or finished products. The CDPHE also requires that hemp operators under its jurisdiction register their businesses, but only once, and the price for hemp processing registration in Colorado is only $1,600 per year.

As a result, Colorado would be an ideal state for processing bulk biomass into cannabinoid extracts. However, the state only allows hemp processors to choose from a very limited list of “approved sources⁶,” all of which are in-state growers of hemp. If you specify a hemp biomass source other than an approved business on your application, it may face rejection.

Colorado businesses seeking to process hemp must also understand the difference between Safe Harbor and Not Safe Harbor hemp processing operations. Businesses producing products with more than 1.75mg THC per container are protected under Colorado state law and must follow a separate application process. Businesses producing products containing less than 1.75mg THC per volume must submit a Not Safe Harbor application instead.

Both application types cost $100 per application and $1,500 per registration per year. Registration periods generally begin on July 1st and end on June 30th of every year.

If you change your business name or start a new hemp processing business, you will need to re-register. The same rule applies if you change from a Safe Harbor to a Not Safe Harbor Colorado hemp processing business.

– Not Safe Harbor Colorado Hemp Processing Registration Form (PDF)
– Safe Harbor Colorado Hemp Processing Registration Form (PDF)

Colorado hemp seed labeler license

To produce hemp seeds for commercial distribution in Colorado, you must obtain a Colorado hemp seed labeler license. This license technically allows you to enter your seeds into Colorado’s approved registry of seed strains, thus the name “labeler license.” This type of licensing can cost as little as $75 for existing seed labelers opening new locations but may cost as much as $700 depending on the scope of your operation.

– Colorado Seed Labeler License Application Form (PDF)

Does Colorado have a good climate for hemp cultivation?

Colorado’s climate is generally regarded as favorable for hemp cultivation. Parts of the state experience considerably frigid winters, but the summer growing season is more than capable of sustaining abundant crop growth with snow runoff from the Rocky Mountain chain, which bisects the state north to south.

Much of the cropland in Colorado has seen many generations of improper stewardship and may not be as arable as could be desired. With proper understanding of sustainable agriculture, it’s possible to revitalize even the most barren land and transform it into a hemp cultivation paradise. Smaller companies and start-ups lack the capital to finance these types of operations, however, making it more economical to import finished hemp products from other states.

How to start a hemp business in Colorado

When starting a hemp-related business in Colorado, the barriers to entry are the lowest when you limit your scope of operations to simply marketing finished hemp products to consumers. Sellers of CBD and other federally compliant hemp products do not need to register in Colorado, bypassing the requirement that producers limit their sources to state-approved companies.

Benefits of private labeling

One way to potentially bypass this requirement is to register as a seed labeler in Colorado and then use your registered seeds to grow your own hemp, which you then process in-state. Along the way, though, you will need to acquire three different types of licensing, all of which are renewed on a yearly basis. The logistical overhead of this approach alone should be enough to illustrate the profound benefits of importing finished hemp products into Colorado that were produced by a white labeler in a different state.

The bottom line: Is starting a hemp business in Colorado a good idea?

Culturally, Colorado is a very ripe market for cannabinoid commerce. It was both one of the first states to allow hemp cultivation and one of the first states to put in place an adult-use cannabis program. To residents of Colorado, even intoxicating forms of cannabis have become commonplace, making non-intoxicating cannabinoid products even more mainstream.

The quality of products produced within Colorado may be considerably lower than what is achievable in finished cannabinoid products imported from other states. While Colorado-made hemp products can only be produced by approved entities, products formulated in other states are drawn from a nationwide pool of highly competitive, large-scale hemp producers.

Savvy entrepreneurs will recognize the vast potential for growth within the Colorado hemp market while sidestepping the onerous burdens imposed by state regulators. The best way to achieve this goal is to purchase bulk finished products made by out-of-state producers and then market them to Colorado residents.

Colorado Hemp Business FAQ

Learn more about the process of producing or selling CBD in Colorado below:

1. Is hemp legal in Colorado?

Yes, industrial hemp is legal in Colorado. As one of the first states in the nation to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes, Colorado has been careful to delineate the separations between hemp and cannabis production since 2012. The State of Colorado directly oversees the state’s industrial hemp program⁷, and jurisdiction is then split between two state sub-agencies.

2. Is it legal to buy CBD in Colorado?

Yes, the only restriction Colorado has imposed on purchasing CBD or other hemp products is that purchasing individuals must be at least 18 years old⁸. Otherwise, the state’s position reverts to federal law, which simply stipulates that hemp products must contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC to be sold as industrial hemp.

3. Do you need a special license to sell CBD in Colorado?

No, it is not necessary to acquire a special license to sell CBD or other hemp products in Colorado. The state simply asks that businesses do not sell products to individuals under 18 years old. This system greatly incentivizes businesses to import products from out-of-state sources since, otherwise, multiple forms of licensing may be required.

4. Do you need a license to process hemp in Colorado?

Yes, depending on the scope of your operation, you may need to acquire as many as three different types of licensing to grow or process hemp in Colorado with a combined cost of thousands of dollars per year. While Colorado’s hemp processing fees are lower than the fees imposed in some other states, lists of approved sources and other regulations are strict, making it easier to import finished hemp products that were processed in other states.

5. How does starting a hemp brand in Colorado compare to starting in Oregon?

Launching a hemp brand in Colorado involves leveraging a more established market with well-defined regulations and a sizable consumer base. In contrast, Oregon’s strong agricultural heritage and favorable climate can yield top-quality crops, though it may have fewer established market structures in place.

Sources

1. Hemp | Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/hemp
2. Processing, Sales, and Distribution | Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/hemp/processing-sales-and-distribution
3. Seed | Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/seed
4. StackPath. (n.d.). https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/montana-south-dakota-orgeon-report-most-acres-hemp-planted-usda-nass-survey/#:~:text=Colorado%20reported%2010%2C100%20acres%20planted,top%20three%20for%20both%20lists.
5. Orf, D. (2023, January 18). The Truth About Why Bill Gates Keeps Buying Up So Much Farmland. Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a42543527/why-is-bill-gates-buying-so-much-farmland/
6. Workbook: Hemp_SourceList_Updated. (n.d.). https://cohealthviz.dphe.state.co.us/t/EnvironmentalProgramsPublic/views/Hemp_SourceList_Updated/HempSourceList?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&%3Aorigin=card_share_link
7. Industrial Hemp | Colorado cannabis. (n.d.). https://cannabis.colorado.gov/industrial-hemp
8. Is CBD oil legal in Colorado? | ColoradoCannabis.org. (n.d.). Colorado Cannabis Information Portal. https://coloradocannabis.org/cbd

Ohio has been a nexus of American agriculture ever since the nation’s founding. Are this state’s fertile fields ready for hemp, though, and are the people of Ohio open to this cannabinoid’s benefits? Learn everything you’ll need to know to start a successful hemp business in Ohio over the course of this guide.

Ohio cannabinoid law overview

– Hemp cultivation and processing are legal in Ohio
– The state has also legalized the sale of hemp products
– Ohio does not impose considerable obstacles to hemp commerce
– All hemp products must pass inspection
– The Ohio Department of Agriculture provides comprehensive information1 for new hemp businesses
– Hemp cultivation licensing costs at least $725 every three years
– Hemp processing licensing costs at least $3,350 every three years
– Ohio has an excellent climate for hemp cultivation
– Overall, Ohio is one of the most amenable states to hemp commerce

Can I sell CBD in Ohio?

Yes, it is legal to sell CBD products in Ohio as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. The state of Ohio defines “0.3% THC” somewhat differently from the federal government, however. While the federal definition of “THC” doesn’t include THCA at all, Ohio follows an alternative approach that has recently become more popular in the context of state laws.

Ohio calculates THC percentage using the following equation: Total THC = (THC + (THCA x 0.877). This equation can appear confusing at first, so let’s break it down.

To calculate THC percentage in Ohio CBD products, you first take the total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) percentage, which should be under 0.3%. Then, you take the delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) percentage and multiply it by 0.877 before adding the resulting number to the amount of THC present in the product.

So, say a product contains 0.2% THC but 0.4% THCA. While its THC content is below the federally acceptable threshold, this product would still be inviable under Ohio state law since 0.4 x 0.877 = 0.35, making the combined “THC” content in the product 0.55%, which is more than the 0.3% total THC allowable under Ohio law.

Ohio law also stipulates that any CBD products sold within state lines must be inspected by “the appropriate local or state agency” and meet the state’s food safety standards. It’s even necessary to indicate on their packaging that CBD products comply with the state’s maximum THC concentration as defined by (THC + (THCA x 0.877). If you have any questions regarding this THC threshold policy, visit the official Ohio hemp program webpage2. 

Is it legal to grow hemp in Ohio?

Yes, hemp cultivation is legal in Ohio and is overseen by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). Hemp cultivators and processors must apply for separate licensing, but Ohio’s fees for hemp licensing are either lower or on par with the national average. Licenses must only be renewed once every three years with Ohio’s hemp licensing window lasting between November 1st and March 31st of each calendar year.

Do you need a license to grow hemp in Ohio?

Yes, it is necessary to obtain licensing to grow hemp legally in Ohio. Compared to the process of becoming a hemp processor in Ohio, applying for a hemp cultivation license is quite straightforward. Aspiring hemp cultivators in Ohio must simply apply for an OH|ID account, and then all required paperwork will become available through the state’s online portal. 

Ohio hemp cultivation license process

1. After registering with OH|ID, Ohio hemp cultivators must complete and submit a hemp cultivation application, which is accompanied by a $100 fee.
2. Then, a $500 fee is required per year per location. If you intend to grow hemp at one site over all three years of your application window, for instance, a fee of $1,500 will be required.
3. A $250 site modification fee is applied every time growers change their hemp cultivation locations.
4. A $150 pre-harvest lab testing fee is applied for each growing location per harvest.
5. Each key participant must undergo an FBI background check.
6. Applicants are required to provide detailed maps of their facilities.
7. For more information, visit the ODA’s official Hemp Cultivation webpage³

Do you need a license to process hemp in Ohio?

Yes, it is necessary to acquire proper licensing to legally process hemp in Ohio. Hemp processors must both pay larger fees than hemp cultivators and are subject to more stringent oversight. Just as is the case for Ohio hemp growers, however, hemp processing licenses last three years in the state compared to the national norm of one year.

Ohio hemp processor license process

1. Register for an OH|ID account, and navigate to Ohio’s official hemp processing webpage⁴.
2. Submitting a hemp processing application incurs a $100 fee. Applicants must pay $500 if they intend to process raw hemp grain and an additional $500 if they intend to process hemp fiber.
3. A fee of $3,000 is required of hemp processors that process the “raw floral component” of hemp, which includes both extraction facilities and smokable hemp producers.
4. From there, an additional fee of $500 is applied to hemp processing businesses that make cannabinoids into “human and animal food, dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care products” on a wholesale basis. A fee of $250 is applied to businesses that intend to produce retail products.
5. All applicants and key participants must undergo background checks.
6. Applicants must also submit an Application for Certificate of Occupancy (PDF)
7. Once hemp processing applications are approved, processors must undergo a “label review” in which a food safety official will “conduct a label review of your hemp products along with reviewing your processes” with the goal of limiting hazards.
8. Another inspection occurs once product labels have been approved.
9. Processors must also put up a “surety bond” based on how much hemp they bought the previous year: $10,000 for $100,000 in hemp or less and $20,000 if the amount of hemp purchased exceeds $100,000.
10. Lastly, extraction facilities must provide detailed operation plans that comply with Ohio’s Administrative Code.

Does Ohio have a good climate for hemp cultivation?

Yes, the climate in Ohio is nearly ideal for hemp cultivation. It’s true that hemp grows best in biomes where the sun is always shining, but Ohio’s climate offers a very robust growing season that begins by early May and persists into late October.

Though hilly in some areas, Ohio is largely flat, allowing farmers to spread out over vast acreage with excellent lighting. Natural water sources are abundant, and the state economy is largely centered around agriculture, providing benefits and incentives to farmers.

How to start a hemp business in Ohio

The first step in starting a successful hemp business in Ohio is fully understanding the parameters of the situation. To that end, we’ll summarize our findings so far:

– Sales of CBD in Ohio are legal but considerably restrictive
– Hemp cultivation and processing fees are low in Ohio, but the level of government oversight is high
– Both Ohio’s culture and climate are largely friendly to hemp

Most important for prospective Ohio hemp entrepreneurs to consider are the considerable compliance requirements imposed by the state government. In addition to government-mandated training, Ohio hemp processors must submit to labeling requirements and post surety bonds in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Even if you fulfill all your obligations as an Ohio hemp processor, there are still the state’s highly specific labeling guidelines to consider. Instead of following the general definition of THC content in hemp products, Ohio also includes THCA, adding one more factor to keep in mind as an Ohio hemp processor.

Benefits of private labeling

It’s easy for all of this to seem overwhelming to a new hemp producer just now seeking to get started in Ohio. Those who have persisted within the CBD industry since its earlier days, though, are better equipped to tackle the regulatory complexity imposed by the hemp policies of states like Ohio.

In this state, it’s possible to lose your licensing status for seemingly minor code infractions. As a result, it’s a prudent move to rely on the expertise of a hemp cannabinoid white-labeler that has succeeded within the space for quite some time.

Major hemp producers have what it takes to adroitly navigate the regulatory environments imposed by states like Ohio, delivering products that not only meet but exceed state standards for quality and purity. This approach is the clear economic choice, and it makes even more sense to white label in states like Ohio, where initial oversights can significantly set back aspiring hemp entrepreneurs.

The bottom line: Will an Ohio hemp business be profitable?

All the factors are in place for any responsible hemp business to experience success in Ohio. The population is large, agriculture is encouraged, and the only issue is the burden imposed by state regulations and oversight.

If entrepreneurs simply make the right choices to ensure their products are compliant and in line with Ohio’s values, a population of nearly 8 million adults⁵ along with almost 900 million acres of arable farmland are at their disposal. The best way to make these wise business choices is to enlist the help of a trusted private labeler already operating successfully within the inter-state hemp economy.

Ohio Hemp Business FAQ

Familiarize yourself further with the ins and outs of operating an Ohio hemp business in the FAQ section below:

1. Can anyone grow hemp in Ohio?

Ohio does not make any specific restrictions against particular classes of individuals who can apply to become either hemp cultivators or processors. During the hemp license application process, however, you will be asked to submit to an FBI background check. A criminal history may result in your application being denied.

2. How much does a hemp license cost in Ohio?

Applying for a hemp license in Ohio costs at least $725 but may cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on the scope of your business. The Ohio state government only requires hemp licensees to renew every three years, however.

3. How many hemp plants can you grow in Ohio?

There is no limit to the number of plants that licensed hemp cultivators may grow in the state of Ohio. It is illegal to grow hemp without a license in this state, however.

4. How does launching a hemp brand in Ohio compare to launching in Colorado?

Launching a hemp brand in Ohio involves working within a newer yet rapidly expanding market, so you’ll likely face more stringent regulations and fewer established industry resources compared to Colorado. However, with Ohio’s growing consumer interest and supportive state government initiatives, there are significant opportunities to stand out and build a strong local presence.

Sources

1. Questions. (n.d.). https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/hemp-program/faqs
2. Welcome to the Hemp program. (n.d.). https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/hemp-program
3. Cultivation. (n.d.). https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/hemp-program/cultivation
4. Processing. (n.d.). https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/hemp-program/processing
5. United States Census Bureau QuickFacts. (n.d.). U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ohio. Census Bureau QuickFacts. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/OH/PST045222

Arkansas has both a climate and a regulatory structure that are friendly to hemp, but will the state’s culture or economy pose any impediments to companies offering cannabinoid products? These are the types of questions we’ll cover in this guide, which will unveil the ins and outs of starting a hemp business with operations in Arkansas. By the end, it may be apparent that white-labeling cannabinoid products imported from another state remains the best option at your disposal despite Arkansas’ best effort to incentivize hemp production.

Arkansas cannabinoid law overview

 – CBD products containing less than 0.3% are legal in Arkansas, legalized specifically by the Arkansas Agriculture Act of 2017¹
 – Even before the passage of the federal 2018 Farm Bill, Arkansas was already doing its best to revitalize local economies with hemp agriculture
 – Arkansas was at the forefront of the 2018-2020 hemp boom
 – Hemp commerce has since slowed down in the state, leading many farmers to abandon it as a cash crop²
 – The number of Arkansas hemp farmers has reduced from 125 in 2019 to less than 25 in 2022
 – Cultivators indicate that adhering to regulations has made hemp farming difficult in Arkansas
 – Raw hemp oversaturation remains an issue nationwide and is felt acutely in Arkansas
 – Hemp cultivation may be entering a depression in Arkansas, but hemp demand remains at an all-time high
 – The state government recently failed to ban THC derivatives³ in the state, indicating an unabated interest in cannabis-related topics

Despite ongoing challenges, hemp growers in Arkansas face additional hurdles due to strict lingering policies. 

Can I sell CBD in Arkansas?

Yes, it is fully legal to sell CBD products in Arkansas. Anticipating federal legislation that would legalize hemp nationwide the following year, Arkansas passed a law in 2017 that both legalized CBD commerce and allowed farmers in the state to start growing CBD-rich hemp plants.

At the time, Arkansas was experiencing an agricultural depression, which state regulators believed could be alleviated through hemp production. As a result, regulators in Arkansas confidently promoted the state’s fledgling hemp industry, contributing to an oversupply issue that has caused the number of hemp farmers in Arkansas to dwindle dramatically.

To be clear, there is great demand for high-quality, finished CBD products in Arkansas. The oversupply issue pertains to raw hemp biomass, often poorly cultivated and processed by farmers with no previous knowledge of hemp. There’s a significant demand in Arkansas for hemp products, and if the capability existed to process biomass into the types of high-quality finished hemp products produced in other states, hemp products would flourish in the state.

Is it legal to grow hemp in Arkansas?

Yes, growing hemp is perfectly legal in Arkansas, and in fact, the state government has gone out of its way to make the process simple and incentivized for growers who wish to cultivate the crop. The only stipulation made by the Arkansas state government is that dried hemp contain less than 0.3% THC, theoretically leading to Arkansas becoming a paradise for hemp cultivation.

Do you need a license to grow hemp in Arkansas?

Yes, it is necessary to become properly licensed if you wish to become a hemp cultivator or processor in Arkansas. Compared to other states, Arkansas makes it remarkably easy to navigate its hemp certification program with a simple diagram existing on the Arkansas hemp homepage⁴. Any prospective applicant can use it to quickly determine the workflow and fee schedule for their desired type of certification.

Arkansas hemp license process

If you intend to apply for a hemp cultivation or processing license in Arkansas, the first step is to navigate to www.agriculture.arkansas.gov and then find the tab for hemp program licensing. The state of Arkansas provides a very detailed Powerpoint presentation that applicants can review before applying, located at the top of the page.

Scroll down to view this year’s application deadlines, followed by a link to the following important documents:

 – Arkansas Hemp Application Instructions (PDF)
 – Arkansas Hemp Grower Application (PDF)
 – Arkansas Hemp Processor Application (PDF)

To determine how much you will need to pay to become certified, use the embedded JPG table located a bit further down the page. While potentially overwhelming at first, this diagram is very useful for determining how much you need to pay as a hemp processor or grower in Arkansas.

Starting from the top-left corner, take a look at the column labeled “fee description,” and determine which fees apply to your scope of business. All applicants, for instance, pay the “application fee” and “license fee,” which is indicated if you move a few columns over by the field indicated “license type.” If you need to pay a fee for both types of licenses, the entry under this field will be “both.”

Some fees may apply for certain years but not others, such as the “site modification fee” or the “GPS verification fee,” which only apply to new or modified facilities. Every year, though, hemp growers in Arkansas will need to pay the following fees:

 – Application fee: $50
 – License fee: $200
 – Acreage fee: $50-1,000
 – Sampling compliance fee: $100 per sample
 – Minimum total: $400

 Additional yearly compliance fees Arkansas hemp cultivators may accrue include:

 – Site modification fee: $200 per modification
 – GPS identification fee for new facilities: $100 per facility
 – Greenhouse fee: $100 per greenhouse

A separate, yet sometimes overlapping, set of fees apply to hemp processors, meaning business entities that handle harvested hemp in the process of turning it into high-CBD extracts and finished products. The following fees apply every year regardless of the scope of your hemp processing operation:

 – Application fee: $50
 – License fee: $200
 – Processor/handler fee: $500-1,500
 – Minimum total: $750

Additionally, the following fees could be applied to a hemp processing operation in Arkansas depending on the circumstances at hand:

 – Site modification fee: $200 per modification
 – GPS identification fee for new facilities: $100 per facility

Does Arkansas have a good climate for hemp cultivation?

Environmental conditions are highly conducive to hemp cultivation in most parts of Arkansas. The state can experience harsh winters and seasonal weather systems that occasionally damage crops or shorten growing seasons. Overall, though, hemp cultivators in Arkansas are theoretically capable of harvesting abundant yearly crops due to warm summers with reasonably high levels of rainfall throughout the state.

How to start an Arkansas Hemp Business

This is not the time to start growing and processing your own hemp in Arkansas from scratch. High hopes for the state’s hemp industry have faced challenges, including oversupply and the steep learning curve of cultivating cannabis.

While hemp farming struggles, Arkansans are discovering the potential of cannabinoids like never before. Many residents first tried CBD through products sold at local food co-ops and natural food stores. However, as Arkansas’s hemp economy has declined, many of these products have been pulled from shelves.

Benefits of private labeling

Arkansas has a consumer niche eager for hemp and frustrated by the lack of high-quality products. This creates an ideal opportunity for cannabinoid companies, both local and non-local, to introduce Arkansans to premium artisan hemp products similar to those crafted in states with leading hemp producers.

The bottom line: Is starting a hemp business in Arkansas a good idea?

Starting a hemp business in Arkansas is still a good idea even today if you simply limit the scope of your business to the areas that are profitable within the state economy. Biomass producers in the state, for example, often search for wholesale contacts to distribute their inventory, making it a challenging period to introduce unprocessed hemp materials of any kind in Arkansas.

With many companies failing and local products going out of stock, however, there has never been a better moment to pick up the slack with better cannabinoid offerings produced in states like Oregon, which has been the epicenter of the hemp revolution since its inception. Arkansas shoppers are eager to embrace CBD, they just need exposure to the right products.

Arkansas Hemp Business FAQ

Learn more about the process of getting licensed and starting a hemp business in Arkansas below:

How do I get a hemp license in Arkansas?

The process of applying for a hemp license in Arkansas is generally very simple. Just navigate to the state’s hemp program homepage, check the diagram to determine which type of licensing and fees apply to your business, and download any forms you may need to fill out. Then, simply submit your finished application by mail or online along with any relevant fees. 

Can I get a hemp license in Arkansas online?

Yes, it is possible to go through the entire process of becoming a licensed hemp cultivator or processor in Arkansas completely online. All of the required paperwork is available on the state’s main hemp webpage, and fees can also be paid online. To ensure your application is processed in a timely manner, though, you may want to submit your application in person.

How do I get a CBD license in Arkansas?

There is no such thing as a “CBD license” in Arkansas. Any Arkansas business can sell CBD products to any individual regardless of age. No special licensing is required for the sale of CBD in Arkansas; licensing is necessary only if you intend to grow or process hemp in the state. 

Sources

1. Is CBD oil legal in Arkansas? | arkansascannabis.org. (n.d.). Arkansas Cannabis Information Portal. https://arkansascannabis.org/cbd#:~:text=Yes.,production%20within%20the%20state%27s%20borders.
2. Froelich, J. (2022, October 25). “Make or break year” for hemp farming in Arkansas. KUAF 91.3. https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2022-10-25/make-or-break-year-for-hemp-farming-in-arkansas
3. Roberts, C. (2023, September 8). Judge blocks Arkansas ban on delta-8 THC, other hemp products. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/judge-blocks-arkansas-ban-on-delta-8-thc-other-hemp-products/
4. Applications for hemp licensing – Arkansas Department of Agriculture. (2023, April 7). Arkansas Department of Agriculture. https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/plant-industries/feed-and-fertilizer-section/hemp-home/applications-for-the-hemp-program/

Italy, renowned for its Mediterranean climate, laid-back ambiance, and rich history, is gradually gaining recognition for a different reason. The southern European country is seen as a place where people can use various cannabinoids without repercussion.

Is it true that cannabis has been decriminalized in Italy, and what does this mean for entrepreneurs seeking to offer cannabinoids to the Italian people? In this guide, we’ll explore all the intricacies of Italian law and culture pertaining to cannabis, providing a roadmap for approaching the Italian market with CBD, CBG, and other hemp cannabinoids.

Are cannabinoids legal in Italy?

Italy has decriminalized THC cannabis possession in quantities up to 1.5 grams. The nation follows the general EU rule on cannabinoids, allowing EU-produced products with less than 0.3% THC¹ to enter.

Overall, Italy should be viewed as one of the more lax cannabis markets. In nations that impose strict controls on cannabis in general, a confluence of cultural and regulatory factors usually prevents even non-intoxicating cannabinoids from flourishing. Since Italy accepts cannabis overall, it usually has no problem accepting non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and CBG.

Italy operates a medical cannabis market, but oddly enough, the entirety of the medical cannabis supply chain in Italy is overseen by the military². Rather than standardizing the industry, this approach has simply led to supply chain gaps and facilities shutting down³.

Clearly, Italy is not without its own struggles surrounding cannabis production and regulation. It remains the case, though, that the general attitude toward cannabis is highly relaxed in the Mediterranean country.

History of cannabis in Italy

Cannabis has been cultivated in Italy⁴ since time immemorial. Archaeological records show that Ancient Romans grew hemp as early as the Late Pleistocene age with clear records evident dating at least as far back as 1000 BC. The cultivation of cannabis for textile, medicinal, and spiritual purposes has continued uninterrupted in Italy ever since.

The use of cannabis was so widespread in Rome that Pliny the Elder makes considerable space to mention its cultivation in his history. Detailed notes are provided on the sowing of seeds in the spring, reaping of buds at the autumn equinox, and then drying the plants by wind or the smoke of a fire. Cannabis cultivation remains a core component of treatises on agriculture throughout the ups and downs of the Roman Empire’s tenure in Italy.

After the fall of Rome, cannabis enjoyed great usage in Italy during the period of the merchant republics, who largely relied on hemp sailcloth to make their voyages throughout the Mediterranean. Hemp remained the main fiber used for sails throughout Italian Unification and only saw a decrease in popularity as synthetic sailcloths became available.

Then, the global War on Drugs swept through Italy, bringing along with it a temporary rejection of cannabis. This distance has only made the Italian people fonder of the plant, however, who now recognize in even more detail the vast medicinal and healing properties of cannabinoids.

History of cannabis laws in Italy

Despite the outbreak of anti-cannabis laws that spread throughout Europe in the wake of Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt, Italy, enjoying long relations with the Moors and their hash-smoking practices, continued to allow cannabis use all throughout the 19th century. In 1887, in fact, the Italian Dr. Raffaele Valieri⁵ became one of the first scientists to publish the results of his research into cannabis use among the terminally ill.

At the First International Opium Conference in 1912, though, Italy turned heads when it demanded that cannabis be banned⁶ along with opium, citing sudden issues with hashish that had erupted in Italian colonies in Libya. This request was granted during the Second International Opium Conference in 1925, but only in the context of international trade.

Even as its position toward the intoxicating components of cannabis soured, Italy remained one of the world’s most prominent producers and exporters of hemp until the 1950s. Then, a combination of slowing domestic production and hostile international views on drugs led Italy to shrink back on hemp production for more than half a century.

Italy was one of the signatories of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961⁷, effectively making cannabis use illegal. Then, the nation banned hemp cultivation altogether in 1980, leading to the erasure of many irreplaceable Italian cannabis phenotypes that had resulted from centuries of careful interbreeding.

The period of full Italian cannabis prohibition would prove short-lived. In 1993, Italy made the controversial move⁸ of removing penalties for the possession of “soft drugs” at the culmination of a lengthy national discourse on the differences between “using” and “pushing” illegal narcotics.

This move began an overall push to bring hemp and cannabis back into the Italian regulatory fold. An era not without its drama, cannabis would be famously re-criminalized in Italy in 2006 before finally becoming decriminalized again in 2014⁹. This decriminalization only applies to personal use, however, with the cultivation and sale of THC cannabis remaining federal offenses under Italian law.

Which cannabinoids are legal in Italy?

The story surrounding cannabinoids in contemporary Italy is somewhat complex. The nation suffers from an overall drug criminality problem that it has tried to solve in countless ways. Recently, for instance, Italy legalized what it calls “cannabis light¹⁰,” which refers to domestically produced hemp products containing less than 0.2% (now 0.3%) THC.

Retailers took to this new law like wildfire, in many cases offering products containing more than the legal THC threshold or using strains not approved as “hemp” by the Italian government. Inevitable regulatory pushback has ensued, and the status of “cannabis light” products is anything but stable.

Despite these minor quirks, Italy generally allows the import and sale of non-THC cannabinoids as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. CBD and CBG are not considered “cannabis light” by default and do not necessarily need to be derived from approved strains.

Is CBD legal in Italy?

Yes, CBD is legal in Italy due to a combination of both EU and domestic law. Following all applicable EU guidelines on the subject, CBD products entering Italy must simply contain less than 0.3% THC and meet any other general import requirements. Italy is a CBD-friendly country, with sales rapidly increasing through both brick-and-mortar and online platforms.

Is CBG legal in Italy?

Italian law has not explicitly addressed the lesser-known cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG). As long as CBG products contain less than 0.3% THC, however, offering them to Italians most likely won’t meet with any obstacles. Impressed by the benefits of both THC and CBD, the Italian market is eager to encounter new cannabinoids.

Is THC legal in Italy?

In Italy, possession of up to 1.5 grams of THC-rich cannabis is decriminalized, but not legal. This means that Italian police cannot arrest or fine you if there is less than 1.5g of cannabis in your possession. Fines apply for larger quantities, but jail time becomes possible only after repeated possession limit violations.

Enforcement of cannabis laws has gone down even more with the advent of Italy’s medical cannabis industry. Culturally relaxed views on cannabis seem to influence law enforcement, highlighted by the Italian military’s role in distributing cannabis.

Despite all this, it’s still important to remember that cannabis is not legal in Italy, only decriminalized. This remains a nation where cannabis is generally illegal, and if you bend the law too far, you might find out just how inflexible Italian cannabis policies can be.

Does Italy have adult-use cannabis?

No, Italy has not legalized adult-use cannabis, though it will likely be one of the first European countries to do so. The EU continues to make it difficult for individual member nations to establish adult-use cannabis industries, but Germany is spearheading a multi-nation initiative to overrule this position. As a country that embraces cannabis overall but is struggling with supply chain issues, Italy is an obvious candidate for a streamlined and modern adult-use cannabis industry.

Can you import cannabinoids into Italy?

Yes, cannabinoid products containing less than 0.3% THC are generally admissible for import into Italy. EU law dictates that imported hemp products must originate in member nations, however, so it’s necessary to work with a European distributor to access the Italian market.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in Italy?

Italy lacks cannabinoid manufacturers, and domestic producers must stick to non-intoxicating cannabis strains for now. As odd as it may seem at first, the primary cannabis producer in Italy is the Italian military with its monopoly on medical cannabis cultivation. Otherwise, the Italian market is wide open for cannabinoid manufacturers to establish their brands.

Summary: Viva Italia, viva cannabis

Out of all the European nations, Italy may be the foremost when it comes to cannabis history. The plant played a crucial role in every stage of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and Italian farmers continued to grow hemp in the region for centuries afterward.

Italians view cannabis as an ancestral plant, often misunderstood, with potential for misuse under certain circumstances. The centerpiece of Europe’s diverse swath of positions on cannabis, Italy’s cannabinoid market is as ripe as its beautiful, ancestral farmlands.

Sources

1. Sabaghi, D. (2021c, December 14). European Union Increases THC Level For Industrial Hemp. Why Does It Matter? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/14/european-union-increases-thc-level-for-industrial-hemp-why-does-it-matter/?sh=5a3d8f18128b
2. Kington, T. (2022, December 30). A high ambition: Italian Army aims for self-sufficient cannabis market. Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/12/30/a-high-ambition-italian-army-aims-for-self-sufficient-cannabis-market/
3. Stevens, B. (2023). Italian Military Halts Production Of Medical Cannabis Production Piling Pressure On Supply Chain. Business of Cannabis. https://businessofcannabis.com/italian-military-halts-production-of-medical-cannabis-production-piling-pressure-on-supply-chain/
4. The long history of Cannabis and its cultivation by the Romans in central Italy, shown by pollen records from Lago Albano and Lago di Nemi on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/23418014
5. Dell’Amico, M. (2014, January 9). La canapa in Italia dalle pipe preistoriche alla legge Cossiga. Wired Italia. https://www.wired.it/lifestyle/salute/2014/01/09/quando-tutti-gli-italiani-amavano-la-canapa/
6. A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences: Volume 1 | www.emcdda.europa.eu. (2023, September 13). https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/monographs/cannabis-volume1_en
7. SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, 1961. (n.d.). United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1961_en.pdf
8. Sabaghi, D. (2021a, September 13). Inside Italy’s Push To Decriminalize Recreational Cannabis. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/09/13/italy-wants-to-decriminalize-marijuana-on-the-ballot-amid-a-race-against-time/?sh=57d745a9639b
9. Cruciata, G. (2020). The crisis of marijuana criminalization in Italy. Filter. https://filtermag.org/criminalization-italy-marijuana-hash/
10. Italy’s “cannabis light” creates buzz even if the pot won’t | AP News. (2021, May 1). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-italy-business-courts-international-news-ea9ac614af74488b8977e3dbe54dd795

Sweden enforces a stringent legal framework and holds deeply rooted cultural apprehensions toward cannabis and cannabinoids. This rigid stance often leads to intense reactions towards cannabis use, prompting a discourse among citizens and global observers alike on the rationale behind Sweden’s cannabis regulations.

Some less-than-reasonable misunderstandings of the plant certainly seem to be at play. At the same time, Sweden has tentatively begun a small medical cannabis program¹ that is already threatening to grow out of control.

Will Sweden overcome its stigma enough to embrace the economic benefits of cannabinoids, or will one of Europe’s most progressive countries remain lamentably backward in the arena of cannabis? Find out how Sweden currently views cannabinoids (including CBD and CBG) along with projections for the future of cannabis in the Scandinavian nation.

Are cannabinoids legal in Sweden?

Sweden allows doctors to prescribe cannabis products through a medical cannabis program. Patients and doctors can agree on cannabis as a treatment without requiring other treatments first or additional hurdles.

Otherwise, though, cannabinoid law in Sweden reverts to the nation’s no-tolerance standard of THC. Swedish law does not classify products with even a trace of THC as hemp. Products containing isolate CBD, which does not include traces of THC, have been viable for sale since before the passage of the country’s new medical cannabis law in 2022.

Travelers and citizens should note that Sweden only legalizes cannabis with a doctor’s prescription. Also, the only products approved are the synthesized THC drugs Sativex and Dronabinol along with select options from Bedrocan, a major Dutch cannabis exporter.

There are no “medical dispensaries” in Sweden; all cannabis is dispensed through a conventional pharmacy. Cannabis has also not been decriminalized in Sweden, with even small quantities entailing harsh judgments under Swedish cannabis law.

Medical cannabis may be legal in Sweden now, but that doesn’t mean cannabis is culturally accepted. Use cannabis publically in Sweden, and you’ll find out just how much Swedes still look down on the plant’s use and the people who use it.⁴

History of cannabis in Sweden

Cannabis horticulture was introduced to Sweden as early as the 1st century AD². Extensive archaeological evidence suggests that cannabis cultivation became widespread by the fifth century AD with sites discovered where hemp retting³ was performed.

Sweden narrowly escaped becoming part of the Dutch Empire during its colonial days, but it remained largely under the Dutch sphere of influence. As a result, cannabis law in Sweden has historically largely mirrored that of its near neighbors.

Cannabis became a major cultural issue in Sweden in the mid-1950s when American jazz musicians began bringing the plant with them when performing in Swedish clubs. Cannabis use among young people became considerably prominent in Gothenburg and other major Swedish cities in the 1970s, and it became associated with overall drug use once Europe’s heroin epidemic hit later that decade.

Over the years, Swedes have accumulated an overall outlook on cannabis that is profoundly negative. A Swedish study⁴ published in Addiction in 2015, for instance, found that men registered in Sweden’s mandatory military service were more likely to be unemployed or in need of government assistance later in life if they admitted to using cannabis heavily as teens.

Highlighting Sweden’s bias against cannabis, the research lacked controls, with authors stating the associations are “not explained fully by other health-related, social, or behavioral problems.” This research style appears designed to produce a specific outcome.

History of cannabis and cannabinoid laws in Sweden

Cannabis in all forms was made illegal in Sweden in 1930⁵, shortly after a similar law was passed in Holland. Then, Sweden became one of the signatories of the UN Convention on Drugs in 1961⁶, coming into agreement with international positions on laws governing cannabis and other drugs.

Unlike the case in other countries, Sweden has never loosened its stance on cannabis. More accurately, Sweden first allowed medical cannabis through doctors, limited to approved synthetic cannabinoid pharmaceuticals or Bedrocan products.

Sweden has made no moves to legalize or decriminalize cannabis in a wider sense. Sweden does not legalize adult cannabis use and prohibits medical cannabis patients from growing plants or forming patient collectives.

All in all, Sweden features some of the most punitive and restrictive positions on cannabis in the entirety of Europe. Due to these restrictive laws, Sweden is the last thing from an ideal market for offering cannabinoids.

Which cannabinoids are legal in Sweden?

Cannabinoids are, in general, illegal in Sweden with only a few small exceptions being made. As we’ve discussed, Sweden has a small medical cannabis program consisting of pharmaceutical medications and imported Dutch products.

Aside from this token acknowledgment of cannabis, however, Sweden has mainly kept any product with any association with THC fully illegal. This complicates things for those offering THC products and for CBD or CBG purveyors, who often contain small amounts of THC.

Is CBD legal in Sweden?

Yes, CBD products are legal in Sweden, but only if they do not contain any trace of THC whatsoever. If a CBD product is found to contain any THC, Swedish authorities will consider it to be marijuana, resulting in confiscation, fines, or even prison sentences for the offender.

As a result, CBD isolate is usually the only type of CBD sold in Sweden. Even broad-spectrum CBD extract, which also contains zero traces of THC, is only infrequently used in Swedish markets due to the potential of a law-enforcement misunderstanding.

Is CBG legal in Sweden?

The Swedish government has not made any special exceptions for CBG, so if CBG products are to enter the country, they must simply not contain any THC whatsoever. Due to a lack of familiarity with the cannabinoid combined with the nation’s alarmist position on anything related to cannabis, it may, nonetheless, be wise to avoid importing CBG into Sweden.

Is THC legal in Sweden?

No, THC is not legal in Sweden except in the context of its government-controlled medical cannabis program, which mainly offers synthetic pharmaceutical cannabinoids rather than genuine cannabis products. Possessing THC products in Sweden can result in fines and jail time, while trafficking is a felony with mandatory prison.

Does Sweden have adult-use cannabis?

No, Sweden does not allow adult-use cannabis, and it may be one of the last nations in the Western world to adopt such a policy. In Sweden, cannabis use is culturally associated with laziness and criminality, a deeply entrenched stigma built over decades.

Can you import cannabinoids into Sweden?

Yes, cannabinoid products are generally clear for import into Sweden as long as they do not contain any THC whatsoever. Great care should be taken around THC-adjacent cannabinoids like delta 8 and HHC as well, which appear to be in the process of being banned⁷ even in cannabis-positive European nations.

CBD is the only cannabinoid fully approved for import into Sweden. Other cannabinoids will likely face Sweden’s strict stance on THC, which can even lead to felony charges.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in Sweden?

No, Swedish law prohibits the production of cannabinoid products on Swedish soil. All products in Sweden’s medical cannabis program are imported from other countries.

As with other EU nations, Sweden is much friendlier toward hemp products produced within the European Economic Area (EEA). Partnering with an EEA hemp producer is a crucial first step to selling cannabinoids in Sweden.

Sweden: Hemp’s frozen wasteland

Surrounded by darkness half the year and disciplined activity the other, Swedes have little time for distractions. This cultural context partly explains Sweden’s strong opposition to cannabis and cannabinoids. Why Sweden remains so staunch in rejecting cannabis and cannabinoids remains a mystery. If cannabinoids gain traction in Sweden, the nation could become a global tipping point for cannabis acceptance. Enter Sweden’s cannabinoid market bravely but with caution, focusing on CBD for now.

Sources

1. DeAngelo, A. (2022, June 30). An Inside Look At Sweden’s First Medical Cannabis Conference. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdeangelo/2022/06/30/an-inside-look-at-swedens-first-medical-cannabis-conference/
2. Larsson, M., & Lagerås, P. (2014). New evidence on the introduction, cultivation and processing of hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) in southern Sweden. Environmental Archaeology, 20(2), 111–119. https://doi.org/10.1179/1749631414y.0000000029
3. Hemp Harvesting, Retting, and Fiber Separation. (n.d.). USDA. https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/41740/15855_ages001ee_1_.pdf?v=0
4. Danielsson, A., Falkstedt, D., Hemmingsson, T., Allebeck, P., & Agardh, E. (2015). Cannabis use among Swedish men in adolescence and the risk of adverse life course outcomes: results from a 20 year‐follow‐up study. Addiction, 110(11), 1794–1802. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13042
5. Sweden, drug use in | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sweden-drug-use
6. SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, 1961. (n.d.). United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1961_en.pdf
7. Dréan, M., & Battaglia, M. (2023, June 15). As France bans HHC cannabis alternative, stores rush to sell off stock. Le Monde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/06/15/as-france-bans-hhc-cannabis-alternative-stores-rush-to-sell-off-stock_6032081_7.html

Spain has recently become known as an international epicenter of cannabis tourism, raising questions about the nation’s actual stance on cannabinoids. Is the Mediterranean country as receptive to cannabinoids as it appears? From Spain’s stance on specific cannabinoids to insights into the nation’s overall cannabis culture, learn everything you need to know about marketing cannabinoid products to Spaniards. 

What are the cannabinoid laws in Spain?

Spain decriminalizes the possession and use of THC-rich cannabis products for most purposes. The nation also follows EU standards for CBD products, recently raising the maximum THC threshold to 0.3%.

Cannabis is not, however, “legal” in Spain, and the existence of cannabis clubs has led to considerable controversy over the years. It’s also important to remember that Spain is hardly monolithic with individual provinces and cities often imposing their own cannabis regulations.

History of cannabis in Spain

The modern science of “historical biogeography” commonly places the first entry of Cannabis sativa into Europe somewhere in the Iberian Peninsula¹, an area of Europe comprising Spain and Portugal. Using archaeological and geological records, scientists have been able to determine that cannabis use was already widespread in prehistoric Europe² with an emphasis on the Iberian Peninsula region.

It’s fair to say that cannabis is deeply rooted in Spanish soil, also influencing the country’s arts and history. Like most other colonial powers, the Spanish cultivated hemp extensively for sailcloth, and as the foremost colonial empire for centuries, Spain had a great need for sails.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that the Spanish began cultivating hemp in Chile as early as 1545³, which most historians credit as the introduction of Cannabis sativa to the Americas. Records of cannabis use for medical or religious purposes in Spain are scant, but to this day, the Spanish are remembered for their connection to sorcery⁴.

Spaniards brought their own understanding of the occult, including the magical art of pharmacy, to the Americas, where it blended with the shamanistic beliefs⁵ of the natives. Already accustomed to entheogenic substances, indigenous peoples widely embraced the psychoactive properties of cannabis while colonizing Spaniards still mostly used the plant for sail fiber.

Spain underwent a great deal of cultural interchange during its colonial period, bringing certain spiritual practices back from the New World with it. Cannabis never truly died out in Spain, and the country’s 20th-century views on cannabis stem from the Iberian Peninsula’s ancient role as a cannabis homeland.

History of cannabis laws in Spain

In 1992, the Spanish government decriminalized the possession and personal use of all drugs⁶, becoming one of the first European nations to take this dramatic step. While this law did not make it legal to cultivate cannabis or use it in public spaces, it essentially made it impossible for the Spanish government to arrest you for possessing small amounts of cannabis.

Then, in 2015, Spain decriminalized personal cultivation of cannabis⁷ as long as plants were not viewable in public spaces. Nonetheless, Spanish citizens have taken to growing cannabis on their balconies, exploiting a legal loophole providing that balconies are private, not public spaces.

Buying or selling cannabis remains illegal in Spain. Due to the combination of these two decriminalization laws, however, cannabis clubs have formed and flourished throughout Spain. These clubs consist of members who make donations in exchange for products — legally, no actual exchange of tender for goods occurs.

Over the years, various cannabis clubs have been shut down in Spain, or members have been penalized. These actions were always on behalf of local governments, however, with the Spanish federal government sticking by its position that cannabis possession is decriminalized for personal use.

Which cannabinoids are legal in Spain?

The only cannabinoid that is specifically illegal in Spain is THC, and only within certain specific contexts. THC products are decriminalized in Spain, and the nation has not established specific provisions for other cannabinoid products. As such, regulations regarding CBD in Spain revert to EU guidelines⁸, which stipulate that CBD may be imported into member nations as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.

Is CBD legal in Spain?

Yes, CBD is generally considered to be legal in Spain since the nation follows EU mandates. The EU has determined that CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are legal for sale within its member nations, and Spain has not made any moves to the contrary. Currently, CBD products are widely sold throughout Spain in boutiques, natural food stores, and similar locations.

Is CBG legal in Spain?

The legality of cannabigerol (CBG) in Spain is questionable since the EU has not ruled on this particular cannabinoid. The general thrust of current international cannabinoid law, though, is to accept new cannabinoids so long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.

With cannabinoids like CBG, it is especially important to remember the near-autonomy certain Spanish provinces have regarding import and export laws. Importing CBG into Catalonia, an area known for its lax positions on cannabis⁹, could be easier, for instance, than attempting to import the cannabinoid into Madrid.

Is THC legal in Spain?

No, THC products are not legal in Spain. Spain has many cannabis clubs because Spanish law decriminalizes cannabis use, possession, and, in some cases, cultivation.

While certain prescription cannabis medications are available through the Spanish pharmacy system, the nation has yet to enact comprehensive medical cannabis laws. Efforts are underway to push this agenda forward in 2023¹⁰, which would undoubtedly have a positive effect on cannabinoid laws in Spain, but so far, no system for fully legal cannabis sales exists.

Does Spain have adult-use cannabis?

No, adult-use cannabis is not legal in Spain. Instead, the country has decriminalized most forms of cannabis possession and use, effectively allowing anyone in Spain to use cannabis without facing legal repercussions. However, it is important to note that decriminalization is very different from legalization.

Can you import cannabinoids into Spain?

It is legal to import CBD products into Spain as long as they follow general EU and Spanish import procedures and contain less than 0.3% THC. Other forms of cannabis import into Spain are usually prohibited, as they are considered drug trafficking.

Unlike nations with medical or adult-use cannabis economies, there is no legal pretext for exporting cannabis products to Spain. Although cannabis use is decriminalized, importing cannabis products with more than 0.3% THC could be seen as illegal in Spain.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in Spain?

There are no legitimate, above-board THC cannabis manufacturers located within the borders of Spain. Since the nation has not enacted medical or adult-use cannabis laws, THC cultivation and processing is typically considered illegal drug trafficking.

The situation is different for CBD, though. Taking the Spanish government’s silence on the issue as tacit acceptance, various manufacturers have started producing CBD on home soil. CBD products made in Spain, however, do not benefit from the advanced methods and systems that have been developed in already-established cannabinoid economies.

As a result, Spanish-made CBD products are unlikely to compare favorably to imported options offered by larger producers servicing multiple countries. Spanish CBD producers must also abide by guidelines that are not imposed on foreign producers.

Summary: Iberian roots and Catalonian offshoots

Modern scientists are nearly universal in the belief that cannabis entered Europe by way of the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain and many other areas of Europe, cannabis cultivation never truly stopped. How could a century’s aberration cover up millennia of agricultural practice, after all?

It’s easy to forget, but Catalonia nearly became its own independent nation a few years ago, which the province’s stances on cannabis clearly reflect¹¹. Today, Catalonia is a massive hub of illicit cannabis trafficking, a situation never intended by lawmakers or even average users.

So, Spain represents both the best and the worst of cannabis. On the one hand, it’s the historical homeland of the plant, and on the other, Spain remains burdened by a difficult-to-dismantle black-market cannabis economy.

In such an environment, it’s important to make cannabis seem everyday. Whichever struggles the nation may currently be facing in the realm of THC cannabis, make it clear that non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and CBG are in another category altogether.

Spain and cannabinoids go together beautifully, and they always have. By sidestepping the nation’s current adult-use cannabis issues and focusing on the core benefits of cannabinoids, entrepreneurs have the potential to be wildly successful within this uniquely cannabis-attenuated market. 

Sources

1. Rull, V., Burjachs, F., Carrión, J. S., Ejarque, A., Fernández, S., López-Sáez, J. A., Luelmo-Lautenschlaeger, R., Ochando, J., Pérez-Díaz, S., Revelles, J., Riera, S., & Rodriguez, S. (2023). Historical biogeography of Cannabis in the Iberian Peninsula: A probabilistic approach using palynological evidence. Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 58, 125704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2022.125704
2. Europe PMC. (n.d.). When and How Did Cannabis Reach Europe and the Iberian Peninsula? https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr425352
3. Brill, H. (1981). Marihuana: The first twelve thousand years. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.1981.10471902
4. Hammer, J. (2022, October 31). Spain’s Centuries-Long witch hunt killed 700 women. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/spain-centuries-long-witch-hant-killed-700-women-180981018/
5. Gareis, I. (2013). Merging Magical Traditions: Sorcery and Witchcraft in Spanish and Portuguese America. Oxford University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199578160.013.0024
6. Decriminalisation in Europe? (n.d.). European Legal Database on Drugs. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_5741_EN_Decriminalisation_Legal_Approaches.pdf
7. Weinberg, B. (2018). Cannabis cultivation decriminalized in Spain? High Times. https://hightimes.com/grow/cannabis-cultivation-decriminalized-in-spain/
8. Sabaghi, D. (2021b, December 14). European Union Increases THC Level For Industrial Hemp. Why Does It Matter? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/14/european-union-increases-thc-level-for-industrial-hemp-why-does-it-matter/?sh=5a3d8f18128b
9. Morel, S. (2022, April 8). In Catalonia, the law struggles with private cannabis clubs. Le Monde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/04/08/in-catalonia-the-law-struggles-with-private-cannabis-clubs_5980043_4.html
10. Diariofarma. (2023). La Sociedad Española del Dolor pide una ley del cannabis. Diariofarma. https://diariofarma.com/2023/05/25/la-sociedad-espanola-del-dolor-pide-una-ley-del-cannabis
11. Garcia, H., & Faus, J. (2023, June 28). Catalonia cracks down on booming marijuana industry. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/catalonia-cracks-down-booming-marijuana-industry-2023-06-28/

Italy, renowned for its Mediterranean climate, laid-back ambiance, and rich history, is gradually gaining recognition for a different reason. The southern European country is being considered a place where people can use whichever cannabinoids they wish without repercussion.

Is it true that cannabis has been decriminalized in Italy, and what does this mean for entrepreneurs seeking to offer cannabinoids to the Italian people? In this guide, we’ll explore all the intricacies of Italian law and culture pertaining to cannabis, providing a roadmap for approaching the Italian market with CBD, CBG, and other hemp cannabinoids.

Are cannabinoids legal in Italy?

Italy has decriminalized THC cannabis possession in quantities up to 1.5 grams. When it comes to other cannabinoids, the nation follows the general EU rule on the subject, which dictates that cannabinoid products are admissible for entry into EU countries as long as they are produced in the EU and contain less than 0.3% THC¹.

Overall, Italy should be viewed as one of the more lax cannabis markets. In nations that impose strict controls on cannabis in general, a confluence of cultural and regulatory factors usually prevents even non-intoxicating cannabinoids from flourishing. Since Italy accepts cannabis overall, it usually has no problem accepting non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and CBG.

Italy operates a medical cannabis market, but oddly enough, the entirety of the medical cannabis supply chain in Italy is overseen by the military². Rather than standardizing the industry, this approach has simply led to supply chain gaps and facilities shutting down³.

Clearly, Italy is not without its own struggles surrounding cannabis production and regulation. It remains the case, though, that the general attitude toward cannabis is highly relaxed in the Mediterranean country.

History of cannabis in Italy

Cannabis has been cultivated in Italy⁴ since time immemorial. Archaeological records show that Ancient Romans grew hemp as early as the Late Pleistocene age with clear records evident dating at least as far back as 1000 BC. The cultivation of cannabis for textile, medicinal, and spiritual purposes has continued uninterrupted in Italy ever since.

The use of cannabis was so widespread in Rome that Pliny the Elder makes considerable space to mention its cultivation in his history. Detailed notes are provided on the sowing of seeds in the spring, reaping of buds at the autumn equinox, and then drying the plants by wind or the smoke of a fire. Cannabis cultivation remains a core component of treatises on agriculture throughout the ups and downs of the Roman Empire’s tenure in Italy.

After the fall of Rome, cannabis enjoyed great usage in Italy during the period of the merchant republics, who largely relied on hemp sailcloth to make their voyages throughout the Mediterranean. Hemp remained the main fiber used for sails throughout Italian Unification and only saw a decrease in popularity as synthetic sailcloths became available.

Then, the global War on Drugs swept through Italy, bringing along with it a temporary rejection of cannabis. This distance has only made the Italian people fonder of the plant, however, who now recognize in even more detail the vast medicinal and healing properties of cannabinoids.

History of cannabis laws in Italy

Despite the outbreak of anti-cannabis laws that spread throughout Europe in the wake of Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt, Italy, enjoying long relations with the Moors and their hash-smoking practices, continued to allow cannabis use all throughout the 19th century. In 1887, in fact, the Italian Dr. Raffaele Valieri⁵ became one of the first scientists to publish the results of his research into cannabis use among the terminally ill.

At the First International Opium Conference in 1912, though, Italy turned heads when it demanded that cannabis be banned⁶ along with opium, citing sudden issues with hashish that had erupted in Italian colonies in Libya. This request was granted during the Second International Opium Conference in 1925, but only in the context of international trade.

Even as its position toward the intoxicating components of cannabis soured, Italy remained one of the world’s most prominent producers and exporters of hemp until the 1950s. Then, a combination of slowing domestic production and hostile international views on drugs led Italy to shrink back on hemp production for more than half a century.

Italy was one of the signatories of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961⁷, effectively making cannabis use illegal. Then, the nation banned hemp cultivation altogether in 1980, leading to the erasure of many irreplaceable Italian cannabis phenotypes that had resulted from centuries of careful interbreeding.

The period of full Italian cannabis prohibition would prove short-lived. In 1993, Italy made the controversial move⁸ of removing penalties for the possession of “soft drugs” at the culmination of a lengthy national discourse on the differences between “using” and “pushing” illegal narcotics.

This move began an overall push to bring hemp and cannabis back into the Italian regulatory fold. An era not without its drama, cannabis would be famously re-criminalized in Italy in 2006 before finally becoming decriminalized again in 2014⁹. This decriminalization only applies to personal use, however, with the cultivation and sale of THC cannabis remaining federal offenses under Italian law.

Which cannabinoids are legal in Italy?

The story surrounding cannabinoids in contemporary Italy is somewhat complex. The nation suffers from an overall drug criminality problem that it has tried to solve in countless ways. Recently, for instance, Italy legalized what it calls “cannabis light¹⁰,” which refers to domestically produced hemp products containing less than 0.2% (now 0.3%) THC.

Retailers took to this new law like wildfire, in many cases offering products containing more than the legal THC threshold or using strains not approved as “hemp” by the Italian government. Inevitable regulatory pushback has ensued, and the status of “cannabis light” products is anything but stable.

Despite these minor quirks, Italy generally allows the import and sale of non-THC cannabinoids as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC. CBD and CBG are not considered “cannabis light” by default and do not necessarily need to be derived from approved strains.

Is CBD legal in Italy?

Yes, CBD is legal in Italy due to a combination of both EU and domestic law. Following all applicable EU guidelines on the subject, CBD products entering Italy must simply contain less than 0.3% THC and meet any other general import requirements. Italy is considered a CBD-friendly country with sales massively increasing through both brick-and-mortar and online platforms.

Is CBG legal in Italy?

The lesser-known cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) has not been explicitly addressed by Italian law. As long as CBG products contain less than 0.3% THC, however, offering them to Italians most likely won’t meet with any obstacles. Impressed by the benefits of both THC and CBD, the Italian market is eager to encounter new cannabinoids.

Is THC legal in Italy?

In Italy, possession of up to 1.5 grams of THC-rich cannabis is decriminalized, but not legal. This means that Italian police cannot arrest or fine you if there is less than 1.5g of cannabis in your possession. For larger quantities, fines may apply, but the possibility of jail time only appears if you have been caught with quantities of cannabis beyond the possession limit multiple times.

Enforcement of cannabis laws has gone down even more with the advent of Italy’s medical cannabis industry. Overall, culturally relaxed views on cannabis appear to have trickled down to the level of law enforcement, which is evidenced by even the Italian military playing a major role in relaying cannabis to its people.

Despite all this, it’s still important to remember that cannabis is not legal in Italy, only decriminalized. This remains a nation where cannabis is generally illegal, and if you bend the law too far, you might find out just how inflexible Italian cannabis policies can be.

Does Italy have adult-use cannabis?

No, Italy has not legalized adult-use cannabis, though it will likely be one of the first European countries to do so. The EU continues to make it difficult for individual member nations to establish adult-use cannabis industries, but Germany is spearheading a multi-nation initiative to overrule this position. As a country that embraces cannabis overall but is struggling with supply chain issues, Italy is an obvious candidate for a streamlined and modern adult-use cannabis industry.

Can you import cannabinoids into Italy?

Yes, cannabinoid products containing less than 0.3% THC are generally admissible for import into Italy. EU law dictates that imported hemp products must originate in member nations, however, so it’s necessary to work with a European distributor to access the Italian market.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in Italy?

Italy is bereft of cannabinoid manufacturers with domestic producers forced to stick to non-intoxicating strains of cannabis for the time being. As odd as it may seem at first, the primary cannabis producer in Italy is the Italian military with its monopoly on medical cannabis cultivation. Otherwise, the Italian market is wide open for cannabinoid manufacturers to establish their brands.

Summary: Viva Italia, viva cannabis

Out of all the European nations, Italy may be the foremost when it comes to cannabis history. The plant played a crucial role in every stage of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and Italian farmers continued to grow hemp in the region for centuries afterward.

To the Italians, cannabis is no big deal: It’s an ancestral plant, widely misunderstood, that has the potential to be misused under some circumstances. The centerpiece of Europe’s diverse swath of positions on cannabis, Italy’s cannabinoid market is as ripe as its beautiful, ancestral farmlands.

Sources

1. Sabaghi, D. (2021c, December 14). European Union Increases THC Level For Industrial Hemp. Why Does It Matter? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/14/european-union-increases-thc-level-for-industrial-hemp-why-does-it-matter/?sh=5a3d8f18128b
2. Kington, T. (2022, December 30). A high ambition: Italian Army aims for self-sufficient cannabis market. Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/12/30/a-high-ambition-italian-army-aims-for-self-sufficient-cannabis-market/
3. Stevens, B. (2023). Italian Military Halts Production Of Medical Cannabis Production Piling Pressure On Supply Chain. Business of Cannabis. https://businessofcannabis.com/italian-military-halts-production-of-medical-cannabis-production-piling-pressure-on-supply-chain/
4. The long history of Cannabis and its cultivation by the Romans in central Italy, shown by pollen records from Lago Albano and Lago di Nemi on JSTOR. (n.d.). https://www.jstor.org/stable/23418014
5. Dell’Amico, M. (2014, January 9). La canapa in Italia dalle pipe preistoriche alla legge Cossiga. Wired Italia. https://www.wired.it/lifestyle/salute/2014/01/09/quando-tutti-gli-italiani-amavano-la-canapa/
6. A cannabis reader: global issues and local experiences: Volume 1 | www.emcdda.europa.eu. (2023, September 13). https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/monographs/cannabis-volume1_en
7. SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, 1961. (n.d.). United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1961_en.pdf
8. Sabaghi, D. (2021a, September 13). Inside Italy’s Push To Decriminalize Recreational Cannabis. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/09/13/italy-wants-to-decriminalize-marijuana-on-the-ballot-amid-a-race-against-time/?sh=57d745a9639b
9. Cruciata, G. (2020). The crisis of marijuana criminalization in Italy. Filter. https://filtermag.org/criminalization-italy-marijuana-hash/
10. Italy’s “cannabis light” creates buzz even if the pot won’t | AP News. (2021, May 1). AP News. https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-italy-business-courts-international-news-ea9ac614af74488b8977e3dbe54dd795

Cannabis cafes in Amsterdam have always been notorious, but is that the only way Holland has distinguished itself as an epicenter of cannabinoid culture? Why is cannabis purchasable in the Netherlands in the first place, and what does it mean for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the Dutch market? We’ll cover all the details in this comprehensive guide to cannabinoid law and culture in Holland.

A note on terminology

First, it’s important to clear up the confusing English terms that refer to Holland. Technically, Holland is only an area in the Netherlands, the official term for the nation of the Dutch people. However, in English and other languages, Holland is commonly used to refer to the Netherlands as a whole. As a result, the names “Holland” and “the Netherlands” are usually interchangeable even though they mean slightly different things.

Are cannabinoids legal in Holland?

Most cannabinoids are illegal in Holland, including THC, which is outright banned. If this situation seems counterintuitive at first, you’re not to blame.

Contrary to popular opinion, cannabis is not legal in Holland. Instead, Dutch authorities have simply turned a blind eye to black-market cannabis operations servicing a network of coffee shops, in which the sale of up to 5 grams of cannabis per person was decriminalized in 1976¹.

Decriminalization is not the same thing as legalization, however. THC possession and use remains a crime in the Netherlands.

The nation established an Office of Medicinal Cannabis in 2001², making it one of the first nations to allow medical use of THC. However, access to the official Dutch medical cannabis system is very limited and only available through the context of conventional medicine. Even users who rely on cannabis for medical purposes, therefore, usually acquire their THC through gray-market coffee shops anyway.

Holland has one of the most bizarrely restrictive policies on CBD found anywhere in the world. CBD products are allowed in the Netherlands, but only as long as they contain less than 0.05% THC³, six times less than the general standard of 0.3%.

Adhering to this policy means that only isolate and broad-spectrum CBD products are allowed in Holland, reducing the potential benefits of the entourage effect. There has been a recent effort to change Holland’s tourism image, and perhaps imposing strict restrictions on the CBD market is a way of showing solidarity with this movement.

History of cannabis in the Netherlands

During a Dutch Rail effort to establish a new train line to the northeast region of Holland, workers stumbled upon a 4,200-year-old grave⁴ containing traces of Cannabis sativa. As appears to be the case for the vast majority of Western Europe, ancient peoples inhabiting what is now the Netherlands clearly incorporated cannabis into their medicinal and religious rituals.

Cannabis use in the region of Holland was generally unstigmatized until the formation of the Dutch East India Company, which unveiled the use of cannabis as a narcotic by certain cultures of the Far East. The economic closeness of the Dutch with these cultures led to a serious cannabis import problem, which wasn’t fully addressed until the late 1920s.

While still following general EU and UN guidelines on illegal drugs, the Dutch chose to go their own way with cannabis by allowing cafes to sell it for recreational use since the 1970s. Over the course of nearly 50 years, though, this practice has only exacerbated, not alleviated, social pressures caused by the illegality of cannabis.

History of cannabis laws in Holland

The first historical record of Dutch cannabis law comes from 1921⁵ when a ban on cannabis was lifted in Dutch-controlled Suriname at the behest of an immigrant association. The Dutch clearly continued to struggle with controlling cannabis use and commerce, however, as is evidenced by a ban on cannabis in Dutch Indonesia in 1927⁶ and a subsequent ban in all Dutch holdings (including Holland) the following year.

Then, in 1953, the Netherlands signed the Geneva Convention on Drugs⁷, enshrining the Dutch cannabis ban in international law. This ban would only last 23 years, however, before a Dutch commission on drugs found reason to believe teenagers buying cannabis from street dealers would make them more likely to try more dangerous drugs as well.

The Dutch, therefore, made a distinction in their law between “hard” and “soft” drugs, with cannabis being one of the latter and now authorized for sale in coffee shops in quantities of up to 5 grams. What Dutch authorities failed to do at the same time, however, was ensure a supply of cannabis to these shops existed outside the black market.

As a result, all cannabis sold in Dutch coffee shops is still provided by black-market growers, which has only strengthened organized crime in the Netherlands. Cultural acceptance of cannabis has led to both legal and economic incentives to produce other drugs, like MDMA, in the Netherlands as opposed to other European countries, giving Holland an overall reputation of criminality that its increasingly cosmopolitan-leaning government is having trouble tolerating.

Which cannabinoids are legal in the Netherlands?

The only cannabinoid that can be considered legal in Holland is CBD, and even then only under very strict guidelines. The conception that THC is legal in the Netherlands is entirely erroneous, and the Dutch government has not given any indication that they intend to allow the sale of any cannabinoids other than CBD anytime in the near future.

Is CBD legal in Holland?

CBD is legal in Holland as long as it contains less than 0.05% THC, one of the lowest THC thresholds for CBD products in the world. Hemp or cannabis cannot legally be processed into CBD extract in the Netherlands, so any CBD products sold in the nation must be imported.

Even though it is not considered to be within the sphere of Holland’s medical cannabis system, CBD imports are nonetheless processed by the Healthcare and Youth Care Inspectorate. Those interested in importing cannabinoids into the Netherlands can learn more on the official website⁸ of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport.

Is CBG legal in Holland?

Holland has not made any special concessions for the recently popular cannabinoid cannabigerol (CBG) in the same way that it has for CBD, so it is safe to assume that CBG products are not allowed for import or sale in the Netherlands. Given the Dutch government’s unsparing approach to CBD commerce, it would be unwise to assume that imports of CBG or other non-CBD, non-intoxicating cannabinoids would simply fly under the radar.

Is THC legal in Holland?

No, THC-rich cannabis, still referred to as “marijuana,” remains illegal in the Netherlands for adult use. The only context in which THC cannabis is allowable in the Netherlands is when it is used and sold in authorized cannabis cafes or dispensed in pharmacies on a prescription basis. Coffee shop cannabis only becomes decriminalized at the point of sale with producers still operating entirely within the black market.

The Dutch medical cannabis program is too small and restrictive to meet a citizen’s average needs. The current “coffee shop” system only promotes low-quality products and criminal behavior. Clearly, the answer is a regulated and inclusive adult-use and medical cannabis industry, an answer that politicians in the Netherlands are proving slow to accept.

Does Holland have adult-use cannabis?

No, there is no adult-use cannabis program in the Netherlands. Citizens who wish to use cannabis products must buy them from a questionable coffee shop. Requests for third-party lab reports are often not taken seriously and usually do not result in the provision of any substantial information.

Once you have bought cannabis from a Dutch shop, you must use it on-site to stay within the nation’s decriminalization framework. It is illegal for Dutch authorities to arrest you for possession of under 5 grams of cannabis, but it is also illegal to possess THC-rich cannabis in any quantity, meaning that slap-on-the-wrist cannabis confiscations are common — especially in Dutch border towns.

Can you import cannabinoids into Holland?

Yes, importing cannabinoid products into Holland is the only way for them to enter the Dutch market. And, at present, the legitimate Dutch cannabinoid market consists solely of a highly restrictive CBD economy (<0.05% THC threshold) and a minuscule medical cannabis program mainly servicing the terminally ill, perhaps calling into question the overall viability of cannabinoid imports into the nation at this time.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in Holland?

No, the only cannabinoid manufacturers operating within the borders of Holland are either black-market or associated with the nation’s medical cannabis system. Processing hemp or cannabis for other reasons in the Netherlands is illegal by national law9.

Summary: Holland, an illusory cannabis paradise

It wasn’t so long ago that cannabis was fully illegal practically everywhere in the world. By contrast, the Netherlands served as a nearly comical oasis for cannabis use due to its unique coffee shop culture.

While cannabis tourism still brings in nearly $400 million a year, the cost to the Dutch social fabric has been severe. A program initially started to prevent youth drug use has made the Netherlands the drug capital of Europe. Holland is now known as the continental epicenter of drug and sex tourism, something local authorities never intended.

Ironically, Holland is now also one of the most backward European countries when it comes to overall cannabis law. By legitimizing a gray-area industry, the Dutch allowed their cannabis black market to blossom while disabling average citizens from enjoying the manifold benefits of cannabinoids.

Caution is certainly warranted when approaching the Dutch cannabinoid market in its current state. As intensely restrictive policies on CBD show, the Netherlands has had a complex and challenging relationship with cannabis over the last 50 years, necessitating a thoughtful and measured approach moving forward.

Sources

1. Visram, T. (2023). The Netherlands was once a cannabis pioneer, but it still hasn’t legalized weed. What happened? Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/90832031
2. Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport. (2020, September 24). Office of Medicinal Cannabis – The Office of Medicinal Cannabis. https://english.cannabisbureau.nl/
3. Hazekamp, A. (2018). The Trouble with CBD Oil. Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 1(1), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1159/000489287
4. Pascoe, R. (2012, April 11). Marijuana traces found in early bronze-age grave – DutchNews.nl. DutchNews.nl. https://www.dutchnews.nl/2012/04/marijuana_traces_found_in_earl/
5. Hoefte, R. (1998). In place of slavery: A Social History of British Indian and Javanese Laborers in Suriname.
6. Slone, T. H. (2003). Prokem.
7. UNODC – Bulletin on Narcotics – 1953 Issue 3 – 011. (1953, January 1). United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1953-01-01_3_page012.html
8. Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport. (2021, September 14). Foreign patients and businesses. Import and Export | the Office of Medicinal Cannabis. https://english.cannabisbureau.nl/import-and-export/foreign-patients-and-businesses
9. Netherlands: An overview of the Dutch hemp market. (2020, May 18). USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/netherlands-overview-dutch-hemp-market

Renowned for its cultural sophistication, one might assume that French culture would warmly welcome cannabis. Just the contrary is true, though — today, France remains one of the few European nations with essentially zero medical or adult-use cannabis infrastructure, putting on an initially intimidating face for prospective cannabinoid entrepreneurs.

Just appraising France’s hardened exterior position on cannabis, however, would overlook its surprising acceptance of CBD. It’s unclear when, if ever, France will follow the rest of Europe’s lead on cannabis law. In the meantime, selling cannabinoid products in France certainly isn’t impossible even if the process presents unique challenges.

Are cannabinoids legal in France?

Some cannabinoids are legal for sale in France, but only by a hair’s breadth. CBD only became legal in France in 2021¹, for instance, by a court ruling that determined existing bans on CBD products were unconstitutional. This same ruling, though, determined that flowers of the hemp or cannabis plant containing CBD were still illegal, a ruling that was itself overturned two years later².

In summary, France was pressured by its citizens to legalize CBD sales. After legal challenges, it became clear that CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal. However, France has not legalized other cannabinoids, and THC remains strictly illegal without government authorization.

History of cannabis in France

In 2015, archaeologist Hervé Delhoofs discovered a vase³ within the burial site of an ancient Gallic woman who died at around age 30 in the 2nd century BC. Further investigations found that the vase had been used to house wine infused with Cannabis sativa.

This isn’t the only evidence that the Galls and related peoples of ancient Europe used cannabis in the distant past, but it’s compelling on its own. It appears that cannabis was a component of most religious and healing rituals of ancient Europeans with knowledge of its medicinal properties decreasing rather than growing over the centuries.

By the year 1800, Napoleon’s French found cannabis to be so disruptive that it was banned throughout occupied Egypt⁴, where French troops had seized upon the intoxicating properties of hashish in a culture where alcohol was religiously banned. Nonetheless, cannabis found its way back to France, where it played a pivotal role in the nation’s arts and culture of the mid-1800s.

Most famously, the use of cannabis amongst the literati in Paris led to the rise of the Club du Hashischins, whose members included Charles Baudelaire, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas among others. Baudelaire became notable for his poetic description of the hashish experience in Les paradis artificiels, considered a seminal piece of psychonaut literature to this day.

History of cannabis laws in France

Even in 1800s France, cannabis was firmly illegal with strict punitive measures put in place to disincentivize its sale and use. This uniquely anti-cannabis stance persisted throughout the 20th century with France being one of the key signatories of the 1953 Geneva Convention on drugs⁵, considered to be one of the first international anti-drug policies.

In 1991, controversy erupted as a non-governmental organization was denied importation of cannabis into France for administration to 10 terminally ill patients. In its defense, the court issuing the order referenced France’s adherence to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs⁶, which made imports of cannabis products illegal.

France is unusual in its strictness in following this Single Convention, however, with many other signatories allowing medical cannabis programs. The only reasonable conclusion to draw is that France remains uniquely held back by its anti-cannabis stigma, a stigma over two centuries in the making.

Which cannabinoids are legal in France?

As it stands, the only legal cannabinoid in France is CBD. It wasn’t until 2013⁷ that France allowed the processing of cannabis into strictly medical products, which could be acquired with a doctor’s prescription only when all other available prescription treatments failed. Five years later, France announced it was launching a full inquiry⁸ into the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis, which would involve volunteer patients with various conditions.

The cannabis “medical experiment” was delayed until 2021, with some French citizens now receiving cannabis therapy for various conditions. This highly limited, experimental program remains the only state-authorized form of THC cannabis commerce in France.

Is CBD legal in France?

Yes, French courts have been forced to admit that CBD products containing under 0.3% THC are admissible under both French and EU law⁹. As a result, products containing CBD but no more than 0.3% THC are now allowed for sale in France, opening up the French CBD market like never before.

Is CBG legal in France?

It does not appear that France’s good graces with CBD extend to similar compounds. Imposing immense pressure on the French court system was necessary to allow CBD commerce, meaning CBG sales could take years.

Is THC legal in France?

No, THC is largely illegal in France with the only exceptions being made for terminally or chronically ill patients who did not experience improvements with mainline treatments. As a result, France maintains a highly cautious approach to its THC laws, a stance that is beginning to be revisited and discussed publicly in order to align with the evolving perspectives in Europe.

Does France have adult-use cannabis?

No, adult-use or recreational cannabis is not legal in France. The nation has not decriminalized small quantities of cannabis, unlike many European countries that use this measure to bypass full cannabinoid reform.

As a result, possession of even small amounts of cannabis in France could lead to arrests, fines, or even prison times. It is highly recommended that you do not possess or travel with THC-rich cannabis in France.

Can you import cannabinoids into France?

Importation of CBD products into France is possible, though a greater number of restrictions face entrepreneurs who would do so compared to other EU nations. The French judicial system has only begrudgingly admitted that CBD products are not marijuana, after all, and the overall position of the French government remains remarkably hostile against cannabinoids of all kinds.

Those seeking to import cannabinoids into France should work with an EU or EEA distributor, as only EEA-made CBD products are legal. This raises issues for importing American CBD.

When offered in bulk, there’s usually nothing about CBD itself that indicates its nation of origin. Paperwork and packaging will say otherwise, though, underscoring the importance of working with a cannabinoid producer with operations in the European Economic Area.

Are there cannabinoid manufacturers in France?

There are few cannabinoid producers in France, and those that exist make medical cannabis products for the government. Processing hemp into CBD extracts remains illegal in France, despite the nation’s agricultural stance on Cannabis sativa.

Summary: Is France ready for cannabinoids?

Stricken by continual riots and a refugee crisis over the last decade, it’s a small wonder that France has not remained abreast of the latest developments in the fineries of cannabinoid law. It seems that the French will continue to endure a lack of access to cannabinoid products for the foreseeable future, as their government shows no signs of expanding hemp commerce beyond CBD.

If CBD is the cannabinoid you want to offer to France, you happen to be in luck. The nation now accepts CBD imports as long as they are made in an EEA country. Other cannabinoids like CBG, though, may draw undue attention from French authorities despite their similarly non-psychoactive properties.

As CBD grows in popularity, France’s citizens and officials will soften to cannabis benefits, given their unique history. The socially disruptive hashish cafes of Baudelaire and Dumas are long gone, but cannabis will become mainstream in France.

Sources

1. Reuters. (2021, June 23). French court overturns ruling saying sale of cannabidiol is illegal. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-court-overturns-ruling-saying-sale-cannabidiol-is-illegal-2021-06-23/
2. Sabaghi, D. (2023, January 5). France’s Court Overturns Government Ban On Sale Of CBD Flowers. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2023/01/05/frances-court-overturns-government-ban-on-sale-of-cbd-flowers/?sh=7318ba3444c1
3. Bennett, C. (2020). The Cannabis infused Wine of Dionysus? www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/44689568/The_Cannabis_infused_Wine_of_Dionysus
4. Booth, M. (2015). Cannabis: A History. Macmillan.
5. UNODC – Bulletin on Narcotics – 1953 Issue 3 – 011. (1953, January 1). United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1953-01-01_3_page012.html
6. SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, 1961. (n.d.). United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/pdf/convention_1961_en.pdf
7. TÖRnkvist, A. (2013, June 10). French law on pot-based medicine takes effect. The Local France. https://www.thelocal.fr/20130610/legalized-cannabis-tea-could-be-on-drug-menu-for-french-patients-in-pharmacies
8. Jean-Luc MOUNIER. (2019, June 2). France to launch medical cannabis experiment in coming weeks. France 24. https://www.france24.com/en/20190602-france-launch-medical-cannabis-experiment-authier
9. Sabaghi, D. (2021, December 14). European Union Increases THC Level For Industrial Hemp. Why Does It Matter? Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dariosabaghi/2021/12/14/european-union-increases-thc-level-for-industrial-hemp-why-does-it-matter

None of the information mentioned in this article should be taken as nutritional advice. 

Cannabinoids and Nutrition Explained

The role cannabinoids play in nutrition is often overlooked in discussions of the science of cannabis. It’s generally understood that cannabinoids like CBD and THC don’t have any direct nutritional value, and this assumption is essentially true.

The story of cannabinoids and nutrition goes much deeper, though. In this guide, familiarize yourself with the basics of cannabis nutrition, and discover all the ways cannabinoids might impact human nutrition.

Basics of nutrition

The human body needs a variety of substances called nutrients to survive. These substances are generally separated into “macronutrients,” which are needed in great quantities, and “micronutrients,” which are needed in much smaller quantities. Examples of essential macronutrients include protein and carbohydrates, and examples of essential micronutrients include vitamin C and zinc.

The human body only flourishes when provided with a diet filled with essential macronutrients and micronutrients. These nutrients are found in many different forms of plant and animal life, and the Cannabis sativa plant has been identified as a great source of certain essential and non-essential macronutrients and micronutrients.

Can you eat cannabis?

Every part of the Cannabis sativa plant is, in theory, edible, and cannabis appears to have considerable nutritional value. The fibrous stalks and leaves, while not optimal for human digestion, are excellent sources of certain dietary fibers. Hemp seed is full of protein and essential fats, including highly beneficial omega fatty acids.

While the whole cannabis plant is technically edible, only certain parts of the plant are ideal for human consumption. Traditionally, cannabis seeds are the most commonly used for nutritional purposes.

Does cannabis have nutritional value?

Yes, the various parts of cannabis offer nutritional value in different ways. The most nutritious part of the cannabis plant is the seed due to its high fat and protein content, but cannabis leaves are also notable for containing essential micronutrients. Plus, cannabis flower may offer indirect nutritional benefit due to the antioxidant activity of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Which parts of the cannabis plant are nutritious?

Let’s break down the nutritional value of cannabis part-by-part:

Do cannabis seeds have nutritional value?

Yes, they are excellent sources of rare fats that boost nutrition and offer body-wide health benefits. Hemp and cannabis seeds also contain high concentrations of protein.

Which nutrients are contained in cannabis seeds?

Macronutrients found in cannabis seeds include:

• Protein: 9.5g per 30g
• Fats
• 1.2g fiber per 3 tbsp

Hemp seeds are especially notable for containing all nine amino acids, offering a “complete” source of protein. They also contain abundant micronutrients including:

• Vitamin E
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• B vitamins

Do cannabis leaves have nutritional value?

Yes, even though they are often overlooked in favor of hemp seeds for culinary purposes. Some inspired chefs include cannabis leaves in salads and other green dishes.

Which nutrients are contained in cannabis leaves?

The main macronutrient present in cannabis leaves is dietary fiber. Leaves of cannabis and hemp plants also contain abundant micronutrients like:

• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C

Do cannabis stalks have nutritional value?

Cannabis stalks contain lots of dietary fiber, but they’re hard to digest raw or add to dishes. Plus, the micronutrient content in cannabis stalks is much lower than it is in cannabis leaves. As a result, stalks are rarely used for culinary purposes, though they hold great potential in industrial applications.

Do cannabis buds have nutritional value?

Cannabis buds contain the same dietary fiber and micronutrients that are present in cannabis leaves, but they also contain cannabinoids and terpenes, powerful antioxidant compounds that may boost digestion indirectly. 

Do cannabinoids have nutritional value?

Cannabinoids, abundant in cannabis and hemp buds, don’t provide direct nutritional value. While they aren’t involved in processing micronutrients or macronutrients, cannabinoids are universally recognized for having some antioxidant activity.

As a result, ingesting cannabinoids orally could reduce digestive inflammation, improving the gut’s ability to absorb and process nutrients. Though they do not have nutritional value in themselves, modern science is gradually coming to grips with the role oxidative stress may play in poor nutritional uptake,1 potentially making cannabinoids more important to nutrition than any other part of the hemp plant.

Could cannabinoids boost nutrition in other ways?

Despite not offering any nutritional value as micronutrients or macronutrients, certain cannabinoids may boost the overall functioning of your digestive system, making it easier for your body to process waste and send essential nutrients where they need to go. Let’s take a look at the available research on the impact of cannabinoids on oxidative stress and digestion:

Research into cannabinoids and digestion

The abstract of a 2005 academic paper on the role of cannabinoids in digestion2 begins by noting that the body uses endocannabinoids (body-generated cannabinoid-like compounds) extensively in the digestion process. Since phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids found in plants like cannabis) dramatically impact the operation of endocannabinoids in the body, the authors of this paper postulate that phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC may be valid targets of research into novel therapies for digestion-related conditions.

This research was followed up by a 2015 study into the impact of cannabinoids on the gut’s mucosal defense barrier.3 The authors of the study concluded that “the endocannabinoid system represents a promising target in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases,” indicating that cannabinoids may have profound indirect impact on the digestion process.

Research into cannabinoids and inflammation

Inflammation hampers your body’s ability to uptake nutrients. Researchers have studied the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabinoids like CBD and THC in great detail, and both cannabinoids show promise in different ways. CBD has been researched extensively for its potential ability to combat almost every type of inflammation,4 gradually replacing THC as the primary target of cannabinoid inflammation research, a seemingly anti-inflammatory cannabinoid that nonetheless can cause unwanted inflammation under certain circumstances.5

Do terpenes boost the digestive benefits of cannabinoids?

Unless ingested in isolated form, cannabinoids are always accompanied by terpenes, which along with flavonoids provide cannabis with its delicious flavors and aromas. In addition to their culinary value, terpenes are universally believed to offer anti-inflammatory benefits 6 to varying degrees. If you’re consuming cannabinoids for digestive purposes, therefore, it would make sense to ingest products that also contain natural terpenes found in cannabis.

While scientists have determined that virtually all discovered terpenes have some degree of anti-inflammatory or antioxidant potential, each terpene has a different chemical makeup and unique effects. Some of the terpenes that have been investigated for anti-inflammatory effects include:

• Limonene
• Pinene
• Myrcene
• Caryophyllene

What are the best ways to consume cannabinoids for nutrition?

To take advantage of any potential nutritional benefits cannabinoids may impart, you will need to consume these cannabis compounds orally. Out of the various oral ingestion methods available for cannabinoids, capsules offer the greatest simplicity and purity while tinctures and gummies offer more opportunities for customization. It’s also possible to consume cannabis concentrate on its own, but research indicates that carrier oils improve the bioavailability of oral cannabinoids,7 which would make properly formulated oral cannabinoid products more effective.

The bottom line: Is cannabis a superfood?

Cannabis is often touted as a “superfood,” a popular term for a substance that has higher-than-usual nutritional benefit. This term might apply to the seeds of the cannabis plant, but the direct nutritional uses of other cannabis components appear to be much less impressive.

As we’re learning, though, nutrition is about a lot more than just the volume of macronutrients and micronutrients you ingest. The human gut is an extremely complex ecosystem with more than 100 million nerve endings, and modern science is gradually unveiling the massively important role inflammation plays in overall health.

Conclusion

Due to their impact on inflammation, cannabinoids may play a major, if indirect, role in human nutrition. The human digestive tract is largely controlled by a system of endogenous cannabinoid compounds, and cannabinoids like CBD and THC significantly impact the endocannabinoid system.

There are better ways to ingest cannabinoids and the other beneficial substances in cannabis than eating raw cannabis plants, though. Cannabis may only reach true “superfood” status when prepared into finished, formulated products. Cannabinoid-rich capsules, tinctures, and edibles, for instance, maximize the potential indirect nutritional value of cannabinoids while doing away with the unpalatable or inconvenient components of cannabis.

Sources

1. Tan, B. L., Norhaizan, M. E., & Liew, W. P. (2018). Nutrients and Oxidative Stress: Friend or Foe?. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2018, 9719584. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9719584

2. Izzo, A. A., & Coutts, A. A. (2005). Cannabinoids and the digestive tract. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, (168), 573–598. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-26573-2_19

3. Gyires, K., & Zádori, Z. S. (2016). Role of Cannabinoids in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Defense and Inflammation. Current neuropharmacology, 14(8), 935–951. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159×14666160303110150

4. Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2019). Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9010021

5. Nagarkatti, P., Pandey, R., Rieder, S. A., Hegde, V. L., & Nagarkatti, M. (2009). Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future medicinal chemistry, 1(7), 1333–1349. https://doi.org/10.4155/fmc.09.93

6. Gallily, R., Yekhtin, Z., & Hanuš, L. O. (2018). The Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Terpenoids from Cannabis. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0014

7. Stella, B., Baratta, F., Della Pepa, C. et al. Cannabinoid Formulations and Delivery Systems: Current and Future Options to Treat Pain. Drugs 81, 1513–1557 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-021-01579-x

8. Aidan J. Hampson, Julius Axelrod, Maurizio Grimaldi, (1999). Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants (US09/674,028).US Department of Health and Human Services. https://patents.google.com/patent/US6630507