The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has unveiled a legislative proposal targeting industrial hemp, aiming to eradicate CBD and all derivatives sourced from the plant’s flowers.
The proposed amendment, embedded within the contentious Security Bill, seeks to prohibit the import, processing, possession, transfer, distribution, trade, transport, dispatch, delivery, sale, and consumption of hemp flowers, even in semi-finished or processed forms.
Described as “a grotesque crackdown” by Federcanapa, a prominent trade association, the measure effectively bans any productive or commercial activity associated with hemp flowers, irrespective of their THC content.
Economic and Social Implications
Beppe Croce, President of Federcanapa, warns of severe repercussions if the law is enacted. The proposed legislation would cripple the hemp extract sector, impacting CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids widely used in herbal medicine, cosmetics, and food supplements. Croce predicts the closure of approximately 3,000 businesses and the displacement of 15,000 workers.
Context of the Security Bill
Originating in 2023, Italy’s Security Bill encompasses a broad spectrum of issues ranging from law enforcement and prison conditions to immigration and public demonstrations. The bill enhances law enforcement’s authority and introduces stricter penalties, potentially extending to violations related to hemp production and distribution.
Challenges to the Amendment
Federcanapa vows to challenge the proposed amendment, urging the Constitutional Affairs and Justice Commissions to reject it. Giacomo Bulleri, a legal expert representing the trade group, argues that the amendment conflicts with EU law, leaving Italy vulnerable to potential infringement procedures by the European Union. The EU has previously affirmed the legality of hemp-derived products.
EU Legal Precedent
In 2020, the European Commission issued a legally binding ruling asserting that CBD is not a narcotic and can be traded freely within member states. This decision aligned with an earlier ruling by the European Union Court of Justice. However, despite EU guidance, Italian authorities continue to target CBD, other cannabinoids, and “cannabis light” products, which are low in THC and processed for smoking.
The proposed measures signal a contentious debate between national legislation and EU regulations regarding hemp-derived products, posing significant implications for Italy’s hemp industry and its broader economic landscape.
