Liberalisation of Industrial Hemp: CBD in Germany 2024

Author: Jule Steinbrück for TOM HEMPS.

We have borrowed this article from the popular Berlin CBD retailer Tom Hemps. It’s a nice article written by Jule Steinbrück– we try to bring a view of the hemp and CBD situation in Germany from various sources. We hope they don’t mind us using it.

ARTICLE

No pause for breath, history is being made, progress is being made. In a long-awaited step, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) last week presented a draft bill to liberalise the cultivation and handling of industrial hemp. This draft law not only promises a long overdue amendment to the existing legal situation, but also a significant economic boost for Germany. Until now, it was nothing but absurd that the previous legislation allowed industrial hemp, despite its low THC concentration and lack of intoxicating effects, to fall under the strict regulations of the narcotics laws. But this party is finally over…

For years, the industrial hemp industry in Germany has been fighting its way through a jungle of bureaucratic obstacles. Time and again, products were confiscated and companies faced incomprehensible difficulties, even though there was no legal basis for them. These pointless measures have not only led to financial losses, but have also shaken confidence in the legal framework. Instead of promoting the economic benefits and numerous advantages of industrial hemp, countless valuable resources have been wasted. With the new bill, there is finally hope for an end to this unnecessary and harmful reprisal.

THE ABSURDITY OF THE PREVIOUS REGULATION

With the Cannabis Act, hope grew that the necessary legal framework for industrial hemp products would finally be created. But joke’s on us… Instead, things simply got worse and while cannabis enjoyed partial legalisation, CBD with a maximum content of 0.3% THC was assumed to have a potential for abuse. It’s like equating apple juice with vodka because of its fermentation potential. Completely unworldly and only handled so illogically in Germany. So it’s no wonder that this excludes us from international competition and ignores the economic advantages of an established industry. But the madness seems to have come to an end.

ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Germany is back in the game with the BMEL’s draft law on the liberalisation of industrial hemp cultivation. Industrial hemp is a raw material with enormous potential and a wide range of applications, from the textile industry to the production of building materials. This diversity creates new business opportunities and jobs, which can lead to an economic upturn in the industry, provided that the legal framework is adapted:

Sustainable agriculture: industrial hemp is an extremely sustainable plant. It does not require pesticides, has the ability to bind CO2 and improves soil quality. The cultivation of industrial hemp could make an important contribution to more sustainable agriculture and reduce the ecological footprint of the German agricultural industry.

Environmentally friendly alternatives: Hemp can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative in many industries. Hempcrete for construction, hemp plastics for the packaging industry and hemp fibres for the textile industry are just a few examples of how this versatile plant could replace traditional, environmentally harmful materials.Promoting innovation: The liberalisation of industrial hemp could drive innovation and research. Companies and scientists would have the opportunity to develop new applications and products, which in turn could strengthen Germany’s competitiveness on an international level.

Health market and CBD products: The industry surrounding products such as CBD (cannabidiol), which is extracted from industrial hemp, is growing in popularity. CBD products have proven to be valuable to the healthcare industry and are increasingly being used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disorders. The global market is estimated to be worth 25 billion dollars by 2025.

TIME FOR A HAPPY END

The BMEL’s proposed amendment to the law goes hand in hand with an optimistic view of the future and will give Germany the opportunity to establish itself as a relevant player in the growing market for industrial hemp and CBD products. The draft will now go to departmental coordination and all that remains is the hope that a bureaucratic disaster will finally come to an end