News: UK Drugs Watchdog Recommends 0.3% THC Limit for Hemp, Marking ‘Very Material Step Forward’ for Industry
Published 11:00 AM EST, Wed November 06, 2024
Last week, the UK’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) issued a landmark recommendation to raise the THC limit on industrial hemp to 0.3%, aligning with European Union standards. While this might appear to be a minor adjustment, the impact on UK hemp farmers and the industry could be transformative. With this increase, farmers will have access to a wider range of seed varieties, allowing them to cultivate strains more adapted to the UK’s climate. This move also provides a science-backed foundation for future regulatory reforms that could further bolster the sector’s growth.
Nicholas Morland, Co-Founder and CEO of Tenacious Labs, expressed the significance of this development, stating that it represents a crucial step in the right direction. According to Morland, the recommendation supports evidence-based policy rather than being influenced by vested interests. “This is a pivotal piece of the puzzle,” he said, emphasizing how this regulatory shift could create a more conducive environment for hemp’s full potential in the UK market.
The recommendation follows a series of updates from the UK Home Office regarding hemp cultivation regulations. In April, the office introduced several changes, including the flexibility for farmers to grow hemp anywhere on their property and revised licensing dates and durations. The ACMD now suggests that the economic and environmental benefits of raising the THC limit justify the change, provided that the government revisits the policy in two years. In parallel, they proposed a new fee structure where growers would pay £580 for a license under the updated limit, significantly lower than the previous £4700 fee required for plants with THC above 0.2%.
Apart from expanding seed variety options, this shift could set the stage for more comprehensive regulatory changes, particularly in areas like the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), which has long hindered investment in hemp and cannabis ventures across the UK. Morland believes the 0.3% threshold could serve as a workable standard, giving businesses a much-needed legal framework to access banking, legal, and engineering support. For the UK hemp industry, this recommendation represents a promising foundation upon which to build a more stable and flourishing market, addressing not only economic growth but also climate adaptability and agricultural resilience.
Source: Business of Cannabis
