Czech Parliament approves THC limit of 1% for hemp

The Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic has approved, with broad support from all the main political parties, a bill that sets the THC limit for industrial hemp at 1% and paves the way for the legal marketing of natural hemp extracts. CBD as food.

These changes are included in a broader law comprising amendments that would also legalize the licensed cultivation, processing and export of medical cannabis products.

Final approval required

The bill still has to go through the Senate and be signed by President Miloš Zeman, but it will be passed by the Senate. according to HempToday, The measure has a very good chance of passing. If passed, the law would come into force in January 2022.

«The new regulations on THC concentrations in hemp are very welcome,» said Hana Gabrielova, CEO of Hempoint, a Czech hemp company. Ms Gabrielova said that while this development «is a great victory for medical cannabis and hemp advocates», even beyond the final enactment of the changes, the process of establishing regulations will also require a lot of work.

«Our general election is coming up in the autumn, and we'll have to work hard and alongside the government to ensure that the new regulations are implemented to best effect. Many details still need to be worked out,» said Ms Gabrielova.

1% of THC in finished products

In addition to an 1% THC limit for hemp plants in the field, finished hemp products containing less than 1% THC would not be considered prohibited substances and would be freely available at retail.

Czech hemp and CBD growers and producers will also have a clear advantage over their European competitors, with plants that will develop more CBD than those limited to 0.2%, and will be able to market more effective products. The European Union plans to raise this limit to 0.3%, This is not expected to happen before 2023.