European Industrial Hemp Association calls for «reasonable» THC limits»

In a press release, the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is calling for an increase in the THC limit for industrial hemp varieties, which is currently set at 0.2%.

The association notes that initially, the THC threshold used to distinguish an industrial plant (hemp) from a psychoactive plant (cannabis) was set at 0.5%, and later at 0.3%. It was not until 1999 that the European Union lowered the limit to 0.2%.

This very low THC level effectively limits the varieties that can be cultivated. However, according to the EIHA, no evidence has been presented to show that lowering the limit from 0.3 to 0.2% prevents the cultivation of psychoactive cannabis—the official reason given for this reduction. The decision is even more surprising given that even a THC level of 1%—as permitted in Switzerland—does not produce any psychotropic effects.

The EIHA is therefore calling on the European Union to reinstate a 0.3% threshold, not only to provide more opportunities for European hemp growers but also to remain competitive against American and Chinese hemp crops, which can reach up to 0.3%.

«That is why we are calling on the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Member States to reverse the 1999 restrictions and restore the full competitiveness of the European hemp industry,» the association writes.

In Italy, hemp is limited to 0.6% of THC in the field, but hemp-derived products are limited to 0.2%. A little further away, the state of Western Australia increased In February, it set its THC limit at 1% in order to develop its hemp industry.