Moldova issues its first hemp cultivation permit

Moldavia has just granted its first license to hemp cultivation. The authorization, issued by the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency through its Standing Committee for the Control of Medicines, marks a change in the country's agricultural policy, authorizing the production of hemp for fiber and seed.

Last November, Moldova has amended its law to distinguish between industrial hemp from cannabis with high THC content. Farmers are now authorized to grow varieties listed in Moldova's National Catalogue of Plant Varieties, the EU's Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species or the national catalogs of EU member states.

The Moldovan government sees this change in policy as a strategic measure aimed at stimulate the economy, to attract foreign investments and strengthen the Moldova's agricultural sector.

«I invite the entire business community to take advantage of this opportunity, as these materials are used in many industries, including the automotive sector,» said the Prime Minister Dorin Recean, picked up by HempToday.

Despite its potential, the new regulations strictly limit the from hemp cultivation to production and seeds, while keeping CBD and hemp flowers under tight control. The standing committee of drug control Moldova continues to classify hemp flowers as controlled substances, which would make CBD production a legal challenge. Industry players have called for hemp policy to be refined, particularly with regard to flower-derived products.

To simplify the licensing process, the Moldovan government has set up a online platform to facilitate applications, enabling farmers to obtain permits quickly while remaining under government supervision.

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