Polish Ministry of Agriculture recommends 1% THC in hemp

The Polish Ministry of Agriculture has recommended increasing the permitted level of THC in the plants of industrial hemp to 1%, among other measures as part of a recently unveiled two-year government agricultural plan.

The Ministry of Agriculture has thus responded to the requests made by hemp producers, who last February highlighted the need to amend the law. The changes also address the reduction of administrative burdens related to monitoring the cultivation and purchase of hemp, the definition of fiber hemp, and penalties for producers who grow hemp varieties authorized for cultivation in the country.

As in France, if the THC content exceeds 0.2%, the producer may lose his entire crop and face legal action despite having the necessary permits and signed contracts.

«Polish agriculture and the Polish economy have the opportunity to take advantage of the economic situation. This opportunity lies in the launch of national programs to support the industrial hemp sector in cooperation with the Ministry of Development and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education,» he said declared Jan Białkowski, Assistant Secretary of State for Agriculture.

If the THC limit is raised to 1% could strengthen In addition to Poland’s position in the CBD sector, the government’s plan also highlights the country’s potential in the fiber sector. The ministry noted that the current restrictive THC limits partially inhibit hemp farming in Poland by discouraging the cultivation of Polish hemp varieties (Białobrzeskie and Fenola), many of which have high fiber potential but also contain trace amounts of THC exceeding 0.2% or 0.3%.

However, hemp varieties containing 1% of THC would not be eligible for European Union agricultural subsidies, as the EU only guarantees aid for hemp containing 0.2%.

Hemp Production in Poland has gradually increased over the past five years, from 3,000 hectares last year to about 1,300 hectares in 2018.

The international THC limit for hemp is set at 0.3%, although there are possibilities for exceptions. Europe has set this limit at 0.2% as part of its agricultural funding program, and the vast majority of countries have followed suit. Italy, however, has set the limit at 0.6% of THC, and Switzerland, a non-EU member, at 1%, just like Lebanon or Thailand.