The Italian government’s crackdown on hemp has suffered a major setback with the Lazio Regional Administrative Tribunal suspending a decree that classified CBD as a narcotic. The court’s decision came in response to an appeal filed by stakeholders, including Imprenditori Canapa Italia (ICI), a hemp trade group. This legal victory is being hailed as a step towards clarifying the regulatory landscape surrounding CBD and hemp in Italy.
The decree, issued by the Ministry of Health on August 5th, placed CBD on the country’s list of narcotic drugs. This ban, if upheld, would have had severe consequences for supply chains involved in the production and sale of CBD-based products, including dietary supplements and herbal medicines. The move sparked widespread criticism, with experts raising concerns about potential violations of EU law and a ‘grotesque crackdown’ that threatened thousands of jobs.
The Italian government, led by conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been pushing for stricter enforcement of cannabis laws. This includes an amendment to the Security Bill that would prohibit all types of hemp flowers, effectively classifying all cannabis and hemp flowers as narcotics regardless of THC content. This proposal, if passed, would effectively ban the entire flower tips of the plant, including stems, stalks, and flowers. The amendment has been met with strong opposition from the hemp sector, with trade groups like Canapa Sativa Italia (CSI) and Federcanapa arguing that it violates European Union law on free competition and the free movement of goods. They highlighted the economic importance of the sector, which employs over 15,000 workers and generates a turnover of 500 million euros ($546 million).
The European Commission (EC) has acknowledged the concerns raised by the Italian hemp sector and has launched an investigation into the country’s efforts to ban CBD and hemp flower trade. The Lazio court’s decision, which suspends the CBD ban, adds further fuel to the debate. CSI president Mattia Cusani aptly summarized the absurdity of the situation, stating that “The confusion that surrounds the debate on industrial hemp in Italy is similar to that which would be created if a non-alcoholic beer were accused of making you drunk. Hemp, whatever its use – whether it is flowers, oils or other derivatives – cannot be classified as a narcotic.”
The Italian government’s stance on hemp has been met with strong opposition, both domestically and from the European Union. The Lazio court’s decision, coupled with the European Commission’s investigation, adds to the pressure on the government to reconsider its policies. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold, but one thing is clear: the future of hemp in Italy hangs in the balance.
