The UK government has recently announced adjustments to regulations governing hemp farming in the country. These changes bring about increased flexibility for licensed growers, allowing them to grow hemp anywhere on their licensed farms starting in the 2025 season, as opposed to having to specify the exact location where the plants will be cultivated. Additionally, the maximum license period has been extended from three to six years, and applicants now have the option to postpone the start date by up to one year, with these modifications expected to take effect before the 2026 growing season.
Although the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) had suggested increasing the THC limit for industrial hemp to 0.3% to align with global standards and provide farmers with more seed options, the government's stance on implementing this change remains undisclosed. Concerns have also been raised about the high licensing fees, currently set at £4,700 ($6,060), with ACMD recommending a reduction to £580 for hemp cultivation licensing. The aim of the reforms appears to be simplifying the licensing process and offering greater flexibility to hemp farmers, acknowledging industrial hemp as an agricultural crop while emphasizing the crop's economic and environmental benefits within crop rotation.
In efforts to streamline the licensing process, the UK government has emphasized the importance of maintaining strict enforcement against illegal cannabis activities, reiterating that cannabis continues to be classified as a controlled substance. Despite the advancements in hemp farming regulations, the government's agenda reinforces the significance of upholding the law concerning cannabis use and distribution. Additionally, the inclusion of cannabis as a controlled substance is underscored amid calls by families advocating for easier access to medical marijuana through the National Health Service (NHS), as they argue for the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for conditions like treatment-resistant epilepsy, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on their children's health.
On a different note, a study commissioned by the Cannabis Industry Council (CIC) and Drug Science highlighted the potential cost savings for the NHS if medical marijuana were to be prescribed for chronic pain, estimating an annual saving of nearly £4 billion. Meanwhile, research focusing on illicit cannabis revealed alarming findings of contaminants in as many as 90% of illegal cannabis samples tested in the UK, including substances like mold, yeast, lead, E.coli, and salmonella. This comprehensive report sheds light on the risks associated with illegal cannabis consumption, drawing attention to the need for quality control and regulation within the cannabis industry.