Italy and Cannabis

Italy is a long-sought holiday destination. Here, fans of good food, music, and cultural activities come together. Italy does not lag behind in the fashion industry either. Perhaps the only additional plus is the romantic atmosphere that prevails in most places in the country. An integral part of people's interests are also activities related to hemp. Let's look at how Italy approaches this plant, what the laws say, and how developed the hemp interest is here.

History of Hemp Cultivation in Italy and Legal Changes

Hemp cultivation was permitted at the beginning of the 1950s. This changed a few years after World War II, when hemp was suddenly declared illegal. This was despite the fact that Italy was one of the largest hemp producers in the world. A reversal came in 2017. A directive was issued that regulated information about hemp products. The directive contains many sections with clarifications and divisions of hemp legality. According to the directive, hemp with a THC content higher than 0.6% was considered a criminal offense. The regulation was valid until the end of 2021. Even so, we could consider this document the beginning of the path towards gradual hemp legalization in Italy, which has not yet occurred but is not excluded in the future.

What is the Current Legal Status of Hemp in Italy?

Hemp laws moved again in 2019 when the Supreme Court made a new decision. They ruled that growing hemp for personal use is not seriously dangerous, but it remains illegal. If you are caught with a small amount of hemp (e.g., 5-10g) in Italy, it is considered a misdemeanor and you may face a fine determined by the police. If they find a higher dose, your documents may be seized. Growing hemp or establishing a business in this sector would be even more expensive, as imprisonment could be a consequence. Currently, hemp is legal in Italy in two cases: for medical and industrial use. However, both areas are subject to strict control. Moreover, growing hemp for such purposes requires the use of certified hemp seeds.

Hemp in Italy
Free hemp cultivation is prohibited in Italy

Latest Attempts to Legalize Hemp in Italy

Although hemp is illegal in Italy, the country contains many hemp enthusiasts. Therefore, the public sector has recently been interested in hemp and its industry. A referendum was proposed with the main goal of completely legalizing hemp cultivation for personal use and reducing hemp-related penalties. Hemp legalization supporters believe that such legalization would be good for 3 reasons:
  • Jobs would be created in hemp cultivation
  • Neglected agricultural areas would be utilized
  • Economic GDP growth would be supported
The referendum met all conditions, and a sufficient number of signatures were collected. More than half of the population (57%) expressed support for hemp legalization in Italy. However, the proposal was rejected on 16.2.2022, and legalization did not progress.

What About CBD in Italy?

CBD products also come with minor complications. CBD oils are legal and can be purchased normally, but only if they contain up to 0.6% THC. They cannot be used for "technical purposes" but only as a food additive. CBD oils used as therapeutic medicine can only be purchased with a medical prescription. CBD flowers are legal, but again must not contain more than 0.6% THC. For this reason, they are also called "light cannabis". You can purchase them in glass containers in selected establishments. However, smoking them is prohibited by law for an absurd reason. People preferred CBD flowers for therapeutic purposes over medications, which naturally did not please pharmaceutical workers, so such hemp use was banned.

CBD Flowers in Italy

CBD flowers with up to 0.6% THC content are legal in Italy

Italy is still a country that maintains stricter laws regarding hemp. Although its potential could be used for the country's benefit, legalization proposals do not pass easily. If you are planning to spend your vacation in Italy, be careful with hemp and do not experiment too much. It might not be worth it.