Farmers in Iceland will be allowed to import industrial hempseeds for the first time this year after the health minister gave regulators the power to grant exceptions to the Nordic island’s total ban on cannabis and cannabis products. Says MJ Biz
Amendment to the regulation of narcotic drugs
The amendment will allow the Icelandic Medicines Agency to grant an exemption for industrial hemp
All custody and treatment of the cannabis plant and its derived products is prohibited in this country. However, the Icelandic Medicines Agency may grant an exemption from this prohibition in special cases, cf. an amendment to the regulation on narcotic drugs that took effect today, 22 April.
The exemption permits the import, treatment and storage of seeds for the cultivation of industrial hemp, but is subject to the conditions and restrictions to ensure that no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing or recoverable crops of up to 0.20% are imported or cultivated. It is also worth noting that imports of seed, including imports of seeds for industrial hemp, are subject to notification to the Icelandic Food Agency .
industrial Hemp
Industrial hemp is one type of cannabis plant. The cannabis addict is the active ingredient THC which, in addition to causing intoxication, is addictive. Industrial hemp, ie the varieties of cannabis plant grown for industrial production, on the other hand, differ from the traditional plant varieties in that it contains little or none of THC.
Temporary amendment of the regulation
The Minister of Health emphasizes that the amendment to the regulations is a temporary measure, as stated in a report on the Ministry of Health’s website . It also states that where the narcotics and drugs legislation obviously fall within the Ministry of Health’s policy areas, something that industrial hemp cultivation does not do, is to appoint a working group to bring these issues into a proper channel.
Details of industrial hemp exemption
Regulation no. 233/2001 on narcotic drugs and other regulated substances, as amended
Here’s the amendment
REGULATION | |
on (11) an amendment to Regulation no. 233/2001, on narcotic drugs and other regulated substances. | |
Article 1
A new article is added to the Regulation after Article 9. which becomes Article 9 a and it reads as follows: Upon receiving an application, the Icelandic Medicines Agency grants an exemption from the provisions of this Regulation and the provisions of Act no. 65/1974, on narcotics and drugs, cf. Paragraph 3 Article 2 of the Act, for the import, treatment and storage of seed of the species Cannabis sativa for the sole purpose of cultivating industrial hemp. The exemption shall be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
Article 2 This Regulation, which is authorized by the third paragraph of Art. Article 2 Act no. 65/1974, on Substance Abuse and Substances, with subsequent amendments, becomes effective immediately.
Ministry of Health, April 17, 2020.
Svandís Svavarsdóttir. Ásta Valdimarsdóttir.
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Department B – Issue: April 21, 2020 |