French Hemp Producers Urge Government to Increase THC Limit to 1%

The Association Française des Producteurs de Cannabinoïdes (AFPC) has made a formal request to the French government to raise the THC limit for active hemp cultivation from 0.3% to 1%. This appeal is directed towards the Ministers of Agriculture, Health, and Public Accounts, aiming to address what the AFPC describes as an agronomic, technical, and economic inconsistency in the current regulation

The existing THC limit of 0.3% is mandated by European regulations and, according to the AFPC, fails to consider the agronomic realities and climatic variations across different European states. The AFPC argues that environmental factors such as increasing summer temperatures can naturally elevate THC levels in hemp plants, making compliance with the current limit increasingly challenging for farmers

The AFPC highlights that the current regulation limits access to certain hemp seed varieties that exceed the 0.3% THC threshold, which could otherwise be beneficial for active hemp cultivation. They assert that the ability to use these varieties would enhance the competitiveness of French hemp producers, who currently face unequal competition from countries like Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Italy, where higher THC limits are already in place

From an economic perspective, the AFPC believes that raising the THC limit would level the playing field for French hemp producers. Countries like Switzerland and the Czech Republic have set their THC limits at 1%, while Italy allows up to 0.6%, giving their producers a competitive advantage. The AFPC argues that a similar adjustment in France would enable the domestic hemp industry to reach its full potential

The AFPC's proposal is rooted in both agronomic and economic grounds, emphasizing the need for France to adapt its regulations to remain competitive in the European market. By increasing the THC limit to 1%, French hemp producers could better align with international standards and expand their market share

Looking ahead, the AFPC's request could spark broader discussions about hemp regulation in France and possibly influence future policy changes. As the global cannabis market evolves, aligning domestic regulations with international trends could be crucial for the growth and sustainability of France's hemp industry. This move could also prompt other European countries to reconsider their own THC limits in response to changing environmental conditions and market dynamics