The UK government announced reforms to help hemp farmers this week, but has not indicated if it intends to raise the THC limit for industrial hemp from 0.2% to 0.3% or cut licensing fees.
Raising the THC limit is seen as a critical change to reduce the risk of farmers losing their harvests due to noncompliance, and — on the upside, because the CBD in hemp plants rises in proportion to THC. The higher limit makes cannabinoid production more efficient.
Under the changes announced, licensed growers will be able to plant hemp anywhere on a licensed farm. Previously, farmers had to delineate the exact fields where they were growing the plants. That change is expected to come into effect for the 2025 growing season.
Longer license period
In the other major changes, the maximum period for a license will be extended from 3 to 6 years, and those applying for a license will be able to defer its start date by up to one year, helping farmers to make business planning easier. Those changes will likely take place ahead of the 2026 growing season.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has recommended raising the THC threshold to give UK farmers a broader selection of cultivation seed. In addition to potential lost crops, stakeholders have pointed out that moving from a 0.2% to a 0.3% THC threshold would increase the seed options from just a handful to dozens, allowing regional adaptations for varied climates from Scotland to southern England.
Raising the limit to 0.3% would increase the viability of hemp production and bring the UK in line with the EU, the US, Canada, and China, all of which follow the 0.3% THC threshold.
ACMD suggested that the benefits of increasing the THC limit outweigh any potential risks.
What about fee cuts?
AMCD had also suggested the licensing fees for cultivating hemp be drastically reduced to £580 ($751, €695) from the current £4,700 ($6,092, €5,635). But the government statement did not indicate that any such change is planned.
Despite the lingering questions of fees and the increased THC level, the government said the reforms, developed in collaboration with experienced growers, will make it easier for farmers to grow the crop and maximize its economic potential.
Greater flexibility
“These improvements to the licensing regime for industrial hemp are a positive step for farmers,” said Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs.
“Recognizing that industrial hemp is a field-grown agricultural crop, these reforms will simplify the license application process and provide greater flexibility within the crop rotation, enabling farmers to fully realize the economic and environmental benefits of the crop.”
In a statement announcing the policy changes, the government comforted: “The plant is grown for strictly lawful purposes, such as for use in the construction and textiles industries, and only farmers with a license are allowed to plant it.”
Yet it still felt compelled to warn: “The government recognizes cannabis is a harmful substance and expects police to take action against its misuse and supply. As a Class B substance, being caught possessing cannabis carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine or both(!).
Raising the limit to 0.3% would increase the viability of hemp production and bring the UK in line with the EU, the US, Canada, and China. Read More
