Tag: Italy

European Parliament Accepts Low-THC Cannabis Petition

Written by Hazel Norman on February 16, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Cannabis products that are low in THC are very popular in many parts of the world right now, particularly in Europe. ‘Cannabis light,’ as it is sometimes referred to, is widespread across the European continent.

Italy is a market where cannabis light products are very popular, however, the products have been the target of recent crackdown attempts by Italian lawmakers and regulators. Attempts to ban Italy’s cannabis light industry resulted in a petition being previously submitted to the European Parliament, and the petition was recently accepted.

“The petition presented by several national acronyms last September was accepted by the Petitions Committee (PETI) of the European Parliament. Its chairman, Polish conservative Bogdan Rzońca, asked the European Commission to “conduct a preliminary investigation into the issue.” reported EUNews in its recent coverage.

“In the response addressed to the president of Canapa Sativa Italia, Mattia Cusani (the first signatory of the petition that gathered the yes of Confagricoltura, Cia, Copagri, Cna Agroalimentare, Unci, Liberi Agricoltori, Altragricoltura, Associazione Florovivaisti Italiani, Federcanapa, Sardinia Cannabis, Assocanapa, Resilienza Italia Onlus, Canapa delle Marche, the European Industrial Hemp Association -EIHA, and the French UPCBD) the PETI committee pointed out that the Court of Justice of the European Union, in a judgement of October 4, 2024, ruled that Member States may not impose restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, including indoor cultivation and cultivation exclusively for the production of inflorescences, unless such restrictions are supported by factual scientific evidence relating to the protection of public health.” the outlet also reported.

The battle over cannabis light in Italy and other parts of Europe comes at a time when many European countries are working to modernize their cannabis policies. Most European nations now have some type of medical cannabis program operating to some degree.

Currently, cannabis that is not low in THC is expressly legal for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. Additionally, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

European Commission Launches Investigation Into Italy’s Ban On ‘Cannabis Light’

Written by Johnny Green on October 27, 2024. Posted in Business, Policy.

In recent years, cannabis and hemp-derived products that are high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), often referred to as ‘cannabis light,’ have increased in availability and popularity across Europe, including in Italy.

Lawmakers in Italy recently approved measures that seek to prohibit such products from being bought and sold within Italy’s borders. The European Commission has launched an investigation to determine if the measures, and others that are being considered, violate European Union (EU) law.

“The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is proposing a two-part strategy to eliminate legal hemp flowers in the EU, which contain cannabinoids such as CBD.” stated Newsweed in its local coverage.

“The current controversy stems from an amendment to the 2023 Security Law that would impose a complete ban on the sale of hemp flowers. This amendment was passed by the Italian Chamber of Deputies in September 2024 and must now be considered by the Italian Senate.” the outlet also stated.

Cannabis advocates and members of Italy’s emerging cannabis industry argue that what is being pursued in Italy violates EU law. The Court of Justice of the European Union previously ruled in 2021 that hemp extracts and flowers should not be classified as narcotics.

Canapa Sativa Italia, an Italian hemp industry trade organization, filed a formal complaint with the European Commission claiming that Italy’s actions violate the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and impede fair competition within the European Union market.

As we previously reported, a decree was issued in 2020 to classify CBD as a narcotic in Italy, but shortly after it was issued, the decree was temporarily suspended. That temporary suspension was then lifted via yet another decree in 2023, just to also be temporarily suspended.

Prior to the decrees and other measures recently pursued by Italy’s government, much of Italy’s public cannabis policies were shaped by legal decisions. In late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that laws against ‘small-scale domestic cultivation of cannabis’ were unconstitutional, providing some level of legal protection for consumers and patients.

In 2021, cannabis activists in Italy successfully collected hundreds of thousands of signatures to place a cannabis referendum measure on the ballot for voters to decide. However, in 2022 the nation’s Supreme Court deemed the measure’s language to be unconstitutional.

Italian Government Continues Push For Ban On ‘Cannabis Light’

Written by Hazel Norman on September 10, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Cannabis products that are low in THC, often referred to as ‘cannabis light,’ have grown in popularity among consumers in Europe at a seemingly exponential rate in recent years. Whereas cannabis products that contain large amounts of THC remain largely prohibited on the continent outside of medical products, cannabis light products are widely available.

Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the new trend. Government officials in Italy are pushing to ban the products completely, which would significantly impact the nation’s emerging cannabis light industry. Such a policy change may also violate European Union policies.

“The proposed change in the law would not only prohibit extracts made from hemp inflorescences containing the non-psychoactive ingredient cannabidiol (CBD), but would also have massive consequences for the industrial hemp industry, warn Italian farmers’ associations.” stated Proplanta in its local reporting.

“If the new regulations come into force, the production, processing and sale of hemp flowers would be prohibited. This applies even if they have a THC content of less than 0.2%.” the outlet also reported.

Currently, cannabis that is not low in THC is legal for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, in addition to Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa. At least 57 countries around the world have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

Members of Italy’s emerging cannabis light industry are warning of the negative consequences if/when the country bans the sector’s products. According to members of Italy’s cannabis light sector, around 4,000 hectares are currently dedicated to hemp cultivation, and the industry employs thousands of people. Italy’s consumable hemp industry is estimated to be worth roughly 500 million euros.

According to leading Italian trade group Federcanapa, Italy’s emerging hemp-derived consumables industry includes 3,000 businesses and over 15,000 workers. The global cannabidiol (CBD) market was worth an estimated $7.6 billion in 2023 according to a recent market analysis by Market.us, and will climb to a projected $36.6 in value by 2033.

“Between 2023 and 2032, this market is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 27%.” the researchers stated.

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Cannabis-Infused Tea Mitigates Fibromyalgia Pain In Italian Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on August 5, 2024. Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant is arguably the most dynamic plant on earth, possessing tremendous wellness benefits for suffering patients. Researchers are slowly but surely unlocking the cannabis plant’s full potential, including which delivery methods are best for certain conditions.

One form of cannabis consumption involves drinking it via cannabis-infused tea preparations. Many patients prefer cannabis-infused tea when available because it is a smoke-less cannabis delivery method.

Researchers in Italy recently conducted a clinical trial involving cannabis and fibromyalgia patients. Patients reported decreases in pain after consuming cannabis-infused tea. Below is more information about the trial and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Potenza, Italy: The daily consumption of cannabis-infused tea is associated with decreased pain and improved quality of life in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, according to clinical trial data published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Italian scientists assessed the efficacy of cannabis flower (22 percent THC | 1 percent CBD) steeped in tea in a cohort of 30 patients with refractory FM. Patients consumed the infused tea daily for six months.

Patients’ median pain ratings fell from 8 (on a numerical scale of 1 to 10) to 4 during the trial. Study participants also reported improvements in physical and mental health. None of the patients who completed the trial reported any adverse side effects from cannabis.

The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabinoids may represent an effective alternative to conventional pharmacological therapy for reducing pain and mind disorders in FM subjects. Further investigations like randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to corroborate these findings.”

Fibromyalgia patients frequently self-report using cannabis to successfully manage symptoms of the disorder. Observational data published last year reported that FM patients who consume medical cannabis preparations reduce their need for prescription opioids.

Full text of the study, “Is a low dose of cannabis effective for treating pain related to fibromyalgia? A pilot study and systematic review,” appears in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Additional information on cannabis and fibromyalgia is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Italy’s Hemp Industry Seeks European Commission Intervention

Written by Hazel Norman on June 17, 2024. Posted in Business, Policy.

Much of Italy’s public cannabis policies are shaped by legal decisions. In late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that laws against ‘small-scale domestic cultivation of cannabis’ were unconstitutional, providing some level of legal protection for consumers and patients.

A decree was issued in 2020 to classify CBD as a narcotic in Italy, but shortly after it was issued, the decree was temporarily suspended. That temporary suspension was then lifted via yet another decree in 2023, just to also be temporarily suspended.

Efforts to shut down Italy’s emerging hemp-derived industry have picked up recently, resulting in Italian trade groups seeking an intervention by the European Commission.

“The Italian hemp supply chain receives important news from the European Commission. Our complaint against amendment 13.6 to the Security Bill (Security Bill) has been officially examined.” the Canapa Sativa Italia trade organization stated in a news release (translated from Italian to English).

“This amendment, which introduces restrictions on the cultivation and trade of hemp inflorescences and derived products, has been contested because it could violate European Union law on free competition and movement of goods. The complaint, registered under number CPLT(2024)01387, represents a positive signal for the sector, which has over 15 thousand workers and a turnover of 500 million euros.” the organization also stated.

If the European Commission determines that there is a violation of Union law, it could send a “letter of formal notice” to Italy’s government. The notice would compel Italy’s government to submit various information by a set deadline.

From there, if the returned information is not deemed to be satisfactory, the European Commission may issue a “reasoned opinion” and possibly refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

“This process, although it may take years, is essential to ensure that national regulations comply with EU law.” stated Canapa Sativa Italia.

An estimated 5% of adults in Italy report having consumed cannabis within the last month, 10.8% report having consumed it at least once in the last year, and 34.8% of adults in Italy have consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetime.

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Italy’s Push To Ban Hemp Flower Products Is Bad For Public Health Strategies

Written by Johnny Green on June 17, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Cannabis products that are low in THC content, often referred to as ‘cannabis light,’ are very popular throughout Europe. Cannabis light products are derived from the flowers of hemp plants and come in many forms, with CBD products being the most commonly found in the European marketplace.

One country in Europe where cannabis light products are particularly popular is Italy where the nation’s government is pushing for a national ban on such products. Italy’s Ministry of Health tried classifying CBD as a narcotic in October 2020, just to reverse the policy change days after enacting it.

Then, in early 2022, language in a 2018 decree was updated to classify hemp as strictly a medicinal plant, however, cannabis associations sued and the language in the decree was annulled roughly a year after it was adopted. The latest push to ban hemp flowers in Italy is largely led by the country’s Prime Minister. Per Hemp Today:

The Italian government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has taken aim at industrial hemp in legislation that would wipe out CBD and all other products derived from the plant’s flowers.

The proposal would ban hemp flowers from “import, processing, possession, transfer, distribution, trade, transport, dispatch, delivery, sale to the public and for consumption, even in semi-finished, dried or shredded form,” according to language in a draft amendment to country’s controversial Security Bill.

Cannabis is currently legal in Europe for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. All three nations have accepted the reality that people will consume cannabis whether it’s legal to do so or not, and that it is obviously better for adults to consume regulated products instead of unregulated products.

Regulated cannabis products are tested to make sure that they are safe for human consumption, and the same is not true for unregulated cannabis products. Humans consuming unregulated cannabis products, including hemp flowers and products derived from them, is not as good for public health outcomes compared to humans consuming regulated products.

Italy would be wise to reverse course and refrain from its push to ban hemp-derived products. In addition to bans on hemp products being illogical, it likely also violates European law. Hemp businesses have already indicated that they will pursue legal remedies if the ban is enacted.

Leaders in Italy’s hemp industry estimate that the nation is currently home to over 3,000 businesses that employ over 15,000 people.

Cannabis Use Is Far From A New Thing In Italy

Written by Frank Schuler on February 7, 2024. Posted in Science.

Humans have a long history with the cannabis plant. Hemp fiber was used as far back as 10,000 years ago during the Early Jomon Period in Japan. Consumption for medical purposes goes back at least as far as back as 2,800 BC. Cannabis was included in Emperor Shen Nung’s (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia around that time.

Putting humans’ use of the cannabis plant in that context really highlights how recent of a public policy phenomenon cannabis prohibition is. Make no mistake, cannabis is not prohibited because it holds ‘no medical value’ and it is not prohibited because of scientifically backed reasoning. It is prohibited due to the special interests of a handful of people, including lawmakers.

Archeologists in Italy recently conducted a project in which they examined bones dating back to the 1,600s. They reportedly found traces of cannabinoids, demonstrating that cannabis use in Italy has occurred for a very long time. Per Popular Mechanics:

“This study reports the first physical evidence of cannabis use in Modern Age in Italy, but also in Europe,” wrote the authors of the study detailing this discovery. The study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, and chronicles the group’s toxicological analyses on human remains that were located in a Milan hospital crypt.

“The presence of these two alkaloids evidences the use of the cannabis plant in the Italian population during the 17^thcentury,” the authors wrote. After investigating the archived documentation of the hospital, the team found that cannabis was not administered as a medical treatment during the 1600s. “Thus, we hypothesize that the subjects under investigation used cannabis as a recreational substance,” the study said. The researchers caution, however, that they can’t rule out other sources of exposure related to medical treatments outside of the hospital.

A project in 2019 in western China also found evidence of the use of high-THC cannabis, with archeologists also discovering a smoking apparatus during the project that was used for consuming cannabis.

“It is quite likely that people came across cannabis plants at higher elevations that were naturally producing higher THC levels.” the researchers stated. Ancient artwork and references from Syria to China hint at an even earlier date of human cannabis use.

CBD Decree In Italy Is Temporarily Suspended

Written by Hazel Norman on October 16, 2023. Posted in Policy.

Regulating cannabidiol (CBD) products has proven to be a difficult task for most of the world, and Italy is no exception. An August decree in Italy would have classified CBD as a narcotic substance, however, this month a court in Italy temporarily suspended the change.

The suspension is reportedly in effect until October 24th. Local activists with the Sativa Hemp Association Italy had the following to say about the court decision (translated from Italian to English):

Today we celebrate an important success thanks to the unwavering commitment and constant work of the associations at the supply chain table and to the precious intervention of the ICI association which has dedicated itself to this appeal since 2020 and which we have supported by making available all the material relating to recent unjustified seizures to support the precautionary measure and therefore obtaining the immediate suspension of the decree. Together for an important victory.

Mattia Cusani, general secretary of the CSI Association confirmed this news, indicating that the suspension could undergo further developments depending on the interpretations and future applications of the decree.

A request for immediate suspension of the Ministerial Decree of 7 August 2023 was made through a precautionary application. This move was made necessary following inspections and seizures of goods in the CBD, with allegations of violation of the art. 73 of Presidential Decree 304/1990, linked to narcotic substances. The TAR accepted this request, pushing the effectiveness of the Ministerial Decree until the council chamber on 24 October 2023.

This represents just the beginning of a long struggle, but it demonstrates the importance of unity and commitment to protecting the legal cannabis industry.

Italy’s Ministry of Health is reportedly set to argue in favor of the decree when afforded the opportunity in court, and the situation is worth monitoring. To echo what local activists are saying in Italy, this is likely the start of a marathon versus the start of a sprint. Italy is not alone in that regard, and entrepreneurs will have to continue to do their best to navigate the shifting landscape.

Many MS Patients Experience Less Spasticity After Cannabis Treatment

Written by Frank Schuler on October 9, 2023. Posted in Science.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious health condition that affects many people around the world. It is estimated that as many as 2.8 million people suffer from MS globally and that someone new is diagnosed with the health condition every 5 minutes.

MS is a progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, numbness, impairment of speech and muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.

Cannabis has been found by a growing number of MS patients to help effectively and safely treat their condition, and according to a recent study in Italy, it is associated with patients experiencing less spasticity. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Catania, Italy: Some 80 percent of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suffering from severe spasticity experience dramatic reductions in their symptoms following treatment with a proprietary cannabis spray (aka Sativex) containing near equal rations of THC and CBD, according to an analysis of clinical trial data published in the journal Therapeutic Advancements in Neurological Disorders.

A team of Italian researchers analyzed trial data from three studies involving over 2,300 patients. They reported, “In all three studies, over 80 percent of assessed patients with severe spasticity at baseline reported a shift into a lower category of spasticity after 12 weeks.” This shift was most dramatic in those patients suffering from “severe spasticity” at baseline.

Sativex is available as a prescription medication in a number of countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It is not approved for treatment in the United States. A separate cannabis extract drug, Epidiolex, which primarily contains CBD, is FDA-approved for the treatment of pediatric seizures.

Full text of the study, “A post hoc evaluation of the shift in spasticity in individuals with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity treated with nabiximols,” appears in Therapeutic Advancements in Neurological Disorders. Additional information on cannabis and multiple sclerosis is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.