UK Explores Raising THC Limits for Industrial Hemp to Boost Farming Prospects

LOS ANGELES- The United Kingdom is evaluating a proposal to increase the permissible tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in industrial hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%, aligning with standards in the European Union and the United States. This consideration follows a recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), which suggests that the potential economic and environmental benefits of this change outweigh the risks.

The ACMD’s proposal aims to provide UK hemp farmers with access to a broader range of seed varieties, potentially enhancing crop yields and quality. Currently, the UK permits the cultivation of hemp varieties with a THC content not exceeding 0.2%, a threshold that limits the selection of viable strains for cultivation.

In addition to recommending an increase in the THC limit, the ACMD has advised revising the licensing fee structure. The council suggests that the lower fee of £580 should apply to licenses issued for the cultivation of hemp with THC content up to 0.3%, rather than the current higher fee of £4,700 for THC levels exceeding 0.2%.

While the UK government has announced reforms to ease restrictions on hemp farming, including allowing licensed growers to plant hemp anywhere on a licensed farm and extending the maximum license period from three to six years, it has not yet indicated whether it will implement the proposed increase in the THC limit or adjust the licensing fees accordingly.

The consideration of these changes reflects ongoing discussions within the UK regarding the regulation of industrial hemp and its potential contributions to the agricultural sector and broader economy.