Law 2 December 2016, n. 242, has established the entry into force of provisions for the promotion of hemp cultivation and the agro-industrial supply chain. This law applies to industrial hemp cultivation and light Cannabis.
We discuss this in this article on our blog.
Historical Notes on Cannabis
The cultivation of cannabis has very ancient origins. In antiquity, it was mainly used in medicine, textiles, in the production of oils, but also for recreational purposes. The first certain information on theuse of cannabis in medicine dates back to China 2000 years ago; here it was used for the treatment of many disorders, especially those related to stomach problems. At the same time, in India, it was considered a sacred plant and therefore used during religious ceremonies. According to some studies, it was imported to Europe by nomadic tribes from the Middle East, probably along the Silk Road, around the 5th century BC. Over the centuries, it has been used in various fields, ranging from liquor production, with Muslim origins, to oils and ropes. At the beginning of the 1900s, with the advent of prohibition, the use and consumption of cannabis were banned, before finding new vigor and new impulses from the mid-nineties, leading to the liberalization of today.
The effects of law 242/16
Law 2 December 2016, n. 242, initiated thehemp cultivation in Italy for the production of fibers or other industrial uses with seeds certified according to the indications of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies. The hemp varieties that can be cultivated are those listed in theCommon Catalog of Plant Variety Species. As for the possible uses of the product resulting from cultivation, article 2, paragraph 2, of the law specifies that hemp can be used to obtain:
- food and cosmetics;
- semi-finished products, such as fiber, hurds, powders, chips, fuel oil, for supplies to industries and artisan activities in various sectors, including the energy sector;
- material intended for crop rotation practices;
- organic material intended for bioengineering works or products useful for green building;
- material aimed at phytoremediation for the reclamation of polluted sites;
- crops dedicated to educational and demonstrative activities as well as research by public or private institutions;
- crops intended for floriculture.
Industrial hemp
Theuses of hemp in the industrial field have found various outlets. Its fiber, for example, is very similar to that of flax, so there is a growing interest from the textile industry. Not only that, the food industry has also started to take an interest in its properties, ashemp seeds contain high levels of protein and significant amounts of fiber, vitamins, Omega-3, and minerals. Consequently, hulled seeds can be used in our diet, while whole seeds are used as feed for animals.
Given thepotential of hemp in the Green Deal field, the construction sector, in search of building practices and materials that are carbon neutral, is making extensive use of hemp-based products, in particular three:
- hemp concrete;
- lime (LHC);
- hemp wool and wood fiber insulation.
The paper industry has also used hemp fiber to replace plastic because hemp stalks take only up to five months to mature and do not require toxic bleaching chemicals, furthermore, hemp paper can be recycled from seven to eight times.
In place of plastic, products derived from this plant are used in various sectors such as automotive, railway, aeronautical, and aerospace. Other uses include cosmetics (oils, lotions, shampoos, etc.) and energy production (biofuels).
Light Cannabis
Law 2 December 2016, n.242, article 4, paragraph 5, sets a limit for thesale of light cannabis in Italy. The sale is allowed for cannabis withTHC(active ingredients that generate psychotropic effects) between 0.2% and 0.6%. However, light cannabis is also used for the benefits provided by cannabidiol(CBD), an important compound, non-intoxicating, contained in it. The use ofCBD has been shown to be beneficial in multiple states of neurodegenerative (Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases), neuroinflammatory (sepsis-induced encephalopathy), and neurological disorders (ischemic brain damage). Cannabidiol can also treat some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, including cognitive deficits (learning and memory disorders). Further studies have shown that light cannabis consumption can also be useful for complex issues such as arthritis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer treatment. Many people also use it to treat milder daily problems such as sleeping disorders, anxiety, and general pain.
