Welcome European Hemp Growers!

Europe’s New Green Deal and hemp

Hemp has been utilized as a functional crop in Europe for centuries! Flowers, leaves, and seeds possess quality nutrients, and during the Middle Ages, hemp was infused into numerous recipes and proved to be a part of a staple diet. In addition to culinary influence, hemp fibers combined with flax, became one of the oldest known forms of textile.

Cultivation of hemp continued across Europe until the United Nations’ Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961- thereby halted hemp production because of its relationship with “marijuana”

A decade later the, Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971- was ratified and addressed psychoactive substances and drugs from a more chemical perspective, thus differentiating THC from CBD. 

Following this the, 1972 Protocol- amended the 1961 Convention and allowed governments the “use of such substances in industry for the manufacture of non-psychotropic substances or products”

Through the years of 1976 to 1999, hemp growers in Europe were permitted to plant seeds with a concentration of 0.3% THC. 

0.3% THC was considered the international standard that categorized “industrial hemp”, and disassociates levels greater than .3% THC as “marijuana”. However, in 2000, the European Parliament, reduced the threshold to .2% THC, with the expectation that a lowered limit would prevent cultivation of illegal “marijuana” fields. However, since the reduction, there has been no supported correlation with the .2%THC threshold and illicit grow ops. In addition, the .2% threshold limits European growers on the varieties available to them, and places them at a disadvantage when compared to the .3%-1% THC limits other countries are allowed. 

To address this matter, hemp activists created the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA). The EIHA proposed amended legislation to the European Parliament, known as the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)- to reestablish the .3% THC limit. And as of October 2020, the European Parliament voted in favor of raising the THC limit from .2% to .3%. The newly adopted legislation will be officially enforced January 1, 2023.

With over 60 years of combined hemp industry expertise, we are able to provide-

• Our premium high CBD, feminized Hemp genetics offer outstanding terpene profiles, compliant COA’s with world class cannabinoid ratios, 99% viability and 99.9% feminization rates

• We offer discreet, fast and secure international shipping, $85-$125 (depending on size and location) and offer free shipping with orders over $5,000. 

• We are also able to provide Official Department of Agriculture Phytosanitary Certificates at a fee of $285.

• We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service with timely response and quick turnarounds. 

• In addition we offer free, limited, consultations with our Master Growers on all orders over 1,000 seeds.

Hemp roots are spaning all Across europe!

Europe is on its way to become a competitive industry leader in the global hemp market! Prior to the approval of the CAP, other notable EU legislations for CBD include:

• Medicinal products: Directive 2001/83/EC (medicinal products directive)

• Foods: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002

• Food supplements: Directive 2002/46/EC

• Novel foods: Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

• Cosmetics: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009

• Tobacco products: Directive 2014/40/EU

• Nutrition and health claims on foods: Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

The European Parliament has made these forms of legislation available for adoption, however since the EU is composed of multiple countries, each country can choose which form of laws to accept or reject. Yet, the majority of EU countries seem to have some form of CBD adoption. 

European nations are substantially increasing their hemp production! 

• 2015 : 20,000 hectares of Hemp planted and 35,000 tonnes yielded

• 2019 : 35,000 hectares of Hemp planted and 153,000 tonnes yielded

A 75% increase in acreage designated for hemp and a 63% increase in the amount of hemp yielded. France, Italy, and the Netherlands produce more than 50% of Europe's industrial hemp. With France, leading the industry by a sizable amount!

Top 10 Countries Cultivating Hemp in EU 

In 2020, the CBD market in France was estimated to be 131 Million (euros). The dominant sectors were:

• Oils ~ 74 Million (euros)

• Supplements ~ 41 Million (euros)

• Vapes ~ 21 Million (euros)

Overall, Europe’s CBD market was estimated to be $1.7 billion (euros) for 2020 and is estimated to reach $8.3 billion (euros) by 2025.

The sustainbale future of hemp

Hemp is an incredibly versatile crop that is strong, durable, and lightweight. It can be applied in the formation of:

• Biomaterials

• Cosmetics

• Food

• Supplements

Furthermore, hemp has the capability to capture and store vast amounts of CO2. Via photosynthesis hemp is able to sequester 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per ton of hemp. In terms of large field size, the average yield for a hectare of hemp is 5.5-8 tonnes, thus around 9-13 tonnes of CO2 can be absorbed per hectare.

Hemp is also more ecologically conservative with water than other fibrous crops. For comparison-

• Cotton: requires 9,700 kg of water per kg

• Hemp: requires 2,400-3,400 kg of water per kg

Therefore, hemp uses 75% less water! Other ecological benefits include the reduction of deforestation and the preservation of healthy soil.

Hemp stalks are rich in cellulose, which is used to make paper products such as:

• Cardboard 

• Packaging 

• Sanitary papers

• Filtration

However, 80% of paper produced from hemp is used for rolling papers, yet the potential could be much greater. Compared to forest wood, which contains around 40% cellulose and takes years to grow, hemp contains 65-70% cellulose and only takes 5 months to grow! On a hectare basis, pulp from an industrial hemp crop can yield 4x greater the amount than a mature tree plantation. Moreover, hemp can be recycled 7-8 times vs 3-5 times with wood pulp.

Lastly, Hemp provides the opportunity to maintain and even enhance the quality of soil. Hemps’ rapid growth, falling leaves, and deeply cemented roots helps:

• Stabilize erosion

• Adds nutrients to soil 

• Remove heavy metals from the soil, a process known as phytoremediation