Turkey legalises cannabis production for scientific purposes

Many countries around the world struggle to implement pro-cannabis regulations, such as Morocco, Germany and some USA states.

Turkey has already taken a step forward. The Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock has approved new regulations about cannabis production in order to crack down on illegal production.

The Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock

The law permit highly-controlled and ministry-sanctioned cannabis production for medical and scientific purposes in 19 selected provinces, according to the publication “Hemp Cultivation and Control of Regulations” in the Official Gazette.

Amasya, Antalya, Bartın, Burdur, Çorum, İzmir, Karabük, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kütahya, Malatya, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, Tokat, Uşak, Yozgat and Zonguldak are the selected provinces. However, the ministry may also grant permission to grow cannabis in other regions strictly for scientific and medical purposes.

The new regulations state that growers must obtain permission from the government allowing them to grow cannabis for a three-year period. Also, they must procure a warrant proving they have not been involved in any illegal or narcotic production in the past.

In addition, ministry officials will observe cannabis fields each month before the harvest season to prevent illegal activities. On their behalf, authorised growers must dispose of all the parts of the plant after the harvest period in order to avoid the psychoactive component of cannabis from being sold and used.

Recreational use remains illegal

Turkey legalises cannabis production with conditions: it must have medical or scientific purposes. Authorized growers are under a strict law and unlicensed production of any illegal drugs, including cannabis, is punishable by a minimum of 10 years in prison in the country. In the same way, trafficking would bring a similar sentence.

Also, Turkish government still condemns recreational use of marijuana. Possessing, purchasing or receiving cannabis is punishable by prison terms of up to 2 years.