An updated preview of the upcoming feature documentary “GREEN GOLD” by award-winning Director DJ Nicke (Hemp Road Trip) and Produced by Kyle Esplin (Holistic Highland Hemp / Scottish Hemp Association).
Featuring comments, various activities and locations around the UK, with academics, farmers, businesses and individuals.
Following on from actions taken over the last year to promote hemp in the UK, encouraging farmers to grow hemp, pushing back against unreasonable ‘novel foods regulations’, strengthening ties across the UK industry and changing the public’s perceptions, this is the latest development/
Kyle reached out to Director DJ Nicke to tell the story using powerful visuals, and help bring about further change.
The ‘Hemp Road Trip’ was an influential film in the US, being quoted by Senators as influencing their decision to vote for the US Hemp Farm Bill.
Please be in touch to get involved in this project, sponsorship packages are available.
*Scottish Hemp Association joins £5.9m Research Project for Farming Resilience and Net Zero Achievement*
The Scottish Hemp Association is pleased to announce its partnership with the newly formed Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3). This four-year, £5.9 million project, is being driven by 22 industry and research partners, with the aim to support UK farmers and growers in their path towards Net Zero and strengthening farming resilience through diversified arable and forage cropping.
The project, led by NIAB, a prominent crop science organisation, is set to run from Spring 2023 through 2027, generously backed by Defra under the Farming Futures R&D Fund: Climate Smart Farming, as part of Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, in collaboration with Innovate UK.
CHCx3 will concentrate on four key cropping options: rotational cover crops; annual fibre crops, specifically industrial hemp and flax; perennial food, forage and feed crops, such as cereals and herbal leys; and perennial biomass crops, including miscanthus, willow, and poplar. The Scottish Hemp Association will play a vital role in exploring the potential of hemp as a crop capable of significant carbon capture, and its potential contributions to the textile and construction industries.
The project also aims to establish new revenue streams through a carbon marketplace and support enhanced value chains for industries such as textiles and construction, thereby unlocking an entirely new potential for the use of hemp.
A ‘Knowledge Hub’, as part of the project, will offer resources to encourage the effective uptake and use of high carbon-capture crops, delivering practical tools such as crop guides, web tools, and apps to landowners, farmers, and agronomists.
The Scottish Hemp Association is excited to contribute to this innovative and transformative research, and fully expects the outcomes will aid in promoting the benefits of hemp cultivation, its potential in achieving profitable and sustainable results for farmers, and the significant role it could play in achieving Net Zero for the UK.
Business analysts claim that excessive regulation is hindering Scotland’s hemp industry.
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen have emphasised how the crop might give Scotland a commercially viable and environmentally beneficial economy.
But at the moment, it is constrained by stringent Home Office regulations and a lack of infrastructure.
The plant belongs to the family Cannabaceae, which also includes species that are grown for usage as psychoactive drugs.
Although cannabis is considered a Class B narcotic in the UK, producers are permitted to grow low-THC versions of the plant if they are successful in obtaining Home Office approval.
However, as Dr. Wisdom Dogbe from the University of Aberdeen said to The National, farmers currently go through a time-consuming and expensive process when applying for a licence.
“It is very difficult to get approval from the Home Office,” he said. “Farmers told us that applying for a licence takes so long that by the time it has been approved the growing season is over.
“Then, even when farmers are granted a licence, they need to pay for the government to supervise their farm every three years.
“It’s really difficult for them because choosing to farm a new crop is a risk on its own. When you add policy challenges on top of that, it deters farmers from going into production.”
Dr. Dogbe added that the best thing the UK Government could do to foster this burgeoning industry is to “ensure that regulations are not too strict or expensive for farmers and make it easier for them to get a licence.”
Kyle Esplin is a co-founder of Holistic Highland Hemp, a business that grows hemp and sells it as CBD oil. CBD is a non-psychoactive chemical compound that is found in the plant and has several therapeutic advantages. He repeated Dr. Dogbe’s requests for regulatory easing.
He has stated that: “Farmers pay £550 for a three-year licence. But some have found that when they go to renew it, it gets denied.
“Whoever granted the licence may have looked at the map and thought ‘great’ but then the person deciding whether it gets renewed it has said, for example, that it’s too close to a B-road in terms of visibility.
“So, that’s the approval denied entirely at their discretion, even though the farmer has got a field and can grow it there.
“Then the government will say that in order to grow it the farmer will have to plant 10 metres of wheat all the way around the hemp to try and disguise it. But the pesticides used on wheat can’t be used on hemp so it all becomes unfeasible.
“The whole industry has just been disadvantaged and sidelined.”
Given the crop’s ecological advantages in terms of carbon-capture and biodiversity, Kyle Esplin said this is surprising. In fact, according to Dr. Dogbe’s research, the main reason why farmers like the crop in a fallow year is because it can help the soil’s health.
He said: “Hemp improves the biodiversity, leaves behind a lot of nutrients and also extracts toxins from the soil. So, from the farmers we spoke to, it seemed that the main reason they wanted to grow hemp was because of the environmental benefits.”
Despite having a lot of room for domestic production, the UK is a net importer of hemp seed and fibre.
The crop is still being used by some businesses despite the regulatory obstacles.
In the Scottish Borders, a business called IndiNature has just launched the UK’s first specialised natural fibre insulation plant, which produces its final product using industrial hemp.
A carbon-negative insulating product called IndiTherm contains hemp that is derived from UK farms.
Scottish Government minister Patrick Harvie praised the technology in his remarks at the mill’s inauguration as a long-term answer to the nation’s energy issues.
He said: “Developing climate-friendly solutions to heat and insulate our homes should be seen not only as a challenge which must be met to deliver on our climate obligations, but as a substantial opportunity for the sector and the wider economy.
“I was pleased to visit IndiNature to find out more about their innovative, sustainable insulation products and wish the team every success as it continues to develop, grow and support the acceleration of our green heat industry.”
But according to Dr. Dogbe, for the sector to flourish in Scotland, change is necessary: “Importing these products instead of producing them does not make sense. There is huge potential, the land is available, the soil is good and the weather is right for producing the crop here.”
Kyle Esplin echoed the need for change and claimed that the UK’s regulatory framework was deterring producers, especially when contrasted with Europe’s more permissive approaches to the crop.
“The biggest hesitation from farmers is not having the developed domestic market for their produce despite overall popularity of the plant,” he said.
“It’s also because they’ve been disadvantaged with the licencing system compared to their European counterparts.
“In Europe, the farmer is able to sell the flower for CBD extraction and the leaves, which get harvested for hemp tea.
“But in the UK, they’re only allowed to use the seed and the stalk; they’re not allowed to use the leaf and the flower. That’s a large part of their potential income being lost.”
According to a recent study, hemp has the potential to make Scotland’s agriculture industry carbon neutral.
Industrial hemp, a form of cannabis plant, has been grown for more than 6000 years and was historically commonly grown in Scotland.
As it grows, the plant serves as a natural carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to help offset carbon.
According to a Cambridge University researcher, hemp can absorb 8 to 15 tonnes of CO2 per acre (compared to the 2 – 6 tonnes absorbed by forests).
The plant can also be used to make textiles, biodiesel, building materials, and even as a plastic substitute. In addition to being rich in fibre and minerals, it is a food source that naturally contains a lot of protein.
Using information gathered from farmers, mostly in Scotland’s north-eastern region and the Borders, it examined the Scottish hempseed and fibre supply chain.
The supply chain for hemp produced in Scotland is currently underdeveloped, and there are no established market channels for growers.
The supply chain is also vulnerable to numerous risks that restrict its expansion, such as low profitability, a lack of technical support, weather-related restrictions, a lack of financial support, and strict legal requirements.
“The information gathered was used to carry out a full assessment of the challenges and opportunities faced by the hemp sector”. Stated Dr. Wisdom Dogbe, co-author of the report and director of the Rowett Institute.
“We know that world production of industrial hemp has been on the decline since the 1960s due to an unfavourable political climate regarding the cultivation and use of the crop as well as legislation. However, the hemp plant has the potential to be a cost-effective, carbon neutral, and environmentally friendly crop for farmers.”
He added: “The UK is among the top five countries launching hemp-based products in the world. Most of the products launched are in the category of snacks, nutritional drinks and beverages, health care, breakfast cereals, and baked goods.
“The top five facts associated with hemp-based products are that it has low, no, or reduced allergens, is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and can be grown organically. It truly has the potential to be a cost-effective product bringing both health and environmental benefits.”
Joint report author Dr Cesar Revoredo-Giha of SRUC added: “Our research has provided strong advice on necessary steps to take to progress the Scottish hemp sector. These include, in the short-term, strategies that can be adopted by stakeholders such as using hemp as carbon credits crop as well as the provision of educational/technical support to hemp growers.
“Medium-term strategies involve relaxing the regulation of hemp and establishing a strong hemp processing sector.
“Long-term strategies to revamp the hemp sector include establishing strong vertical and horizontal linkages, a seed production centre and a well-co-ordinated hemp association.”
Personal Chair Professor Wendy Russell of the Rowett Institute, who has worked with farmers to support hemp production in Scotland and developed the project with partners, added: “We have already demonstrated the health benefits of this important environmental crop and will continue to support our farmers and processing sector on this exciting journey.
“Hemp oil, which has an optimal ratio of omega fatty acids, has already been produced in Scotland, but this report also demonstrates the wider societal and economic potential of hemp production in Scotland.”
The trade data shows that the UK is a net importer of hempseed and hemp fibre.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Kyle Esplin from the Scottish Hemp association, stated that hemp has the potential to make Scotland’s agricultural sector carbon neutral as well as providing huge economic as well as health benefits.
Hemp seeds contain almost as much protein as soybeans. In every 30 grams (g) of seeds, or about 3 tablespoons, there are 9.46 (g) of protein, as stated by Medical News Today. These seeds are a complete source of protein, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids.
The Omega 3 6 9 fatty acids are often marketed as an essential component of a healthy diet. This is where the hemp seed oil Omega 3 6 9 ratio enters the spotlight. Those teeny tiny hemp seeds have achieved the optimum ratio of Omegas for human health, making them one the best sources of omega on the planet.
More than 20 Scottish farmers, in Aberdeenshire and Angus, have already started growing hemp in the past several years. With most of this hemp is being harvested for seeds, which can be used for food, and for its hardy stems, which can be used to produce insulation, building materials and clothing.
These hardy plants are naturally resistant to most pests that threaten other cash crops, so hemp farmers, therefore, don’t need to use pesticides or herbicides on their hemp fields. Chemical pesticides and herbicides can harm insect populations beyond what the chemical is meant to destroy. They also often make their way into local water sources, where they can affect the local wildlife or contaminate drinking water.
Many farmers have also discovered that hemp can be a significant ally in nourishing and revitalising their soil. The stalks and leaves of hemp plants are full of nutrients, which can be mixed back into the soil to bring overworked soil back to life. Planting hemp can also lower the need for farmers to add chemical fertilisers into their soil. Many farmers have added hemp into their crop rotation as a way to naturally nourish their fields between planting other cash crops.
Hemp is a lucrative cash crop but under current Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit, farmers will struggle to get a licence to grow it. Hemp is also infinitely sustainable, growing in only five months, and it is unbeatable for naturally remineralising soil and removing up to 4 times more greenhouse gasses than trees.
Furthermore licencing, regulations and the lack of infrastructure to optimise the crop, has been discouraging. As stated by Kyle Esplin, he wants to see further investment for equipment and processing facilities, with a view to expanding the crop beyond food to textiles and industrial use.
For more information please watch Kyle Esplin’s interview with Arlene from BBC, where she learns why more Scottish farmers in Angus should be growing hemp, for the Landward Program.
The development of the UK’s cannabis sector is being hampered by “bureaucratic and antiquated standards,” according to an open letter from the industry to MPs Elisabeth Truss and Rishi Sunak.
If elected as the leader of the Conservative party, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs Liz Truss has pledged to repeal all remaining EU regulations by 2023. Truss has specifically stated that she will end EU regulations that restrict the UK’s ability to build its economy.
MP Rishi Sunak, who is now in second place for the position of leader of the Conservative Party, has also vowed to repeal EU rules following Brexit.
In the letter, the organisations name two policy areas that they believe are being hampered by present EU legislation. The first is the Novel Foods procedure, which the groups claim restricts entry into the UK cannabis market by SMEs and stifles competition.
The second is how the UK chooses which seeds farmers can use to grow industrial cannabis by consulting the EU Plant Variety database. According to the organisations, allowing non-EU seeds under UK policy would promote choice and competition and serve as a “sign of the promise of a Global Britain.”
In the letter, it is urged that “you explore reform of these cumbersome and antiquated laws, which are hindering a potentially dynamic industry in which the UK is currently a world leader.”
The Scottish Hemp Association’s Chair Kyle Esplin stated “Over the last two years the Scottish Hemp Association has been calling for whole plant hemp extracts to be exempt from Novel Foods regulations.”
“It’s the number one issue hindering industry, future domestic production, and consumer satisfaction. Recently, human trials were completed with five different commercial CBD formulations testing for influence on liver function in a placebo-controlled, randomised, crossover design trial.”
“No evidence of physiologically relevant changes in marker of liver and kidney function where detected in standard nutritional supplement doses.”
“Most consumers are shocked to find out that companies are still being required to test their products on animals, for the sale of a hemp product. Regulators need to take a fresh approach and listen to consumer and industry needs. “
“We welcome this letter being sent with support from across the industry.”
The groups then exhort government officials to start discussions with UK business organisations about changing policies so that doctors might prescribe cannabis to patients, support employment growth and economic development in the nation.
While the last few decades were notably absent of hemp production in Scotland, a recent revival has seen farmers adopting the crop across the country. Local production has consisted of a steady output of barley, rapeseed, wheat and potatoes, with many farmers looking to diversify and add a new crop into the rotation. Enter hemp.
Following an initial trial in Angus and Aberdeenshire in 2020, the North-East of Scotland grew to over 10 farms in 2021. With word spreading around the farming community and TV news reports broadcasting images of hemp fields in the Highlands, 2022 is expected to see around 25 hemp harvests across the country. While not exactly the first location that comes to mind for cultivating cannabis, with its reputation for overcast skies, high humidity and heavy rain, Scotland has a surprisingly rich and diverse history with the plant.
The History of Hemp In Scotland
Wide-spread cultivation of hemp across Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland has been traced back to 343BC, but evidence found in St Andrews among a hoard of bronze age metal work suggests that hemp was being used in Scotland much earlier.
The recovered bast fibres from string and cloth, which were comparable with hemp, date back to at least 1000BC. Pollen analysis, fragmented documentary sources and field names from the 11th and 12th Century show widespread hemp cultivation from Caithness to the Lothians, and the Outer Hebrides to Galloway.
Place names still exist, which remind us of the plant’s history in Scotland. There’s ‘Hemphill’ in Ayrshire, ‘Hempland’ in Dumfries and Galloway, ‘Hempriggs’ in Caithness, and ‘Hempy Shot’ in East Lothian.
Evidence Since the Bronze Age
In the 1770’s George Ross, a lawyer, and formerly confidential clerk to Duncan Forbes of Culloden, teamed up with local merchant William Forsyth to build a large hemp factory in Cromarty, North-East Scotland. Employing 200 workers and an additional 600 outworkers at its peak, the factory processed hemp into finished bags and sacks to be transported to London and then shipped across for use in the West Indies trade.
Old Hemp & Rope Factory, Cromarty
The old hemp and rope factory at Cromarty was built by George Ross, around 1775. The factory initially produced bags and sacks from hemp imported from Russia. During this period, Cromarty was enjoying a period of great prosperity and at its height, the factory employed up to 200 in-workers and over 600 out-workers. The finished bags and sacking were transported to London and sold for use in the West Indies trade. Around 1805, the factory introduced rope-making. The original factory consisted of five, long blocks, each two stories high, ideal for manufacturing lengthy tarred ropes. Today, the three remaining ranges have been converted into Local Authority Housing and commercial premises. Source.
Many are surprised to hear that products made from cannabis produced in Scotland were being used in Jamaica long before the cannabis plant was widely grown there!
Museums across the country, from Cromarty to McManus Galleries in Dundee to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh all displays ‘lead seals’ attached to imported hemp bales, dating from 1788 through to 1908. The Cyrillic letters and numbers on the seals document their Russian origin.
Hemp was mainly grown for fibre to make sails, ropes, fishing nets and clothes, and it wasn’t until the mid-19th Century that the plant’s therapeutic properties gained attention. The publication of O’Shaughnessy’s experiments at hospitals in Calcutta in 1839 kicked started an era of research into cannabis-based therapeutics in Scotland.
Medical Research Begins
In 1846, Scottish Pharmaceutical research company The Messrs Smith of Edinburgh attempted to concentrate cannabis down to its ‘active compound’, of which they assigned the name ‘Cannabin’, only with a query.
After a somewhat ‘complex process, the end result was a 7-8% extract yield. In a letter dated 17th August 1849 sent to Dr Christison in Edinburgh, Mr Jameson, Director of the Botanic Gardens at Saharunpore, gave an account of hemp growing in India, “In Kimaon and Gurwhal cannabis is grown in large quantities, partly in order to obtain its resinoid secretion, and partly for its bark, from which a strong coarse cloth, called ‘bungila’, is manufactured.”
Mr Jameson also sent various batches of ‘churrus’ (sic) to Edinburgh for experimentation, including a block from Yarkand, Thibet, (sic) as big as two fists.
Edinburgh Botanic Gardens ‘Indica’ vs ‘Sativa’ Experiment
In 1850 Dr Christison, M.D, President of the Royal College of physicians and Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Edinburgh was awarded a prize by the University of Edinburgh for his 1850 Inaugural Dissertation, ‘On the Natural History, Action and Uses of Indian Hemp’ in which he documents one of the very first ‘common garden experiments to compare European hemp with Indian hemp.
On Cannabis Indica – Alexander Christison MDCCCL
‘Dr Royle remarks that, “like Dr Roxburgh and others, he could not detect any
difference between the plant of the plain and that of the hills of India, nor between these and the European plant. The Indian secretes a much larger proportion of resin than is observable in the European plant, but the difference is observed in this point even in India between plants growing in the plains and those of the mountains, and also when growing thickly together.”
Seeds obtained from dried tops of ‘Gunjah’ (sic) from the bazaars of Bombay by Mr Henry Johnston were sown in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden on 17th March 1849. By October, the plants were 3m high and ‘flowering appeared to be commencing; but the advance of the season, with accompanying cold weather, arrested any farther development… plants of the common or European hemp growing in the garden had a very similar aspect to the latter, being, however, in full fruit.’
The study concluded that ‘the C. Indica and C. Sativa are one species.’
Over the last 10 years, the Scottish Government have been funding research into hemp as a low-carbon environmentally-friendly crop via the Rowett Institute at Aberdeen University.
A clinical trial led by Dr Madalina Neacsu and Professor Wendy Russell compared a plant-based hemp meal vs meat and came to the conclusion, ‘could be relevant for aid and prevention of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes’, in addition to promoting satiety and being a valuable source of amino acids.
Hemp Farm
In a refreshing change of approach, a booklet titled ‘Hemp For The Future’ has been created by Dr Neacsu and Professor Russell specifically for schools to educate children on the benefits of this carbon-neutral, climate-resilient, zero-waste crop.
A ‘hemp pancake cooking kit’ has also received funding to be distributed to schools across Scotland along with an information pack and recipe book. Sustainable hand-crafted hemp products have appeared in fashion shows worldwide from companies like Hemp Eyewear based in Edinburgh, raising awareness of how hemp can replace plastic.
When speaking recently with farmers and early re-adopters of the crop in Scotland, a common theme emerged about previous hesitations to start growing hemp, despite being aware of its benefits for some time.
Hemp In Scotland
As one Forfar farmer said, “I’d been thinking about growing hemp for a few years, and I’d heard how beneficial it could be for the soil and the environment, and there are many useful products we can make from it, but I’d always hesitated because, you know, what would the neighbours think?”
While the Scottish hemp fields still have to be kept out of sight from main roads and are not permitted next to public footpaths due to licensing conditions, now the neighbours all know. Sometimes it’s best just to ask, and you may find out that your neighbour is your new best friend.
CBD Products Used For Beauty And Wellness Routine And Diet
Hemp, or cannabis as it’s often known, is a multipurpose plant that’s now being used for its therapeutic effects as well as its recreational use.
Cannabinoids are a collection of naturally occurring chemicals that are currently being researched for their therapeutic potential.
CBD is the most widely used of these cannabinoids, and it has exploded in popularity because to its favourable effects on inflammation, anxiety, and depression.
The psychotomimetic (mimics the symptoms of psychosis) cannabinoid THC, which gives consumers the ‘high,’ is eliminated during the manufacturing process, making CBD oil legal in the UK. In 2020, the worldwide CBD market was worth $2.8 billion (£2.08 million), and it is predicted to grow at a rate of 21.2 percent until 2028.
It’s also exploded in popularity in the cosmetics business, with firms advertising its advantages for everything from acne to eczema. CBD has emerged as the hottest new beauty component, with Estée Lauder and Sephora adding CBD-based products to their portfolios.
‘Within the last five years we’ve started to see an increase in the market for these products, but there is still a lack of high-quality randomised controlled studies,’ says Dr Emma Craythorne who is President of the British Cosmetic Dermatology Group ‘An increase in the market value does not necessarily equate to that product being effective.’
Is CBD effective as an anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis?
‘When you take CBD orally, it passes into your stomach and only 6-10% of the amount gets into your bloodstream,’ adds Dr. Dani Gordon, a cannabis medicine expert. ‘You use a transdermal skin patch, which works similarly to a nicotine stop smoking patch, to deliver CBD into the bloodstream by applying something topically.’
‘Preliminary cell research suggests that CBD may assist with skin inflammation and acne.’ CBD may also have an anti-inflammatory impact on the skin, making it potentially beneficial for a variety of skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. However, the particular sort of CBD and other cannabinoids that may be beneficial to the skin, as well as the appropriate “dosage,” are unknown.’
Dr. Craythorne agrees, stating that cannabinoids alter the functions of keratinocytes (cells in the epidermis that make keratin and are crucial for skin repair), melanocytes (cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its colour), and sebocytes (cells that produce sebum/oil).
Cannabinoids have been shown to help patients with atopic dermatitis and reduce flares, but they are not recommended to replace topical corticosteroids, so it could be used to supplement their use in the future,’ she says.
‘Studies have also shown that taking CBD topically reduces the risk of some types of skin malignancies.’ However, some studies have found that it promotes tumor growth, therefore additional research is needed.’
Both doctors claim that they do not currently utilise CBD skincare products in their routines, which is intriguing.
Nonetheless, while plainly more examination is expected to decide if the new type of skincare is truly worth the promotion, there are an overflow of items currently available, making it an incredible opportunity to make up your own psyche with respect to the advantages.
Review From CBDSloth
Tom Bourlet, who runs CBD blog called cbdsloth.com has voted our Dr Robertsons Special Oil, as one of the best for CBD pastes. He described it as ‘CBD paste is a thick, sticky paste in a highly concentrated form, meaning a single 1ml pack of Holistic Highland Hemp Dr Robertson’s Special Oil contains around 441mg of CBD, along with a number of other cannabinoids such as CBDA, CBG and CBDV.’
The statements and references to our CBD products found throughout our site have not been evaluated by the FSA (Food Standards Agency). Do not exceed suggested use. Do not take if pregnant or lactating. Keep out of reach of children. Consult your Doctor for medicines interactions. Our CBD products should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet and healthy balanced lifestyle. Holistic Highland Hemp, does not sell or distribute any products that are in violations of the United Kingdom Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, furthermore all products contains less than 0.01% THC in compliance with UK & EU regulations. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that they are in compliance with local legislation. Our products are not medicinal nor are they intended to prevent, treat or cure any ailments of disease.
This article from Cannabis Health News explains why it’s time for the UK to become a global leader in hemp production by setting a new limit of 1 per cent.
The EU recently raised the permitted THC level in hemp cultivation from 0.2 per cent to 0.3 per cent, it’s time for the UK to become a global leader in hemp production with a new limit of 1 per cent to increase genetic diversity and accommodate rising temperatures and droughts which are known to increase THC concentrations in the field.
Poor soil, which is often an issue after conventional agricultural practices, along with inadequate levels of potassium, has been shown to increase THC content in hemp.
The idea of ‘removing’ a hemp variety from the agricultural catalogue because of yearly fluctuations in THC should be a thing of the past. Based on the Swiss model where all cannabis varieties under 1 per cent THC are exempt from controlled drug regulations, the UK could go one further by registering new plant varieties up to 1 per cent for industrial hemp use.
It could lead the way on plant innovation and being ahead to export as other countries eventually raise their limits and 1 per cent becomes the global standard.
Many of the approved EU hemp varieties which are considered less than 0.2 per cent THC, often produce readings over 0.2 per cent. A discrepancy in EU regulation between the way monoecious and dioecious plants are to be analysed favours monoecious varieties.
Previous analysis of Finola, a dioecious variety commonly grown for seed production in the UK, showed an average of 0.36 per cent THC in the UK, 0.32 per cent in Finland and 0.40 per cent in Sweden. Finola notes that the unusually hot and dry weather was responsible for the increased THC level that year.
Another interesting data point in the yearly fluctuations of THC content comes from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia where 10 varieties of EU hemp were grown for 2 consecutive years in research conditions to study cannabinoid production. In variety Monoica, the THC content more than doubled between 2017 to 2018 while the CBD level remained relatively stable.
The variety Tisza tested at 0.27 per cent THC one year followed by 0.10 per cent the following next, while variety Antal went from 0.35 per cent THC up to 0.63 per cent in the same period.
It’s interesting to note the CBD concentrations did not vary in proportion to the change in THC content.
European levels
Italy previously raised its permitted level to 0.6 per cent to accommodate these fluctuations. With the development of seedless female hemp flowers up to 0.6 per cent is available for sale on the Italian market, known as ‘cannabis light.’
A 2016 study involving the University of York brought up some interesting data. Using a unique and high-frequency dataset on monthly sales of drugs and the location of ‘light cannabis’ retailers, it was found that ‘local market accessibility of light cannabis led to a reduction in dispensed packets of opioids, anxiolytics, sedatives, anti-migraines, anti-epileptics and, anti-depressives and anti-psychotics.’
Another study involving the University of York showed that the availability of ‘cannabis light’ in Italy had removed at least 160 to 200 million Euros per year in revenue from criminal organisations.
Last year a study was carried out in Serbia to compare the difference between 9 samples of ‘wild hemp’, 13 EU registered hemp varieties and 1 unregistered ‘high CBD’ hemp variety from the US.
Wild hemp is found growing like a weed in Serbia, in ditches and on agricultural land where hemp hasn’t been cultivated for the last 30 years, but where hemp processing factories or hempseed storage facilities operated some 40 years prior.
The study found that the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of wild hemp was superior to that of the EU registered cultivars. One of the wild hemp varieties also had the highest CBD percentage in essential oil, and the THC concentrations were ‘significantly higher in the essential oil of wild hemp accessions,’ with up to 3.4 per cent being recorded.
The UK has a unique opportunity to become a global hemp leader and inspire other countries to follow suit. To promote genetic diversity, ease the undue regulatory burden on all in the industry and facilitate the development of a world-class hemp industry its time that the UK raised the hemp limit to 1 per cent THC, along with permitting the harvesting and sale of hemp flowers, and hemp products containing up to 1 per cent THC.
Let’s take a moment to revisit the original teaser. Consider it a wee reminder of the story we’re about to unfold – a narrative deeply rooted in well-being, environmental sustainability, innovation, and the green revolution.
Featuring comments, various activities and locations around the UK, with academics, farmers, businesses and individuals.
Following on from actions taken over the last year to promote hemp in the UK, encouraging farmers to grow hemp, pushing back against unreasonable ‘novel foods regulations’, strengthening ties across the UK industry and changing the public’s perceptions, this is the latest development.
Kyle reached out to Director DJ Nicke to tell the story using powerful visuals, and help bring about further change.
The ‘Hemp Road Trip’ was an influential film in the US, being quoted by Senators as influencing their decision to vote for the US Hemp Farm Bill.
Please be in touch to get involved in this project, sponsorship packages are available.
