Status of cannabis and its derivatives

20.3.2019

Question for written answer P-001420-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Zullo (EFDD)

In recent years, following a situation in which, until a few decades ago, Cannabis sativa had been widely cultivated in Europe, its cultivation has been rediscovered, and products derived from it have come to be marketed in greater quantities again. However, there is a risk that the recent change to the Novel Food Catalogue may damage this industry in mid-recovery.

1. Will the Commission soon adopt legislation making it possible to harmonise the single market also for food and cosmetics products containing Cannabis sativa L extracts, so that a coherent approach can be adopted at European level?

The Commission has recently decided to exclude cannabis derivatives such as cannabidiol and hempseed oil from the register of permitted cosmetic ingredients, citing as a reason the UN Convention on drugs. However, that Convention does not impose any restriction on cannabidiol, because no psychotropic effects are associated with it, while the Commission recognises hempseed oil as a traditional food, which is therefore not regarded as a narcotic or psychotropic substance.

2. Can the Commission indicate the reasons for this decision, which potentially seems to threaten the numerous businesses in the sector, as well as being unjustified in the light of the international conventions cited?