Albania to Allow Commercial Cultivation of Medical Cannabis and Hemp
The Albanian government has announced its plans to legalize the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis and its by-products for therapeutic and industrial purposes. The country also plans to allow imports and exports of the substance. The draft bill outlining the proposed regulation system was ready in June although the authorities had been working on it since 2021, consulting a number of local experts and studying similar systems in place in other countries.
With its almost perfect climate for cannabis cultivation and its strategic placement close to the huge European market, Albania saw the rise of organized crime controlling the production and distribution of cannabis as well as smuggling operations. Although the government maintains that it has managed to crack down on criminal gangs in recent years, it’s still missing the opportunity to profit from an economic boost and a windfall of taxes by putting a hitherto criminalized sector above ground.
Only Large Operators to be Licensed
In Albania, there are families that have been cultivating cannabis for several generations, but it’s unclear whether they’ll be the ones profiting from the new legislation. Judging by the language of the draft bill, the Albanian Government wants the future industry to be dominated by big businesses which will be easier to oversee. To grow cannabis in the country, a company will need a license that will be valid for 15 years with the possibility of an extension.
The licenses for warehouse-style operations, greenhouses, and open fields will be given to those businesses that meet the minimum capital requirements and can cultivate medical cannabis on a surface area of no less than 5 hectares and no more than 10. For hemp, the license will give the right to sow fields of up to 150 hectares. The minimum number of employees is set at 15 people and the applicant must prove expertise in cannabis cultivation and produce a detailed business plan for growing, cutting, storing, and processing the plants.
Strict Regulations Envisaged
The government body that will serve as a watchdog for the industry will be a newly created National Agency for the Control and Monitoring of the Cultivation and Processing of the Cannabis Plant. The new draft bill highlights the need to enforce strict marking and tracking regulations for the plants and their derivatives at every stage. The law will also prohibit advertising any cannabis products that contain more than 0.2% THC. Companies wishing to grow cannabis can apply for a license starting from Jan 1, 2023.
