Limit the THC content. A CBD product that contains THC

Who will be able to use cannabis for medical purposes? This is regulated by the new anti-drug law signed by President Andrzej Duda on 29 March 2022. Members of the health and agriculture committees gave a positive opinion on all amendments introduced by the Senate (four amendments were introduced). 99 senators voted in favour of the amendment and none against.

Amendment of the law on cannabis

The Act of 24 March 2022 amends the definition of fibrous hemp, hemp herb other than fibrous hemp (caused by raising the permissible limit from 0.2 to 0.3% THC) and hemp herb resin. The amendments also allow, among other things, the cultivation of hemp other than fibre for research purposes for the preparation of medicines. They further regulate the rules for the cultivation and harvesting of hemp supervised by the Minister of Agriculture. According to the provisions of the amendment, the cultivation and harvesting of hemp must be authorised by the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate in consultation with the Provincial Police Headquarters. Anyone applying for a permit to grow hemp will have to present a certificate of no criminal record and a declaration that they have not been convicted of an offence under Article 65 (which relates to the illegal cultivation of fibre hemp or low-morphine poppy). Moreover, such cultivation will have to take place under video surveillance and will be covered by an unauthorised access signalling system.

Cultivation and plant surveillance

In addition, plants will be covered by remote (radio frequency identification) RFID (radio frequency identification) object surveillance technology. The cultivation and harvesting site will additionally require appropriate infrastructure, including halls to provide suitable conditions, a lighting system, ventilation, irrigation, drying facilities and a laboratory to assess the quality of the plants and the dried product. The institution will also be required to keep detailed records of the crop to protect it from theft, destruction and unauthorised access. The law will enter into force 30 days after its promulgation.