Cannabis and cannabinoids in Italy

Global business and regulatory news covering the cannabis industry

31st May 2024

Italy’s right-wing government may end up banning hemp, putting a sector at risk

20th May 2024

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12th April 2024

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Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations

22nd July 2024: Italy: The government-proposed amendment to a security bill, which aimed to restrict hemp to industrial uses only and prohibit the cultivation and sale of hemp flowers regardless of their THC content, has been set aside following the efforts of several industry associations.
9th July 2024: Italy: The Ministry of Health has issued a decree that repeals the previous decree that placed “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the medicines tables of the Narcotic Act. The repealed decree was awaiting the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) decision on its legitimacy, scheduled for September 2024. The new decree reproduces the same wording, placing “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the medicines tables of the Narcotic Act. This decree demonstrates, once again, the hard-line stance against cannabis embraced by the Meloni government. We expect industry associations to appeal the decree before the TAR.
27th May 2024: Italy: The government has proposed an amendment to a security bill that would restrict hemp to industrial uses only, press reports. The bill is being considered by a House committee and would prohibit the cultivation and sale of hemp flowers, regardless of their THC content.
26th January 2024: Italy: The Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) has again extended the suspension of the decree that places “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act until 24th September 2024. On that day, the TAR should rule on the decree’s legitimacy.
22nd November 2023: France: A joint committee made up of assembly members and senators has failed to agree on a common version of the 2024 Social Security Financing Bill after the Senate amended the text adopted by the National Assembly. The provisions to introduce a regulatory framework for cannabis-based medicines were only slightly amended. The bill returns to the National Assembly for a new reading.
26th October 2023: Italy: The Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) has extended the suspension of the decree that places “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act until 16th January 2024. On that day, the TAR will rule on the decree’s legitimacy.
9th October 2023: Italy: The Ministry of Health has decided to appeal the decision of the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) to suspend the decree that places “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act. The suspension will remain in effect until 24th October, the day on which the TAR is expected to rule on the legitimacy of the decree.
5th October 2023: Italy: The Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR) has suspended the decree that places “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act until 24th October, local media reports. The ruling has not been published yet.
20th September 2023: Italy: The decree that places “the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts” in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act enters into force today (20th September). An industry association and a law firm have already decided to appeal against the Ministry of Health decree before the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR).
13th September 2023: Italy: Industry association Imprenditori Canapa Italia (ICI) has decided to appeal the Ministry of Health decree that classifies “compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from cannabis extracts” as medicinal products under the Narcotics Act set to take effect on 20th September 2023. The appeal has yet to be presented before the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR).
7th September 2023: Italy: The industry association Canapa Sativa Italia sent a formal request to the minister of health to repeal the decree that classified “compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from cannabis extracts” as medicinal products under the Narcotics Act. The decree, originally implemented in 2020, was temporarily suspended in October of the same year due to strong protests from industry associations. However, the current government coalition, composed of far-right parties, holds a more stringent stance on cannabis than the 2020 government. CannIntelligence, therefore, does not anticipate that Canapa Sativa Italia’s formal request will see any significant results.
22nd August 2023: Italy: The Ministry of Health has issued a decree that revokes the suspension of the entry into force of the Decree 1st October 2020 (20A05476), which places "the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts" in the table of medicines in the Narcotics Act. The decree was enacted in view of the launch of Epidyolex in Italy towards the end of 2020, but was suspended in October 2020 following vigorous protests from industry associations. However, the decree does not classify plant-based or synthetic CBD as a narcotic. The implications of the decree for CBD-containing oils derived from hemp remain uncertain, though it is highly likely they will be categorised as narcotics due to the vague language of the decree. It is also likely that industry associations will challenge the decree before the administrative court. This decision by the minister of health underscores the restrictive stance of the current far-right government coalition towards both CBD and cannabis.

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