Lithuania: Market and regulatory data for the cannabis sector

12th June 2024: Lithuania: The Seimas (parliament) has approved the amendments to the Fibrous Hemp Law, which create more favourable conditions for the import of fibrous hemp products, media reports. Among other things, the proposed changes seek to specify that the maximum THC content of exported fibre hemp products is determined according to the requirements of the export country. The bill needs to be voted on one more time.
5th June 2024: Lithuania: The parliamentary Rural Affairs Committee has approved the amendments to the Fibrous Hemp Law seeking to liberalise the conditions for the import of hemp fibre products, media reports. Among other aims, the proposed changes seek to specify that the maximum THC content of exported hemp fibre products be determined according to the requirements of the export country. If approved by the parliament, Lithuania will notify the European Commission.
27th May 2024: Lithuania: During a debate last week, president Gitanas Nausėda, who was running for a second presidential term, criticised the idea of cannabis decriminalisation, media reports. At that time, Ingrida Šimonytė, who was running against Nausėda in the elections, supported the idea of decriminalisation but was opposed to full legalisation. After yesterday’s elections, Nausėda was elected for his second presidential term.
10th May 2024: Lithuania: The Seimas (parliament) has started to consider the amendments to the Fibrous Hemp Law that seeks to liberalise the conditions for the import of fibre hemp products, media reports. Among other proposed changes, the amendments seek to specify that the maximum THC content of exported fibre hemp products would be determined according to the export country's requirements. The amendments should reach the plenary in the middle of June, after passing the committees.
9th May 2024: Lithuania: The government has approved the 2024-2026 Plan for the Implementation of the National Agenda on Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol Control, Consumption Prevention and Harm Reduction until 2035, the Ministry of Health reports. The plan suggests that “a common, strategic consensus has been found on which direction to move in reducing the harm caused by alcohol, tobacco and drugs”. Among other goals for 2025, the plan seeks to have the prevalence of narcotic and psychotropic substance use among 15- to 64-year-olds be twice as low as in other EU countries.
23rd April 2024: Lithuania: The amendment initiated by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to change the regulation of the cultivation and processing of fibre hemp will be submitted to the Seimas (parliament) on Thursday (25th April), media reports. The proposed changes seek to specify that the maximum THC content of exported fibre hemp products is determined according to the requirements of the export country. It is also proposed that the conditions for the cultivation of fibre hemp in open and closed soil be regulated and laboratory testing requirements for fibre hemp products be relaxed.
17th April 2024: Lithuania: This month, the minister of agriculture’s orders came into force, which allocated funds from the state budget to test the level of THC present in fibrous hemp, according to a recent announcement made by the State Plant Service, media reports.
28th March 2024: Lithuania: The Ministry of Economy and Innovation is proposing amendments to the regulation of the cultivation and processing of fibre hemp. The proposed changes seek to specify that the maximum THC content of exported fibre hemp products is determined according to the requirements of the export country. It is also proposed that the conditions for the cultivation of fibre hemp in open and closed soil be regulated and laboratory testing requirements for fibre hemp products be relaxed.
19th March 2024: Lithuania: According to the minister of agriculture, Kęstutis Navickas, Lithuania intends to simplify the import process for fibre hemp raw material from other EU countries, media reports. The amendment to the Fibre Hemp Law proposes to no longer require certificates confirming that the products imported from other EU countries are made from fibre hemp and that the amount of THC in them does not exceed the permitted limit of 0.3%.
15th March 2024: Lithuania: An inter-institutional working group created by the Department of Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol Control (NTAKD), aiming to ensure the proper implementation of the provisions of the Law on Fibre Hemp, gathered for its first meeting last week, media reports. Specialists from various Lithuanian institutions discussed difficulties in implementing the Law on Fibre Hemp, including issues related to the use of hemp flowers and inflorescences. They suggested sharing information about risky companies and considering amendments to the law. Participants also discussed work organisation and operation principles, shared insights on possible solutions to the current issues, and proposed better legal regulations for fibre hemp, including special labelling of outlets and age restrictions for buyers.
19th February 2024: Lithuania: The Department of Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol Control (NTAKD) is creating a working group aimed at preventing abuse by businesses mislabelling or failing to label fibre hemp products, media reports. It will include representatives from the NTKAD, the Food Risk Institute, the police, the prosecutor's office, customs, the Consumer Rights Service, and ministries.
9th January 2024: Lithuania: In December 2023, the members of the Seimas (parliament) stated that the issue of decriminalising possession of small quantities of cannabis will not return to the plenary session hall this term, media reports.

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