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EIHA: Hemp in Europe: The situation of hemp today  

Hemp in Europe

The situation of hemp today  

Today, the Common Agriculture Policy is responsible for establishing the maximum THC level allowed for industrial hemp on the field. Many EU countries still prohibit or have unclear regulations about the use and marketing of flowers, incorrectly considered as narcotic, even if the THC level is below the established thresholds in the EU regulation for industrial hemp. In order for hemp to be a profitable crop, farmers need to be allowed to maximise their income through the utilisation of the whole plant, especially the flowers and leaves. That is why, EIHA defends a “whole plant” approach (#unlockthepotential).

Hemp transformers source 90% of their raw material within Europe. More than half of flowers and leaves traded in Europe are used for the production of food supplements, including CBD extracts. When it comes to textiles, because of the relatively high raw material prices, the lack of fibre supply and the scarcity of manufacturing facilities, production is limited as it mainly represents a niche market. A huge consumers market existed for hemp fibres until after World War II. Just to give you an idea, in the 1930s Russia’s hemp area sown was almost 700,000 hectares, providing for 40% of Europe’s hemp needs. In comparison, Italy and Yugoslavia accounted for up to 100,000 hectares each. Currently the EU combined barely grows 50,000 hectares. France is currently the biggest producer, followed by Italy and the Netherlands.

Even though Europe has not unlocked the full potential of hemp, the industry is rapidly growing.  In fact, from 2013 to 2018, there was a 70% increase in the number of hectares dedicated to industrial hemp cultivation in Europe. If we compare it to 1993 figures, the number of hectares has increased 614% since.

Find more information about hemp production here!

EIHA Website

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Europe: Citizens’ initiative to improve access to medical use of cannabis

Europe: Citizens’ initiative to improve access to medical use of cannabis

14 th March 2024

 

The European Commission has approved the registration of a multinational initiative to promote access to medical use of cannabis and encourage research into the plant’s therapeutic potency. That means signature collection can start. Petitioners have six months to launch the initiative and must then collect one million signatures from at least seven member states within a year to force the European Union to consider the proposal.

One objective asks the commission to “promote access to medicinal cannabis and allow the transport of cannabis and its derivatives prescribed for therapeutic purposes to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to health”. Another objective asks the EU to “allocate the necessary funds for research on cannabis for therapeutic purposes”.

European Commission of 6 February 2024

Partner organisation of PGMCG

Marian Hutten, president and founder of PGMCG

Nominated as Patient Ambassador of the IACM 2018-2023

Dutch Patient delegate and translator of the IACM
The International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines
CannabisMedOrg
Bonn, Germany

 

Also read: (dutch)

 

Europa: Burgerinitiatief voor de verbetering van de toegang tot het medicinale gebruik van cannabis

 

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Roanoke College to Offer Cannabis Studies Major

Roanoke College is set to launch a cannabis studies major, offering students a comprehensive education that spans botany, business, policy, and social justice aspects of the cannabis industry, preparing them for diverse career paths in this evolving field.

Beginning next semester Roanoke College will offer a cannabis studies major, The College Fix reports. DorothyBelle Poli, the program director at the private Virgnia college, told the College Fox that majors can “go directly into the industry as growing/analysis scientists” or “as business owners with more knowledge” noting that some students would “most likely” double major in business “at this time.” 

Students who complete the program could also consider fields including law, social work, education, accounting, or politics, Poli said.  

Roanoke College first announced the program in January, noting that it would be the first in the state to offer a four-year degree in the cannabis field. In a press release, Kathy Wolfe, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, commended “faculty for developing a transdisciplinary academic program that fills a significant educational gap.”    

“With this program, Roanoke College continues to lead in science, policy, business and community engagement.” — Wolfe in a press release  

The core curriculum for the program will include the botany and history of cannabis, in addition to the policy issues surrounding the industry. Students may choose one of the two major bachelor’s degree program tracks: cannabis science and social justice. The science track will focus on botany, biology and chemistry, while the social justice track will cover government policies around cannabis legislation, the history of the plant, and its regulation and prohibition in the U.S. and internationally, and the consequences to different population groups. The college will also offer a minor in cannabis studies.   

https://www.ganjapreneur.com/roanoke-college-to-offer-cannabis-studies-major/

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Hemp Milk

In an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, every small step we take towards a greener planet counts immensely. One such step is rethinking our daily consumption habits. While plant-based milk options have soared in popularity, their packaging—often Tetra Pak—presents a significant environmental challenge, especially in places like Australia where recycling facilities are limited.

Tetra Pak, though innovative in extending the shelf life of perishable goods without the need for refrigeration or preservatives, is notoriously difficult to recycle. This is due to its construction, which combines paper, plastic, and aluminium. In Australia, the recycling infrastructure for such complex packaging is new and limited, leading to a substantial amount of waste ending up in landfills each year.

Sometimes it’s unavoidable, we get that, and we’re still happy to stock and sell Hemp Milk as it’s presented to the consumer today. However, with sustainability at the centre of our vision, we also want you to be equipped with everything you need to make the best choice.

Homemade hemp milk offers a creamy, delicious alternative to store-bought plant milks, and is, in our opinion, the easiest plant based milk to make at home.

RECIPE

Ingredients:
🌱1 cup hulled hemp seeds (also known as hemp hearts)
🌱4 cups filtered water
🌱1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave syrup (optional, for sweetness)
🌱1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavour)
🌱A pinch of salt (to enhance flavour)

Instructions:
👉Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until mixture appears creamy, about 1 minute
👉Taste and adjust with sweetener or salt
👉Strain through a nut milk bag or a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl, gently squeezing/pressing excess liquid
👉Transfer your homemade hemp milk into a clean bottle or jar and store in the fridge for up to 5 days
👉Shake well before use, as natural separation might occur

Check out a more detailed recipe on our blog at hempstore.com.au, and keep it hempy for the planet people! 🌏

#hempmilk #alternativemilk #plantbased #sustainable #sustainable #veganfood #veganrecipes #homemade #homemadefood #diy #diy

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The Wave House

The Wave House, situated in Heidelberg Germany, was crafted by Peri 3D Construction for developer KrausGruppe. Designed by SSV and Mense Korte.

The Wave House, spanning 600 square meters (6,600 sq ft), was printed in just 140 hours. Using a single COBOD BOD2 printer, the exterior structure was formed at a rate of 4 square meters (43 sq ft) per hour. This printer applied a recyclable cement-like mixture in layers, creating exterior walls measuring 177 ft (54 m) long, 36 ft (11 m) wide, and 29.5 ft (9 m) tall. Although final touches such as the roof, doors, and wiring required human intervention, the project remains an impressive achievement.

#3dprint #civilengeenring #architecture #germany

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Industrial processing into textiles

Hemp has been an important crop for clothing and upholstery textiles for a long time. From the 1930s, hemp fibres were gradually replaced by cotton and fossil-based fibres. With stronger focus put on sustainability in recent years, hemp for textiles is being reconsidered as a viable alternative. This development is accelerating due to the increasing demand for flax textiles and the decreasing production of flax due to drought sensitivity combined with the low rotation frequency of flax cultivation.

The processing and textile applications of hemp are basically similar to flax. After the hemp stalks are retted, dried and baled, the parallel stalks can be further processed into long fibres and eventually yarns. The industrial processing of hemp into textiles can be distinguished in two: the production of yarns based on long fibres and on short fibres. The short fibres are either a by-product of long fibre processing, or a product of technical fibre production. The obtained yarns can be processed into fabrics by weaving or knitting. After weaving or knitting, further finishing and post-treatment are often required.
Europe Hemp Handbook by Wageningen University & Research

https://lcqparty.org/