While in Europe and worldwide many states are adopting Cannabis Legalization policies, in Italy we are experiencing a period of uncertainty due to the restrictive policies of the Government currently in office.
Unlike other countries in Italy we are still talking about Cannabis Sativa L., Industrial Hemp, so to speak, with a low THC content.
The latest update, in chronological order, concerns a new decree from the Ministry of Health , published in the Official Journal on 21 August 2023 .
With this decree, compositions based on cannabidiol ( CBD ) for oral use are classified in Table B among narcotics, effectively also including non-narcotic preparations based on CBD of natural origin in the table of 309/90.
Below is an extract from the Decree: "... giving further indication of placement in section B, with the related regime of supply via non-repeatable prescription (RNR). The decree of the Minister of Health of 28 October 2020, containing the suspension of the entry into force of the decree of the Minister of Health of 1 October 2020, containing "Updating of the tables containing the indication of narcotic and psychotropic substances, pursuant to the decree of the President of the Republic of 9 October 1990, n. 309, and subsequent amendments and additions. Inclusion in the Table of Medicines, section B, of the compositions for oral administration of cannabidiol obtained from Cannabis extracts".
CBD, as confirmed by the World Health Organization , does not have and does not produce narcotic or psychotropic effects. It is a natural extract of the flower of Cannabis Sativa L. and, thanks to its multiple properties, it is suitable for various uses.
The latest government decree differs significantly from what is expected by the WHO and the recent international and European regulatory political framework.
For further information, please refer to the press release from the Canapa Sativa Italia trade association and the article from the Federcanapa association in addition to the Official Journal of 08/21/2023.
https://www.canapasativaitalia.org/comunicato-official-associazione-canapa-sativa-italia/
https://www.federcanapa.it/2023/08/24/governo-italiano-decreta/
https://www.gazzetta ufficio.it/eli/id/2023/08/21/23A04729/SG