Germany’s fledgling hemp industry is in a state of flux. While the European Union has legalized cultivation of hemp for industrial purposes, national laws regarding the crop vary from country to country.
In Germany, cultivation of hemp is illegal unless done for research purposes, and even then the plant requires a license from the German Hemp Research Association (DHV). But that hasn’t stopped farmers and entrepreneurs from giving Germany’s hemp industry a shot.
One way these individuals are working together to make it happen? By forming an umbrella organization specifically designed to lobby legislators on behalf of hemp farmers across the country. The German Hemp Association (Deutscher Hanfverband or DHV) was established in April 2018 as an independent lobbying group that aims to increase awareness about hemp farming in Germany and safeguard its rapidly growing industry.
The association also represents member organizations that offer services to hemp farmers and other hemp businesses, like seed suppliers and testing labs. With more than 1,200 partner companies already signed up as members, the DHV operates as Germany’s central voice for industrial hemp in the country — and one it seems that more and more people are starting to listen to. Here’s what you need to know about this new association and how it plans on helping Germany’s cannabis-cultivating farmers stay above board while they grow their crops.
What is the German Hemp Association?
The German Hemp Association (DHV) is an association for the promotion of hemp as a sustainable crop. It was founded in April 2018 and is registered as a legal entity at the District Court of Munich. As an association, the DHV has no political agenda and is not a lobby group. It has the goal of promoting industrial hemp and the associated value opportunities in Germany.
The DHV is the umbrella organisation for hemp industry partners. It aims to increase awareness about the sustainable potential of hemp and safeguard the rapidly growing industry. The DHV has more than 1,200 member companies and offers them a range of services, including business development and networking, market analysis and trends analysis, information and consulting, insurance and accounting.
Why Form an Association for Hemp Farmers?
The German hemp association was founded by farmers and other members of the hemp industry. They want to establish a more open, trusting, and productive environment for business that is more in line with the current needs of the hemp industry. This can only be achieved by creating a central forum where hemp farmers can freely exchange information and find support from each other.
The DHV wants to be the hemp industry’s forum where we talk about business and exchange information, grow together, and support each other when necessary. Farmers in Germany are trying to get their government to change existing legislation, but it’s a challenging task.
Since the cultivation of hemp is still illegal, German hemp farmers must do extensive work to get their products past the border. In order to get their products to market and make a profit, many are forced to work in the grey market, where they must navigate complicated regulations and shipping restrictions.
The German Hemp Association is working to change the laws in order to make it easier for hemp farmers to operate legally. If successful, the association could help cryptocurrencies, hemp, and marijuana companies access the European market.
The Fight for Legalisation
The German Hemp Association is working to persuade the German government to change the law surrounding the cultivation of hemp. This could happen as soon as 2024, when the current EU single-herb cultivation restrictions are due to expire. President of Germany’s Hemp Association, Jochen Ulmer, says that the association is focused on lobbying for industrial hemp to be reclassified as a plant, rather than a controlled substance.
This, Ulmer says, would facilitate cultivation and the development of the German hemp industry. Once reclassified, German hemp farmers would be permitted to cultivate the crop without the requirement to apply for a licence from the German Hemp Research Association.
No one, however, is expecting the German government to take action on this issue any time soon. “We don’t have big expectations for any change in the near future,” says Ulmer.
Current Law and Legal Battles
While there’s been some discussion surrounding the cultivation of hemp in Germany, the crop itself remains illegal. This means that farmers and other members of the hemp industry must operate outside of the law.
This presents many challenges, not least of which is the fact that hemp is not an easy plant to grow especially in Germany, where harsh winters and high humidity can make the crop difficult to cultivate. To make matters worse, authorities in Germany have cracked down on the industry in recent years. In 2017, the federal government passed strict new laws that make it much more difficult for hemp farmers to operate legally.
These laws, which include requirements for a high level of security and an extensive application process, make it very difficult for the industry to operate. The association is working to change these laws and make it easier for farmers to operate legally. If successful, the association could help cryptocurrencies, hemp, and marijuana companies access the European market.
Future Prospects for Reform in Germany
While cultivation of hemp remains illegal in Germany, many members of the hemp industry are hopeful that the government will reclassify the plant as a food source. This would make cultivating hemp for fibre or seed production legal in the country.
If this were to happen, it would open up the German market to a variety of hemp-based products, including foods and nutraceuticals. “Industrial hemp is a valuable plant, which can be used in many ways and has many potential applications,” says Ulmer. “If it receives a reclassification it would be good for the economy and the environment.” Currently, the German Hemp Association is focused on lobbying for industrial hemp to be reclassified as a plant, rather than a controlled substance.
This, Ulmer says, would facilitate cultivation and the development of the German hemp industry. Once reclassified, German hemp farmers would be permitted to cultivate the crop without the requirement to apply for a licence from the German Hemp Research Association.
Joint Press Releases: How the German Hemp Association Works Together
In addition to lobbying for reclassification of the hemp plant, the German Hemp Association also works closely with other organizations to promote the use of hemp in Germany.
For example, the association has joined forces with German trade magazine HempWorld to publish a series of joint press releases. These releases highlight the benefits of cultivating hemp and provide a wealth of information on the topic. The association has already published a number of these releases and plans to keep publishing them in order to increase public awareness of hemp farming in Germany. The association has
