Armenian Government Decides to Allow Cultivation and Processing of Industrial Hemp

The Armenian Government unanimously approved a corresponding amendment to the law on "Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances" and several related laws during a cabinet session today.

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan stated that the legislative changes pertain exclusively to the cultivation of industrial hemp. "This crop is used in numerous manufacturing processes and products, such as textiles, automotive production, furniture, paper, building materials, personal care items, and in medicine," said Avinyan.

He also noted that industrial hemp cultivation is currently permitted in Europe, Russia, the USA, China, Israel, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

The proposed regulations will allow the cultivation, processing, production, export, and import of hemp in Armenia, as well as wholesale trade, subject to the availability of the corresponding license. "For now, we are only discussing wholesale trade until we express our approach regarding these products in the domestic market," Avinyan added.