The European Commission has put forward a proposal to include hemp flower in the list of recognized agricultural products, opening the door for its full regulation as a crop in the European Union.

Currently, only hemp seeds and fibers are officially recognized, limiting trade, subsidies, and access to legal protections. This change is part of the revision of the Common Regulation governing the Common Market Organization of Agricultural Products and aims to amend Annex I of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

Impacts of the measure for the sector

If approved, the proposal will give hemp flower the same status as other agricultural crops. This will allow producers and processors to benefit from common rules on marketing, labeling, and financial support.

In practice, the legal recognition strengthens the sector of non-psychoactive cannabis derivatives, such as CBD-rich products, which are increasingly prevalent in the European market.

Political and institutional support

The proposal was driven by sector associations and European parliamentarians advocating for evidence-based regulation and the principles of the single market.

Organizations like the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) have welcomed the progress as a milestone in consolidating hemp as a strategic agricultural crop for Europe.

European panorama and the role of Germany

The 10th edition of the European Cannabis Report, released in July, highlights the rapid growth of the sector. Among the countries analyzed, Germany has emerged as a key player, with a market valued at over €670 million.

The approval of the MedCanG law, in effect since October 2024, removed cannabis from the list of narcotics and reduced bureaucratic barriers that previously hindered doctors and patients. Since then, the country has gained over 20 telemedicine clinics, a robust import network, and more affordable prices for flowers — the main consumption format.