Paraguay Regulates Cannabis Production

Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez signed the decree this week regulating the controlled production of industrial hemp or cannabis, allowing cultivation by small-scale farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture of Paraguay, Rodolfo Friedmann, highlighted that the new regime for production and industrialization of the plant targets small farmers. "They will be able to grow in this new area, with a variety of cannabis plants with lower percentages of psychoactive compounds," he said.

Friedmann explained that a maximum of two hectares of hemp cultivation per family will be allowed. In addition, the entry of seeds for technical studies by the Paraguayan Institute of Agricultural Technology (IPTA) will be permitted.

"We hope that these studies will be completed by March of next year and that the first crops will begin in April in regions of the country where experiments have been successful. Cultivation is planned in the departments of San Pedro, Concepción, Paraguarí, Central, and Chaco," he explained.

The ministry estimates that about 25,000 families will be able to participate in the cultivation of industrial cannabis, with the possibility of two harvests per year, at a price of 10,000,000 guaranis per hectare.

Two Brazilian companies and a subsidiary of the United States have shown interest in cultivation, focusing on the food, fiber, oil, and other sectors.

The cultivation, importation, and commercialization of seeds will be overseen by the National Service for Quality and Plant Health and Seeds (Senave), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Senad).

In many countries, maximum limits for the concentration of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hemp are set by law, which encourages the cultivation of plant strains with low levels of THC or even the removal of this substance from plants.

Source: Radio Cultura Foz