Industrial Hemp in Italy: Cultivation Laws, Licenses & THC Limits

Considering hemp cultivation in one of Europe’s oldest growing regions?

Industrial hemp in Italy carries a heritage few countries can match. Once the world’s second-largest hemp producer behind the Soviet Union, Italy cultivated roughly 100,000 hectares of Cannabis sativa L. at its peak in the 1940s. After decades of decline brought on by synthetic fibers and international drug conventions, the sector has roared back to life. Law 242/2016 reignited the Italian hemp industry, driving cultivation from just 400 hectares in 2013 to over 4,000 hectares today across more than 800 farms.

However, the April 2025 Security Decree (Decree-Law 48/2025) has fundamentally reshaped which business models remain viable. This guide covers everything cultivators and entrepreneurs need to know about growing industrial hemp in Italy in 2026, from registration requirements and THC limits to the varieties and revenue streams that still make sense after the flower ban. For a broader overview of Italy’s cannabis regulatory landscape, see our complete guide to cannabis laws in Italy.

Italy’s Hemp Heritage and Revival

Italy’s relationship with hemp stretches back centuries. By the early 20th century, the country ranked first in hemp quality and first in the ratio of cultivated area to production output. The Po Valley and regions like Emilia-Romagna, Campania, and Piedmont supplied fiber for naval ropes, paper production, and textiles that were exported throughout Europe.

The decline began in the 1950s when nylon and other synthetic fibers undercut hemp’s market position. Italy’s ratification of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs accelerated the downturn. The 1975 Cossiga Law (Law n. 685) delivered the final blow, effectively banning all hemp cultivation. By 2013, only 400 hectares of industrial hemp in Italy remained.

The turning point came on January 14, 2017, when Law 242/2016 entered into force. Officially titled “Provisions for the Promotion of Cultivation and the Agro-Industrial Supply Chain of Hemp,” this legislation removed barriers to cultivation and triggered a 900% increase in planted area within just four years. Today, the Italian hemp sector encompasses more than 3,000 companies and employs an estimated 30,000 workers.

Legal Framework for Industrial Hemp Cultivation in Italy

Law 242/2016: Key Provisions

Under Law 242/2016, farmers can cultivate industrial hemp in Italy without obtaining prior authorization. The system is registration-based rather than license-based, making Italy one of the more accessible European markets for new growers. Key requirements include:

• Seed documentation: Farmers must retain the seed card (cartellino) for at least one year and the purchase invoice for ten years
• Approved varieties only: All cultivated varieties must appear in the EU Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species
• Permitted uses: Fiber, textiles, seeds (food products), ornamental purposes, bioenergy production, phytoremediation, and agricultural rotation

The Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies allocates up to EUR 700,000 annually for hemp research and development. Growers may also receive a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payment of EUR 250 to EUR 400 per hectare.

THC Limits and Testing

THC compliance is central to hemp cultivation anywhere in the EU, and Italy applies a layered threshold system:

Forestry Corps officers or delegated agricultural inspectors conduct field testing. Farmers who plant certified seed and follow proper agronomic practices are protected by the tolerance threshold even if environmental conditions push THC levels above the 0.2% baseline.

Post-2025 Security Decree Impact

On April 12, 2025, Decree-Law 48/2025 entered into force and fundamentally changed the legal landscape for industrial hemp in Italy. The decree amends Law 242/2016 by classifying hemp inflorescences (flowers) as narcotics, regardless of THC content.

The ban covers production, importation, processing, possession, sale, and consumption of hemp flowers in any form, including dried, shredded, and semi-processed flower material. Extracts, resins, and oils derived from inflorescences are also prohibited. Critically, cultivation for fiber and seeds remains fully legal. The decree targets the “cannabis light” flower market specifically, not the traditional fiber and food hemp sector.

Starting a Hemp Farm in Italy

Registration Process

Because industrial hemp in Italy operates under a registration system rather than a licensing system, the startup process is relatively straightforward compared to countries like Portugal or Spain that require formal permits:

1. Register with your regional agricultural authority (Regione)
2. Notify the local Agenzia delle Dogane (Customs Agency)
3. Select varieties from the EU Common Catalogue
4. Retain documentation: seed tags (cartellino) and purchase invoices

For information about Italy’s medical and commercial cannabis licensing pathways, see our guide to cannabis licensing in Italy.

Popular Italian Hemp Varieties

Italy boasts several heritage cultivars bred specifically for the Mediterranean climate:

Note: Carmagnola, CS, and Fibranova were temporarily removed from the EU catalogue in 2019 due to an administrative oversight but have since been re-entered into the Italian National Catalogue through re-certification managed by Assocanapa.

Cultivation Best Practices

• Planting window: March to April (depending on region and altitude)
• Harvest: August to October (varies by end use; fiber harvested earlier, seed later)
• Soil requirements: Well-drained soil with pH 6.0 to 7.5
• Water needs: Drought-tolerant once established; minimal irrigation in most Italian regions
• Fiber yield: 7 to 15 tonnes of dry stem matter per hectare (typical range)
• Seed yield: 350 to 650 kg per hectare

Business Models Still Viable After the 2025 Decree

Notably absent: flower sales and CBD extraction from inflorescences, which are now prohibited under Decree-Law 48/2025.

Industrial Hemp in Italy vs Other European Markets

Italy accounts for approximately 2.5% of EU hemp production, a modest share compared to France, which dominates with 78% of total EU output (121,720 tonnes in 2022). However, Italy holds several competitive advantages.

Italy’s Mediterranean climate provides a longer growing season and naturally higher yields for dual-purpose (fiber + seed) cultivation. The country’s heritage varieties, specifically bred for Italian conditions over centuries, offer genetic advantages that imported cultivars cannot replicate. For a deeper look at hemp regulations in neighboring markets, explore our guides to industrial hemp in Portugal, industrial hemp in Spain, and hemp cultivation regulations in Portugal.

Compliance and Traceability for Italian Hemp

Even under the simplified registration system, Italian hemp growers must maintain thorough records. Forestry Corps inspections can occur at any point during the growing season, and proper documentation is the grower’s primary defense against liability. Key compliance requirements include:

• Seed traceability: Retain cartellino (seed tag) and purchase invoices for the legally required periods
• Field records: Document planting dates, varieties, plot locations, and agronomic inputs
• THC test results: Archive any official or voluntary test reports
• Harvest and sale records: Track all output by product type (fiber, seed, biomass)
• Export documentation: EU phytosanitary certificates for cross-border sales

As hemp operations scale across multiple plots or regions, manual record-keeping becomes a compliance risk. Seed-to-sale tracking platforms like GrowerIQ help hemp producers maintain audit-ready records, automate THC testing documentation, and generate the traceability reports that EU regulations demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

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