Where does Turkey stand in the rapidly growing global hemp industry?

Although the regulation published in the Official Gazette in 2016 is somewhat unclear, it allowed industrial hemp cultivation in 19 Turkish provinces.

Can that hemp be used to produce CBD oil? Although the regulation clearly requires limits on THC, CBD oil production is not permitted under the framework described here. It allows only seed and fiber production.

ARTICLE 13 – (1) The principal aim of inspections is, alongside preventing unauthorized cultivation and narcotic production, to ensure that authorized hemp production uses suitable techniques and low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) varieties, through training and extension activities.

First, full spectrum oil made from cannabis flowers and leaves and oil made from its seeds are entirely different substances. Read our article explaining the differences here.

The article describes a situation in which CBD oil cannot be produced in Turkey, but someone with a condition CBD might treat can order it from abroad and collect it from customs with a doctor's prescription.

Otherwise, CBD oil sales were prohibited by law. Although individuals and companies sold products through online platforms and social media groups, their contents were not approved by any ministry and they were generally brought into the country illegally. Details on CBD oils sold unofficially in Turkey are available here.

CBD and THC

One of the first subjects to understand is cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. Read our long, detailed article here. Prefer a brief explanation? CBD and THC are the two main cannabinoids in cannabis. CBD-rich industrial hemp is used in healthcare, while THC-rich Indian cannabis is mainly used recreationally. THC is the psychoactive component causing changes in mood. If THC levels are low, the plant has no psychoactive effect.

What is the situation in Turkey?

At the time of this article, hemp could be grown with special permission, provided domestic seed was used. To our knowledge, there was not enough domestic seed to meet demand. Even with permission, production using foreign seed was not allowed.

There was discussion of government work to expand the scope of cultivation soon.

We hope Turkey enters this enormous industry before it is too late, as many countries compete to legalize it and take part. The cannabis sector, seen as beneficial economically and socially, could offer significant advantages in a country with such a favorable climate.