On March 23, 2023, the Turkish Grand National Assembly adopted legislation on medical cannabis production. It entered into force upon publication in the Official Gazette on April 5, 2023. The law was introduced as part of an omnibus package combining many different subjects in a single bill. While most provisions provoked substantial debate between parliamentary party groups, medical cannabis production was approved in a rare moment of consensus.
The legislation represented an important step in developing medical cannabis regulation, beginning with authorization of production under the supervision of the Turkish Grain Board (TMO).
The Netherlands' Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment is one of the latest examples of state involvement in controlled cannabis production, beginning in December 2023. The initiative aims to address legal gaps arising after the country's policy of tolerating cannabis sales through coffee shops in the 1970s. That approach, however, led to public order, health and crime problems and public pressure for reform.
In its 2017–2021 coalition agreement, the government committed to a small-scale trial involving up to ten municipalities. This experimental approach is described here as allowing roughly 570 coffee shops across 102 municipalities to offer quality-controlled, legally sourced cannabis. Such decriminalization requires legal changes removing criminal penalties for production, distribution and sale. Consumers are offered a safe, quality alternative to illegally produced cannabis.
Health Minister Kuipers said: “It is wonderful to be able to launch the initial phase of the controlled cannabis supply chain experiment. Regulating the supply chain will give us a better understanding of the origin and quality of the products sold. We will also be able to provide consumers with better information about the effects and health risks of cannabis use.”
The appointment of the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) as the central body overseeing medical cannabis production rests on its proven success in producing morphine and derivatives from poppy capsules. This experience in narcotic production strongly influenced the initial regulatory framework, which currently focuses only on THC-rich cannabis varieties.
The task assigned to TMO through the omnibus law adopted in early summer 2023 was to produce raw THC and sell it to existing pharmaceutical companies abroad. It resembles the morphine production process at TMO's Bolvadin Alkaloid Factory. Initially, no regulations covered processed products, extraction or production of nonpsychoactive cannabinoids. Production was restricted to high-security facilities in Bolvadin and conducted under strict national and international drug-control requirements. As with production programs elsewhere, such as Botswana in southern Africa, the program's stated aim was revenue for the national treasury.
The first draft of medical cannabis regulations prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry leaked through several channels in December 2023, offering an initial picture of planned production and export conditions. However, the positions of other relevant ministries—Health, Interior, Justice and Trade—had not yet been fully established in the framework.
A preliminary regulatory draft had been published as of September 13, 2024, and was finally approved by the president on October 29, 2024. Described in this account as finalized under Law No. 32661, the regulation is organized into six sections covering details such as production, security and market access, marking an important step toward a controlled medical cannabis industry in Turkey.
Key points of the regulations on cannabis cultivation and control for active pharmaceutical ingredient production under Law No. 32661:
Purpose and scope of Law 32661:
The law introduces regulated cultivation for medical purposes in Turkey. It focuses on growing, processing and distributing medical cannabis, particularly for immunological and metabolic treatments. Recreational cannabis remains illegal.
Regulatory structure:
Several government bodies, TMO, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency and security forces, will supervise production, issue licenses and conduct inspections. Applicants for production licenses must have no outstanding debts or criminal record and must have an agreement with a buyer.
Controlled trials and quality standards:
The law requires strict quality control for every cannabis variety. Indoor cultivation is preferred for consistency, and TMO's experience producing opioid raw materials makes it a capable organization for secure production.
Research and clinical trials:
Licensed research and development organizations may conduct research, while clinical trials require specific ministerial approval. Research outputs are closely monitored and restricted to the project's scope.
International standards and exports:
TMO and relevant ministries aim to align with global standards, targeting both domestic patient access and export opportunities by 2025. Local production and value-added products are expected to offer economic and therapeutic benefits.
Opinion and proposal:
Medical cannabis production in Turkey was expected to begin between the second and third quarters of 2025. Law No. 32661 regulating cultivation and distribution was being implemented by the ministries of Agriculture, Health and Interior, with the Justice and Trade ministries also expected to become involved.
Article 13.3 permits exports only to countries with medical cannabis regulations. Expanding the law could aim to provide controlled access for Turkish patients with special prescriptions and curb illicit market activity. Turkey's approach aligns with the World Health Organization's call for safer, more affordable pain-management alternatives and will allow the country to advance medical cannabis research and provide global supplies.
Although the medical cannabis market has faced difficulties due to past investment losses and low international prices, with the highest price for high-quality medical cannabis at the time reported as USD 2,000/kg,
Turkey's university-led research and cooperation with organizations such as the IACM could help support innovative treatments for chronic conditions. The sector has potential, but cannabis remains a complementary solution rather than a universal cure.
This is a promising first step in reviving and expanding the Turkish public's traditional use of cannabis. Given its long tradition in Turkish culture, it is important to establish a new framework that recognizes its potential rather than stigmatizing it as a harmful substance.
