Turkey’s Parliament has passed a new law that will allow licensed pharmacies to sell low-THC hemp-derived products to patients with qualifying medical conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, PTSD and chronic pain.
The legislation, approved on July 20, expands Turkey’s industrial hemp program to include processing, distribution and retail sales of nonintoxicating cannabinoid products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will continue overseeing cultivation, while the Ministry of Health will regulate processing, pharmacy sales and a new electronic track-and-trace system.
Although the measure doesn’t legalize medical marijuana, it does allow for products with small amounts of THC, with current law allowing no traceable amount of the compound. Turkey had previously authorized the use of cannabinoid-based medications in very limited forms, such as sublingual sprays like Sativex.
Turkey began allowing industrial hemp cultivation in select provinces in 2016. Under the new law, hemp cultivation is expected to expand beyond the 19 provinces currently licensed. Lawmakers say the change is intended to help Turkey compete in the global cannabinoid market and attract pharmaceutical companies and investors.
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