Gino Kenny presses government on hemp law contradiction
Gino Kenny raised concerns about Ireland’s hemp laws, arguing they contain a legal contradiction that hinders development of an industrial hemp sector. He urged the government to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act to align regulatory limits and support farmers and climate benefits.
Key issue raised
Gino Kenny noted the programme for government commitment to explore the potential for an industrial fibre sector using hemp and recalled that, two years earlier in this building, the Ireland Youth Assembly recommended development of the Irish hemp industry. He said hemp has significant potential for the climate and for farmers and asked whether the government will amend the law to remove an identified lacuna.
Regulatory contradiction
He pointed to a specific contradiction in existing rules - the HPRA and the Food Safety Authority apply a 0.2% THC limit while the Misuse of Drugs Act reflects a 0% limit - creating uncertainty around the laws on growing hemp.
Government response
The minister acknowledged the issue and said it is complex, noting it was difficult to answer fully in a short intervention. The minister committed to pursue the matter and to consult the relevant departments and ministers about the legislative requirements.
Next steps and implications
The minister said the matter needs further development and exploration to establish a proper, regulated approach. Aligning the Misuse of Drugs Act with regulatory practice would be a necessary step if the government proceeds to support industrial hemp for environmental and agricultural benefits.
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Teachta, in the programme for government it commits to exploring the potential for development of industrial fibre sector using hemp and two years ago in this building Ireland Youth Assembly one of its recommendations was to development of the Irish hemp industry and hemp has a huge potential not only relation to our climate but also to farmers as well but there's an unusual lacuna in the Misuse of Drugs Act the laws around growing hemp will this government amend the law around the lacuna because there's a contradiction and this is the important thing the contradiction is one state of the law which is the HPRA and the Food Safety Authority say there's a limit of 0.2% of THC but under the Misuse of Drugs Act it says 0% so there's a contradiction. Within 30 seconds it's very difficult to answer both but because it's a fairly complex lacuna you were outlining there Deputy Kenny but I will certainly pursue it. The issue between the two departments and we'll talk to both ministers in respect of the legislative requirement there there is an issue that needs to be developed and explored to see where we can do this in a proper regulated way.
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