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Tengrinews.kz - Kazakhstan plans to legalize the production of hemp for industrial purposes. Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov was asked whether this could lead to the cultivation of narcotic varieties of the plant.
Sultanov assured that only permitted hemp varieties with low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content will be cultivated in the country.
“These varieties must not be classified as narcotic. This is industrial hemp, and the THC content in it is either very low or completely absent. Secondly, laboratory tests will be conducted by forensic experts during the production process. As a result, the harvested crop will be strictly monitored. Thirdly, upon delivery for processing, additional lab checks will be carried out. Therefore, not a single gram of narcotic hemp will make it into production,” Sultanov said at a government briefing.
According to the vice minister, representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs will oversee the entire process. If any narcotic hemp is found during inspections, it will be destroyed immediately.
“There will be multi-level control, so there is no cause for concern. The cultivation area will be fenced off, guarded, and access by unauthorized persons will be prohibited. Industrial hemp is widely processed around the world—paper made from it doesn’t yellow,” he added.
It was previously reported that Kazakhstan will permit industrial hemp production. The corresponding draft law was approved in the first reading by the Mazhilis in April. The Committee for Countering Drug Trafficking has already issued four licenses to entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that there is no reason to worry, noting that low-THC hemp is different from marijuana.
Difference between hemp and marijuana
Hemp (also called industrial hemp) is a plant with a low THC content (less than 0.3 percent). It does not have a narcotic effect and is used for industrial purposes such as the production of fabric, paper, oil, building materials, and more.
Marijuana is a high-THC variety of cannabis (typically containing 5 to 20 percent THC) that has psychoactive effects. It is used for medical or recreational purposes where legally permitted.
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