Ref. Ares(2018)5884885 - 16/11/2018
Ref. Ares(2018)6096420 - 28/11/2018
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In the fol owing three minutes, I wil elaborate on the three main reasons why
extracts of industrial hemp are traditional, rather than novel food.
One: Hemp is a different type of genus
Cannabis species from those used in medicinal
or recreational applications.
Two: If we understand emergence of agriculture to be connected with the
development of species
Homo Sapiens, then genus
Cannabis has been humankind’s
true companion ever since.
Three: Cannabidiol has been proven safe by WHO experts on drug dependence and
has been a major driver behind unprecedented expansion of hemp cultivation areas
worldwide.
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Our first argument is that while botanical taxonomies may col ide, the United Nations
Office on Drug and Crime sets clear rules how to distinguish between a “drug type”
and a “fiber type“ cannabis plants by a formula where
Cannabidiol is a denominator.
In practice, countries rather mention maximum Tetrahydrocannabinol content in
hemp. In general, the EU limit is 0.2% in upper third of the plant, while 0.3% applies in
Canada, USA, Czechia and Austria and 1.0% THC applies in Switzerland and Australia
for hemp.
Concerning our second argument:
Hemp is a true biorefinery: providing renewable and carbon-neutral, sometimes even
carbon-nagative intermediates. Examples are fiber for insulation, for plastic
composites and fine papers, woody core for hemp concrete and animal bedding,
seeds and foliage for foods and whole plant for feed silage.
With a widespread use of hemp in European area since middle-ages, it would be
extremely bold to argue that most parts of the hemp plant had not been used as food
or in food. Hemp extracts and tinctures were indeed made and sold in products which
would be called nowadays “supplements” up to 80 years ago.
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Hemp was called a Bil ion Dol ar Crop in 1930’s already. However, severe
discrimination in the second half of the 20th century happened when many countries
applied international anti-drug conventions in the unnecessarily strict way to hemp.
Hemp has almost disappeared from our daily life and from our kitchen cabinets.
Luckily, countries like France and Lithuania, with highest acreage in Europe, have
been a leading example of its ongoing use. Other evidence is at hand proving use of
hemp green parts in applications such as beer brewing and teas which we wil show
later.
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Last but not least, our third approach shows that CBD-containing extracts actually
promote individual as wel as public health and welfare. The safety profile wil be
discussed by Dr. Bernhard Beitzke, Catherine Wilson wil demonstrate a plethora of
evidence of traditional usage of ready-to-eat products with CBD concentrations
considered natural within EU perspective. In conclusion, we wil present our
regulatory guidance proposal for hemp extracts containing Cannabidiol on the
traditional food market.
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Unprecedented demand makes hemp one of the most rapidly growing market
segment this century.
This can be demonstrated by increase in cultivation areas in the western world,
however small compared to other agricultural commodities.
Hemp foods are recognized as health promoting. General consumer patterns have
shifted towards a healthier diet whilst at the same time people wanting more
environmentally friendly products.
This provides an excel ent opportunity to reinstate hemp in good faith acknowledging
its traditional use.
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