Hemp, also called Cannabis sativa L. is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the family cannabaceae characterized by having cannabinoid compounds, among which the most relevant are the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with psychoactive effects, and cannabidiol (CBD). Includes the subspecies sativa, ruderalis e indicates. "Hemp" is the term commonly used to refer to the type of Cannabis sativa spp. sativa, with a low THC content, grown mainly for medicinal and scientific purposes, although there is also the possibility of doing so for industrial purposes (obtaining fiber, grain and seeds), although with little demand and no profitability.

 

Currently, interest in hemp cultivation is increasing (Cannabis sativa L.), however it is worth clarifying a series of doubts and considerations which can be useful when deciding to grow it.

 

Demand for products made with CBD, a phytocannabinoid extracted from the hemp plant, is experiencing a significant increase. This demand is causing a renewed interest in hemp cultivation, basically oriented to the production of cannabidiol (CBD), destination prohibited by current legislation and that is intended to be covered with a appearance of legality Referring to alleged “industrial” uses, as fiber production, when in reality it is about by-products with no real economic value.

 

The traditional cultivation of textile hemp had great importance in Andalusia until the middle of the last century, occupying significant areas and maintaining an associated processing industry. The introduction of other fiber-producing crops, such as cotton, and especially the emergence of synthetic fibers, led to the disappearance of the crop and its processing industry.

 

Nowadays There is no demand for hemp fiber in Spain and the prices paid for this product in other European countries are well below the profitability threshold. of any of the current cultivation alternatives, both dry and irrigated, so although it can be grown under certain conditions, its economic profitability is zero.

 

The use of certified seeds of low-carb hemp varieties tetrahydrocannabinol (THC < 0,2%), registered in the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species of the European Union, is the first step to legally cultivate hemp in Spain, since regardless of the percentage of THC, hemp intended for the production of buds for the extraction of any cannabinoid, including CBD, is subject to the with prior authorization from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).

 

The proliferation of intermediary agents that offer farmers the purchase of hemp under a certain appearance of legality and with very attractive economic conditions at first glance, you can have some consecuencias included criminally liable, where the risks far outweigh the expectations of benefits.

 

The farmer must have a series of precautions to avoid being deceived and not fall into conduct that could lead to criminal liability, since there are certain illegal practices by buyers of hemp supposedly for industrial, medicinal, horticultural, biomass, or other purposes that hide the underlying purpose of producing CBD or THC. These are as follows:

  1. The buyer of the hemp harvest does NOT have written authorization from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS).Any use other than the production of fiber, seeds, or grains may only be carried out with written authorization from the AEMPS (Spanish Agricultural Service). If the buyer does not have this authorization, it is an initial warning sign that the farmer should take into account. The producer/plot would also require authorization from the AEMPS (Spanish Agricultural Service).
  2. The farmer does NOT directly receive or handle the hemp seed to be grown.Only certified seed of certain varieties of hemp is legal to cultivate. This seed is sold in sealed containers with an identification label and is the only guarantee of the legal origin of the plant material. The fact that the buyer provides "legal" labels separately upon delivery of the plant material means that the farmer assumes the risk of cultivating plant material of unknown origin, which can entail serious legal consequences.
  3. The farmer directly receives already germinated seedlings for cultivation.Similar to the previous warning, this practice means that the farmer assumes all the risk of growing material of unknown and, in many cases, irregular origin.

However, there is no regulation preventing a seed company from providing seed germination services, but it is the seed company's responsibility to guarantee the legal origin and traceability of the germinated plant material. However, vegetative propagation is a distinct operation from mere seed germination and is therefore not permitted under national regulations.

  1. The price to be received for the production of hemp is linked to characteristics other than the mere production of seeds, grains or fiber, such as, for example, references to the content of CBD of the harvestThis is a clear sign that fiber or biomass production is intended to give an appearance of legality to a prohibited activity, such as the production of CBD from hemp buds.
  2. The buyer (and supplier of the seeds) is NOT responsible in the event that the analysis carried out on the already implanted crop exceeds the maximum level legally established for the content in THCIn many cases, the lack of control over the material actually planted (not always related to the labels kept as proof) causes certain seed batches to exceed the legal THC limits, a risk assumed by the grower alone and which constitutes criminally punishable conduct.
  3. The buyer establishes, verbally or in writing, cultivation practices not oriented towards the production of seeds or fiberThe most obvious case is that plants are required to be harvested at the flowering stage, a clear sign that the desired product is the buds and not the seeds or fiber.

 

When the crop is intended for fiber and grain production, prior authorization is not required AEMPSIn these cases, the following should be taken into account:

  • You need to use certified seeds of varieties registered in the Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species of the European Union, or of varieties that have a provisional marketing authorisation, according to Commission Decision 2004/842/EC1 of 1 December 2004, which have a content of the narcotic principle tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of less than 0,2%.

  • The cultivation can only be allocated to obtain fiber, grain and seeds and in no case can a differentiated manipulation of the buds be carried out.

  • Necessary register the farm and perform the annual production statement in the Registry of Agricultural and Forestry Holdings of Andalusia

  • It is convenient inform the nearest Civil Guard or National Police station the location and purpose of the crop, before starting any cultivation practice.

 

Current regulations solo contemplates the authorization of the AEMPS for medical and scientific uses, so the production of buds for cosmetic use is not allowed currently in no case in our country.

 

In the case of hemp for human consumption Only those foods that come exclusively from hemp grains (seeds not intended for sowing) have a history of safe and significant consumption, such as, for example, oil, hemp protein and hemp flour, as long as they are varieties with a THC content below 0,2%Other parts of the hemp plant, such as leaves, stems, buds, etc., have not been able to demonstrate a history of significant or safe consumption in the European Union before May 15, 1997, and are therefore considered novel foods and fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods.

 

To produce hemp seeds, it is initial requirement be registered as Seed and Nursery Plant Products, in the corresponding category according to Royal Decree 1891/2008 and classified within the group of textile species, and must also comply with the Technical Regulation for the Control and Certification of Textile Plant Seeds approved by Order ARM/3372/2010.

 

At this point, we understand that The profitability of hemp cultivation lies in contracting with a buyer who has authorization from the AEMPS and supply us with certified seedThe farmer's involvement in the process is limited to cultivating the plant. When it comes time to harvest, the buyer will be responsible for removing 100% of the plants, not just the buds.

 

Thus The farmer only has to worry about the plant growing strong, healthy, and free of pests and diseases., limiting its activity to crop management: irrigation, nutrition, green operations, phytosanitary control, etc. Hemp is not a particularly demanding plant in terms of nutrition and does not usually have serious problems with pests and diseases, although it should be kept in mind that A well-nourished and hydrated plant will be less susceptible to the effects of biotic agents and will better withstand abiotic stresses..

 

From the technical department of Cultivator We recommend a global management of the crop aimed at prevent stressful situations, since these could produce hormonal changes whose effects on THC and CBD levels are not yet clear.

 

The first of the recommended products is MICROVITAL – L, indicated to improve the crop establishment, its vegetative development as well as for prevent deficiencies of magnesium, boron, iron, manganese and zinc. It is a biological soil activator of plant origin Rich in organic complexes of magnesium and micronutrients that also includes flavonoid molecules with high antioxidant capacityThis product can be used throughout the entire crop cycle, although it is especially important during the establishment phase.

Another product focused on improving soil conditions is Cultifort DESAL. Thanks to its formulation Corrects soils and waters with saline-sodium problems, with high electrical conductivity (EC), while helping to correct calcium deficiencies. It also corrects problems associated with sodium, chlorine, and magnesium in irrigation water. Thanks to Cultifort DESAL, we achieve improve drainage and irrigation efficiency It also prevents waterlogging. Its formulation contains organic acids that bind to the clay-humic complex, helping to increase the soil's Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC).

Spiralis Long Life y Spiralis ECO Long Life sWith innovative products developed through our advanced research in Natural Defensive Biotechnology. These fertilizers contain a unique combination of organic acids and peptides derived from green and red algae, which are rapidly absorbed and strengthen plant defenses against abiotic stress.

Spiralis stimulates plants' natural defenses, promoting the synthesis of defensive molecules and facilitating their mobilization. Thanks to its cutting-edge formulation, these solutions are fully absorbed by plants in a short period of time and their effects can last for weeks.

To induce floweringIn addition to the strict requirements of light, temperature and humidity, we can count on BVC 2021, metabolic activator that acts even under adverse conditionsa potent cytokinin effectIts function as a metabolic activator is based on the provision of precursors of natural substances and the improvement of active substance profiles.

BVC

And finally, to maintain a complete and balanced nutrition, periodic use of is recommended FERKOLOR, a formulated Rich in potassium, with nitrogen, calcium and boron, chelated with EDTA, chlorine-free and with neutral pHThanks to FERKOLOR, we'll improve both growth and flowering, as well as proper bud formation, preventing flower abortions, bud drop, or bud deformation.