The protest against the security decree, which effectively equates low-THC hemp to THC-rich cannabis, has also reached the Southern Italy city of Brindisi.
Protesting against the Security Bill
The demonstration will take place this morning at 11:30 in Piazza Santa Teresa, where the CGIL union has called on everyone to rally under the slogan "We are not illegal; we are labor, environment, agriculture, innovation, and research." The union writes that the rule "risks compromising the activity and sustainability of thousands of agricultural companies in Italy, including hundreds of companies in Salento, 61 of which are in Brindisi," along with all the associated employment issues. The core of the matter, therefore, is that the government equates "hemp flowers, with a THC content lower than 0.6 percent, to cannabis with psychoactive effects, completely ignoring scientific evidence and European Union regulations. This decision risks destroying a sector that, in recent years, has experienced significant economic growth and provides employment for thousands of people."
Damage to local businesses
CGIL states this hemp flower-ban amendment is "ideological and lacking economic rationality. It only benefits large corporations at the expense of small and medium-sized local businesses." Additionally, the amendment, they say, "violates the principle of free movement of goods, disregards the established case law of the European Court of Justice, and lacks proportionality. If passed, it would not only violate EU internal market rules but also cause serious harm to Italy's agricultural and commercial hemp sector, with devastating economic and legal consequences. This measure risks exposing Italy to sanctions by the European Union and increased market marginalization."
To further validate their argument, the union compares the approach of other EU member states: "Germany, for example, has recently legalized the recreational use of cannabis. France and Spain have long legislated in favor of the cultivation of hemp flowers, adhering to EU standards. In Italy, however, the government seems to be moving in the opposite direction, with an outdated and entirely ideological approach. Banning the cultivation and marketing of hemp flowers means forfeiting a major economic opportunity and dismantling a supply chain that successfully integrates innovation, tradition, and sustainability."
The appeal: withdraw the amendment
The CGIL of Brindisi is now appealing to the government to "withdraw the amendment and reconsider its position on the matter, aligning with European regulations. It is essential to protect the hemp sector and ensure a future for thousands of Italian companies and workers. Our fight is for the future of the local economy, the protection of Made in Italy, the environment, and a sustainable development model."
Source: quotidianodipuglia.it