Italy's Senate has passed the controversial "Security bill," converting it into law amid strong protests from opposition parties and civil society groups. Among the many sectors impacted is the low-THC cannabis industry, which now faces sweeping restrictions.
Under the new legislation, the sale of hemp with a THC content below legal thresholds is effectively banned in nearly all its forms. The law prohibits the sale, transport, processing, and even possession of hemp flowers, including dried or ground material, as well as any products derived from them, such as oils, extracts, and resins.
Industrial use remains, but the scope narrows
Only two types of activities remain legal: industrial processing for uses already permitted by law (e.g., textiles), and agricultural seed production. The stated goal of the law is to prevent "alterations to the psychophysical state" that could, according to the text, "endanger public safety, health, or road safety."
Additionally, the decree amends Italy's 2016 hemp law, originally designed to promote the sector. The updated version now specifies that its provisions apply exclusively to industrial supply chains.
What's no longer allowed
The list of banned activities includes "importation, distribution, processing, sale, transport, shipment, and delivery" of hemp inflorescences, regardless of THC content or intended use. This means hemp flowers can no longer be sold.
Products like oils and tinctures are likewise banned, unless produced under the narrow scope of industrial or seed-related applications.
Severe penalties for non-compliance
Violations of the new hemp restrictions will now fall under Italy's narcotics laws. This opens the door to steep penalties, including fines from €26,000 to €260,000 and prison sentences ranging from six to twenty years for illegal production, trafficking, or possession.
Participation in an organization aimed at trafficking these products could result in up to 20 years in prison for the leadership or investors, and at least 10 years for members. Penalties may also apply to those facilitating cannabis use, including suspension of a driver's license for up to three years, even in cases of personal use.
Additional aggravating circumstances apply if the product is distributed near schools, hospitals, or to minors. In effect, legal standards once applied only to narcotics are now fully extended to hemp.
Industry impact
The new law marks a major step back for Italy's hemp sector, which had been growing steadily under the 2016 legislation. With retail sales, exports, and R&D projects now thrown into uncertainty, producers, retailers, and consumers alike are left waiting to see how enforcement will unfold, and whether future legal challenges might shift the landscape once again.