Armenia approves hemp production, sale, export
The government of the Republic of Armenia approved a draft law on Thursday, April 29 to allow the cultivation, import, export, and sale of industrial hemp.
The acting Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan mentioned that a special license will be needed for the production and sale of industrial hemp.
The government explained that about a third of agricultural lands in Armenia are unused and allowing industrial hemp production in the country would boost agricultural development and increase the economic output of the Republic of Armenia by providing a new source of income and improving the living conditions of a large sector of Armenian citizens who would otherwise have no other means of generating sustainable income.
“In particular, the development of cannabis production as a new sub-branch of business will create many new jobs in places where there is always the problem of providing the local population with jobs (income),” a government official said.
Back in February 2021, the now-acting, Deputy Prime Minister Avinyan noted that the US, Russia, and China have a great experience with industrial hemp production.
He continued “That experience has been studied by the Ministry of Economy, a preliminary concept has already been developed. And we also have a rough idea of the regulations. We are talking only about industrial hemp. It will significantly activate the use of lands in the field of agriculture. Quite a lot of land, about 40% of agricultural land, is not used. It is not only about hemp, but there are also other crops that give high-value products and we will definitely push forward this policy.” said Tigran Avinyan.
Hemp is indigenous to Armenia and one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth and can be used to make a wide range of products. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.