Italy’s Senate has officially passed a far-reaching security decree that includes a ban on the sale and distribution of “cannabis light” (CBD Flower) — hemp-based products containing minimal THC. The move, driven by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition, aims to curb perceived threats to public order but is being criticized as a significant step backward for the country’s hemp and wellness industries.
The law classifies cannabis light under narcotic control, despite its non-intoxicating profile. Businesses across Italy that built their models around legal hemp now face closure. “This is not just a blow to the economy — it’s a cultural attack,” said Mauro Bucci, owner of a Florence-based CBD shop. The new law is part of a broader package that also targets protest movements, squatting, and migration controls.
Opponents argue the crackdown is political theater aimed at conservative voters, with little basis in science or public health data. In fact, cannabis light had become a thriving gray-market wellness product, with many Italians using it for anxiety, sleep, and pain management — particularly where pharmaceutical options were less effective or desirable.
Industry analysts predict over €400 million in annual revenue may be lost due to the ban, alongside thousands of jobs. Advocates are already preparing a legal challenge, citing potential violations of EU free-market rules. Meanwhile, neighboring countries with friendlier hemp policies are expected to pick up the displaced economic activity.
What do you think? Is this a good or bad move for the Italian hemp industry?
Source: Reuters
