An important role to play
Daniel Kruse, president of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) and one of the key players in this global effort, said the new body - which will have to deal with how best to prioritize industry development - has as its first goal the removal of hemp from the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Schedule I).
In the long run, this international coalition should help foster relationships among all stakeholders, but it will also provide an opportunity to advance the industry's agenda with a more favorable context for evolving partnerships, trade, and especially global regulation.
In particular, the organization aims to represent the hemp industry to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), which in turn depends on the World Meteorological Organization as well as the United Nations Environment Program, to debate environmental issues and climate change itself.
This association also plans to reach out to the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), regarding Codex Alimentarius standards ensuring food safety for marketing.
Among the most pressing concerns are international standards for maximum allowable THC levels for hemp flowers and finished products, seed registration standards, crop protection, or product and process standards.
Creation of an international research journal
Alongside this, consideration would be given to establishing a similar technical association that would then publish an international hemp research journal with a busy peer review network.
Finally, there is a real desire to create a venue conducive to cooperation and information sharing with an opportunity to develop a single voice bringing together industries from around the world. In other words, the ambition is great and the intent is laudable as it is to improve the engagement of the hemp sector, to the benefit of all.
