UK-based organic hemp grower and manufacturer Hempen has been forced to destroy its entire crop after the Home Office revoked its hemp grower’s licence.
Last year, the Home Office said UK farmers could not harvest hemp flowers for cannabis oil, or CBD, but could continue to grow seed and stalk. So, Hempen switched its focus to growing seed and stalk, which can be used to make cold-pressed seed oil and hemp flour.
However, last week the Home Office told the company that it would have to cease production entirely.
The decision could cost the Oxfordshire based cooperative as much as £200,000, co-founder Patrick Gillett told the BBC.
As well as being a certified grower or organic hemp, the not-for-profit business also manufactures a range of branded hemp and CBD products. It hopes to avoid job losses by changing its product offering and continuing to supply CBD by importing it from a European partner, which is still legal.
Growing its own, certified organic hemp has been central to Hempen’s founding ethos, which is based on “living harmoniously with the land and creating sustainable rural livelihoods”.
In a special blog post, the company says that “after legal advice and with heavy hearts, we’ve been forced to destroy our crop”.
“This news only strengthens our resolve to reverse this decision, and raise awareness about the incredible and diverse ways that the hemp plant can help us, our community and our planet”
Th post continues: “Farming hemp is good for us and for the land we live on. This news only strengthens our resolve to reverse this decision, and raise awareness about the incredible and diverse ways that the hemp plant can help us, our community and our planet.”
Photo: Hempen