VIENTIANE :The Ministry of Health has issued regulations on the production and sale of hemp for medicinal purposes, in line with Lao, regional and global management rules.

The regulations fall into five categories, namely cultivation; extraction, production and processing; storage; distribution and use; import, export and transportation.

All activities in these categories must be approved by the Investment Promotion Department of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Health.

Anyone wishing to grow hemp for medicinal use and sale must be a qualified pharmacist, hold Lao nationality, have a bachelor degree, and have five years’ work experience in pharmacy. Hemp must not be grown on an area larger than 100 hectares, and the extent and location of the site must be clearly indicated in legal documents.

The seeds used must be registered by the authorities concerned and approved by the Ministry of Health.

Imported seeds must not exceed 2.2 kilograms in weight, with no more than 52,000 seeds to be planted on one hectare.

A comprehensive system of control must be established in line with standard agricultural practices regarding the cultivation of plants for medicinal use, and must include crop analysis, harvesting, transportation and reporting.

A business that wishes to carry out hemp oil extraction, production and processing must have a suitable location and use appropriate materials in line with Ministry of Health guidelines. The facility used for extraction must also have safe storage arrangements.

If any oil is lost or destroyed, the Food and Drug Department of the Ministry of Health should be informed within 24 hours.

A business that wishes to store hemp must have a secure place for the storage of hemp flower panicles, flower oil, seed oil and other parts of the plant, to guard against loss or destruction.

Hemp plants must be kept separate from all other materials. Accounts must be kept of income and expenses relating to hemp flower panicles, flower oil, seed oil and other parts of the plant, and a record of transactions submitted to the Food and Drug Department monthly and annually.

A business that intends to distribute and use products obtained from hemp plants must use flower panicles that contain not more than 1 percent dry weight of THC.

All food, drugs and medical products intended for distribution and use in medical work must be properly and safely managed. All products must be registered by the Food and Drug Department.

A business that wishes to import or export hemp flower panicles, flower oil, seed oil or other parts of the hemp plant may only do so after obtaining permission from the Food and Drug Department. All operations and activities relating to the cultivation, production and sale of hemp oil must be fully and accurately recorded.

  - ANN