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A newly formed Industrial Hemp Innovations Hub will head up a key UK parliamentary body, marking a renewed national effort to reform hemp policy and support sector development.
The Hub, at Aberystwyth University in Wales, will serve as the Secretariat to the newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Industrial Hemp. Stakeholders said the new APPG will bring research integrity, agronomic expertise, and a policy-neutral platform to the process of expanding the industry.
The new hemp APPG follows the collapse of a previous group focused on CBD and hemp. That group, beset by internal disputes and credibility issues, failed to deliver coherent policy guidance despite initial ambitions laid out in its 2022 strategy document, A Plan for a Legal and Regulated UK Hemp and Cannabis Sector.
Driving change
The Innovations Hub, which positions Wales as a center for sustainable economic growth through hemp-based technologies, spans key applications including textiles, construction, biofuels, food, bioplastics, animal products, and pharmaceuticals. It will prioritize environmental goals such as carbon sequestration and soil regeneration, while supporting rural economies and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Stakeholders said the launch represents a turning point for the hemp sector, which can now develop targeted policy frameworks that address barriers such as restrictive licensing, a lack of processing infrastructure, and underdeveloped supply chains.
Advocates have long suggested that hemp’s rapid growth, low input requirements, and versatility make it a valuable alternative crop for UK farmers, while emphasizing that without regulatory reform, particularly on licensing and end-market development, adoption will remain limited.
A platform for progress
As Secretariat to the new APPG, the Hub is positioned to influence national policy and expand industrial hemp’s role in decarbonizing industries, boosting green jobs, and revitalizing rural communities. The initiative offers a fresh start for UK hemp policy after years of false starts, disjointed advocacy, and overpromised projections.
Industry representatives praised the new model as realistic and rooted in scientific research and economic practicality, rather than hype. They expressed optimism that a more focused and transparent approach would finally allow the UK to harness hemp’s full industrial and environmental potential.
The UK Parliament’s engagement with hemp and CBD policy has evolved over the past several years through the formation of All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). Initially, the sectors were addressed jointly under the APPG for CBD Products, which was formed in November 2021. That group expanded its remit in 2023 to include industrial hemp, rebranding as the APPG for Industrial Hemp and CBD Products to reflect growing interest in both consumer cannabinoids and hemp’s industrial applications.
Legacy of missteps
The forerunner APPG struggled with leadership resignations, infighting among trade groups, and unrealistic market projections. Disagreements over novel food rules, licensing reform, and governance transparency undermined confidence. Its Secretariat, Tenacious Labs, faced criticism for lack of openness and its dual role as both policy manager and private CBD operator.
Meanwhile, the group’s 2022 roadmap drew industry skepticism for wildly optimistic projections, including claims that 220,000 hectares of hemp could be planted in the UK by 2027—a 27,000% increase from existing levels.
Still, the document—A Plan for a Legal and Regulated UK Hemp and Cannabis Sector—included several pragmatic recommendations that remain relevant:
Shift administrative oversight of hemp cultivation to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Eliminate the requirement to destroy hemp crops exceeding the pre-validated 0.3% THC threshold.
Include EU-registered seed varieties in the UK National List and streamline new variety approvals.
Support genetic and agronomic research to expand available certified seed options.
Commission reviews to assess suitable THC limits in field hemp and consumer products.
Measure only delta-9 THC in regulatory assessments, excluding other cannabinoids.
Develop standardized testing protocols and require Certificates of Analysis from accredited labs.
Establish clear definitions of product categories by cannabinoid content and potency.
Introduce updated labeling guidelines for hemp-based products.
Review the Novel Food Regulations to better accommodate hemp-derived supplements.
Revisit recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, including a serving-based approach to daily cannabinoid intake.
“}]] Stakeholders said the launch represents a turning point for the hemp sector, which can now develop targeted policy frameworks. Read More
