From plant to medicine - cannabis cultivation

Hemp has been cultivated and used as a crop under strict conditions in Germany for thousands of years. With the legalization of medical cannabis in more and more countries, the global demand for regulated cultivation of the plant has increased. In Germany, too, the legal changes in 2017 brought new requirements for the cultivation and safety of the plant.

Medical Cannabis – an Economic Miracle?

Due to its low demands, cannabis can be cultivated worldwide. According to the World Drug Report, it is difficult to obtain precise statistics on global production because the illegal status and black market often cause significant data gaps. Nevertheless, the plant seems to be present on almost every continent. In North America, Europe, and Oceania, it is primarily grown indoors. Major producers include Morocco, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. Since cannabis was traded illegally for many years, developing countries whose populations rely on cultivation for survival have often struggled with drug-related crime. With the legalization of medical cannabis, countries like Colombia can now engage in regulated and legal sales. This creates many jobs and strengthens national economies. With investments from large companies, increasingly modern and secure plantations are being established where large quantities of cannabis can be cultivated and sold.

Plants in a Bank Vault

In Germany, cannabis cultivation is becoming increasingly popular and plays a growing role in agriculture under strict regulations. These plants may contain a maximum THC level of 0.2%, making them virtually non-psychoactive. The new law legalizing medical cannabis introduced new regulations and requirements for cultivation. Through a tender process, three companies were granted permission to produce medical cannabis in Germany. Everything from building the plantations to packaging the final product is strictly monitored. Behind thick steel walls and fences, industrial medical cannabis is produced. Hundreds of cameras monitor the orderly execution of work processes and prevent illegal activities. The plant manager at Aphria Germany, one of the cultivating companies, puts it this way: “The plants grow in a bank vault.” This ensures the security of the product itself as well as the entire cultivation and handling process.