Hemp Federation of Ireland (Hemp Federation Ireland)

Lobbying Organisation Hemp Federation of Ireland

Date published 20 Sep, 2022

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022

Specific Details Request to the Oireachtas Committees on Health and Agriculture to review the validity of proposed legislation amending Misuse of Drugs Act(s)

Intended results To stay the progress of proposed legislation pending clarification of its apparent and substantial conflict with EU law, EU Court of Justice rulings and clarifications of the Irish High Court Clarification of the validity of the criminal prosecution of Irish hemp operators for failing to possess Ministerial licences when no such licences existed and no legal mechanism allowing for the provision of such licences existed within the State. Acknowledgement that EU CMO regulations which are directly applicable to Ireland have already established the legal THC content in the EU hemp crop. Clarification of the legal basis for the regulation of the legal EU hemp crop as a controlled drug by the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Restoration of the annual incomes of Irish hemp farmers. Clarification of the legality of the refusal to issue cultivation licences to Irish hemp farmers in 2022 Acknowledgement of the clarifications provided by the EU Commission regarding appropriate regulation of the agricultural hemp crop and derived products. Clarification of the legality of extraordinary interpretation(s) and application(s) of EU Novel Food law within the hemp sector in Ireland. Acknowledgement of the fact that CBD can only be made using the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant as clarified by the EU Court of Justice ruling in case C-663/18 A full investigation into the legality of the regulation of the EU agricultural hemp crop and derived products as narcotic drugs by Irish authorities since 2018 and its impact on the lives, livelihoods, families and reputations of Irish hemp farmers and operators.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Chris Allen

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

A letter was sent to both Oireachtas Committees (Health and Agriculture) via their respective Clerks/Secretariats.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)