The Historical Journey of Hemp in Turkey – Part III
9/4/20252 min read
One of the most significant milestones for hemp in Turkey occurred in 2024 with the enactment of the “Regulation on Hemp Cultivation for Pharmaceutical Active Ingredient Production.” This regulation established the legal framework for the production of medical cannabis and CBD. From now on, hemp cultivation for medical purposes can only be carried out by producers licensed by both the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Health. Every stage of production—from seed selection to harvest, from processing facilities to storage—is strictly regulated. With CBD recognized as a pharmaceutical compound used in the treatment of conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety, this development has brought the sector into new prominence. For the first time in Turkey, CBD production is now legally possible under international pharmaceutical standards and with official authorization.
Looking at cultivation areas, hemp sowing, which had nearly disappeared between the 2000s and 2010s, began to revive after 2020. While approximately 3,000 decares were planted in 2000, this dropped to 442 decares by 2010 and only 20 decares by 2015. However, the 2016 regulation and subsequent incentives changed the trajectory. In 2018, 114 decares were cultivated, rising to 696 decares in 2019 and 4,353 decares in 2020. Although the figure fell to 641 decares in 2021, it rose again to 2,328 in 2022 and 6,040 in 2023. The year 2024 marked a record: 16,051 decares of hemp were cultivated in total, half for fiber and half for seed production. While official data for 2025 has not yet been released, industry representatives estimate a 10–15% increase, with cultivation concentrated especially in the provinces of Samsun, Kastamonu, and Tokat.
This historical journey shows that hemp is not merely an agricultural product for Turkey but also an economic and strategic asset. Once the backbone of the Ottoman navy and a driver of industrialization in the early Republic, hemp was nearly forgotten under international pressure after the 1970s, yet it is now experiencing a strong revival. The opportunities ahead are broad: textiles, construction materials, biocomposites, and the pharmaceutical industry stand out as leading fields for hemp utilization. At the same time, the European Union’s Green Deal, carbon-neutral targets, and global regulations offer Turkey a strong platform to position hemp as a strategic advantage.
The most important lesson from hemp’s historical journey in Turkey is clear: with the right policies and sustainable models, this crop can create value for both farmers and industry. Today’s steps, combined with lessons from the past, make it entirely possible for hemp to once again become a powerful pillar of the national economy.