Turkey Legalizes Cannabis Growth in 19 Provinces

New regulations from Turkey’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock will now allow 19 provinces in the country to legally produce cannabis for medical use.

The new laws, officially called “Hemp Cultivation and Control of Regulations,” allow for medical cannabis to be grown with strict requirements. Growers must obtain permission from the government before beginning to grow, and permission only grants those businesses three years to grow. Those growers must also prove that they have not been involved in any illegal cannabis production in the past, as well as any narcotic-related activities, according to The Independent.

Officials of the ministry will check the approved cannabis fields once a month to check for any illegal activities being conducted. Finally, following each cannabis harvest season, the government requires that all excess plant material must be disposed of, to prevent any extra material being sold as a psychoactive material.

The Independent also reported that the Ministry might make exceptions for cannabis to be grown in other provinces, but only if they are growing for “scientific purposes.”

Consuming recreational cannabis in Turkey is illegal, and possessing, purchasing or receiving any illegal drug, cannabis included, can net the violator up to two years in prison for such offenses. The punishment is much harsher when it comes to selling or supplying illegal drugs in the country, where violators can have received a prison term of up to 10 years.