Hemp seeds are the seeds of the well-known hemp plants, the cousins of cannabis that are so popular in Spain today because their flowers have no psychotropic effects. Many farmers are joining the green gold rush and deciding to replace their traditional crops with hemp, but not everything goes in the industrial or medical hemp sector. We review the legality of hemp seeds in Spain to find out when it is legal to plant hemp seeds and for what purposes.
Which hemp seeds can be grown in Spain
In Spain, as in any EU member state, only EU-certified hemp seeds can be grown. This means that legal seeds are those listed in the EU Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species. The reason only these seeds are allowed is to guarantee crop quality and ensure that the resulting plants do not exceed the THC levels set by law. To obtain EU certification, hemp seeds undergo various quality tests. The hemp seeds in the Common Catalogue have been assessed on their traceability, uniformity, germination rate, yield, cannabinoid levels and origin. In fact, to register a hemp seed in the Common Catalogue, the producer must submit all this data for assessment. The catalogue of EU-certified hemp seeds is updated every year, and all the seeds it includes are intended exclusively for industrial hemp cultivation. Industrial hemp cultivation does not require prior licences, except those required by the agriculture authorities, and excludes the production of cannabis flowers. Industrial hemp only covers the production of the uncontrolled parts of the plant, such as leaves, stalks and roots.
What hemp plants grown in Spain can be used for
All EU-certified hemp seeds can be grown, but not for any purpose. The only legal use for hemp seeds in Spain is industrial. Hemp fields can only be used for the production of hemp fibre, for the construction or textile sector, or for the production of hemp seeds for the food sector. In other words, hemp flowers cannot be produced, only leaves, stalks, roots and seeds, which are the uncontrolled parts of the plant used in the construction and food sectors. People tend to think that if the hemp seeds are EU-certified, the crop can be used to produce flowers, but that is not the case. The flower of the hemp plant, even if its THC level does not exceed 0.3%, cannot be sold in Spain. Hemp flowers can only be sold when you hold a licence from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. Without an AEMPS licence, the only hemp that can be grown in Spain is industrial hemp. So producing fibre for the construction industry or seeds for the food sector are the only uses that can be given to industrial hemp crops.
What are edible hemp seeds?
Apart from being seeds for cultivation, hemp seeds are also a food product. In fact, hulled hemp seeds have recently become a booming food because of their high nutritional value. There is no organic supermarket that does not stock them, and no real-food fan who lives without them.
How to eat hemp seeds
Hemp seeds can be eaten raw, with or without their shell; as a powder food supplement; as flour; or as oil. When eaten raw (they are usually sold hulled and chopped) they can be eaten on their own or added to any dish. Their texture is reminiscent of flaked almonds and they add a crunchy touch to dishes. They can be used as a topping to add texture and flavour to yoghurts, salads or fruit salads, just like sesame or pumpkin seeds. Of course, hemp seeds have many more benefits than any other seed, as they are far more nourishing. Athletes looking for protein sources to feed their muscles often take them as a powder, as a food supplement. There is also hemp seed flour, which can be used like any cereal flour. Finally, they can be consumed in liquid form, as the oil obtained by pressing the seeds.
Nutritional properties of hemp seeds
The nutritional richness of hemp seeds lies in the fact that they are the plant food with the highest concentration of protein, and that they provide a greater amount of fatty acids than any other food, of plant or animal origin. That explains their popularity: they are an easy way to take in protein, omega 9, omega 3 and omega 6. These components act as vasodilators, lowering blood pressure and helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition, hemp seeds contain, for example, glutamic acid, which stimulates the immune system; and arginine, which is a vasodilator and promotes muscle development
Do you need legal advice?
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