TÜRKİYE'S MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED -
EXPLORING CANNABIS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN TÜRKİYE (REVIEW)
The "Regulation on the Cultivation and Control of Cannabis for the Purpose of Producing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients" was published in the Republic of Türkiye's Official Gazette on September 13, 2024, No. 32661.
We would like to express our full support for all positive steps taken toward the complete abolition of the "Cannabis Ban," which, for over 60 years, has been unjust, unscientific, and completely out of line with Türkiye's historical and traditional perspectives, having been entirely based on foreign propaganda, and slogans which influenced Türkiye like it did in many other countries.
As Medical Cannabis Türkiye movement (non-profit), for nearly 9 years, we have submitted numerous petitions, along with hundreds of pages of informational notes, primarily to the Presidency, our Ministry of Agriculture (and its related institutions), as well as the Ministry of Health and our universities. In these submissions, we have highlighted:
• The historical background behind the prohibition of medical cannabis, emphasizing that the political decisions taken were devoid of any scientific basis, relying solely on lobbying activities and propagandas;
• Our concerns regarding the protection of the Anatolian Landrace Cannabis Strain(s);
• Global developments in medical cannabis and what we, as a country, can do in this field.
In all of our communications, we made it clear that we would respond to any questions directed to us without requesting any compensation for our assistance or advice.
Despite all the resistance and opposition from the "bureaucratic oligarchy" (status quo), the current government's initiatives to break down 60+ year-old taboos surrounding cannabis have been remarkable, and we find this latest regulation to be a very significant and positive development.
SUMMARY OF NEW MEDICINAL CANNABIS LAW:
In fact, the regulation doesn't yet provide a detailed explanation. We've asked the ministry for clarification on the reasons for this and are still awaiting a response.
• (It has not been clarified which cannabinoids are legal. Instead, the regulation refers to substances or combinations of substances that are) "presented as having the ability to treat or prevent disease in humans, or that exert a pharmacological, immunological, or metabolic effect to correct, improve, alter physiological functions, or are used/applied for medical diagnosis in humans." Article 4- (b)
• For scientific research is defined as follows: "Within the agricultural activities related to cannabis cultivation for the purpose of producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, traditional methods such as selection, hybridization, and breeding, as well as modern breeding techniques such as tissue culture and micropropagation (biotechnological applications), laboratory studies on cannabis breeding efforts and the preservation of its genetic structure, and research approved by the Ministry of Health." Article 4- (c)
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE AND PERMIT:
• “Individuals or legal entities must submit a detailed project document to the Turkish Grain Board (TMO). This document must include the production plan, location details of the cultivation site, a procurement protocol, firm's business experience etc. between October 1 and October 31.” Article 5- (2)
• In Article 5 (4), it is stated that "Applications will be evaluated according to the quota determined by the President of Türkiye based on the country's supply and demand situation, and the results will be communicated to the applicant in writing by December 31."
However, the explanation does not clarify what the quota entails or whether there will be any restrictions (quotas) on production intended for export.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GETTING A CERTIFICATE:
• No past tax liabilities in Türkiye, “Not having received a prison sentence of five years or more for a deliberately committed crime, including offenses against Türkiye’s security, crimes against the constitutional order and its functioning, crimes against national defense, crimes against state secrets and espionage, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, theft, fraud, forgery, breach of trust, fraudulent bankruptcy, money laundering from criminal activities, drug and stimulant offenses, smuggling offenses, and crimes falling under the scope of the Anti-Terror Law as well as any offenses regarding narcotic substances, with a document certifying that there is no record of such offenses” in Türkiye. Article 6- (ç)
• “A protocol signed with the company that will sell the produced active pharmaceutical ingredient, including the characteristics and quantity of the active pharmaceutical ingredients.” Article 6- (d)
• “Production site permit obtained from the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency.” Article 6- (e)
“FACILITIES; Where Cannabis Cultivation Will Take Place (SECTION THREE Provisions Regarding Facilities for Cultivation)”:
• “Under this regulation, cannabis cultivation for the purpose of producing active pharmaceutical ingredients must be conducted in facilities that are; climate-controlled, and equipped with high-security measures. These facilities must have a comprehensive camera system for monitoring, sufficient lighting, and an alarm system. To ensure the protection and security of these facilities, an adequate number of private security personnel must be employed.” Article 9- (1) (*)
(*) Looks like cultivation areas refer to indoor facilities only. There is no information regarding greenhouse or full outdoor cultivation. We have also inquired about these details with the Ministry.
“PROVISIONS REGARDING TRADE (Domestic and International Sales and Transport Operations-Section 5)”:
“Sells the produced active pharmaceutical ingredient domestically to individuals or legal entities that have obtained permission from the Ministry of Health.” Article 13- (1)
"Individuals or legal entities wishing to export the active pharmaceutical ingredient they produce can do so with an export permit obtained from the Turkish Ministry of Health, They can export to firms that have an import permit from the authority recognized by the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board in their country." Article 13- (3)
"Exports are carried out solely by air." Article 13- (a/3)
(*) You can access the full text of the law (in Turkish) from this link; Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey
UPDATE: The Presidency's 2025 Decision on the Quota for the Number of Medical Cannabis Plants and Cultivation Areas:
With the decision published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye dated October 30, 2024, and numbered 32707, the Presidency has set the national total quota for cannabis cultivation for the purpose of producing pharmaceutical active ingredients as follows:
• Limited to 5,000 m² of cultivation area,
• Limited to 120,000 plants annually.
(*) The quota limit will be determined by the Presidency each year.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN TÜRKİYE’S MEDICAL CANNABIS MARKET (GATEWAY TO EUROPE, RUSSIA, AND THE MIDDLE EAST):
After a 60-year ban and the near collapse of industrial hemp production, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that traditional hemp farmers' knowledge of cannabis cultivation — once part of their collective memory — has been almost entirely lost. This becomes evident from the reports and findings of seminars organized by Türkiye's Ministry of Agriculture and universities.
Specialized equipment for cannabis, including lighting and ventilation (climate control) systems, CO2 devices, soil, coco, hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation systems, fertilizers, additives, and pesticides, are currently available on sale in Türkiye. However, nearly all well-known brands are imported. As a result, prices are astronomically high.
Therefore, it seems extremely difficult for local producers to compete with production costs in global cannabis market. On the other hand, using local or cheaper products carries risks, such as the potential for contaminants in the final product, which could lead to negative results in testing.
Türkiye is in a position to offer clear opportunities for investment in establishing production centers for all aspects of manufacturing, facility construction, and operations such as:
1- Lighting, climate control systems, and control mechanisms
2- Cultivation materials and equipment
3- Nutrients, additives, IPM, soil, etc.
4- Irrigation, spraying automation systems, and equipment
5- Genetic development, seeds, tissue culture and seedling production
6- Extraction systems and storage equipment
7- Packaging
8- Testing laboratories, equipment, and kits
9- Skilled personnel (Master Growers).
10- Planning and construction of cultivation facilities from scratch
11- Branding and Marketing etc.
GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGES OF TÜRKİYE IN MEDICAL CANNABIS CULTIVATION:
As can be seen in the areas highlighted on the Google satellite map below; Türkiye is located in a geographical belt suitable for growing high-quality cannabis, placing it in a more advantageous position than California, Colorado, Spain, Morocco, and even Afghanistan.
The primary advantage among these is the length of the sunny days, along with the extended period of the temperate climate zone that is needed in winter times.
ANNUAL AVERAGE SUNSHINE DURATION MAP OF TURKIYE:
(Source: https://www.mgm.gov.tr/kurumici/turkiye-guneslenme-suresi.aspx )
KÖPPEN-GEIGER CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION MAP OF TÜRKİYE (1980-2016):
AS FOR THE DISADVANTAGES;
Based on the 2018 report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate General of Agricultural Research and Policies titled 'Creation of a Geographical Database of the Fertility and Organic Carbon Content of Türkiye's Soils':
a) The organic matter content of Turkish soils is generally low.
b) Excessive inorganic phosphorus and low absorption of organic phosphorus (phosphorus fixation) problem.
c) Large part of Turkish soils has a high level of lime (CaCO3).
d) There is not a deficiency but an excess of potassium. While 90-98% of the total potassium in the soil is in an unavailable form, 1-10% is slowly available, HOWEVER, only 0.1-2% is easily available."
ORGANIC MATTER % MAP OF TÜRKİYE
CARBON STOCK DISTRIBUTION MAP OF TÜKİYE:
THE AVAILABLE PHOSPHORUS MAP OF TÜKİYE:
CALCIUM CARBONATE CONTENT MAP OF TÜKİYE:
THE AVAILABLE POTASSIUM OXIDE MAP OF TÜKİYE:
THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY % MAP OF TÜKİYE:
SOIL pH LEVEL MAP OF TÜRKİYE:
HOWEVER, THE RELATIVELY GOOD NEWS IS: If we consider that commercial growers of medical cannabis prefer not to produce on lands previously used for agriculture, there are still virgin (not contaminated, SUNNY, rocky slopes) areas available, especially along the Mediterranean coast.
OUR FREE CONSULTATION FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY PIONEERS:
To pioneers in the cannabis industry who advocates of Living Soil Food Web, KNF, JADAM, and other sustainable cultivation techniques: we offer completely free consultancy on Türkiye’s medical cannabis laws, regulations, and every questions about cannabis market.
(It would be an honor if they accepted our heartfelt respect and deepest gratitude for their invaluable efforts, contributions, and the knowledge they have generously shared.)
Medical Cannabis Türkiye (MCT) was founded in 2008 by E. Erdal Kasa. As an International Relations graduate, he served as an International Relations and Agreements Specialist at the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Transport, Directorate General of Civil Aviation. In 2007, he relocated to the United States.
Since witnessing the effects of the medication, which has no side effects and enhances the quality of life and comfort of many medical cannabis patients around him (especially the elderly people) he has pursued reading and research on the medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant as a side project. After moving to the U.S., he began following pioneers in the medical cannabis community, particularly those who adopted sustainable techniques such as No-Till, Living Soil Food Web, KNF, and JADAM. He continues to share what he has learned from those meetings and seminars or podcasts as open-source information entirely in Turkish for Turkish-speaking audiences.
Neither E. Erdal Kasa nor his colleagues at MCT have ever engaged in any profit-driven activities, sold products or endorsed sales, promoted any commercial entity or brand, or charged fees for consultancy or the information they share.
We would like to emphasize that (and as long as our time and resources permit), we are committed to providing free consultancy regarding medical cannabis laws and regulations in Türkiye and answer all related questions as soon as possible.
Medical Cannabis Türkiye