Cannabis cultivation
Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is one of the oldest and most versatile industrial and medicinal plants on earth.
This herbaceous perennial plant originates from central Asia and botanically belongs to the hemp family (Cannabaceae), like hops. Hemp can be used in four different ways:
- commercial hemp (industrial, fiber hemp for ropes, insulating materials etc.)
- medicinal hemp (oils for medicinal use)
- food products (THC-free hemp seeds)
- consumable hemp (recreational substances containing THC, CBD)
Almost all parts of the plant can be used: the fibres, seeds, leaves and flowers.
This self-tolerant plant is also extremely beneficial for soil fertility.
In Germany, the cultivation of hemp as a crop goes back hundreds of years. Since the 18th century, however, there had been a steady decline in cultivation until it was completely prohibited in Germany in 1982.
Only since 1996 have farmers in Germany been allowed to once again grow cannabis in the form of industrial hemp, which is particularly low in THC. However, only EU-certified industrial hemp varieties with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of no more than 0.2% (0.6% in Italy) may be used for this purpose. This means that there are no psychoactive effects.
Any cultivation of cannabis must be registered with the Federal Office for Agriculture (BLE). They are also responsible for carrying out THC controls on hemp cultivation and checking import regulations from third countries.
On 1 April 2024, the German Bundestag legalized the private consumption and possession of small amounts of cannabis for adults in Germany and regulated this in the Cannabis Act. As a result, cannabis has been removed from the list of narcotic substances in the German Narcotics Act (BtMG).
However, due to the many years of prohibition, knowledge of this valuable crop has all but been forgotten by academics and society alike. To this day, hemp is primarily regarded as a drug and therefore disapproved of by some parts of society - despite the fact that only certain types of hemp contain psychoactive substances (THC, CBD) and can be consumed as intoxicants.
Rediscovering age-old knowledge
The Department of Horticulture at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt has set itself the goal of recovering expertise in this traditional and useful plant and making this knowledge accessible to its students and society.
For this purpose, "Cannabis Cultivation" is now an (optional) compulsory elective subject in the 3rd semester of the Bachelor's degree program "Horticultural Plant Cultivation", and students have the opportunity to study how to grow this plant in various cultivation systems as part of a range of other courses - including conducting their own cultivation trials in our open field.
Only THC-free and EU-certified industrial hemp will be used. This means that there can be no psychoactive effects!
In addition, the Department of Horticulture aims to revive academic research on industrial hemp in cooperation with other research institutions and practice partners.
The sole focus of both teaching and research will be on growing cannabis in different cultivation systems. Its various uses, on the other hand - as with our other cultures - will not be relevant.
Nevertheless, the Department of Horticulture is aware of its role as a key player in the social discourse on the benefits and dangers of cannabis. As such, we are keen to encourage debate within the university and beyond in the conviction that the best way to deal with this issue is through education.