Kazakhstan moves to legalize industrial hemp cultivation
New law aims to boost paper, textile, and construction industries while maintaining strict anti-narcotics oversight
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is set to legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp, after the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, approved a draft law aimed at streamlining regulations for internal affairs bodies.
Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Sanzhar Adilov confirmed the development during a recent parliamentary session, stating that the measure is intended to support industrial manufacturing sectors such as paper, textiles, and construction materials, The Times of Central Asia reports.
According to Adilov, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has already issued four licenses for the cultivation of technical cannabis, with one farm in the Kostanay region currently operating under this framework.
The move has raised questions among some members of parliament about the potential for abuse by drug traffickers. In response, Adilov emphasized the significant chemical differences between industrial and wild cannabis.
“Wild-growing marijuana in the Chui Valley contains more than 15% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while industrial hemp contains just 0.1% to 0.3% THC,” he said. “As a police officer, I can say this production holds no interest for drug users or traffickers. Industrial hemp cultivation is not prohibited by law.”
The concept of using hemp for industrial purposes is not new to Kazakhstan. Around a decade ago, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” proposed using hemp to reduce the country’s reliance on imported office paper, which costs an estimated $100 million annually. That initiative, though supported by then-Deputy Prime Minister Dariga Nazarbayeva, failed to gain broader traction.
Now, with the government taking the lead, the initiative is being revived with greater institutional support. Authorities have assured that all cultivation and processing activities will be tightly monitored by anti-narcotics agencies to ensure compliance with national drug control regulations.
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