The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) will be the authority to review research applications in the field of recreational cannabis and industrial hemp and to supervise research projects. This is regulated by an ordinance signed by the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, on Tuesday. Scientific institutions and companies can submit applications for corresponding projects to the BLE.
With the passing of the Cannabis Act, the Bundestag assigned the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) the task of designating the competent body for processing research applications on recreational cannabis and industrial hemp. The ordinance that has now been issued - the Consumer Cannabis Science Competence Ordinance - regulates this: The Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food will review relevant research applications and monitor the approved projects. Previously, this task was the responsibility of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). The BfArM remains the competent authority for research with medicinal cannabis.
Research on and with recreational cannabis is therefore now possible again, but requires a permit. Applicants must meet the criteria set out in the Cannabis Act, provide evidence of the required expertise and prove their interest in research. Not only universities, but also companies can submit research applications. Research can help to effectively curb the black market and objectify the debate.
The ordinance that has now been issued does not correspond to the "second pillar" of cannabis legalization envisaged in the Federal Government's key issues paper, for which the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) is responsible.
Source: BMEL (in German)