Turkey occupies a unique position straddling Europe and Asia, making it a crossroads between the two continents. This strategic location has contributed much to the country’s long and storied history. It has also made Turkey an important hub for trade and travel over the centuries.
The cannabis plant has its own place in Turkey’s long history For many years, the cannabis plant was widely cultivated and used in the country. However, today the legal status of cannabis in Turkey is much more restrictive
In this article, we’ll explore the history and current legal status of cannabis in Turkey. We’ll look at how laws regarding recreational and medical cannabis have evolved in this influential nation connecting Europe and Asia.
A Long History of Cannabis Cultivation and Use
The cannabis plant has been cultivated and used in what is now Turkey for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates cannabis was already being grown on the Anatolian peninsula by 1,000 BC.
For most of its history, cannabis was primarily used to produce textile fibers and ropes. The strong fibers of industrial hemp were used to manufacture ship ropes and sails, which played a vital role in Turkey’s shipping industry.
In addition to these industrial applications cannabis also has a long history of use as an intoxicating drug in Turkey and the surrounding region. Cannabis resin, hashish has been used in religious and ceremonial contexts by Sufi Muslims for centuries. Up until the early 20th century, hashish was commonly consumed in coffeehouses throughout Turkey.
International Pressure Leads to Prohibition
In 1925, Turkey proposed adding cannabis to the Geneva International Convention on Narcotics Control, along with Egypt. This marked a turning point, leading Turkey to clamp down on cannabis cultivation and use over subsequent decades.
The prohibition of cannabis in Turkey, as in many countries, appears to have been heavily influenced by pressure from the United States and its escalating “War on Drugs.” Although cannabis had been used safely for centuries, it quickly became demonized and illegal.
Harsh Penalties for Cannabis Possession and Sale
Today, the recreational use of cannabis remains strictly prohibited in Turkey. Possession of even small, personal use amounts can lead to 2-5 years in prison. Fortunately, first time offenders may be offered probation and addiction treatment instead of jail time. However, repeat offenders face mandatory prison sentences.
The sale of cannabis is punished even more harshly, with minimum 10 year sentences for trafficking offenses. Anyone caught bringing cannabis in or out of Turkey may face 20-30 years behind bars.
Despite prohibition, cannabis is believed to be the most widely used illicit substance in Turkey today. Wastewater analysis in Istanbul, for example, detected high levels of cannabis use.
Limited Access to Medical Cannabis
In 2016, Turkey took a significant step by legalizing access to medical cannabis. The law allows doctors to prescribe imported, cannabis-based medications that have been approved by the government. This opened up access to products like Sativex for patients.
However, the use and cultivation of raw cannabis plants for medical purposes remains prohibited. The production of cannabis is highly restricted and regulated. The government has licensed cultivation in 19 provinces, but all cannabis grown must be processed into THC-free medicines.
The development of a regulated medical cannabis industry has been slow. But CBD oils and other approved products are becoming more available in Turkish pharmacies nowadays.
Industrial Hemp Production Bans Lifted Recently
The Turkish government banned the cultivation of industrial hemp in the 1970s, shutting down another historical use of the versatile cannabis plant. However, the country is now re-examining these policies.
In 2019, President Erdogan called for the restart of industrial hemp cultivation in Turkey. With proper regulations, the government believes a hemp industry could provide economic benefits and reduce dependence on imports.
Researchers have worked to develop hemp strains optimized for industrial use, with very low THC content to prevent drug abuse potential. Pilot projects for hemp cultivation are underway, though commercial production has not yet reinvented this historical Turkish industry.
Shifting Public and Political Attitudes
The general public and political attitudes towards cannabis in Turkey have grown more open and nuanced in recent years. While recreational cannabis remains strictly illegal, the country is turning towards opportunities in regulated medical and industrial cannabis.
Cannabis still faces many obstacles in Turkey. But the government is approaching cannabis, not as a monolith, but as a plant with a spectrum of risks and benefits that can be managed with sensible regulations. The pioneer country connecting Europe and Asia may continue finding new roles for this ancient plant in the 21st century.
Are VPNs legal in Turkey?
Yes, it is legal to use a VPN in Turkey. While Turkey began taking steps to block access to Tor and VPN services late last year, using a VPN is not illegal.
Is it a difficult process to bring my car to Turkey?
It is a difficult task that usually requires a lot of documentation. Renting a car will make much more sense for you.
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Can you grow marijuana in Turkey?
Nineteen of Turkey’s 81 provinces currently allow marijuana to be cultivated for medicinal and scientific purposes through the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock. Permission can also be obtained to allow for cultivation in other provinces. The guidelines regarding marijuana turkey cultivation are quite strict.
Is hemp legal in Turkey?
Strict laws prohibiting narcotics that were introduced in Turkey in the 1970s define current norms on hemp and cannabis production. In 2019, Turkish President Erdogan called for a renewal of industrial hemp cultivation, citing its many benefits.
Is turkey ready to develop cannabis seeds for the hemp industry?
According to Selim Aytaç, the director of Ondokuz Mayıs University’s leading cannabis research center, Turkey’s development of cannabis seeds suitable for the hemp industry has been increasingly successful and is now ready for implementation.
Can you buy CBD oil in Turkey?
Yes – Turkey weed laws permit the possession of hemp-derived CBD products with no THC content. CBD oil-based medical products are available in pharmacies as well, and some doctors have been known to prescribe them.