OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTIVATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS (Cannabis sativa L.) IN GREECE.

The cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. for medical uses was legalized in Greece in March of 2018, ending the 90 years ban. The cannabis regulations in Greece attempt to protect the public health and safety by controlling for quality in a reactive manner. The necessary knowledge and know-how for this new crop were acquired by the Laboratory of Agronomy of the Agricultural University of Athens. In this review, the Greek legislation and licensing procedure are briefly presented. The essential relevant steps needed for making a production line are two. The installation permit for the production unit is the first step and then on the investment services sought to establish the conditions under which authorized investment. In the case of greenhouse facility, considering the crop requirements (temperature and photoperiod), the cultivation is suggested for Southern and Central Greece regions. The production process flow is endless during the year, and the duration of the biological cycle is 13-14 weeks. Finally, the required mechanical equipment, human resources, and final products for 1-hectare production with all the necessary conditions to cover GMPs are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]