Last minute: Founder of the hemp cooperative Lusicanna has been detained since yesterday in Beja

One of the founders of the cooperative lusicanna and farmer dedicated to the cultivation of industrial hemp, Hugo Monteiro, was arrested yesterday by the GNR in Serpa, in the district of Beja. Cannareporter knows that Hugo Monteiro, one of the farmers who has criticized DGAV's actions and delays, had already sent the application three times with the form and the corresponding payment of fees for the granting of the authorization to grow hemp for industrial purposes, but had not yet obtained it.

By telephone, Captain Pestana, from the Territorial Command of Beja, confirmed the arrest of Hugo Monteiro, following “a normal patrol, in which a cannabis plantation was detected”, yesterday, September 9, and that the farmer is detained and waiting to be heard by a judge today. The same agent said that he was not sure whether it was cannabis or hemp, but stated that the farmer's request to DGAV had been “rejected”. The press release is awaiting higher authorization and should be sent today.

Several farmers admitted to having cultivated hemp by “tacit deferral”, since the DGAV responses can take months and the sowing season takes place between April and May at the latest. After this period it will be too late to cultivate and a whole year of harvest is lost. One of the recent cases, identical to Hugo's, was that of Barry McCullough, who was arrested on 28 July, accused of drug trafficking. At the high, the GNR admitted not being able to distinguish hemp from cannabis and sent it to the Scientific Police Laboratory.

Cannareporter spoke to some farmers who are currently growing hemp in Portugal, who were outraged, as they believe that “it is the DGAV itself that is denouncing farmers who have not yet been granted authorization to the GNR”. They say they are still suffering “an unprecedented persecution” and accuse DGAV of “incompetence” and “blocking” this culture.

Cannareporter contacted DGAV and the Office of the Minister of Agriculture, who requested that any questions be addressed by email.

Lusicanna, founded in 2018, is a cooperative that aims to re-introduce industrial hemp in Portugal. On its website, it says that it believes “hemp is a crop with enormous potential, which can help farmers across the country” and “revitalize the economy of rural areas”.

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