Patrick Martins: “Portuguese citizens cannot lose a promising sector in favor of foreign companies”

Patrick Martins, managing partner of the Green Swallow hemp store chain and president of ACCIP – Industrial Hemp Traders Association of Portugal, can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The investigation in which the defendant was constituted for the alleged “crime of drug trafficking” was filed by the Criminal Investigation Judge, Charles Alexander. The Public Ministry had 30 days to appeal the decision, but did not.

We spoke with Patrick Martins to understand the implications of this story for his personal and professional life.

How do you see this court decision, almost two years after you were made an accused?
It is undoubtedly a historic decision for Green Swallow, as well as for the entire Industrial Hemp branch in the European Union, but also for Portugal's economy. We are talking about products derived from a plant without psychotropic effects, with numerous benefits (namely food) and one of the most sustainable plants on the planet.

What does archiving represent for you, personally and professionally?
On a personal level, this decision represents a light at the end of a tunnel I was in for more than three and a half years. During this period, a 100% Portuguese company was harmed, which would today, without the slightest doubt, be a success story throughout Europe. But the regular attacks by the Public Ministry left Green Swallow for Iberian lands, as in November 2020, we were visited by the authorities for the fourth time in the same year, which increased the value of product seizures to 100 thousand euros, purchase value. These products are still in the possession of the authorities, when it was already confirmed, almost a year ago, that they were all legal.

How do you see the authorities acting in your case?
In fact, even with the THC level confirmed below 0,2% by the Judiciary Police (a level which, by the way, in January 2023 will rise to 0,3% in the European Union), the Public Ministry continues to persecute not only my company and myself, as well as many other traders and farmers in the industrial hemp business in Portugal. I would call the deadlines imposed by the institutions paid by the taxes of those who produce and thus create an economy in the country shameful, as it took me almost two and a half years to finally be able to access the Portuguese Court. And that's because my lawyer, Dr. John Nabais, asked for a procedural acceleration.

Has this situation harmed your company financially?
In 2019, I paid around 300 thousand euros in taxes, for a turnover of almost one million euros. With company expenses, Covid-19 and above all these added apprehensions, I couldn't even pay my minimum wage most months. Minimum wage which is also one of the lowest in Europe. We are a far cry from the government's promises, which often boast of encouraging young entrepreneurs.

Do you consider suing the entities involved for the damage they caused you?
Yes, this decision also represents the opportunity to take legal action against these institutions, but also against the officials who allowed these injustices to happen. I will ask for a total amount of 10 million euros in compensation, which I think is very little, given the start of activity by Green Swallow. The Portuguese can rest assured, because in the end they will be the ones who will pay this amount. This value will be one of the few that will have the opportunity to appreciate. Here's a promise!

So what do you have in mind?
I will find several ways to revert this value, in some way, to the community. I have several ideas, but I don't want to go into details just yet.

How do you see the future of the hemp sector after this outcome of your case?
In my opinion, the market for industrial hemp, as well as for other branches of the cannabis plant, may become even more important than the energy sector itself, with which it may, incidentally, compete, as the potential of this plant is almost infinite. It is a pity that old traumas of the dictatorship continue to damage the development of the new Portuguese generation.

In what sense?
Alcohol and tobacco kill more than 11 million people a year around the world, but those arrested are farmers and shopkeepers who sell a plant that doesn't even have psychotropic effects. There is a witch hunt, based on ignorance and corruption, which has to stop in Portugal. Portuguese citizens cannot once again lose a promising sector in favor of foreign companies. This is already happening, we have our branch companies closing while foreign companies strengthen in national territory.

How would you like hemp to develop in Portugal?
I am convinced that the industrial hemp branch will be one of the biggest sectors of activity in the coming decades. My question is if Portugal will be a leader or if it will simply follow and/or serve others, for a change, because the excuse of the small country is already outdated. The branch will grow and will be an engine for the European economy and even a solution to many of the problems that arise, such as the war in Ukraine. I hope it is in partnership with the government and that Portuguese companies can also be included in the sector in Portugal. As absurd as that last sentence may seem, we have to remember that, at the moment, we have farmers who sell industrial hemp abroad and stores that buy the products for resale abroad. This is due to the authorities' failure to comply with European regulations ratified by Portugal. Our companies don't die because we have competition from outside, our companies die by our own hands.

Do you still believe that the government can reverse this situation?
If this decision is historic, we have with industrial hemp a clear proof of the fragility of our democracy. The case of Green Swallow demonstrated how important it is to fight for it daily. We criticize Russia or China, but in these last three years guns have been pointed at me, I have been handcuffed numerous times, I have been detained, I continue with drug trafficking charges in other similar cases. All this within the scope of a completely legal branch, but which the Portuguese authorities continue to deny in an undemocratic way! It is good to reflect on what happens in our own country before we pretend to be “good Samaritans” in front of others.