From Challenge to Opportunity: Unlocking the Potential of Hemp in Wales

In September, I brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and campaigners from across Wales for a roundtable discussion on a crop that could play a transformative role in our economy and environment: hemp. What became clear from that conversation is that hemp sits at the intersection of many of the challenges we face today - and offers real, practical solutions. From the climate crisis and rural economic decline to the urgent need for sustainable materials and energy-efficient homes, the issues are complex and interconnected. But so too are the opportunities.

Despite its enormous potential to contribute to a greener, more sustainable economy, the hemp sector in Wales is being held back by a number of significant barriers. At the roundtable, participants highlighted several key issues:

• Outdated regulations that treat industrial hemp - despite its negligible THC content - as a controlled substance, creating unnecessary red tape for farmers and businesses. 
• A lack of processing infrastructure in Wales, meaning that much of the value-added potential of hemp is lost to other parts of the UK or abroad. 
• A wider reluctance to embrace innovation, where “business as usual” is too often prioritised over bold, forward-thinking change - even when the benefits are clear.

These challenges don’t just stifle economic opportunity; they also prevent us from harnessing hemp’s potential to address broader issues like climate change, fuel poverty, and rural regeneration.

To better understand the real-world potential of hemp, I recently visited a hempcrete housing development in Neath, alongside my Plaid Cymru colleagues Luke Fletcher MS and Party Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth. What we saw was inspiring: homes built using hempcrete - a natural, breathable, carbon-negative material - offering not only environmental benefits but also improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency. This visit reinforced what we heard at the roundtable: the solutions already exist. What’s missing is the political will and structural support to scale them up.

That’s why I’ve taken these concerns directly to the Welsh Government - asking questions in the Senedd about how we can reform licensing, invest in processing infrastructure, and support innovation in sustainable construction and agriculture. Because if we’re serious about tackling the climate crisis and building a fairer economy, we need to back industries like hemp that can deliver on both.

Around the world, countries are waking up to the potential of hemp - reforming regulations, investing in processing infrastructure, and supporting innovation in sustainable materials. From construction to textiles, from carbon capture to rural regeneration, hemp is being recognised as a key player in the green economy of the future. Wales cannot afford to be left behind. With our proud agricultural heritage, our commitment to sustainability, and our need for new economic opportunities, we are uniquely placed to lead. But that means taking action now - removing barriers, supporting growers and innovators, and putting Wales at the forefront of this emerging industry.