Order of the Court (Sixth Chamber) of 11 July 2008.#Criminal proceedings against Edgar Babanov.#Reference for a preliminary ruling: Panevėžio apygardos teismas - Lithuania.#Article 104(3) of the Rules of Procedure, first subparagraph - Agriculture - Free movement of goods - National legislation prohibiting the cultivation of any type of hemp.#Case C-207/08.

Subject of the case

Re:

Reference for a preliminary ruling – Panevėžio apygardos teismas – Compatibility with the law of the European Union of national legislation providing for criminal liability for cultivating any type of hemp – Power of a court to apply national legislation when the hemp content of active substances does not exceed a certain threshold.

Operative part

Operative part

1. Council Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 of 29 September 2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers and amending Regulations (EEC) No 2019/93, (EC) No 1452/2001, (EC) No 1453/2001, (EC) No 1454/2001, (EC) 1868/94, (EC) No 1251/1999, (EC) No 1254/1999, (EC) No 1673/2000, (EEC) No 2358/71 and (EC) No 2529/2001 must be interpreted as meaning that it precludes national legislation which has the effect of prohibiting the cultivation and possession of hemp grown for fibre covered by that regulation.

2. Community law precludes the court of a Member State from applying national legislation which, contrary to Regulation No 1782/2003, has the effect of prohibiting the cultivation and possession of hemp grown for fibre covered by that regulation.