Cannabis Field's Chemical-Free Beekeeping Boosts Honey Yield

October 6, 2026 · Dünya Gazetesi

A beekeeping trial conducted in a cannabis field in Yozgat has shown high yields without the use of chemical pesticides, and notably, no Varroa mites were detected in the hives.

A notable agricultural production model has been implemented in Karaveli village, Yozgat, one of the centers for licensed hemp production in Turkey. Producer Şahin, who practices beekeeping on land inherited from his grandfather, placed his hives right next to his 13-decare cannabis field. For two years, Şahin has combined hemp cultivation with beekeeping, refraining from applying any agricultural pesticides to his bees during this period. As a result of this integrated approach, healthy honey has been produced without chemical inputs, and a significant increase in honey yield per hive has been recorded.

While this year's field is expected to yield 4 tons of stalks and between 2 to 2.5 tons of seeds, the interaction between the bees and the cannabis plant has provided new benefits to the producer. Şahin, wanting to test the potential protective effect of cannabis against Varroa mites, one of the biggest pests in the beekeeping sector, has not treated his hives with mite medication for two years. Checks revealed no Varroa pests in the colonies, and the development rate of the bees was found to have increased positively.

The harvested cannabis honey and plant samples have been delivered to Yozgat Bozok University's Hemp Research Institute for scientific examination. Through research conducted within the university, the effects of cannabis on bee health and the chemical composition of the honey will be analyzed in detail. Producer Şahin stated that if the laboratory analyses yield positive results, they will apply for official registration of the product. The scientific studies to be conducted will clarify the two-year field observations with academic data.

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