The German Cannabis Business Association (Branchenverband Cannabiswirtschaft e.V. - BvCW) is again hosting the political panel discussion to the drug policy rapporteurs of the parties from the German Bundestag. The panel discussion will include three thematic blocks. The first block will focus on the future of medical cannabis in Germany. The second block will discuss the handling of commercial hemp products with an emphasis on legal security for CBD. Lastly, the third block will be geared toward discussing the necessary framework conditions for the controlled distribution of cannabis as a stimulant for adults.

*Note: This panel will be discussed in German

Adult-use cannabis legalization is on the horizon in Germany and other European countries and it's receiving a significant amount of attention. However, recreational legalization is not the only important type of cannabis reform that the European cannabis industry is waiting for. Five years after the implementation of medical cannabis in Germany, experts and healthcare professionals expect some fundamental reforms to Germany's "Cannabis As Medicine" law in addition to recreational reforms. There is a myriad of issues that patients and physicians must overcome, including and especially all of the restrictive regulations regarding reimbursement. Additionally, most patients still struggle to find doctors offering cannabis therapy. Panelists will discuss what needs to be done in order to improve safe access in Germany and at the continental level.

Many medical cannabis companies are not sure if they should look forward to, or fear, the legalization of recreational cannabis in Europe. Profit margins for medical cannabis companies may be negatively impacted due to fewer reimbursements and lower levels of regulations for recreational cannabis versus medical cannabis. Research and development in the medical cannabis industry are notoriously expensive. So, what is the right strategy? Sticking to medical cannabis or opening up for the recreational market? Panelists will discuss opportunities and challenges that are awaiting cannabis companies in a dual system of medical and recreational cannabis.

Clark Hill attorney and Cannabis Industry Group Co-Chair, Robert Hoban will discuss considerations of country-by-country legal and regulatory treatment, how to pitch to investors, the access to international capital, and the importance of accurately characterizing the global supply chain in the present and future.

When it comes to international trade of cannabis products – the supply chain and logistics implication are CRITICAL for the ability to successfully execute such transactions. Different regulations in different countries, sometimes even contradicting each other – look like a very complex MAZE to walk thru.
Additionally, the QUALITY requirements MUST be met – according to the applicable Pharma standards. As well, the need to adhere to strict SECURITY regulations.
Yoram Eshel – CEO of Cannabilog will walk you through these complexities – based on his vast experience and deep knowledge of the global cannabis arena.

Cannabis and its ingredients are getting more and more relevance in pharmaceutical and biotechnology. Companies are not only looking for innovation in individual APIs, but also in novel delivery systems. Pharmaceutical companies are getting ready for the "road to finished medicines" and recently, more and more Pharma-Players have entered the market. What does the future of cannabinoids and other cannabis-derived active ingredients in life science industries hold? What kind of cutting-edge technologies and innovations are on the horizon? Is the Cannabinoid-API of the future made from real cannabis, or are these ingredients synthetically developed and sampled together in pharmaceutical laboratories across the globe?

The current regulatory framework on medicinal cannabis in Europe is highly fragmented. Such fragmentation negatively affects all the actors in the medicinal cannabis sector: it prevents the industry from fully benefiting from the European Single Market; it creates obstacles for patients to get access to safe and high-quality medicines; it puts barriers to the development of sound scientific evidence. The best way to voice the concerns and interests of the medicinal cannabis value chain is therefore through joint action.

The multi-stakeholder approach to EU policy-making on the topic of medicinal cannabis will be the focus of this presentation, explained through the experience of Medicinal Cannabis Europe (MCE), represented by Silvia Alunni, Deputy-Secretary General. Silvia will address the key aspects that MCE is focusing on – such as policymakers' engagement – and will highlight the importance of cross-stakeholder collaboration (e.g. patients, doctors, industry) to build political support and strengthen the association's advocacy activities.

Many licensed producers have started to build up capacity in Europe over the last few years. On a per country basis, each country put into place individual requirements for cultivation facilities. Germany and the Netherlands (Wietexperiment) have opted for a public tender process for country-cultivation, whereas Denmark or Portugal are governed on licensing models. Building a licensed producer is extensive in capital requirements. A common phenomenon known from Canadian or US-facilities, recently the big sale on cannabis facilities across Europe has started. Not all companies have enough liquidity (or revenue streams) to secure and maintain those operations, and a range of assets have been sold. How much of the global supply is covered from Europe? Which production countries exist and how are they performing in comparison to other (more price-competitive) markets? What does the future of cannabis production from within Europe?

In past centuries Europe and Asia served as the driving forces behind the stigmatization of cannabis use. What was perpetrated by Napolean and leaders in the UK at the time was that cannabis caused lethargy and altered the state of mind in a negative way, despite cannabis' potential medicinal properties, and thus was frowned upon for use in their armies. In the 1900s cannabis prohibition swept North America. Since that time, anti-cannabis propaganda and political pressure led largely by the United States pushed the world to scrutinize the use of cannabis even further. Decades of prohibition have created tremendous stigma regarding the cannabis plant and that continues to negatively impact cannabis reform and industry efforts around the world, particularly in North America. Cannabis reform is now sweeping the continent, with Canada having legalized cannabis nationwide in 2018 and Mexico on the cusp of legalization, in addition to a growing list of legal states in the U.S. This panel will discuss the potential impact of ongoing cannabis reform in North America, on Europe's cannabis reform and industry efforts and how social stigmas continue to haunt us globally in different ways.

Business development is about turning opportunities into long-term success. Product design, marketing, and price points can all either be opportunities to advance your cannabis company's endeavors, or they can be missed opportunities that contribute to failure. Maximizing opportunities on a global scale is particularly difficult due to constantly evolving policies and regulations from country to country, as there is currently no uniformity at the international level. Markets that already exist will continue to mature, new markets will be created in the near future, and both will create unique opportunities and challenges. Panelists will discuss how to create effective strategies to scale cannabis companies and brands in an emerging international cannabis industry that is becoming increasingly competitive.

The emerging legal cannabis industry is creating once-in-a-generation business opportunities all over the planet. As cannabis reform continues to spread to every corner of the globe, the profit potential of the cannabis industry will only increase. It is a truly critical juncture right now for the cannabis industry and its members as lawmakers and governments craft cannabis rules and regulations that will largely govern the cannabis space for decades to come. It is as vital as ever that all members of the cannabis industry organize and lobby effectively to ensure that sensible laws and regulations are implemented.