Business Archives - International Cannabis Business Conference

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The Science Behind GMP Cannabis Product Compliance

Written by Johnny Green on August 24, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy, Science.

Every legal medical cannabis market on the planet has standards that products must meet before they can be sold to patients. Products intended for European Union markets must comply with EU good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, which are some of the most stringent standards in the emerging international cannabis industry.

Legal European Union markets, particularly Germany’s medical cannabis market, are now top targets for cannabis exports from other parts of the world. Regardless of where products originate, they must be GMP-compliant to be sold in EU markets such as Germany. GMP standards for medical cannabis products include the following, per the European Medicines Agency:

are of consistent high quality;
are appropriate for their intended use;
meet the requirements of the marketing authorisation or clinical trial authorisation.

Decontamination processes are at the heart of European GMP cannabis compliance. A team of expert panelists recently discussed various approaches to cannabis decontamination, regulatory requirements, and the unique GMP compliance hurdles facing the emerging legal cannabis industry at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. The panel was moderated by Atiyyah Ferouz, Founder and CEO of AG Cann. Ms. Ferouz was joined on the panel by:

Dr. David Surjo, CEO of GOC Nexus GmbH and CURANAT UG
Brian Casey, Chief Revenue Officer of VIST Labs and Managing Partner of BASM Holdings
George Terry, Executive Vice President of Rad Source
Joseph Edwards, Chief Scientist and Vice President of Yofumo Technologies
Arthur de Cordova, CEO and Co-Founder of Ziel

You can view the panel in its entirety at this link here.

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Survey Highlights Potential Fallout Of German Draft Amendment

Written by Johnny Green on August 20, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Germany continues to serve as the largest legal medical cannabis market in Europe, with domestic sales increasing every quarter in recent years. Medical cannabis sales have accelerated considerably since April 2024, when Germany enacted the first provisions of its historic CanG law.

Unfortunately, it appears that not everyone in Germany’s governing coalition is happy with the country’s medical cannabis industry growth. Last month, Germany’s Health Ministry released a draft medical cannabis amendment that would overhaul medical cannabis regulations, and not in a good way. The proposed changes contained within the draft amendment include:

Mandatory in-person doctor consultations
A ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

A recent survey conducted by MedCanOneStop of 9,583 German medical cannabis patients demonstrates the potential fallout that could result from the proposed changes by Germany’s Health Ministry.

“The Federal Ministry of Health’s (BMG) planned changes to restrict digital access to medical cannabis care are met with widespread rejection among patients. 92.6% of patients report fearing a return to illegal channels if telemedicine options are made more difficult. At the same time, 59.2% would turn to the black market if digital access were lost. 23.8% would rely on home cultivation, and only 5.3% would seek medical advice from an on-site doctor. This is shown by a new survey by MedCanOneStop (MCOS GmbH).” stated MedCanOneStop in a press release about their survey’s results (translated from German to English).

“The current BMG draft bill includes, among other things, a mandatory in-person prescription for cannabis flowers and a ban on mail-order sales of flowers. From the respondents’ perspective, this would have significant market consequences: 96.7% expect access restrictions to lead to growth in the black market, 82.8% even expect it to grow significantly. Conversely, 84.7% report that the legal, medically supervised route has significantly to very significantly weakened the black market.” the survey also found.

“The data clearly shows: Low-threshold access keeps people in the medically supervised, safe system.” said Cedric Lehmann, founder and CEO of MedCanOneStop.

The survey also found that 75.6% of respondents would “accept a mandatory annual medical video appointment” and 93.6% indicated that they would be willing to pay for the annual appointment, “provided the costs remain fair.” Traveling distance, waiting time, and pricing were cited by respondents as their main concerns regarding the proposed in-person appointment requirement.

MedCanOneStop’s survey findings largely echo similar findings from a separate survey conducted by Frankfurt-based Bloomwell Group. Below are some of the key findings from Bloomwell’s survey results:

41.7% of patients would revert to the unregulated market if telemedicine were prohibited
Only 7% would consider joining one of Germany’s adult-use cannabis clubs
79% of patients previously relied on unregulated sources prior to benefitting from telemedicine options
47.5% of survey participants indicated that cannabis obtained from pharmacies is less expensive compared to unregulated sources
83% believe medical cannabis from pharmacies is of higher quality than unregulated alternatives

“Respondents in the latest survey have yet again voiced significant concerns about illegal products. However, the majority said that if digital access were restricted—as currently proposed by some politicians—they would have no alternative except to return to obtaining their cannabis from illicit sources.” stated Dr. Julian Wichmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomwell GmbH, at the time the survey results were published.

“Ironically, the allegations of misuse relate to prescription medication, where limiting digital access would have only negative consequences—for patients, the economy, the justice system, the state, and public health.” Dr. Wichmann continued.

“At the same time, we see consistent, widespread misuse of numerous other prescription drugs with high dependency potential and serious side effects — but there is currently no comparable evidence that pharmacy-grade medical cannabis poses the same risks. From a medical perspective, a re-criminalization of hundreds of thousands of cannabis patients must be avoided at all costs.” Dr. Wichmann also stated.

“A majority of Germans now support full legalization, and the medical benefits of cannabis are widely accepted across all social strata. The premise that politicians are seriously considering slowing digital innovation in an already overburdened healthcare system, re-criminalizing patients, threatening jobs, and forfeiting tax revenue is beyond absurd—and would be laughable if the consequences for patients and public health weren’t so serious.” stated Niklas Kouparanis, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomwell Group.

Morocco Exports First Legal Medical Cannabis To Australia

Written by Johnny Green on August 17, 2025. Posted in Business.

Cannabis being exported from Morocco to markets in other countries is not a new thing. After all, Morocco has served as a top source for unregulated cannabis for decades. However, policymakers and regulators in Morocco have worked in recent years to transition the nation’s cannabis industry into a regulated system.

In March 2021, the government of Morocco approved a proclamation allowing the legal production of medical cannabis. The proclamation was followed by additional policies and the creation of a national agency to oversee Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry.

A significant focus of the cannabis policy modernization effort in Morocco was to promote international exports of medical cannabis products to other countries, aiming to boost the domestic Moroccan economy. This effort reached a major milestone this month, with Morocco’s legal cannabis industry completing its first export to Australia.

“Morocco has officially entered the international medical cannabis market with its first export to Australia.” reported APA News in its local coverage. “This initial shipment marks a significant milestone for the country, which is rapidly formalizing its cannabis industry.”

“A 50-kilogram batch of the local Baldiya cannabis variety was shipped to Australia this week, following a successful quality control sample sent in June.” the outlet also reported.

A recent study conducted in Morocco found that the Baldiya cannabis strain exhibits a higher level of chemical stability compared to other strains commonly cultivated in Morocco. The study was performed by researchers affiliated with various academic institutions in Morocco, and the findings of the study were published in the journal Food Chemistry Advances.

“In this study, a comprehensive analysis of Cannabis sativa L. cultivars was conducted, focusing on the phytocannabinoid profiles of resin from one local cultivar ‘Beldiya’ and four exotic cultivars over three consecutive crop years.” stated the researchers about the focus of their investigation.

“The cannabinoid composition of the resin from the studied cultivars was analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with a triple-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC-MS/TSQ Endura) to evaluate the chemical variability in phytocannabinoid compounds among the cultivars and across the harvest years.” the researchers wrote about their methodology.

“The results showed significant chemical polymorphism among the studied cultivars, with the clustering of phytocannabinoids, indicating three distinct chemical groups based on the concentrations of the major cannabinoids.” the researchers concluded. “In addition, only the local Northern Moroccan cultivar Beldiya demonstrated chemical stability across the three harvest years, whereas the exotic cultivars exhibited heterogeneity from one year to another.”

A market analysis from last year found that Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry could reach between $420 million and $630 million in value annually.

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The Science Of Cannabis Extraction

Written by Johnny Green on August 17, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

It is unclear when humans first started extracting cannabinoids from the cannabis plant to make concentrated forms of cannabis. The topic is somewhat difficult to pin down due to various reasons, not the least of which is answering the question, ‘what constitutes extracting cannabis?’

Cannabis extracts can come in many forms, including cannabis oils and hashish, both of which humans have created for centuries. Regardless of when humans first started extracting cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, these days, cannabis extracts are one of the most in-demand forms of cannabis around the world.

The cannabis extraction sector of the emerging global cannabis industry is currently undergoing significant changes from nearly every angle, including regulations, technology, and shifting consumer and patient demands.

As the international cannabis import/export market continues to develop, products using cannabis extracts as inputs will increase in popularity, including solventless extract products and new products involving lesser-known cannabinoids.

The science behind cannabis extraction was the focus of a panel discussion at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany. The panel was moderated by Michael Knodt, a freelance journalist and author of Cannabis-Extraktion. Mr. Knodt was joined on the panel by:

Nick Brousianos, CEO of Cannabreeze
Yogesh Jhamtani, CEO and Co-Founder of Buffalo Extraction Systems
Serge Korovitsyn, Founder of LabCradle
Steve Fuhr, Director of Sales and Business Development at SciPhy Systems

You can view the panel discussion in its entirety via the embedded video below:

carmen wegge photo by Anna Voelske carmen wegge photo by Anna Voelske

German SPD Will Not Support Draft Cannabis Amendment “Under Any Circumstances”

Written by Johnny Green on August 16, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Last month, Germany’s Health Ministry released a draft medical cannabis amendment that seeks to roll back Germany’s medical cannabis regulations significantly. The proposed changes contained within the draft amendment include:

Mandatory in-person doctor consultations
A ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

Fortunately, not everyone in Germany’s governing coalition is in favor of the proposed changes. Leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) was recently asked what the SPD’s position on the draft amendment is, and what the SPD will do to oppose the announced amendment.

“The Federal Ministry of Health wants to restrict telemedicine and prescribe only after personal contact and no longer allow mail delivery.” a concerned member of the public asked on the platform Abgeordnetenwatch (translated from German to English), as originally reported by krautinvest. “What is the SPD’s position on this? And what, if anything, does it intend to do to oppose the change?”

“The Ministry of Health, under the new Union Minister Warken, has now presented a draft bill intended to address the increase in imports of medical cannabis. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, this is primarily due to the increased use of private prescriptions for self-payers via online platforms, without any doctor-patient contact. Therefore, misuse of medical cannabis is assumed. The ministry has stated that, for patient protection, it intends to ensure consultation before consumption and therefore restrict online sales.” Ms. Carmen Wegge, SPD member of the German Bundestag, stated in her response to the inquiry (translated from German to English).

As alluded to by Ms. Wegge in her response to the inquiry, Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) recently published medical cannabis import data for the second quarter of 2025, and once again, Germany’s emerging legal medical cannabis industry set a new record for import totals.

In the second quarter of 2025, Germany imported 43.257 tonnes of medical cannabis products according to BfArM’s data. That is an increase over the previous record set in Q1 2025 of 37.519 tonnes, and a significant increase compared to Q2 2024 when Germany imported 11.634 tonnes of medical cannabis products. Below is a graph of historical import totals from BfArM:

“For us as the SPD, however, in addition to protecting and adequately advising patients, it is crucial to ensure reliable, local, and accessible care. Digital care is particularly important for people with chronic and/or serious illnesses, as well as in areas with inadequate primary care. Therefore, we will not support the current version of the bill under any circumstances.” Ms. Wegge also stated.

“In the upcoming discussions, we will therefore develop a solution that will ensure that medicinal cannabis remains readily accessible to all patients who need it, while simultaneously ensuring patient protection. The initial draft bill from the Federal Ministry of Health will now be discussed with experts in the ministry and subsequently debated in the cabinet before a decision is made there and a potential draft bill from the ministry is submitted to the Bundestag. In the Bundestag, it will be discussed in the relevant specialist committees, and Struck’s Law applies, which stipulates that no bill leaves committee deliberations in the same condition as it was submitted. Many negotiation steps will therefore still take place before a possible decision is made in the Bundestag, and we as the SPD will advocate for a good solution for patients.” Ms. Wegge added.

“Even though we must primarily defend the drug policy achievements of the last legislative period, we will not lose sight of the goal. I remain convinced that full legalization of cannabis, in compliance with European law, and its sale in licensed specialist stores is the best way forward, and that medical care must be made as simple as possible. I can assure you that I will fight for political majorities that make this possible, and I will not shy away from discussions with the Union.” Ms. Carmen Wegge concluded.

(The featured image of this article of Bundestag member Carmen Wegge is a photo by Anna Voelske.)

High Tide To Become Major Player In German Medical Cannabis Market

Written by Johnny Green on August 16, 2025. Posted in Business.

High Tide, Inc. is a leading community-grown, retail-forward international cannabis company. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Canna Cabana, is the second-largest cannabis retail brand globally. In a major move for the company, High Tide has acquired a majority stake in Germany-based Remexian Pharma GmbH.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered just outside of Berlin, Germany, Remexian is an established medical cannabis pharmaceutical company specializing in the importation and wholesale of medical cannabis. As part of its business model, Remexian has a fully certified EU GDP warehouse.

Remexian is currently licensed to import medical cannabis products into Germany from 19 countries, including Canada, which represents approximately 33% of their total imports into Germany. Given its over $1.9 billion in Canadian cannabis sales since adult-use legalization, High Tide is well-positioned to further increase the Canadian share of medical cannabis imports into Germany.

“Remexian is an ideal match for us—not only in its commitment to discount pricing, but also in its operational approach, which mirrors our lowest price guarantee in Canada. We took our time evaluating potential partners and couldn’t be more excited to join forces with the best-in-class team that built Remexian into a national leader. Together, our complementary strengths and deep procurement expertise will create a stronger foundation for growth and further enhance the fundamentals of this business,” said Raj Grover, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of High Tide.

“With this highly accretive acquisition adding approximately C$100 million in topline revenue and significant EBITDA annually, we will meaningfully strengthen our financials, positioning us well to establish a strong foothold in Germany, which will serve as a springboard into other European markets in due course. Our goal in Germany remains clear: to provide the highest quality medical cannabis at the most affordable prices, led by our Canadian house of brands and supplemented by medical cannabis imports from all across the globe,” added Mr. Grover.

“We are truly energized by the strong synergy we’ve found with High Tide, whose impressive scale amplifies our impact in Germany,” said Markus Wenner, Co-Founder of Remexian. “Both of our companies have taken a deliberate, strategic approach to becoming leaders in our respective markets. By combining one of Germany’s largest cannabis distribution networks with High Tide’s unmatched access to Canadian supply, we are setting the stage for unprecedented growth. We at Remexian are looking forward to building this exciting future together with Raj and the talented High Tide team.”

International law firm gunnercooke advised High Tide throughout the acquisition, with Peter Homberg, partner and specialist in life sciences, intellectual property, corporate law and in the
medical cannabis field, leading the team.

“High Tide’s investment represents a strategic entry into a rapidly expanding market. Germany’s medical cannabis sector is maturing quickly, and we are delighted to have supported our client in
navigating the legal and regulatory complexities of this acquisition.” stated Mr. Homberg.

Peter Homberg was supported by a multidisciplinary team of gunnercooke lawyers including Judith Heimbürger and Malte Goetz, both counsel specialising in M&A and life sciences, Dr Matthias Döring, partner for commercial, corporate and M&A matters, Dr Karsten Umnuss, partner for employment and pensions, Thomas Schmidt, partner in real estate, Dr Christoph Dally, partner focusing on competition and antitrust, and Dr Franka Becker, partner in IT law. Each contributed their specialised expertise to ensure the legal, regulatory, and commercial aspects of the transaction were seamlessly addressed.

The transaction underscores Germany’s growing appeal as a hub for medical cannabis and reflects the increasing international interest in the European life sciences market. With annual sales
approaching €1 billion, the sector presents significant opportunities for both domestic and international investors.

Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) recently published medical cannabis import data for the second quarter of 2025, and once again, Germany’s emerging legal medical cannabis industry set a new record for import totals.

Remexian has an annualized revenue and Adjusted EBITDA of €70 million and €15 million, respectively, for the six months ending March 2025. Remexian is currently one of the largest distributors of medical cannabis flower in Germany in terms of total grams sold, distributing the equivalent of 7 tonnes in Q2 2025, representing 16% of the 43 tonnes imported into Germany during the quarter.

How Is Advanced Technology Transforming The Cannabis Industry?

Written by Johnny Green on August 13, 2025. Posted in Business.

Few other large international industries are being transformed by advanced technology at the same rate and scope as the emerging legal cannabis industry. Cannabis businesses worldwide are embracing advanced technology to optimize output and efficiency, which, in turn, is propelling the global industry forward.

Advanced technology can take on many forms, and for the emerging cannabis industry specifically, it often manifests itself as automated technology that helps cannabis producers and product manufacturers create the end products that consumers and patients purchase in legal markets. Programmed automation is drastically changing the way that cannabis is cultivated, how cannabis products are created, and how those products are stored and transported.

Another area where advanced technology is being integrated by cannabis companies is in the area of communications. Recent digital innovations have revolutionized how cannabis companies communicate with their customers and develop their brands.

How advanced technology is being harnessed by the emerging international cannabis industry was the focus of a panel discussion at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. The panel discussion was moderated by Canadian medical cannabis pioneer Alex Revich. Mr. Revich was joined on the panel by:

David Sandelman, Serial Inventor, Entrepreneur, and the Creator of Cannatrol Systems
Eral Osmanoglou, Co-Founder and Head of R&D at Becanex GmbH
Charlie Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Cannvital NV LLC
Peter Machalek, Chief Revenue Officer of Greentank

You can view the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

Autumn 2025 Could Be Pivotal For German Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on August 12, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As the summer months of 2025 are coming to an end and the autumn season approaches, the eyes of the international cannabis community will continue to be fixed on Germany, where policymakers, regulators, and researchers are expected to make some major announcements that could prove to be pivotal for the future of Germany’s industry.

The first interim report from the ongoing EKOCAN evaluation of Germany’s Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) is scheduled for release on October 1, 2025. The evaluation will consider, among other things:

Consumption rates and behaviors of various age groups
Cannabis use prevention among youth
Impact on public health outcomes, including mental health
Public roadway safety
Impacts on criminal activity
Impacts on Germany’s court system

“To this end, a wide variety of data will be compiled (e.g., from ongoing studies on the topic or from public administration), our own surveys will be conducted (e.g., with public organizations directly involved in the topic, as well as consumers and cultivation associations), and the data will finally be evaluated with regard to the aforementioned overarching objectives.” states the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) on its website (translated from German to English).

“The evaluation will make an important contribution to answering the question of how the law is being implemented in everyday life and whether the intended effects of the law are being achieved. Furthermore, the evaluation should provide reliable evidence for potentially necessary legislative adjustments.” BMG also states.

Some initial findings from the EKOCAN project and its project manager, Dr. Jakob Manthey, have already surfaced via original reporting by krautinvest. One of the major takeaways from the initial findings is that reported cannabis consumption rates were already on the rise in Germany leading up to the enactment of the CanG law, and Dr. Manthy determined that the rise was due to older individuals reporting cannabis use.

Regarding younger consumers, which is a demographic often focused on by cannabis opponents in their talking points, Dr. Manthy “sees no anomalies since the Cannabis Act came into force,” according to krautinvest’s reporting, and that Dr. Manthy doesn’t assume “that any changes can be attributed to the Cannabis Act.”

Other high-level takeaways from the initial evaluation findings are that there aren’t enough cannabis cultivation associations in Germany, that there are no “short-term changes” regarding public roadway safety, legalization has not increased reported mental illnesses, and that the CanG law has significantly lowered cannabis-related criminal offenses in Germany. It will be interesting to see if those initial findings are included in the upcoming interim report in October.

Another major item that members of the cannabis community inside and outside of Germany need to have on their radars relates to decisions on pending applications for regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot projects. The pending applications and looming decisions were touched on in the German Cannabis Business Association’s (BvCW) recent newsletter.

“To date, 58 applications for research projects have been submitted under Section 2 (4) of the KCanG, 32 of which are so-called model projects. The first decisions on applications by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food are expected in the third quarter of 2025.” BvCW wrote in its newsletter this week (translated from German to English).

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are part of the second phase of Germany’s legalization model, and were initially expected to launch by the end of 2024. However, German pilot launches have experienced a series of delays.

Hopefully the delays have run their course, and approvals will be announced soon. Adult-use pilot trials are already operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland, with no major issues being reported.

Advocates Push For Private Cannabis Clubs In South Africa

Written by Johnny Green on August 9, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

South Africa is on a short but growing list of countries that have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. South Africa is joined by Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, which all adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures before South Africa. The Czech Republic also recently adopted a national legalization measure.

The modern adult-use legalization law in South Africa actually started in late 2018 when the nation’s Constitutional Court deemed cannabis prohibition against private consumers to be unconstitutional. The landmark court decision was finally codified in 2024 by the nation’s lawmakers.

Policymakers and regulators are still working to properly set up South Africa’s recreational cannabis industry, and if advocates have their way, the nation’s legalization model will expressly include private cannabis clubs.

“A new initiative to unify private cannabis clubs to lobby for legal recognition has just been launched. The South African Cannabis Clubs Alliance (SACCA) says the time is critical for the private club movement to speak with one voice ahead of the anticipated release of draft regulations that will empower the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act.” reported Cannabiz Africa in its local reporting.

“SACCA’s launch does come at a time of mounting pressure on authorities to draft regulations to combat the growing cannabis retail ‘Grey Zone’, the omniglot of thousands of unlicensed businesses dealing in cannabis across the country. To date, conflicting court decisions have cast clubs into a legal ‘no man’s land’ where the best they can strive for in terms of compliance, is to be ‘technically’ not illegal.” the outlet also reported.

As part of its advocacy, the South African Cannabis Clubs Alliance has launched a website, stating on it that the organization seeks to “ensure that self-regulated Cannabis Clubs are formally recognised in future cannabis legislation, with compliance requirements embedded into law to promote safety, transparency, and legitimacy.”

“SACCA is committed to an inclusive, transparent drafting process, inviting participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders — including cultivators, legal experts, health professionals, traditional healers, activists, and community members.” the organization also states on its website.

The South African Cannabis Clubs Alliance has created ‘foundational documents’ that it is encouraging members of South Africa’s emerging industry to weigh in on, and the drafting phase for the documents will remain open until February 2026.

“In March 2026, the finalized SACCA documents will be formally submitted to all relevant government departments as part of the push for recognition and regulation of Private Cannabis Clubs in South Africa.” states SACCA on its website.

Uruguay Updates Legal Cannabis Prices

Written by Johnny Green on August 9, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Uruguay became the first country in history to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2013. Multiple nations have since adopted national recreational cannabis legalization measures, but Uruguay will always hold the title of being the first to do so.

Sales of legal adult-use cannabis flower launched in Uruguay’s pharmacies in 2017, and part of Uruguay’s model is having pre-set prices for all recreational cannabis products sold in pharmacies. Periodically, regulators in Uruguay update those prices, which happened recently in the South American country.

When pharmacy sales began in 2017, Uruguay’s market initially offered two flower strains for consumers to choose from. The first is a strain named ‘Alfa, ‘ and the second strain is named ‘Beta,’ each with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels equal to or less than 9%, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels equal to or less than 3%.

Then, in 2022, Uruguay permitted a third option, ‘Gamma,’ which has a THC level of equal to or less than 15%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%. A fourth strain named ‘Épsilon’ was introduced to Uruguay’s legal market in October 2024. Épsilon has a THC level of equal to or less than 20%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%.

“The Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA) announced the new prices for adult-use cannabis dispensed in pharmacies.” reported Montevideo in its local reporting (translated from Spanish to English). “Along these lines, the agency ordered a $10 increase as part of the semiannual update corresponding to August of the new product prices.”

The updated pricing for each strain is below, in Uruguayan pesos:

01/08/2025
Actualización semestral de los precios del cannabis de uso adulto dispensado en farmacias. pic.twitter.com/tvqmuiQeqd

— IRCCAuruguay (@IRCCAuruguay) August 1, 2025

Since Uruguay adopted its legalization model, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, South Africa, and the Czech Republic have also adopted national legalization measures. However, out of the countries that have legalized cannabis for adult use, only Uruguay currently has a set-price model for legal products.

The theory behind Uruguay’s approach to cannabis pricing is that by offering cannabis through the nation’s pharmacies and keeping prices reasonable, it combats the unregulated market. Legal cannabis purchases in Uruguay are limited to residents only. Over 75,000 consumers have registered to make legal purchases through the nation’s pharmacies.

Nearly 50% Of German Patients Live Over 10 Kilometers From A Cannabis Pharmacy

Written by Johnny Green on August 9, 2025. Posted in Business.

As is the case with any country that has adopted a modernized medical cannabis program, Germany’s patient base is spread out across the country, with some regions of Germany having a larger concentration of patients than others. Meanwhile, medical cannabis safe access points are also spread across Germany in a non-uniform manner.

For able-bodied patients who live near a German pharmacy that dispenses medical cannabis, acquiring their medicine is presumably not too big a burden. However, for patients who live far away from a cannabis pharmacy and/or are not able-bodied, telemedicine and delivery services are vital.

Unfortunately, Germany’s Health Minister Nina Warken is currently pushing to abolish both medical cannabis telemedicine and delivery services in the European country. Minister Warken recently released a draft amendment that, as introduced, would:

Mandate in-person doctor consultations
Ban mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Impose stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

For the first time, data has been compiled and published that quantifies which regions and medical cannabis patients would be hit the hardest if the harmful amendment and its provisions were to be adopted.

“Bloomwell Group released a map outlining the number of medical cannabis patients in Germany in relation to the country’s population, along with which regions have the most, and least, patients. The results suggest that online delivery of medical cannabis is heavily relied upon by German patients who do not have local access to brick-and-mortar pharmacies that can supply cannabis treatment.” stated Bloomwell in a press release obtained by the International Cannabis Business Conference.

According to the company’s data analysis, “there are significantly more medical cannabis patients in relation to the population in the South of the country than in the North,” and “almost half of the cannabis patients in Germany do not have access to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy specializing in cannabis treatment within a 10-kilometer radius.”

German medical cannabis telemedicine services help the nation’s most vulnerable patients, including rural patients who live far away from doctors, disabled patients who often cannot travel to complete in-person consultations, and low income patients who may be able-bodied and yet cannot afford to travel to a physical doctors office or pay extra for a doctor to travel to them for in-person consultations. It is paramount for these types of German medical cannabis patients that telemedicine and delivery services be maintained and not banned.

“If half of cannabis patients cannot legally obtain their medication from a pharmacy within a 10-kilometer radius, what alternative remains for these medical patients besides turning to the illicit market? We are only at the very beginning of the legislative process, and given the severe potential consequences of the current draft for limiting the pharmaceutical care access of hundreds of thousands of chronically ill patients, I predict that this amendment will not be passed in its current form. Fortunately, the SPD parliamentary group has already emphasized that without solid evaluation results, they will not jeopardize patient safety through such drastic measures.” states Niklas Kouparanis, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomwell Group.

Leading international cannabis economist Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, estimates that Germany is home to between 700k and 900k medical cannabis patients.

Saarland Cannabis Social Club Receives Cultivation Approval

Written by Johnny Green on August 9, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

One of the main components of Germany’s adult-use cannabis legalization model is permitting consumers to join a member-based cultivation association. German cultivation associations are also sometimes referred to as ‘cannabis social clubs.’

Per our prior reporting, as of last month, 293 cultivation association applications had been approved by regulators in Germany, and hundreds more applications are pending. At least one application had been approved in every German state except Saarland. The southwestern German state was a notable holdout, but it has reportedly finally approved its first application.

“In Saarland, the first Cannabis Social Club (CSC) has received a permit from the state government to cultivate cannabis communally.” reported Saarbrücker Zeitung in its local reporting (translated from German to English). “The responsible Ministry of the Environment announced this in response to an inquiry by the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ).”

“Saarland is thus the last federal state to issue a cultivation permit. The Saarland SPD state government had spoken out against the legalization of cannabis in the Bundesrat (Federal Council).” the outlet also reported.

Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to their local authority to launch a cultivation association. Once approved, adult cannabis consumers in Germany can become members of the association and source products legally. German adults can only be members of one association at any given time, and additional association regulations apply.

Whereas current European Union agreements prohibit national adult-use cannabis sales, such as what is occurring in Canada and Uruguay, EU agreements do permit member nations to allow cultivation associations since they fall under the umbrella of boosting public health outcomes. Malta also includes cultivation associations in its national recreational legalization model.

A major premise of the European recreational cannabis policy modernization effort is that when adults consume regulated cannabis or cannabis that they cultivate themselves, it is better for public health outcomes compared to when adults consume cannabis from unregulated sources.

That premise is the basis for the European Union allowing Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Czech Republic to adopt national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. Recreational cannabis legalization measures are also currently being considered in Slovenia and Switzerland.

Germany Imported Over 43 Tonnes Of Cannabis In Q2 2025

Written by Johnny Green on August 6, 2025. Posted in Business.

Canada continues to serve as the top source of medical cannabis imports to Germany, with BfArM reporting that Germany has imported 36.164 tonnes of medical cannabis products in the first half of 2025. By comparison, 25.524 tonnes have been imported to Germany from Portugal in the first half of 2025.

Below is a breakdown of countries of origin for medical cannabis imports to Germany in 2024 and the first half of 2025, via BfArM:

Legal sales of medical cannabis products through pharmacies began in Germany in 2017. Back then, the Netherlands served as the top source for medical cannabis imports to Germany. The same was true for 2018. However, in 2019, imports to Germany from Canada topped the Netherlands and every other country of origin, and that has remained the case ever since.

Germany was already home to Europe’s largest legal medical cannabis market before the nation’s CanG law took effect in April 2024, and as the data demonstrates, Germany’s medical cannabis industry has surged since then. Germany is on pace to eclipse 160 tonnes of medical cannabis imports in 2025 if current trends persist, but given the fact that import totals still appear to be climbing, it will be interesting to see what the actual final total for 2025 ends up being.

DHV Issues Statement Against Harmful German Draft Amendment

Written by Johnny Green on August 4, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Last month, Germany’s Ministry of Health released a draft amendment that, if approved, would negatively impact the nation’s medical cannabis program, and with it, Germany’s suffering patients and emerging industry. As proposed, the draft amendment would:

Mandate in-person doctor consultations
Ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Impose stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

Pushback to the draft amendment by medical cannabis patients, advocates, and industry members was swift. The German Hemp Association (DHV) recently issued its own statement calling for the proposed amendment to be defeated.

“Telemedical prescriptions of cannabis medications and online delivery were already possible before the MedCanG “in the days of the Narcotics Act.” The planned changes would essentially catapult us back to pre-digital times when it comes to cannabis medicine, while the federal government otherwise wants to catch up with its significant lag in digitalization. This not only feels anachronistic for citizens and patients in Germany, but is likely to cause head-scratching abroad as well. No online delivery of (cannabis) medications? Picking everything up in person? In Canada and the USA, this will be hard to believe. This is reminiscent of the strength of the pharmacist lobby, just as it is in Germany.” stated DHV in a recent news release (translated from German to English).

DHV is calling out the apparent selective focus by the Ministry of Health on cannabis flower but not cannabis extracts. Germany has experienced exponential growth in medical cannabis flower imports over the last year. However, the increase in exports has not been directly tied to any increase in public health issues.

“It is unclear why the planned regulations should only apply to cannabis flowers and not to extracts with significantly higher THC concentrations. The justification merely states that the import of flowers has increased significantly. However, it is likely that the import of extracts is also likely to have increased significantly from the first to the second half of 2024. However, the Federal Ministry of Health does not provide any figures on this. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) also does not provide any information on the development of extracts. Furthermore, it is unclear whether and to what extent extracts are produced and distributed within Germany after the import of cannabis flowers. ” DHV points out.

“Without data on the import of extracts and the processing of flowers into extracts within Germany, an objective assessment is impossible, and a one-sided restriction on flowers is incomprehensible. For years, we have seen a one-sided negative portrayal of flowers compared to other cannabis medications because they resemble the traditional recreational drug cannabis, even though the flowers certainly have their justification for medical use through simple inhalation.” DHV also stated in its news release.

DHV’s full statement can be read at this link here, and people are encouraged to read it in its entirety. Readers can also check out our previous coverage of statements from other advocates and organizations, as well as information on where to sign petitions against the draft amendment, at this link here.

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How Cannabis Consumer Preferences Are Shaping The Industry

Written by Johnny Green on August 1, 2025. Posted in Business.

In many legal cannabis markets around the world, consumers and patients have more consumption options than ever before. It wasn’t that long ago that consumers and patients were lucky to get any form or quality of cannabis that they could find.

These days, consumers and patients have a wide range of options to choose from in many legal markets, including edibles, topicals, beverages, tinctures, transdermal patches, concentrates, pre-rolls, and many other products. That is in addition to several strains and potency options for unprocessed cannabis flower.

The average cannabis consumer is becoming more sophisticated, and that, in turn, is revolutionizing the emerging legal cannabis industry as companies continue to bring new products and services to the marketplace. Cannabis consumer preferences are evolving rapidly around the world, from product types to ethical considerations.

Consumption delivery methods are expanding, and many consumers and patients are seeking products containing lesser-known cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD. How consumer preferences are shaping the cannabis industry was the focus of an insightful panel at the most recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin.

Panelists discussed the latest trends and how businesses can adapt to meet these demands, including how to incorporate AI technology for data collection and analysis. The panel was moderated by Tim Powers, the Founder of Kind Selections and the Co-Founder of Cannabis Tolling Solutions. Mr. Powers was joined on the panel by:

Chris Sinacori, CEO of 3Win Corp
Emily Fisher, CEO and Founder of Leafwell
Tanner Stewart, CEO of Stewart Farms
Lorenz Minks, Strategic Consultant at Research Gardens

You can watch the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

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Colombia To Allow Pharmacies To Dispense Medical Cannabis Flower

Written by Johnny Green on July 30, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Cannabis products come in many forms these days, including edibles, topicals, tinctures, concentrates, beverages, and vape cartridges. More types of consumables seem to be hitting the market every year, which is good news for consumers and patients.

With that being said, cannabis flower is still one of the most popular forms of cannabis among consumers and patients for various reasons. Consuming cannabis flower provides the fastest effects for consumers and relief for patients, and it can also be used by people to make their own edibles and other products if they choose to.

All medical cannabis programs around the world must include legal sales of cannabis flower as part of their safe access models, including through pharmacies. Germany and Uruguay are two countries that already permit cannabis flower sales through pharmacies. Thankfully, that is reportedly expected to also happen soon in Colombia.

“Colombia is set to legalize the sale of psychoactivecannabis with a medical prescription, under a draft decree from the Justice Ministry that would, for the first time, permit pharmacies to dispense psychoactive marijuana flower to patients with a doctor’s authorization.” reported Colombia One in its local coverage.

“Under the proposed decree, Colombians could legally purchase cannabis in its flower form and consume it by smoking or vaporizing, once they present a medical prescription for conditions such as chronic pain, sleep disorders, or illnesses affecting the central nervous system, including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.” the outlet also reported.

Lawmakers in Colombia first approved medical cannabis legalization in the South American nation in 2016. Legal exports of medical cannabis products were approved in 2021, and since that time, Colombia’s export sector has increasingly gained global market share.

You will be hard-pressed to find a place anywhere else on earth where quality cannabis can be cultivated on a large scale as easily and cost-effectively as it can be grown in Colombia. Licensed large-scale producers can cultivate quality cannabis in Colombia for as little as ten cents (USD) per gram. That is nearly impossible for other markets to duplicate, with only a few exceptions.

The world has enjoyed consuming Colombian cannabis flower for decades, albeit not always regulated Colombian cannabis. Fortunately, the nation’s own medical cannabis patients will soon be able to access it through the nation’s pharmacies, and without the fear of prosecution.

South Africa Is Studying Cannabis Business Development Opportunities

Written by Johnny Green on July 25, 2025. Posted in Business.

South Africa officially approved a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2024, placing the African nation on an exciting and ambitious path towards taking its rightful place as a continental and international cannabis industry leader.

In 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court rendered a landmark legal decision that struck down the nation’s cannabis prohibition law as it pertained to private individual cannabis activity. Part of the decision tasked South Africa’s lawmakers with drafting new laws within two years to reflect the order. It obviously took longer for the Court’s decision to be codified.

A parliamentary question was recently posed in South Africa, which inquired about what steps the Minister of Small Business Development is taking to “support and promote small- and medium-sized enterprises in the hemp and cannabis sectors.”

The question, directed to Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, asked about:

Timelines
Budget allocations
What regulations and laws has her department identified that “impede the development of a hemp and cannabis sector”
Steps taken to assist SMEs in navigating “red tape”
Steps taken to “ensure that the sector is an enabling space” for rural, black, and women-owned businesses

Below are excerpts from the Minister’s reply, which can be read in its entirety at this link here:

“The Department has conducted research on the value chain relating to hemp and cannabis to assist the Department in understanding the areas in the primary, secondary and tertiary economic functions which MSMEs may find opportunities for creation of small businesses to generate income, create jobs and play a meaningful role in the sector and related economic functional support activities. The study was conducted internally and as such, there were no costs associated with conducting the study.” Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams wrote.

“Currently, the Department is assessing cannabis projects in three provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape) as a start for provision of support on infrastructure requirements. The process of site visits is underway and projects in KwaZulu-Natal have already been visited for verification, Northern Cape is to follow in this first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, and Eastern Cape will follow thereafter.” she also wrote.

“The Department has taken a deliberate stance to approach issues of economic participation and inclusion through mainstreaming using the national targets as a benchmark in the implementation of its support interventions and programmes. This is mainly reflected in the performance reports that measures the extend to which rural, township, black, women, youth and the disabled are part of the MSMEs supported from the financial and non-financial support provided on an ongoing basis. The normal structure of reporting addresses these elements under all programmes. In instances where any of the elements is reflected in the reports, reasons for deviation on lack of data in reports submitted are required to justify the omission.” the Minster concluded in her reply to the inquiry.

A recent market projection for South Africa’s emerging legal cannabis industry estimated that the nation’s draft National Cannabis Master Plan, once fully implemented, would create over 100,000 jobs and add approximately R30 billion to South Africa’s economy.

Ghana Engages With Morocco To Discuss Cannabis Policy Implementation

Written by Johnny Green on July 25, 2025. Posted in Business.

Ghana’s current cannabis industry regulatory body, the Management of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), recently engaged Moroccan Ambassador Mrs. Imane Quaadill to discuss Ghana’s ongoing cannabis policy implementation.

The reported goal of the cannabis regulation-based discussion between the two African countries was to help Ghana regulators gain insight into best practices and strategies from Morocco’s experiences as a continental cannabis industry leader. The representatives also discussed ways that the two countries could boost partnerships.

“NACOC is committed to exploring opportunities that would build and enhance the capacities of our staff and share ideas.” stated Brigadier General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, Director-General of the NACOC, per the Ghana News Agency.

“Mrs. Quaadil said her office would also collaborate with the Moroccan anti-drug authorities to host some selected NACOC staff in September 2025 to study the procedures and successes in the implementation of cannabis regulations.” the news agency also wrote.

Ghana’s parliament approved the ‘Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023’ roughly two years ago. The measure tasked Ghana’s Ministry of Interior with issuing cannabis cultivation licenses.

In 2020, Ghana’s parliament passed a measure authorizing the production of low-THC cannabis for medical and research purposes. However, the nation’s Supreme Court later deemed the measure to be unconstitutional, and as a result, kept prohibition in place. The measure that was approved in 2023 in Ghana seemed to directly address the reported legal insufficiencies.

Ghana’s economy currently ranks 10th among African nations. However, it ranks 74th globally. The average salary in Ghana is roughly 60,340 GHS, which converts to about 5,292 USD. Needless to say, a robust, thriving medical cannabis industry would greatly benefit the citizens of Ghana via a boost in economic development and job creation.

The economic benefit to Ghana comes in addition to the therapeutic benefits that will be afforded to suffering patients under the approved law. As is the case in every country, Ghana is home to countless suffering patients who could benefit from cannabis therapies.

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German Cannabis Advocates Push Back On Harmful Amendment

Written by Johnny Green on July 23, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Germany’s medical cannabis community is resilient, as demonstrated by a swift and largely united pushback from medical cannabis advocates against a recently published draft amendment to the country’s Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG).

The changes are being proposed by Germany’s Ministry of Health despite the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine services. As drafted, the amendment would negatively impact safe access in Germany, and the nation’s most vulnerable medical cannabis patients would suffer as a result. The proposed changes contained within the draft amendment include:

Mandatory in-person doctor consultations
A ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

“Health Minister Warken sees mail-order sales and anonymous online prescriptions as a gateway for misuse, which is promoted by commercial platforms. However, the draft does not appear to have been agreed upon with the coalition partner, the SPD , yet . The industry is calling for differentiated solutions instead of blanket bans. Reputable providers are advocating for stricter standards in telemedicine, but against a complete ban on digital care. A mail-order ban would once again push patients onto the black market and overburden pharmacies and practices.” stated the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).

“Security of supply, for example through rare varieties or short-term availability, has so far been better ensured through digital processes. In light of the planned evaluation of the Cannabis Act in the fall, platforms and patient representatives are calling for a fact-based dialogue with politicians – otherwise, there is a risk of setbacks in patient care and the re-criminalization of many chronically ill people.” BvCW also wrote.

“Healthcare should never depend on your zip code or bank balance,” said David Barnan, Chief Marketing Officer at DoktorABC, in a press release. “We are watching with great concern as Germany moves toward a two-tier healthcare system. In major cities, those with money receive treatment, while patients in rural areas are left behind. The proposed restrictions on telemedicine prescribing of cannabis and mail-order sales of medicines would push tens of thousands of legitimate medical cannabis patients back to ineffective therapies—or, worse, into the unregulated market.”

“For many patients, a doctor’s visit can cost up to €100 out of pocket—and that doesn’t even include travel expenses, lost time from work, or the cost of caregivers,” Barnan also stated. “And most local pharmacies simply can’t stock the full range of cannabis flowers that doctors prescribe. Patients will be forced to travel from pharmacy to pharmacy just to find their medication. Smaller local stocks also keep prices high. Faced with rising costs and repeated supply shortages, many patients will forgo treatment—or turn to the black market, where there is no medical oversight.”

“Telemedicine is not a loophole—it’s a lifeline that lowers costs, expands access, and keeps patients in regulated care,” Barnan said.

“We call on legislators to protect digital consultation channels and ensure the shipping and delivery of legally prescribed medical cannabis from pharmacies. Where additional security measures are necessary, they should be specifically enhanced—but patients must not be cut off from effective, physician-assisted access.” states a petition started by DoktorABC on Change.org. As of the posting of this article, the petition has been signed by 17,289 people.

“Mail-order sales by German pharmacies should remain possible – especially with regard to chronically ill people who are limited in their mobility.” stated health politician Simone Borchardt (CDU), according to local reporting by Handelsblatt (translated from German to English). “If shipping from abroad is stopped while maintaining domestic shipping, we will strengthen the pharmacy landscape in Germany and improve care, especially in rural areas. A complete ban, however, goes too far.”

“For hundreds of thousands of people, medical cannabis is the only effective treatment. Nevertheless, due to concerns about abuse, centralized care channels such as telemedicine and mail-order delivery are being restricted – contrary to current healthcare practices and without consulting those affected.” states a separate petition launched by Grünhorn Group (translated from German to English). “A telemedicine ban would hurt the wrong people: the patients. The black market would profit.”

“Telemedicine access is to be severely limited, and the shipping of medical cannabis flowers by pharmacies is to be prohibited. This would likely result in at least halving the current market volume. This raises questions about the BMG’s motives.” pointed out krautinvest in a recent article.

“The high demand for online offerings is not the problem, but a symptom of a sick healthcare system that is failing to adequately fulfill its mandate. New hurdles do not lead to better standard care—instead, they lead to fewer options and longer journeys for those affected. A ban on flower shipping threatens conditions that are more restrictive than when cannabis was still a narcotic.” stated Stefan Konikowski, Board Member of Berliner Cannabis Hilfe eV (Berlin Cannabis Help Association).

“In the interest of patients, we demand that the market for medical cannabis, as well as related (tele)medical, pharmaceutical, and other care-related services, be sensibly regulated and controlled through existing laws. Particular consideration must be given to patient welfare, security of supply, and low-threshold access.” Stefan Konikowski also stated (translated from German to English).

Total Approved German Cultivation Associations Nears 300

Written by Johnny Green on July 21, 2025. Posted in Business.

The total number of approved adult-use cannabis cultivation associations in Germany continues to increase, with officials having approved nearly 300 applications so far. That total is up from a previously reported 234 approved applications as of mid-June 2025.

“One year after cannabis clubs were permitted, authorities have licensed 293 such associations, according to an investigation by the dpa news agency into the respective state authorities. The clubs are authorized to cultivate cannabis and distribute it to their members.” stated Zeit in its local reporting (translated from German to English).

“According to the German Press Agency (dpa), North Rhine-Westphalia leads the list with 83 approved cultivation associations, well ahead of Lower Saxony with 55.” the outlet also reported. “It is followed by Rhineland-Palatinate with 27 and Baden-Württemberg with 23 approved associations. Saarland is at the bottom of the list – no associations have been approved there yet. There are two approved associations in Bremen, three in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, six in Thuringia, and seven in Berlin.”

Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a recreational cannabis cultivation association, sometimes referred to as ‘social clubs.’ The associations are member-based, and adults can join the associations and legally source their cannabis from them. It is worth noting that not all approved cultivation associations are operational, with many still in various stages of startup.

Cultivation associations are a key component of Germany’s legalization model. Whereas current European Union agreements still prohibit regulated national adult-use cannabis sales, such as what is occurring in Canada and Uruguay, EU agreements do permit cultivation associations. Malta’s legalization model also involves permitting cannabis cultivation associations.

One of the many ongoing German adult-use cannabis legalization evaluation projects being conducted is the Evaluation of the Consumer Cannabis Act (EKOCAN), led by project manager Dr. Jakob Manthey. Dr. Manthey recently announced some of EKOCAN’s preliminary findings, which included the determination that there aren’t enough cannabis cultivation associations in Germany.

The continued uptick in approved German adult-use cannabis cultivation association applications comes against continued calls by cannabis opponents in Germany to limit the use of medical cannabis telemedicine services.

A draft amendment to Germany’s Medical Cannabis Act (MedCanG) was recently released by Germany’s Ministry of Health and German Health Minister Nina Warken. The proposed changes contained within the draft amendment include:

Mandatory in-person doctor consultations
A ban on mail-order medical cannabis dispensing
Stricter rules for medical cannabis prescriptions

All of those limitations would also apply to the ongoing logistics of acquiring medical cannabis products for the suffering patients who can overcome the arbitrary additional hurdles and gain initial approval from a doctor.

There is still time for medical cannabis advocates to prevent the drastic changes from gaining final approval, which was touched on by leading German cannabis policy expert attorney Peter Homberg of gunnercooke in a recent interview with krautinvest (I encourage everyone to read the interview on krautinvest.de in its entirety).

“I can’t imagine this draft bill being passed in its current form. In my view, it represents the Federal Ministry of Health’s maximum demands, which go far beyond the actual goal.” Peter Homberg said (translated from German to English) in the interview in response to krautinvest’s question, “In your opinion, how realistic is it that these changes will be implemented?”

Mr. Homberg would go on to explain that some changes to Germany’s medical cannabis rules and regulations will likely occur, but not everything that is being proposed in the recently released draft amendment.

“I can imagine that the SPD, as part of the coalition, will work quite hard to prevent this law from being implemented in this form. After all, its contents are counterproductive to what the government implemented during the last legislative period: comprehensive patient care with high-quality cannabis products from pharmacies.” Mr. Homberg also stated in the interview.

Lebanon Agriculture Minister Touts Economic Benefits Of Regulated Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on July 21, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Lebanon may not be the first country that people think of when it comes to the emerging legal cannabis and hemp industries. However, there is a concerted push underway to ramp up the nation’s legal industries, and that push is largely being led by the nation’s leaders.

“Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday sponsored a conference at the Grand Serail on legal cannabis cultivation, reaffirming the government’s push to activate Lebanon’s law allowing medical and industrial use.” reported LBC International in its local reporting.

“In his opening remarks, Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani framed the initiative as a turning point in Lebanon’s approach to agriculture and economic development.” the outlet also reported in its original coverage.

Agriculture Minister Hani reportedly described developing the nation’s medical and industrial hemp industries as being “a national responsibility” and that the emerging sectors are “promising” if they can be developed sufficiently.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister estimates that an established medical and industrial hemp industry could develop into a $1 billion market and create a significant number of jobs in the process. He pointed to the Bekaa Valley as an example that could particularly benefit from a developed industry.

A 2019 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that Lebanon was the third largest source for ‘cannabis resin’ worldwide, only behind Morocco and Afghanistan. UNODC estimated that roughly 6% of all the cannabis resin on earth originates in Lebanon.

Two historical measures largely govern cannabis activity in Lebanon. The first came in 1998, when Lebanon passed law 673/1998, which criminalized the use of illicit drugs and scheduled cannabis as a “very dangerous substance with no medical use.”

The second occurred in 2020, when Lebanon became the first country in the region to somewhat liberalize its cannabis policies by permitting limited cannabis farming. As time has gone on, the measure approved in 2020 has proven to be largely symbolic, with the nation’s cabinet refraining from implementing decrees to establish a regulatory authority.

“In April 2020, after decades of discussions and controversy, the Lebanese parliament voted a law legalizing the cultivation, production, and sale of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Although the law leaves several unanswered questions and awaits implementation, the symbolic nature of this step in recognizing a positive role of cannabis in the local economy is significant on a regional level.” wrote a team of researchers affiliated with various health and academic institutions based in Lebanon.

“The social experiment taking place in Lebanon is fraught with risks, given the unstable political situation and chronic economic challenges. The reactions to the law have been mixed with several scientific bodies such as the Lebanese Psychiatric Society criticizing the absence of proper consultation of stakeholders.” the researchers also wrote.

Legal Cannabis Sales Could Add $10 Billion To Victoria’s Economy

Written by Johnny Green on July 21, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

If Victoria, a state in southeast Australia, were to allow a regulated adult-use cannabis industry to operate within its borders, the jurisdiction could witness a boost of as much as $10 billion in gross state product over the next decade.

The projection is part of an economic analysis commissioned by the Penington Institute. The economic analysis also found that a regulated recreational cannabis industry in Victoria could create as many as 17,000 new jobs and generate $2 billion for the government’s public coffers via taxed sales and industry fees.

“These figures were based on a scenario in which Victoria implemented a comprehensive regulatory model developed by the Penington Institute.” reported Cannabiz in its original coverage of the analysis. “The plan outlined 21 control measures, including bans on underage access, advertising and public use, and a licensing system covering cultivation, manufacturing and retail.”

“Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said the data demonstrated the scale of the economic opportunity, which was currently being occupied by a billion-dollar illegal market.” the outlet also reported.

The recreational-focused analysis was published against a backdrop in which opponents inside and outside of Australia’s government are pushing for stiffer medical cannabis industry regulations. Australia legalized medical cannabis in 2016.

“Given the increasing numbers of Australian using medical cannabis and an increase observed in poor prescribing practices, Ahpra and the National Boards last week released updated guidance to help practitioners meet their obligations. This follows the AMA calling on health ministers to address the issue, in part by providing adequate resources to Ahpra and the National Boards.” reported Hemp Gazette about recently shifting medical cannabis regulations in Australia.

“The AMA is also calling for stricter enforcement to stop medicinal cannabis companies from exploiting special access schemes and avoiding listing products on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The ARTG lists all therapeutic goods that are legally allowed to be supplied in or exported from Australia; including medicines, medical devices, and other therapeutic products.” the outlet also reported.

Australia is on pace for over 200,000 medical cannabis approvals by the end of the year. Last year, Australian doctors issued about 178k approvals by comparison. Australia’s medical cannabis industry imported over 42,000 kilos of medical cannabis products in 2023 alone.

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Opportunities In New Global Cannabis Markets

Written by Johnny Green on July 15, 2025. Posted in Business.

As much as the emerging legal cannabis industry has grown in size and scope around the world in recent years, it is still young by many measures. The legal global cannabis industry’s market value is measured in the tens of billions right now, but the market value that is still unregulated is measured in the hundreds of billions, demonstrating that the emerging regulated industry is just scratching the surface of what is possible.

Every passing year seems to result in new jurisdictions being created, and/or already established and regulated markets increasing in size. Every policy and regulatory modernization measure that is adopted creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers.

New international markets were the focus of one of the panels at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. The panel was moderated by Adi Rozenfeld, partner at Herzog Law. Ms. Rozenfeld was joined on the panel by:

Eidan Havas, Founder of The Entourage Effect
Natcha Klahan, COO of World Pharma Solutions and partner at Cannagen
Merlin MacDonald, Director of Business Development at Carbon Extracts
Omar Khan, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at High Tide Inc

Emerging regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America are becoming key players in the cannabis industry. This panel explored market entry strategies, local regulations, and the potential for growth. Panelists also discussed the importance of creating and maintaining positive government relationships in emerging jurisdictions. Learn how businesses can navigate these markets while respecting cultural and regulatory nuances.

You can view the panel discussion at the embedded video below:

Evaluating Germany’s Cannabis Legalization Law

Written by Johnny Green on July 13, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy, Science.

Germany remains the largest country, as measured by population size, to ever adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Given Germany’s position as a continental and global political and economic leader, it is easy to make an argument that German legalization is the most significant cannabis policy modernization effort of its kind in history.

While there are various ongoing evaluations of Germany’s CanG law, the Evaluation of the Consumer Cannabis Act (EKOCAN) is a very prominent one that domestic lawmakers are following as they continue to consider potential updates to German cannabis public policy.

The project manager for the EKOCAN research effort is Dr. Jakob Manthey, and according to the Federal Ministry of Health’s website, the goals of the evaluation project are threefold. They include “investigating the impact of the Cannabis Act on”:

Child and youth protection
General health protection
Cannabis-related crime

With that in mind, the initial findings of the EKOCAN project have surfaced via original reporting by krautinvest. I encourage everyone to read krautinvest’s article, which is very informative and insightful.

One of the major takeaways from the initial findings is that reported cannabis consumption rates were already on the rise in Germany leading up to the enactment of the CanG law, and Dr. Manthy determined that the rise was due to older individuals reporting cannabis use.

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Unlocking The Hidden Potential Of Cannabis Genetics

Written by Johnny Green on July 12, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis and hemp genetics are the most foundational component of the entire cannabis industry. Everything else in the entire emerging cannabis and hemp industry flows from genetics, and nothing else is possible without it.

With that in mind, unlocking as much knowledge about cannabis and hemp genetics is paramount for the future of the industry. At a genetic level, cannabis and hemp are the same thing. I only refer to them as being separate in articles because there are two distinct global industries due to how hemp and non-hemp cannabis are regulated.

A panel of experts discussed some of the latest developments in the field of cannabis genetics at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, from the science of breeding to the role of genetics in IP and branding. Biomolecular compounds and other characteristics sought after in new strains were also examined.

The panel was moderated by procurement and market specialist Bubba Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was joined on the panel by:

Clinton Younge, Founder of Charlie’s Cannabis Co.
Alexandre Gauthier, Vice President of R&D at Origine Nature
Dave Auger, Commissioner of Big League Genetics
Matthew Don-Carolis, VP of sales at Segra International

You can view the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

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Nearly 90% Of Thailand Cannabis Stores Expected To Close

Written by Johnny Green on July 12, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

At the start of this year, Thailand was one of the top legal cannabis markets on the planet, becoming so after a landmark policy change a few years ago. In 2022, Thailand made history by becoming the first country in the Southeast Asia region to modernize its cannabis policies and remove cannabis from its narcotics list.

Unfortunately, the glory days of Thailand’s modern cannabis industry appear to be over, at least for now.

“The new regulations – set to be enforced by the end of the year – would leave about 2,000 of Thailand’s estimated 18,000 cannabis shops in operation, a Ministry of Public Health official said on Tuesday.” reported South China Morning Post this week in its original coverage.

“Cannabis was officially designated a “controlled herb” in June, under an order signed by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin. The reclassification means the plant can now only be used with a licensed medical prescription, and all professionals authorised to prescribe it must undergo training approved by the health ministry.” the outlet also reported.

Some international cannabis media coverage has framed the recent public policy changes in Thailand as ‘proof that Thailand’s cannabis industry experiment did not work as designed.’ However, a basic review of Thailand’s approach in the last few years demonstrates that the industry did work as designed by the last government, and that recent changes are actually the result of a new government taking control of the country.

Thailand’s historic cannabis policy shift in 2022 was designed to pave the way for the nation’s emerging cannabis industry to become a regional and international cannabis industry leader. Every household in the entire country could sign up initially to legally cultivate low-THC cannabis plants, which a reported 1.1 million citizens of Thailand had done at one point.

During Thailand’s historic change in 2022, the nation’s Public Health Minister indicated that there would be no plant limit for the government’s cannabis cultivation program. Thailand’s government also gave away over 1 million cannabis seeds directly to households that signed up for the program.

A broad spectrum of government agencies in Thailand agreed to do their part to push the nation’s emerging cannabis industry forward. Researchers estimated at the time that Thailand’s 2022 policy change would result in roughly 12,000 cannabis dispensaries opening nationwide. As we now know, the number ended up being around 18,000 dispensaries by 2025.

All cannabis sales in Thailand will eventually require a medical prescription, and retailers will be required to have an on-site licensed medical professional at every location. All cannabis products in Thailand will be required to be sourced from licensed suppliers and undergo rigorous testing for contaminants.

In addition to requiring tailored training for all cannabis-prescribing medical professionals, all staffers at the nation’s remaining cannabis dispensaries will also have to complete a required training. An estimated 100,000 dispensary staffers are expected to take the necessary training once it is offered.

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Accessing Financial Services In The Emerging Global Cannabis Industry

Written by Johnny Green on July 6, 2025. Posted in Business.

As the emerging global cannabis industry continues to expand in size and scope, the need for sufficient access to international financial services continues to grow with it. Cannabis companies at all levels need access to financial services to effectively operate, including access to banking, payment processing, and investment services.

The legal cannabis industry has made some strides on the financial services front in recent years. However, many hurdles and challenges remain, and entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers need to know the best practices and strategies for overcoming the unique financial system obstacles involved.

At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, a team of leading industry experts discussed this topic on a panel titled ‘The High Cost of Compliance.’ The panel was moderated by attorney Daniel Haymann of MME Legal. Mr. Haymann was joined by:

Gašper Friškovec, CCO of The Talman Group
John Fowler, President of Muskoka Grown Limited
Erin Butler, CFO of Global Cannabis Exchange LTD
Ricardo Geada, Director of Regulatory Solutions at Lawrence Stephens
Sigfried Legeay, CFO and Co-Founder of Canxchange

You can view the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

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Study Determines Best Practices For Cannabis Oil Production

Written by Johnny Green on July 6, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis products and consumption methods come in many forms these days, with cannabis oil being a particularly popular one. Cannabis oil is versatile in several ways, not the least of which is its versatility from the perspective of international transportation.

Oil typically has a longer shelf life compared to raw flower and takes up much less space when being transported. At the most basic level, cannabis in oil form allows companies to ship far more cannabinoids to far-off destinations than if they were to ship raw flower to be processed at their final destination. That is an important factor for an industry that continues to go global.

Additionally, many governments seem to prefer cannabis oil products over other medical cannabis products for various reasons, as reflected by the rules and regulations currently in place in many legal medical cannabis markets. Patient testimonials highlight that cannabis oil is an effective form of consumption.

Earlier this week, SOMAÍ, a leading EU-GMP-certified vertically integrated Multi-Country Operator (MCO) specializing in cannabinoid-based medicines, in collaboration with Lusófona University, the largest Portuguese private university and the main institution of Grupo Lusófona, published a groundbreaking peer-reviewed paper titled “Process Development for GMP-Grade Full Extract Cannabis Oil: Towards Standardized Medicinal Use.”

Key findings from the collaborative study, which showcases the best practices for cannabis oil production, include:

Deep-cooled ethanol extraction and purification preserve the native cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant throughout the production process
Improvements in taste, color, and overall appearance make these preparations more tolerable and effective for patients
Terpene fingerprint from the flower is remarkably preserved and can be controlled for reintroduction, emphasizing that terpene formulation is a science, not guesswork

“This paper underscores SOMAÍ’s scientific leadership in the cannabis pharmaceutical industry,” said Michael Sassano, Founder and Interim CEO of SOMAÍ. “Our study demonstrates that full-spectrum cannabis formulations can be scientifically structured, reproducible, and pharmaceutically precise—dispelling the misconception that full-spectrum must mean uncontrolled or inconsistent.”

“This research is a step forward in establishing scientific rigor within the medical cannabis field,” said Professor Maria do Céu Costa of Lusófona University. “Our findings show that with the right methodology, it is possible to preserve the integrity of the plant while achieving consistency, safety, and improved patient acceptance. It’s a meaningful contribution to both science and therapeutic innovation.”

“Unlike unrefined crude extracts or formulations created without standardized methodology, SOMAÍ’s approach is rooted in pharmaceutical science and controlled processes. This ensures a consistent cannabinoid and terpene profile that meets rigorous regulatory requirements while enhancing both the therapeutic efficacy and patient experience.” the company stated in a press release about their cannabis oil production.

A recent market analysis conducted by DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP found that the “global hemp extracts market reached US$ 3.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 6.75 billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 7.41% during the forecast period 2025-2032.”

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UK Announces Updates To CBD Novel Foods Approval Process

Written by Johnny Green on July 5, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

A growing body of peer-reviewed scientific research and consumer and patient testimonials has demonstrated that cannabidiol (CBD) is safe for human consumption, and in many cases, that CBD provides several wellness benefits.

Unfortunately, governments and public policies are often not on the same page as researchers, consumers, and patients. Various governments around the world either still prohibit CBD products or greatly hinder their legal availability.

One government that has notably moved slowly on modernizing CBD policies and regulations is the United Kingdom, although regulators in the UK did recently announce some changes and upcoming timelines pertaining to CBD products.

“The changes, published today, encourage businesses to meet a CBD provisional acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 10 mg per day of CBD (equivalent to 0.15 mg/kg of body weight per day of CBD for a 70kg adult) and the THC safe upper limit of 0.07 mg THC per day (equivalent to 1 µg/kg of body weight per day of THC for a 70kg adult).” the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency stated earlier this week in a news alert.

“The safe upper limit for THC has been agreed based on advice from our independent scientific advisory committees (Opens in a new window), also published today.” the government agency also wrote in its news release.

There are CBD companies in the United Kingdom who were in the middle of the process of gaining government approval to bring their products to the marketplace. Those companies are being afforded the opportunity to reformulate their products in an effort to bring them into compliance with the updated limits.

“The change to guidance encourages compliance with novel food regulations while prioritising public health. Allowing businesses to reformulate their products at this stage will make the authorisation process more efficient, while consumers will benefit from safer CBD products on the market.” stated the UK Food Standards Agency.

“Our pragmatic approach allows businesses to do the right thing for consumer safety while progressing towards full regulatory compliance. This flexibility creates a clearer path forward for CBD businesses while ensuring products meet our safety standards.” said Thomas Vincent of the Food Standards Agency.

A recent market analysis by The Research Insights estimates that “the global cannabidiol market size is projected to be valued at USD 9.14 billion in 2024 and reach USD 22.05 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.8%.”

DEMECAN Introduces First Live Rosin Products Into German Medical Cannabis Market

Written by Johnny Green on July 4, 2025. Posted in Business.

DEMECAN is one of the top companies in the German cannabis industry and specializes in the production and distribution of medical cannabis. The company holds a license for the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes in Germany and operates a production facility that supplies high-quality cannabis products to pharmacies and patients in Germany and Europe.

The company recently announced that it has introduced a line of fresh extract live rosin products into the legal German medical cannabis market, which is a major milestone not only for DEMECAN, but also for the wider German medical industry.

“The Saxon company DEMECAN – the only independent producer of medical cannabis in Germany – is introducing DEMECAN FE 800 No.1, the first fresh extract produced using the Live Rosin process, into regulated medical care in Germany.” the company stated in a press release (translated from German to English). “While this manufacturing process has already established itself as a high-quality alternative in North America, it is a market premiere in Europe.”

“They are obtained exclusively from fresh plant material, avoiding heat, light, and drying to preserve the plant’s complete active ingredient profile. The result is a creamy extract with over 90% active ingredients, consisting of cannabinoids and terpenes. Production is purely mechanical and solvent-free, meaning no butane, ethanol, or CO2 is used. This production method distinguishes the fresh extract from other extracts and makes it the ideal basis for patient-specific formulations, for example, for chronic pain patients or in palliative care.” the company also stated.

Live rosin products are widely available in the United States and Canada, both for medical and recreational use. Other forms of solventless extracts include bubble hash and kief, although live rosin is the most popular among patients and consumers in North America, according to available market data.

“With DEMECAN FE 800 No.1, we are bringing an innovative and internationally proven product into regulated medical care in Germany – safe, effective, and of pharmaceutical quality. As the first and only manufacturer to produce a fresh extract using the Live Rosin process under GMP conditions in Germany, we are setting new standards for therapeutic cannabis extracts. In doing so, we are not only strengthening supply security, but also Germany’s position as a center of innovation in the field of medical cannabis research and application,” explains Dr. Adrian Fischer, CEO of DEMECAN.

“This first market launch demonstrates that we are leading the medical cannabis market in Germany with innovative products,” Fischer continued.

DEMECAN FE 800 No. 1 has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of 80%, and a cannabidiol (CBD) content of roughly 5%. The terpene content of DEMECAN’s live rosin is approximately 6%.

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Forming Strategic Partnerships In The Emerging Cannabis Industry

Written by Johnny Green on July 2, 2025. Posted in Business.

With the emerging legal cannabis industry continuing to expand globally, it is more important than ever for entrepreneurs, investors, and companies to form strategic partnerships effectively. It could mean the difference between a brand being around for years to come or having to close operations.

Partnerships can take many forms, and unique endeavors will require specialized talent, mentorship, capital, and/or many other mutually beneficial components to help ensure success in the increasingly competitive cannabis industry.

A team of experts recently participated in a panel discussion at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, focusing on the topic of forming strategic partnerships. The panel was moderated by Sonny Moerenhout, Managing Partner of Cultivators. Mr. Moerenhout was joined on the panel by:

Michael Torrey, CEO of Vertosa
Scott Olin Schmidt, Executive Director of Emerald Village West Hollywood
Narkis Tessler, Chief of Strategy and Business Development of Medocann Group
Andrew Baukham, CEO of Leven Therapeutics
John Slaughter, Founder and CEO of High North Laboratories

You can view the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

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Legal Cannabis Market Projected To Surpass $110 Billion By 2030

Written by Johnny Green on July 2, 2025. Posted in Business.

The legal global cannabis market is projected to experience major growth, according to a recent economic report published by analysts from Research and Markets. The analysts’ latest market projection demonstrates the profit potential of the emerging international industry.

“The global market for legal cannabis was estimated at US$33.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$110.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.8% from 2024 to 2030.” stated Research and Markets in a press release.

“The global legal cannabis market has witnessed unprecedented growth due to increasing legalization, rising medical applications, and shifting consumer attitudes towards cannabis use. Governments worldwide are recognizing the economic and medicinal potential of cannabis, leading to widespread regulatory reforms.” they also wrote.

“The legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use in key markets such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe has created significant business opportunities.” the press release also stated.

Over 100 countries worldwide have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures, with medical cannabis industry models varying around the globe. Models range from being very limited and only permitting safe access to select products for certain conditions, to models that offer a wide variety of safe access options to patients suffering from a range of medical conditions.

Additionally, Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures, although not all of those nations currently permit regulated adult-use cannabis sales. Regional adult-use commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and two dozen states in the U.S. have approved recreational cannabis measures.

The emerging international legal cannabis industry is obviously made up of various sectors, with some individual sectors projected to experience more potential growth in the future than others.

Cannabis-infused beverages are increasing in availability and popularity in many legal markets, and Coherent Market Insights recently projected that the “global cannabis beverage market is estimated to be valued at USD 251.7 Mn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 1,054.4 Mn by 2032.”

The cannabis pharmaceutical sector is another area of the industry that holds a lot of potential, with many governments around the world still only permitting cannabis pharmaceutical products to be sold in their jurisdictions.

Research and Markets recently published a sector market analysis, finding that “the global market for cannabis pharmaceuticals was estimated at US$5.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$72.7 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 55.1% from 2024 to 2030.”

A common regulatory requirement in legal cannabis markets around the globe is that cannabis products be tested for such things as contaminants and cannabinoid levels. Cannabis testing requirements are presumably going to be a mainstay of legal cannabis commerce in the future.

Economic researchers with Future Market Insights project that “the global automated cannabis testing market is poised for significant expansion, with industry experts forecasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 11% to 13% from 2022 to 2032.”

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Canada’s Legal Cannabis Industry Continues To Gain Market Share

Written by Johnny Green on June 30, 2025. Posted in Business.

Canada’s legal cannabis industry remains the best national legalization model on the planet, as evidenced by recent market data that demonstrates how the North American country’s industry continues to displace the unregulated market and provide an economic boost.

“The gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices for the legal cannabis industry in Canada in April 2025 was $9.2 billion. The figures are up from $9.1 billion in March.” reported StratCann in its local coverage. “While licensed cannabis producers’ contribution to Canada’s GDP ($8.2 billion) increased 9.8% from April 2024, unlicensed cannabis production’s contribution ($1.7 billion) declined 4%, adding to the ongoing trend of market share shifting from the illicit sector since legalization in 2018.”

“Licensed cannabis stores contributed just under $1 billion to Canada’s GDP as of April 2025, a 6.4% year-over-year increase from April 2024. Unlicensed cannabis stores contributed another $839 million, representing a 4.1% decline.” the outlet also reported.

Canada became the second country to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2018. The only other country to adopt a national recreational cannabis legalization measure before Canada was Uruguay, which legalized cannabis in 2013.

However, Canada was the first G7 nation to adopt a national legalization measure, and unlike Uruguay, Canada permits legal recreational cannabis sales to anyone of legal age. Uruguay limits legal recreational cannabis sales to residents only.

Legal cannabis sales in Canada set a new record in April 2025, with the legal industry reaching roughly $470 million in total sales for the month. The previous record was set in August 2024 when Canada’s legal industry sold roughly $462.4 million in legal products. The August 2024 figure was recently adjusted from a previously reported $476 million total.

Ontario continues to be Canada’s largest legal cannabis market, with a reported 38% of all legal cannabis sales being made in the province.

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The Evolving Industrial Hemp Industry

Written by Johnny Green on June 29, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The hemp plant is arguably the most versatile crop on the planet, and humans have made use of it for thousands of years. Prohibition policies have hindered hemp research and the hemp industry, but thankfully, that is changing as governments modernize their laws and regulations.

Historically, hemp was used for food, fiber, and medicine, and while that is still true, hemp is used for many other things these days, including recreational products and bioremediation strategies.

The hemp sector is big business. During a recent presentation at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, leading international cannabis industry economist Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, provided data demonstrating that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be as much as $456.2 billion.

The evolving industrial hemp industry was a major topic at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. I moderated a panel dedicated to industrial hemp and was joined by the following experts:

Morris Beegle, President of We Are For Better Alternatives (WAFBA)
Robert T. Hoban, Member and Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Group, and Member-In-Charge of the Clark Hill Denver Office
Daniel Kruse, CEO of SYNBIOTIC SE
Chris Day, CO-Founder of the Global Cannabis Network Collective (GCNC)

You can view the panel discussion at the embedded video below:

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Italy Issues Authorization To Distribute Medical Cannabis Flower

Written by Johnny Green on June 28, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Against the backdrop of an ongoing legal battle between Italy’s ‘cannabis light’ industry and the Italian government, regulators in Italy have reportedly issued an authorization to Tilray to distribute medical cannabis flower for therapeutic use.

“Tilray’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FL Group, has become the first company in Italy to receive official authorization from the Ministero della Salute (Italian Ministry of Health) to import and distribute proprietary Tilray Medical-branded medical cannabis flower for therapeutic use.” Tilray stated in a company press release.

The company is approved to distribute flowers containing the following cannabinoid content in Italy:

Cannabis Flowers 25%
Cannabis Flowers 18%
Cannabis Flowers 9% / CBD 9%

Meanwhile, Italian companies that distribute hemp-derived products are vowing to continue to operate despite the legal uncertainties involved. Earlier this month, Italian lawmakers approved a ban on cannabis light products.

A ‘security decree’ measure received final passage by Italy’s Senate in early June by a vote of 109-69. In addition to the ban on cannabis light, the measure also involved several other provisions championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, including the introduction of 14 new crimes.

“It bans the trade of “cannabis light”, or hemp, which unlike marijuana has no mind-altering qualities, infuriating local entrepreneurs who say the move will cost thousands of jobs and imperil millions of euros of investments.” reported Reuters in its original coverage at the time.

All processing, distribution, trade, and transport of ‘cultivated hemp inflorescences’ is, in theory, prohibited under Italian law, although industry and policy advocates point out that the new law is in direct conflict with European Union policies.

“Italian industrial hemp dealers are regularly operating and their businesses have never closed. They will work as they always worked before the entry into force of Article 18 of the Security Decree.” reported DolceVita about comments made by Negozianti Italiani Canapa (translated from Italian to English).

“Basically, to date, a definitive decision on the issue of industrial hemp, effectively does not exist. There was no warning for commercial activities, there were no indications on how to act towards the products, much less towards the fiscal area. Also for this reason we shopkeepers, arrogate to ourselves the legitimacy to continue working exactly as before.” the outlet also reported.

Ultimately, the situation in Italy will take a while to play out before the various sectors of the emerging industry know what they are truly dealing with. In the meantime, the landscape will continue to shift, and selective enforcement by the Italian government will presumably occur to some degree.

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European Industrial Hemp Association Announces Leadership Change

Written by Johnny Green on June 28, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is one of the most established, respected, and important organizations on the planet. EIHA is the only pan-European membership organization in the industrial hemp sector and represents the common interests of hemp farmers, producers, and traders working with hemp fibers, shives, seeds, oil, leaves, and cannabinoids.

The organization’s main task is to represent, serve, and protect the hemp sector in the European Union and international policymaking. EIHA focuses on the different areas of the application of hemp, including its use for textiles, construction materials, paper, cosmetics, feed, food, and supplements.

EIHA recently announced a big change in the organization’s leadership. Below is more information about the leadership change via a press release from the organization:

The European Industrial Hemp Association announces an important leadership change: Lorenza Romanese will be stepping down as Managing Director, and Francesco Mirizzi, currently Senior Policy Advisor at EIHA, will take over the role.

Mr Mirizzi has been part of the EIHA team for the past five years, where he has worked closely with members and stakeholders on all policy files. His expertise spans key dossiers such as feed, construction, food, and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is especially timely, as these dossiers are currently in active development at the EU level. His leadership comes at a crucial moment and positions EIHA strongly for the next phase of advocacy and growth.

Ms Romanese, who has led EIHA since 2019, was instrumental in establishing the association’s Brussels presence and building up its influence at the EU level. Her strategic vision and relentless commitment over the past six years helped position hemp as a serious and growing sector in Europe. “It has been a privilege to lead EIHA through these transformative years. I am proud of what
we’ve achieved together. Francesco’s leadership comes at the right time—his topics are hot and his expertise unmatched. I’m not going far—I’ll continue to support Francesco, the board, and all of you as an advisor, especially on the Novel Food Consortium.” – she states.

While stepping back from the day-to-day role, Ms Romanese will remain involved with EIHA, as a senior advisor, continuing to support the Novel Food Consortium. She will stay on board part-time to advise on strategy and the next steps for the Novel Food applications in the EU and in the UK.

This announcement comes after the EIHA General Meeting on the 11th of June. While negotiations were already underway, Ms. Romanese was still in the middle of the transition process and no formal announcement was made. With everything now confirmed, we are pleased to share the news.

Monica Solano Leon will remain a central point of contact for members, continuing to handle administration, Consortium coordination, and general support. Monica’s continuity ensures stable operations and consistent communication for the entire EIHA network.

We welcome this change with optimism and trust you will receive it with the same enthusiasm as we do. Mr Mirizzi has our full confidence – his dedication, insight, and collaborative spirit have already proven invaluable, and we are eager to see his leadership in action. “I am honoured to step into this role and build on the incredible work Lorenza has done. As the policy landscape
evolves, EIHA must stay proactive, informed, and united. I look forward to working closely with our members and partners to strengthen our voice and impact in Brussels.” – Mr Mirizzi affirms. “In the coming year we will focus on clarifying once and for all the legal status of all parts of hemp, accelerating the Novel Food applications and further increasing awareness of the potential of hemp in the bioeconomy sector” – he adds.

We thank Ms Romanese warmly for her remarkable contributions over the past six years, and we look forward to continuing this journey with Mr Mirizzi leading the way.

Thailand Is Moving Backwards On Cannabis Policy

Written by Johnny Green on June 25, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Thailand adopted a historic measure in 2022, which involved the removal of cannabis from the nation’s narcotics list, making it the first nation in the region to do so. However, that policy change is proving to be short-lived, with the nation’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin confirming this week that he signed a measure that will place cannabis back on the narcotics list.

“Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said on Tuesday he had signed an order restricting cannabis use to strictly medical purposes.” reported the Bangkok Post in its local coverage. “People wanting to purchase cannabis would in future have to present a doctor’s prescription and a medical certificate detailing their condition, Mr Somsak said.”

“The director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Somlerk Jeungsmarn, said on Monday that authorities would allow a grace period before changes come into effect, so the parties concerned could prepare for it.” the outlet also reported.

The announcement was expected, albeit unfortunate, with government officials in Thailand having repeatedly indicated in recent months that they would implement the regressive approach to cannabis policy and regulation. The recently signed order will take effect when it is published in the Royal Gazette, although the exact date of publication is still unclear. Thailand’s emerging cannabis industry is currently estimated to be worth over $1 billion.

Part of the shift in regulations will involve the requirement that all shops have a licensed medical professional on their staff, and that shops must complete and pass monthly inspections. Any cannabis shops in Thailand found to be out of compliance two times will lose their license to operate.

As we previously reported, a ramp-up in cannabis shop inspections has already begun in Bangkok, Thailand, where the Ministry of Public Health, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board collaborated to deploy over 100 officers in a coordinated sweep of 20 shops.

“A group of cannabis advocates said Wednesday that the change in regulations was politically motivated. The group said they will rally at the Health Ministry next month to oppose the change and the attempt to make it a criminal offense again to consume or sell cannabis.” reported the Associated Press regarding pushback by local cannabis advocates.

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Medical Cannabis Is Now Available In Costa Rica

Written by Johnny Green on June 24, 2025. Posted in Business.

Safe access to medical cannabis has finally become a reality in Costa Rica, where suffering patients diagnosed with qualifying conditions can now make legal purchases from the nation’s pharmacies. Legal purchases will require a prescription, although local advocates are working to increase legal medical cannabis commerce options.

The push for increased safe access in Costa Rica via permitting dispensaries to operate is being opposed by leaders of the domestic pharmacy industry.

“The pharmaceutical industry insists that this regulation seeks to protect patients, ensuring that therapeutic cannabis is dispensed by specifically trained professionals and under pharmaceutical supervision.” reported The Costa Rica News.

“The possibility of sales in dispensaries should not be open. These products cannot be sold over the counter, as they pose risks such as drug interactions, adverse effects, or misuse,” stated Dr. Andrés Guzmán Tacsan, representative of the Costa Rican College of Pharmacists, according to The Costa Rica News.

Medical cannabis advocates in Costa Rica point out that not all of the nation’s pharmacies are willing to carry medical cannabis products, and that dispensaries would help ensure that there is enough availability for all qualifying patients.

They also point out that giving a virtual monopoly to pharmacies by not permitting dispensaries to operate limits Costa Rica’s emerging cannabis industry’s potential. Entrepreneurs and investors are largely locked out of Costa Rica’s industry under the current framework.

Pharmacists in Costa Rica who are advocating for medical cannabis to only be dispensed by pharmacists in pharmacies, due to previously mentioned concerns, fail to recognize that medical cannabis dispensary staffers specialize in medical cannabis and are very knowledgeable. Compare that to a pharmacist who may have little to no experience or background with medical cannabis specifically.

A potential compromise may be to require aspiring dispensary owners and staff to complete a certain type of training or certification to establish that a standard of accreditation has been met, which is what many state-level markets in the United States require. For now, qualifying patients have at least some level of safe access to their medications.

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A Big Win For Hemp In The United States

Written by Johnny Green on June 23, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Consumable hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have increased exponentially in availability and popularity in the United States after the adoption of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide in the U.S.

Unfortunately, a byproduct of the rise of intoxicating hemp products in the U.S. is political and regulatory turmoil as states have scrambled to regulate the products, and in some cases, shut down the sector entirely. Arguably, ground zero for the ongoing hemp THC product battle in the U.S. is Texas.

Lawmakers in Texas introduced and approved Senate Bill 3, which would have banned hemp-derived THC products and related activity in Texas. The measure was one signature away from becoming law. However, at the last minute, the legislation was vetoed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill Sunday to ban all THC consumables, allowing the booming market flush with THC-infused vapes, gummies and other products to continue to be sold across the state.” reported the Associated Press. “Abbott, a Republican, waited until the final moment to veto the bill in what would have been one of the most restrictive THC bans in the country and a significant blow to the state’s billion-dollar industry.”

“The law would have made it a misdemeanor to own, manufacture or sell consumable THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, products and was the latest push by states to regulate THC after a 2018 federal law allowed states to regulate hemp, a similar plant to marijuana that can be synthetically processed to produce THC, the compound giving marijuana its psychoactive properties.” the Associated Press also reported.

“SB 3 would have banned widely used, federally legal hemp-derived products, pushing consumers toward unsafe alternatives and threatening public health and choice. Governor Abbott’s veto protects the hundreds of thousands of farmers, veterans, small businesses and adult consumers across Texas who rely on hemp for wellness and their livelihoods.” stated the Texas Hemp Business Council in a press release.

“Texas already has strong hemp regulations under HB 1325, such as strict rules on THC limits, full panel testing, licensing, labeling and accessible certificates of analysis. We continue to advocate for sensible additions, such as limiting sales to those 21 and older, requiring child-resistant packaging, and establishing setbacks from schools, all of which were rejected by proponents of SB 3 in both the 88th and 89th Legislatures.” the Council also wrote.

“Polling consistently shows that Texans do not support a ban on hemp-derived products. We commend Governor Abbott for his leadership and for listening to the more than 150,000 petition signers and thousands more who shared their stories through handwritten letters. We remain committed to working with lawmakers and stakeholders to support a safe, well-regulated hemp industry, not just for Texas, but as a model for the nation.” the Council concluded.

Between $19.1 and $22.4 billion in economic activity is generated by the Texas hemp-derived cannabinoid retail, manufacturing, and wholesale sectors, according to the Texas Hemp Business Council.

The Global Exchange At MJBizCon – Where Cannabis Business Leaders Connect

Written by Johnny Green on June 23, 2025. Posted in Business.

The emerging legal cannabis industry is spreading across the globe, with new markets seemingly being launched year after year, and existing markets continuing to expand. There has never been a more exciting time for legal cannabis businesses than right now, and the future of the legal international cannabis industry continues to get brighter as market projections demonstrate.

At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, leading international cannabis industry economist Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, estimated that the potential global medical and adult-use cannabis market is roughly $237.8 billion. Mr. Whitney estimated that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be $456.2 billion.

Industry members in the United States and Canada are increasingly looking toward markets on other continents for expansion, and rightfully so. Amazing opportunities, particularly in Europe, are being created as governments modernize their cannabis policies.

It can be daunting for North American industry members to learn about and navigate the shifting legal global cannabis industry landscape, and even harder to effectively network at an international level. With that in mind, interested people and entities should check out The Global Exchange at the upcoming MJBizCon event in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December.

MJBizCon and the International Cannabis Business Conference have partnered to present The Global Exchange — a premier destination for international collaboration. MJBizCon has served as the top cannabis industry event in the Western Hemisphere for several years now, and likewise for the International Cannabis Business Conference in the Eastern Hemisphere. The collaboration between the two events is a must-attend for people serious about succeeding in the international cannabis industry.

New to 2025, The Global Exchange pavilion bridges the North American market with fast-growing global regions, including emerging opportunities in Europe. Get timely insights and unmatched networking directly on the show floor. It is where dealmakers, exporters, and investors can find their next high-value business partnership.

“The partnership between MJBizCon and the International Cannabis Business Conference provides a bridge for U.S. and Canadian operators to explore the idea of expanding operations to other parts of the world and helping international industry members forge relationships with entities in the North America markets.” stated Alex Rogers, CEO and Executive Producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Over 20,000 people are expected to attend MJBizCon in Las Vegas in December, including leading entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, regulators, and industry service providers. The event will feature over 1,000 exhibitors, over 200 industry speakers, and over 60 conference sessions. People can find out more, including which attendee packages are available, at MJBizConference.com.

Cannabis Shop Inspections Ramp Up In Thailand

Written by Johnny Green on June 22, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

A series of cannabis store inspections reportedly occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, today as part of the government’s increased industry enforcement efforts. The inspections come amidst calls by cannabis opponents to repeal Thailand’s modernized cannabis policies and regulations.

“The Ministry of Public Health, in cooperation with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and related agencies, deployed over 100 officers in a coordinated sweep of 20 cannabis shops across Bangkok on Sunday (June 22).” reported The Nation in its original coverage.

“Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the operation follows a direct order from the Prime Minister, mandating a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised psychoactive drugs such as Rohypnol and Alprazolam, which are classified as controlled substances under medical regulations, along with precursor substances like kratom and cannabis.” the outlet also reported.

Reported violations from the inspections included ‘failure to properly record transactions and provide product details,’ as well as stores allegedly allowing on-site consumption. The reported violations resulted in some stores being ordered to close for between 10 and 14 days.

The Assistant to Thailand’s Public Health Minister, the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, and the nation’s Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration all participated in the inspections.

Separately, officials in Phuket recently met with members of the local business community to discuss their complaints about cannabis shops in the area. Phuket is home to an estimated 1,500 specialty cannabis stores.

“The Phuket Tourist Association said tour agents in many countries have told its members that Thailand is now associated with high use of cannabis, which is not desired by family travellers.” reported Bangkok Post in its local coverage. “The private sector proposed that authorities improve control of the plant by limiting the number of spots for using cannabis.”

“In May, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said cannabis users in Thailand would be required to have medical certificates, ensuring its use for medical purposes only, if the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s version of the law is passed.” the outlet reported.

State-Owned Company Seeks Volunteer Cannabis Product Testers In Argentina

Written by Johnny Green on June 21, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis research, while still hindered in many ways, has increased in size and scope in recent years thanks to public policy modernization efforts around the world, as well as growing demand for research driven by the emerging legal cannabis industry.

To quantify the increased research in recent decades, one only has to look at search results on PubMed.gov for the term ‘marijuana’, which now yields over 51k results for research conducted between 1950 and today:

With that being said, there is still a lot to be learned about the cannabis plant, its uses, and its potential effects. Argentina’s state-owned cannabis company is conducting research focusing on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is reportedly looking for local volunteers.

“Cannava SE, the Jujuy state-owned company created to develop cannabis for scientific and therapeutic purposes, began the first Argentine clinical trial studying the effectiveness of THC in the treatment of chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain.” reported El Planteo in its original coverage (translated from Spanish to English).

“The trial is exclusively aimed at residents of the province of Jujuy who suffer from chronic pain , especially neuropathic pain. Participation is part of a formal clinical protocol, with professional monitoring and controlled application of treatment through sublingual drops with a THC-rich formulation.” the outlet also reported.

Argentina’s modern medical cannabis industry got its start in 2017, although it was initially hindered by political issues. Starting in 2019, Argentina has made a big push to boost its domestic cannabis industry, particularly as it pertains to science and research. Back then, Argentina’s Ministry of Science and Technology signed an agreement with a local government, the National University, and other entities.

That was followed by a Presidential decree issued in 2020, which provided a way for medical cannabis patients to, in theory, sign up for a government program to be able to cultivate their own medicine.

In May 2022, lawmakers in Argentina passed a measure that created the framework for a more robust medical cannabis industry in the South American nation, including provisions for boosting exports around the world. Later in 2022, the government established a public company to provide seeds, testing, and training to the nation’s emerging medical cannabis industry.

Harmonizing Global Cannabis Regulations Could Unlock Billion-Dollar Markets

Written by Johnny Green on June 20, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The emerging legal cannabis industry is governed by a layered patchwork of local, regional, and international laws and regulations. At best, the situation is chaotic and confusing, and at worst, it sets entrepreneurs and investors up for failure with many public policies at one level of government directly conflicting with public policies at other levels.

As many advances as the legal cannabis industry has made in recent decades, and how large the industry has become, it still has a long way to go to reach its full potential. In fact, no legal market has reached its full potential anywhere on the planet, and it will stay that way until global cannabis industry regulations are harmonized.

To a large degree, the cannabis industry is still comprised of siloed local markets. There are exceptions, of course, with more countries allowing medical cannabis product exports and imports. However, many markets still prohibit all cannabis commerce, and many others only permit domestic commerce.

Even in markets that are legal and permit cannabis imports and exports in addition to domestic commerce, such as in Canada, the market is still hindered by international agreements. Technically, non-medical cannabis legalization “contravenes the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs” according to the United Nations, and that alone creates significant hurdles for operators in all legalized markets.

Harmonizing global cannabis regulations was at the center of an insightful panel presentation at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. The panel, moderated by Benjamin Patock, International Relations at Boveda, discussed how modernized international regulations could unlock billion-dollar markets. Mr. Patock was joined on the panel by:

Götz Schneider-Rothhaar, Partner at SKW Schwarz
Jonathan Havens, Co-chair of Saul Ewing’s Cannabis Law and Food and Beverage Practices and the firm’s Baltimore Office Managing Partner
Atiyyah Ferouz, Founder and CEO of AGCann
Sebastien Beguerie, founder of Alpha-Cat, Kanavape, and Golden Buds
Frederik Bockslaff, Founder and Partner at NIMROD Rechtsanwälte

You can watch the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

Tips And Strategies For Establishing International Cannabis Brands

Written by Johnny Green on June 14, 2025. Posted in Business.

Establishing a cannabis brand that resonates with consumers and patients is not for the faint of heart, and that is true in any market. However, it is particularly true for cannabis companies trying to establish their brands at an international level.

From seed companies to smart shops to controlled environment agriculture businesses, cannabis brands are strategically expanding into the global market at an increasing rate, and branding strategies continue to evolve to ensure that companies are effective in their pursuits.

At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Ricardo Baca, Founder and CEO of international PR agency Grasslands and three-time ‘Marketer of the Year,’ moderated a panel focused on establishing international cannabis brands. Mr. Baca was joined on the panel by:

Nick Avé, General Manager of Zamnesia
Jürgen Bickel, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Storz and Bickel
Lance Lambert, CMO of Grove Bags
Barry Laxer, CEO and Founder of Cielo Verde

This session brought together pioneering executives from leading cannabis brands who have successfully navigated the complex journey from national to international markets. Drawing from their firsthand experience, the industry leaders shared practical insights on market entry strategies, regulatory compliance, and building brand presence in North America, Europe, and beyond.

Panelists provided tips and best practices for leveraging strategic partnerships and distribution networks, among other things. Whether you’re actively planning international expansion or exploring future possibilities, this session delivered actionable intelligence from those who have successfully transitioned. You can watch the panel discussion via the embedded video below:

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The Latest Trends And Innovations In International Cannabis Logistics

Written by Johnny Green on June 13, 2025. Posted in Business.

Right now is the most exciting time for legal international cannabis commerce than any other time in human history. For many decades, cannabis was prohibited around the world, then for a time, the legal industry operated in siloed markets.

However, the legal cannabis industry has truly gone international in recent years, and cannabis imports and exports are becoming more common in legal medical cannabis markets. The increased activity and excitement are paralleled by an increase in challenges and hurdles to overcome.

Shipping legal cannabis halfway around the globe is not an easy task. For starters, all medical cannabis products have to meet all of the regulatory and legal standards and requirements in every jurisdiction that they travel through, which is sometimes more jurisdictions than just where the products originated and where they will be sold.

If people think that one market’s regulations are difficult to navigate, imagine the regulatory labyrinth and hoops involved when there are multiple countries in the equation. On top of all of that, there are the usual challenges that come with any agricultural crop and products derived from them, such as quality and freshness.

One of the most knowledgeable experts on the topic of international cannabis logistics is Yoram Eshel, CEO of Cannabilog. Yoram Eshel recently presented on the topic of international cannabis logistics at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, and the information that he shared was invaluable. You can watch his presentation in the embedded video below:

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South African Authority Warns Against Fraudulent Service Providers

Written by Johnny Green on June 13, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As South Africa’s emerging legal cannabis industry continues to increase in size and scope, the nation’s regulators are warning against fraudulent service providers. People and entities are reportedly falsely claiming to be accredited by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

“The watchdog says it has learned about a troubling trend of individuals and businesses using falsified licences to deceive the public and carry out unregulated operations, putting lives at risk. The warning comes amid the booming popularity of cannabis-infused products in South Africa, from beverages and snacks to baked goods.” reported Health E-News.

“SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela says in a statement that the rapid spread of cannabis dispensaries in shopping malls, many of which are openly displaying copies of alleged SAHPRA licences, is concerning.” the outlet also reported.

South Africa is on a short list of countries that have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. South Africa is joined on the list by Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. The Czech Republic also recently announced plans to adopt a national measure.

Additionally, two dozen states in the U.S. have adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures, and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in both the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The legal cannabis industry in South Africa is still in its infancy by many measures. However, it has the potential to become a continental and international leader, as discussed in a recent article authored by Johann Slabber, CEO of South Africa-based Nexus Pharma.

“Our unique combination of favourable climate conditions, low-cost agricultural production, and access to skilled labour positions us as a highly competitive player. However, what’s still largely missing is a coherent and visible national narrative.” Mr. Slabber recently wrote for CannaBiz Africa after attending the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany.

“With the right frameworks, storytelling, and international engagement, we have the potential to become a powerhouse in the global cannabis economy.” he also wrote.

Approved German Cannabis Cultivation Association Total Increases To 234

Written by Johnny Green on June 13, 2025. Posted in Business.

Starting on July 1, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a member-based cannabis cultivation association. Cultivation associations are one of the main legal channels from which German adults can legally source recreational cannabis, along with home cultivation.

According to the most recent statistics from the Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations (BCAv), there are now 234 cultivation associations in Germany that have received approval out of 658 applications submitted.

The updated statistic was included in the organization’s most recent newsletter as part of the table below, which provides a breakdown of associations approved by region:

As you can see from the data listed in the table, North Rhine-Westphalia has issued the most approvals, while Lower Saxony has issued the most rejections. Unfortunately, cultivation association approvals in Bavaria have proven to be a persistent challenge.

“In Bavaria, the licensing process for cannabis clubs remains restrictive. Although more than 200 cultivation associations have already been approved nationwide, the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety has only issued three licenses – including the “CSC Inntal Raubling”, “Exotic Kingdom CSC Fulda” and “The Marihuana Club Kirchdorf”, according to the FAZ .” BCAv stated.

“The majority of Bavarian applications, however, are still being processed, which is putting financial strain on numerous initiatives or forcing them to abandon them.” BCAv also wrote in its recent newsletter. “Critics accuse the state government of political obstruction. While the number of cannabis offenses in Bavaria has declined significantly, the black market continues to benefit from the lack of legal access.”

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Pakistan Is Allocating Funds For Medical Cannabis And Hemp Production

Written by Johnny Green on June 11, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Over a year ago, Pakistan’s government approved the creation of a cannabis regulatory agency to oversee the nation’s emerging legal industry. The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024 resulted in the creation of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority, which reportedly involves a 13-member board of governors, chaired by Pakistan’s Secretary of the Defense Division.

Pakistan’s emerging legal medical cannabis and hemp industries received a boost recently with the announcement that the nation’s government will be allocating a significant amount of public funding, Rs. 1.95 billion, toward medical cannabis and hemp production.

“The project, approved by the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in December 2021, aims to lay the foundation for a regulated and science-driven cannabis industry in Pakistan.” reported Propakistani in its local coverage.

“It includes the development of advanced greenhouses for medical cannabis cultivation, the establishment of a national analytical laboratory to ensure quality and compliance, and the formation of a central authority to oversee industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis activities.” the outlet also reported.

Cannabis industry licenses in Pakistan are expected to be valid for five-year periods, and a maximum harvest threshold of .3% THC will be enforced. Pakistan first approved hemp farming and related industrial processing back in September 2020.

Pakistan’s main exports are currently textiles, cotton, yarn, rice, and leather products. An industry projection from August 2022 estimated that a thriving hemp industry in Pakistan could be worth multiple billions of dollars annually. Many kush cannabis strains originated in the Pakistan region.

German Lawmaker: Raising THC Limit For CBD Flowers Is “A Sensible Step”

Written by Johnny Green on June 11, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As governments and courts around the world seem to continue to struggle with policies and regulations pertaining to hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products, especially ‘cannabis light’ flowers, one lawmaker in Germany recently expressed her support for raising the THC limit for CBD flowers in her country.

Carmen Wegge is a German politician from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Ms. Wegge has served as a member of the Bundestag since 2021. She was recently asked a question about Germany’s THC limit for CBD flowers on the platform Abgeordnetenwatch.

“What is the current position of the federal government on CBD flowers with tax stamps?” asked Johannes H. “Furthermore, the question arises as to whether an increase in the maximum permitted THC content in CBD flowers to 1% is being considered – as is already the practice in Switzerland and Italy.”

The individual posing the questions pointed out that “around 95% of the natural CBD flowers” being sold in Germany originate from Switzerland or Italy, and that increasing the THC limit for CBD flowers in Germany “would make sense both from a health policy and economic perspective.”

Late last month, a company in Germany (Sanaleo) received the nation’s first-ever tax stamp from the General Customs Directorate of Neustadt an der Weinstraße for its THC-free flowers. Sanaleo’s CBD flower products are now subject to Germany’s tobacco tax in addition to the 19% VAT. However, it remains to be seen what impact the tax stamp issuance will have on the wider CBD flower sector.

Germany implemented the first provisions of its CanG adult-use legalization law on April 1st, 2024, which permits the nation’s adults to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis flowers with no THC limit. However, CBD flowers remain popular in the European country.

“Personally, I consider the scientifically justified increase in the permissible THC content in industrial hemp products – including CBD flowers – to 1% to be a sensible step. The example of Switzerland shows that such a limit is possible without creating a significant potential for abuse. The EU Commission has also already decided to increase the permissible THC content for industrial hemp grown in the field from 0.2% to 0.3% – which was a first small step in the right direction.” Ms. Wegge stated in her response to the inquiry (translated from German to English).

“I believe legally secure and health-oriented regulation for CBD products is urgently needed. This includes a discussion about raising the THC limit for industrial hemp if scientific findings show that this does not pose an increased potential for abuse. Such an adjustment could not only create legal clarity but also strengthen the domestic economy and facilitate imports – without compromising consumer safety. I will therefore continue to advocate in parliament for a coherent, fact-based, and Europe-compatible hemp policy in Germany.” Carmen Wegge concluded.

(The featured image of this article of Bundestag member Carmen Wegge is a photo by Anna Voelske.)

Albania Government Approves Medical Cannabis Cultivation

Written by Johnny Green on June 9, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As medical cannabis policy and regulatory reform continues to sweep across the European continent, the latest country to witness modernization approval by lawmakers is Albania, where the nation’s government reportedly approved licenses for a significant amount of medical cannabis and industrial hemp cultivation.

“The Albanian government has approved the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes, issuing licenses covering 29,000 hectares of land stretching from the north to the south of the country — a move hailed by officials as a boost to the economy but sharply criticized by the opposition and experts as a potential gateway to state capture by organized crime.” reported Tirana Times in its local coverage.

“While the official legal cap for cultivation remains 200 hectares, the government’s preliminary license allocations suggest a far greater scope — one that opposition figures claim could result in the planting of over 1.4 billion cannabis plants.” the outlet also reported.

According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Albania is “the largest outdoor producer of cannabis in the region and there has recently been an increase in indoor cannabis cultivation.”

“In Albania, following a peak in 2017 when over 78 tonnes of herbal cannabis were seized, a steep downward trend was noted, with only 4.3 tonnes seized in 2020 and, according to preliminary data, approximately 3.6 tonnes in 2021.” EMCDDA also reported.

The emerging legal cannabis and hemp industries allow Albania’s farmers to cultivate their crops legally and to have their harvests provided to domestic and international medical patients rather than the unregulated market. However, that opportunity is only as good as the laws and regulations that are implemented in the Balkan country.