The European continent is the most exciting region for the cannabis industry and policy right now, with several nations working to modernize their cannabis laws and regulations. The most noteworthy example is Germany, where lawmakers enacted the first provisions of a national adult-use legalization measure on April 1, 2024.
Adults in Germany can now cultivate up to three plants in their private residences in addition to being able to possess and consume cannabis for recreational purposes legally. Furthermore, adult consumers in Germany can join a growing list of adult-use cultivation associations.
Before Germany’s legalization, Malta and Luxembourg also adopted national recreational cannabis legalization measures. Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are also operating in both the Netherlands and Switzerland. Policy modernization efforts are also gaining traction in other European nations such as in Slovenia and the Czech Republic.
A rise in opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors is paralleling the rise of policy modernization efforts in Europe. Things are moving quickly and it can be difficult to navigate the evolving landscape. Fortunately, there is an opportunity coming up next week in Munich that streamlines the process of identifying and networking with startups and investors.
The Talman Group is hosting an investor event in Munich, Germany on November 8, 2024, for Talman House members. Below is a graphic that explains what attendees can expect at the event. To learn more about how you can become a member of the Talman House, click this link here.
In recent years, cannabis and hemp-derived products that are high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), often referred to as ‘cannabis light,’ have increased in availability and popularity across Europe, including in Italy.
Lawmakers in Italy recently approved measures that seek to prohibit such products from being bought and sold within Italy’s borders. The European Commission has launched an investigation to determine if the measures, and others that are being considered, violate European Union (EU) law.
“The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is proposing a two-part strategy to eliminate legal hemp flowers in the EU, which contain cannabinoids such as CBD.” stated Newsweedin its local coverage.
“The current controversy stems from an amendment to the 2023 Security Law that would impose a complete ban on the sale of hemp flowers. This amendment was passed by the Italian Chamber of Deputies in September 2024 and must now be considered by the Italian Senate.” the outlet also stated.
Cannabis advocates and members of Italy’s emerging cannabis industry argue that what is being pursued in Italy violates EU law. The Court of Justice of the European Union previously ruled in 2021 that hemp extracts and flowers should not be classified as narcotics.
Canapa Sativa Italia, an Italian hemp industry trade organization, filed a formal complaint with the European Commission claiming that Italy’s actions violate the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and impede fair competition within the European Union market.
As we previously reported, a decree was issued in 2020 to classify CBD as a narcotic in Italy, but shortly after it was issued, the decree was temporarily suspended. That temporary suspension was then lifted via yet another decree in 2023, just to also be temporarily suspended.
Prior to the decrees and other measures recently pursued by Italy’s government, much of Italy’s public cannabis policies were shaped by legal decisions. In late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that laws against ‘small-scale domestic cultivation of cannabis’ were unconstitutional, providing some level of legal protection for consumers and patients.
In 2021, cannabis activists in Italy successfully collected hundreds of thousands of signatures to place a cannabis referendum measure on the ballot for voters to decide. However, in 2022 the nation’s Supreme Court deemed the measure’s language to be unconstitutional.
As cannabis policy modernization has spread across the globe, one continent that has experienced a significant amount of reform in recent years is Africa. Currently, the only nation in Africa that has adopted a national adult-use legalization measure is South Africa. However, several other African nations have adopted laws that permit commercial medical cannabis and hemp cultivation.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.
According to a recent report titled “Medical Use of Cannabis in Africa: The Pharmacists’ Perspective” which was published by the National Library of Medicine, nine African countries have adopted laws to regulate commercial cannabis and hemp cultivation, as well as the processing, storage, sales, and/or exports of harvests. Per recent reporting by Business Insider:
In addition to the dozens of countries around the world that have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures, Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany have implemented adult-use legalization measures, as well as South Africa, as previously mentioned in this article.
The legal global cannabis industry is set for significant expansion in the coming years, with a recent report by Skyquest Technology Consulting projecting that the regulated worldwide cannabis market will surpass $148.4 billion in value by 2031.
“Cannabis market was valued at USD 36.4 Billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 42.6 Billion in 2023 to USD 148.4 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period (2024-2031).” the market analysts stated.
“Legalization and regulation are among the primary factors contributing to the development of the cannabis market. The market is expanding beyond the capacity of understanding and awareness as an increasing number of countries have legalized cannabis for medical and recreational purposes.” the analysts also stated.
The banking industry and the cannabis industry have a complicated relationship due to prohibition laws. Cannabis businesses have more options for financial services than they have in the past, however, many members of the global cannabis industry still rely on cash-only models and/or struggle to find loans to scale their businesses.
Cannabis businesses are not the only ones harmed by the lack of banking access for the emerging legal cannabis industry. A recent analysis by Whitney Economics (WE), CTrust, and Green Check demonstrates how much profit potential banks are missing out on by not working properly with cannabis businesses.
“A first-of-its-kind report released today projects that the U.S. cannabis industry will need between $65.6B and $130.7B in sustainable growth capital to support new cannabis businesses and help refinance existing ones over the next decade, generating approximately $1.0 billion to $2.4 billion in potential interest revenue for financial institutions willing to lend to cannabis businesses.” stated the authors of the report.
While the financial analysis report is focused on the United States, many of the same findings can be adapted and applied to every other jurisdiction on earth that still hinders or outright prohibits accredited banks from working with the cannabis industry.
“The report also shows that U.S. cannabis retail sales are forecasted to grow from $28.8 billion in 2023 to $87.0 billion by 2035. To support that growth, the U.S. cannabis industry could add 25,000 to 30,000 licenses to roughly 40,000 current licensees—a near doubling of potential lending and interest revenue opportunities for banks.” the authors also stated about their report.
“The funding needed to realize this growth cannot be supported solely by friends and families,” said Beau Whitney, WE founder and chief economist. “By demonstrating regional opportunities and broader market potential, the report aims to empower financial institution lending departments to help educate their boards on risks, rewards and opportunities—all in the hopes of accelerating the industry’s growth by encouraging more financial institutions to participate”
“Banks have long been cautious about entering the cannabis industry due to regulatory and financial risks, though when they do, they have to rely on non-cannabis specific underwriting and due diligence,” said Dotan Y. Melech, CEO and co-founder of CTrust. “This report should pave the way for conversations with financial institutions to develop more informed lending partnerships with the cannabis industry.”
Legal cannabis companies should be afforded the same access to the world’s financial systems that other large legal industries are afforded. As more countries get on the right side of history and modernize their cannabis policies, momentum will continue to build and hopefully comprehensive global reform will be achieved soon.
Earlier this year, on April 1, 2024, Germany adopted the historic CanG law that legalized cannabis possession, cultivation, and use by adults. Germany may have not been the first country in Europe to do so, but legalization in Germany is undeniably the most significant cannabis policy modernization victory in Europe’s history.
Due to European Union agreements, legalization in Germany differs in many aspects compared to legalization in the Western Hemisphere. Whereas adult-use cannabis products can be sold nationwide in Uruguay and Canada at retail outlets, legalization in Europe focuses more on boosting public health outcomes and research.
Starting on July 1, 2024, people could start applying to launch German adult-use cannabis cultivation associations. The associations are member-based and are one of the main ways that cannabis can be legally obtained by adults in Germany.
The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) recently conducted a poll of its members asking if people in Germany would rather open a cannabis cultivation association or a specialty cannabis store.
“In our non-representative survey, which we shared in our newsletter, we asked from 07.10.2024 – 15.10.2024: “If you had the choice, would you rather set up a cultivation association or open a specialty store or licensed point of sale for cannabis as part of a model project?” BvCW stated in a recent newsletter.
“The respondents voted as follows: 50% definitely wanted a specialist shop/licensed point of sale, 30% rather wanted a specialist shop/licensed point of sale, 10% rather wanted a growers’ association, 5% definitely wanted a growers’ association and 5% partly/partly.” BvCW stated about the results of the survey.
“Thus, over 80% said they rather or definitely wanted to open a specialist shop/licensed point of sale.” BvCW also stated.
In addition to home cultivation and cannabis cultivation associations, Germany’s legalization model will eventually also incorporate regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, similar to what is already in place in the Netherlands and Switzerland but on a much larger scale.
Unfortunately, until European Union agreements are modernized, nationwide sales at retail outlets like what is in place in Uruguay and Canada will have to wait. With that being said, Germany will continue to lead the charge to achieve such policy modernization at the continental level, and a more robust commerce system will no doubt be permitted in Germany in the future.
The International Cannabis Business Conference team posts this article with a heavy heart. The global cannabis community lost a giant this month with the passing of Jürgen Neumeyer. Mr. Neumeyer has been a part of the International Cannabis Business Conference family for many years, and he will be dearly missed by everyone who was blessed to know him.
Below is a message sent out by the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) commemorating the life and accomplishments of Jürgen Neumeyer. He was truly a legend:
Our co-founder and managing director Jürgen Neumeyer died unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, during a family visit to his hometown. At the age of 56, he left behind a comprehensive life’s work. He was able to realize his greatest political goal in life, the decriminalization of cannabis, during his lifetime.
For decades, Jürgen had dedicated a large part of his life to the vision that cannabis users in Germany would no longer be criminalized. In various roles in politics and business, he did not lose sight of this goal and was able to celebrate an important milestone on April 1, 2024. The cannabis law would look different today without Jürgen’s tireless work. But not all of his goals have been achieved yet – be it improvements in the area of industrial hemp or the creation of a legal market for recreational cannabis.
His drug policy career began in the 1990s with the Federal Association of Jusos, followed by a career as an employee for various members of the German Bundestag, publicist and networker. As the founding managing director of the “ Netzwerk Berlin” he was committed to the legalization of cannabis, among other things, and published several books on the subject. In addition to his editorial work for the magazine “ Berliner Republik”, he was also active in its management. He was also a co-founder of the think tank “ Das Progressive Zentrum eV”, as well as the non-partisan association “ Walkkreis eV”, which was firmly anchored in the Berlin government district with a political pub of the same name. His passion for cannabis policy led him to head political communications for the German Hemp Association (DHV) for several years. Jürgen recognized early on that an independent interest group was needed. He was the driving force behind the founding of an association for the German cannabis industry and was managing director of the industry association Cannabiswirtschaft e.V. from 2019 until his death. V. (BvCW) and CS Cannabis Service GmbH.
Our association, which represents all sectors of the industry (industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis & stimulants as well as technology, trade & services), grew to over 100 members within 5 years under his management, published over 40 specialist publications, many statements and press releases, and organized parliamentary meetings and specialist events. As a trade association representing all specialist areas of the cannabis industry, we became the largest of its kind in Europe. With all our commitment, we made significant contributions to the creation of the Cannabis Act, the abolition of the Narcotics Act status and the urgently awaited abolition of the intoxication clause with the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act.
Jürgen Neumeyer had set himself and the association many other tasks, such as setting up the cannabis industry directory and the cannabis specialist publishing house, which are still in their infancy, a cannabis roadshow and the long-term goal of a “House of the Cannabis Industry” in Berlin. The focus was always on the current political goals, such as the model projects for cannabis (“Pillar 2”), but also many other construction projects such as hemp as a building material and the promotion of renewable raw materials.
With his death, we have not only lost a talented manager, friend and networker, but also an empathetic and authentic fellow human being who knew how to lighten up any professional and private conversation with his cheerful nature. He was also notorious for his extensive knowledge of winemaking and beer brewing, as well as his passion as a DJ. He was greatly respected and valued by everyone for his unique style.
The emerging global cannabis industry is comprised of various sectors, with some having more profit potential than others. One sector of the worldwide cannabis industry that shows the most promise is the cannabis product testing sector.
Every legal cannabis market on the planet has different policies and regulations to some degree, but one constant seems to be that cannabis products must be tested before hitting retail shelves, and rightfully so. Cannabis testing ensures that products are safe for human consumption.
Additionally, cannabis testing captures cannabinoid levels which is a requirement in most legal cannabis markets. It lets regulators know if cannabis products fit within certain THC/CBD parameters and helps inform consumers and patients of the cannabinoid content of the products that they are purchasing.
In addition to cannabinoid levels, testing can also determine terpene profiles, which is an emerging area of cannabis testing and research.
According to a recent market analysis by Coherent Market Insights, the global cannabis testing services market is estimated to be valued at $2.38 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.87 billion in value by 2031.
“The Cannabis Testing Services market has been growing significantly in recent years, driven by a number of key factors, such as increasing demand for its products, expanding customer base, and technological advancements.” the market analysts stated.
A separate market analysis recently published by SkyQuest Technology Consulting projects an even larger rate of growth for the global cannabis testing market, projecting that the sector will reach a value of $21.9 Billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 13.5% during the forecast period (2024-2031).
“The use of cannabis in the treatment of several neurological and psychiatric conditions has also increased dramatically along with the increasing prevalence and production of marijuana. This growing trend is expected to drive significant growth in the cannabis testing market during the forecast period.” Skyquest stated about its analysis.
“Asia-Pacific within the cannabis testing market will witness an outstanding CAGR of 25.9%, indicating a vast upward trend.” the analysts also stated.
One area of society that cuts across political lines and socioeconomic backgrounds is sports. People from all walks of life love sports, with football (soccer) being the most popular sport around the world. Football is especially popular in Europe where hundreds of millions of fans are located.
With that in mind, it was a very big deal when the “Endlich” special jersey campaign was recently launched by SC Paderborn 07, Four 20 Pharma, and the Sanity Group, with part of the campaign involving pro-cannabis messaging being prominently placed at a recent football match.
Sport-Club Paderborn 07 e.V., commonly known as SC Paderborn 07 or SC Paderborn, is a German association football club based in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia.
“Whether it’s the 2nd Bundesliga, Bundesliga or international football: special jerseys have become established and are often a real collector’s item for fans of the respective teams. They are usually issued for a special occasion such as a Champions League game. But sometimes they also have a much more serious background – as with the “Endlich” special jersey campaign by SC Paderborn 07, Four 20 Pharma GmbH (Four 20 Pharma) and the Sanity Group.” Four 20 Pharma GmbH stated about the effort.
“The jersey, which is all green with white accents and in which the SC Paderborn 07 team played against Jahn Regensburg, aims to draw attention to the issue of medicinal cannabis and counteract possible stigmatization and prejudice. There were also a variety of activities in and around the stadium – for example information stands and flyers on the seats.” the company also stated.
Below is footage from the match:
“The SCP07 team came onto the pitch dressed entirely in green and with a striking “Endlich” lettering and presented the jersey to the fans. During halftime, the special jerseys were then distributed using a “jersey cannon”. The oversized, inflatable jersey in the “Endlich” design on the forecourt was also an eye-catcher and a popular photo motif.” Four 20 Pharma GmbH stated.
“The other offers from the Endlich initiative were more informative – for example, the interior interview before the game or the 15,000 flyers that were distributed throughout the stadium and conveyed facts about the topic of medicinal cannabis and drew attention to a special Endlich Instagram filter. At information stands, visitors could also talk to medicinal cannabis experts, learn important facts and clarify questions.” they also stated.
Such a powerful message in such a mainstream setting is a big deal by every measure. Putting pro-cannabis messaging on such a grand stage no doubt reached parts of society that other pro-cannabis efforts simply cannot reach. It is an unparalleled effort that will reduce the stigma surrounding cannabis in Germany and beyond.
“After all, this is how we get into conversation with people who have not yet dealt with the topic or have not dealt with it sufficiently, or who are generally opposed to it. And that is exactly where we want to start: initiate a factual discussion, take the topic out of the dirty corner.” says Finn Hänsel, Managing Director & Founder of the Sanity Group.
“The feedback was overall positive, similar to the presentation of Four 20 Pharma as the main and jersey sponsor. We were happy to support this and with the joint special jersey campaign we helped to bring it even more into the public eye and to remove the taboo.” said Martin Hornberger, SCP 07 managing director.
The effort was also supported by TV presenter Matthias Killing (Sat.1 breakfast television), influencer Max Büchsenschütz, and professional athlete and motocross rider Tristan Hanak, who all participated in the campaign.
The overall cannabidiol (CBD) industry has experienced significant growth in recent years due to regulatory reforms and increased demand by consumers and patients. One sector that is witnessing the most growth is the CBD skincare market, which is projected to expand considerably in the coming years.
According to a recent market analysis by Allied Market Research, the global CBD skincare market is projected to reach $8.9 billion in value by 2033, a CAGR of 19.5%. The same market analysis estimates that the CBD skincare market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2023.
“Continuous innovation and new product launches by major skincare brands are attracting consumers and expanding the market. The influence of social media and celebrity endorsements is further enhancing market growth.” the researchers stated.
“Moreover, the increased availability of CBD skincare products through various retail channels, including online stores, specialty beauty shops, and health stores, is facilitating market expansion.” the researchers also stated.
A separate recent market analysis by SNS Insider also projects that the CBD skincare market will experience tremendous growth in the near future. According to SNS Insider, the CBD skincare market will be worth a projected $22.19 billion by 2032, a CAGR of 28.7%.
“Industry reports suggest that CBD skincare products are going to move upward, as growing awareness regarding the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CBD is entering as one of the largest most sought-after ingredients in modern skincare routines.” SNS Insider stated about the CBD skincare market. The market researchers also determined the following:
In 2023, the oils segment accounted for over 38.8 % of the total market share in the CBD skincare market
The segment of department stores had the highest share, above 29.0% in 2023
Hemp-based products topped the market with over 63.5% share in the year 2023
North America was established as a market leader in the CBD skincare product market in 2023
Additionally, according to a recent analysis by Research and Markets, the CBD nutraceuticals market will be worth an estimated $29.1 billion by 2030. The market analysis estimates that the CBD nutraceuticals market will be worth $9.7 billion in 2024.
The emerging cannabidiol (CBD) nutraceuticals sector is expected to experience tremendous growth through the remainder of this decade, with a recent report by Research and Markets projecting that the CBD nutraceuticals market alone will be worth an estimated $29.1 billion by 2030. The market analysis estimates that the CBD nutraceuticals market is worth $9.7 billion in 2024.
“Worldwide, the market for CBD Nutraceuticals is poised to record an above-average growth over the analysis period, the crucial reasons for which are the increase in demand for plant-based foods, growing awareness concerning benefits of CBD nutraceuticals, innovative products in the pipeline and CBD nutraceuticals in capsule & softgel forms undergoing further advancements.” the researchers stated in their analysis.
“North America represents the primary global market for CBD Nutraceuticals, the reasons for which include introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp cultivation and processing of hemp-derived products, demand from consumers after getting to know the benefits of CBD-based Nutraceuticals, major companies active in the region and a significant rise in geriatric population.” Research and Markets stated.
“Asia-Pacific, though, is anticipated to be the fastest growing global region for CBD Nutraceuticals, factors for which comprise entry of leading global players, an increase in lifestyle-associated diseases & other health disorders and greater knowledge pertaining to healthier eating routines.” the market researchers also stated.
“CBD Oils account for the largest share, as they have great versatility in being used in a range of applications, such as capsules, tinctures and cosmetics. However, the global demand for CBD Isolates is likely to maintain the fastest growth, since these are considered to offer high purity, making them ideal as CBD formulations in products that need exact concentrations of CBD.” the researchers stated about subsectors of the market.
“A high demand has been evident for CBD Tinctures, since they widely utilized in treating insomnia, cancer cell growth, seizures, anxiety, depression and chronic pain, as well as hyperglycemia, muscle spasms, psychosis and bone degeneration. However, the demand for CBD Capsules & Softgels is expected to exhibit the fastest growth over the analysis period, since they are more convenient to consume and are also travel-friendly.” the researchers concluded.
A previous market analysis conducted by Market Research Future estimated that the global CBD industry was worth $18.43 billion in 2023 and that the market would reach a projected $59.43 billion by 2030.
Legalizing cannabis for adult use in the United Kingdom and taxing and regulating sales could generate as much as £9.5 billion per year according to a new analysis published by CLEAR. CLEAR is a cannabis reform advocacy organization based in the UK.
“Overall the net benefit to the taxpayer of a taxed and regulated cannabis market could range from £3.4 Billion to £9.5 Billion per annum, with a best estimate of £6.7 Billion per year at recent market levels.” the organization stated.
The market projection is part of a recently published analysis by CLEAR titled, ‘How to Regulate Cannabis in Britain.’ The recently published analysis is the third version of the organization’s plan, with the first version being published on September 12th, 2011, and the second version being published on October 18th, 2013.
“The plan is predicated on the fact that the prohibition of cannabis provides no control whatsoever over this multi-billion-pound market. Present policy is, in fact, an abdication of responsibility by government to organised crime.” CLEAR stated in its analysis.
CLEAR is proposing, among other things, the creation of an “inspectorate as an executive agency of government to include a head office, 10 analysis laboratories, 10 bonded warehouses, 10 regional offices, 100 local offices with a total of 2620 staff and an annual budget of around £200 million.”
“Wholesale distribution and retail licensing would be based on the tobacco/alcohol model. Licences would only be granted to a “fit and proper” person or company. Previous nonviolent cannabis convictions would not disqualify an applicant. There would be a duty of responsibility on retailers not to supply to someone obviously intoxicated on cannabis or any other substance. A limit of 10 grams per transaction could be considered although there is currently no limit on sales of alcohol which is a very much more dangerous drug. Sales would be to adults only and ID would be required if there was any doubt of the customer’s age.” CLEAR stated about its proposed regulated sales model.
In addition to legalized sales, CLEAR is also proposing the legalization of ‘cannabis cafes’ and ‘cannabis social clubs,’ as well as permitting adults to cultivate up to three plants ‘under artificial lighting’ and another three plants ‘under natural light.’
“Alternatively, without artificial lighting, a total of six plants under natural light. Also included would be a separate propagation area for cuttings and seedlings of up to one square metre.” CLEAR stated in its report.
The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) recently conducted a poll asking the question “Should the commercial trade in cannabis cuttings be legal for people over 18, in addition to distribution by cultivation associations?” (translated from German to English).
According to the BvCW poll, which was conducted from September 16, 2024 – September 23, 2024, as part of the organization’s newsletter, 88% of respondents selected ‘yes’, 2% selected ‘partly’, 3% selected ‘rather no’, 5% selected ‘no’, and 2% selected ‘don’t know.’
Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults aged 18 or older can cultivate up to three plants in Germany in their private residences. In order for home cultivators to start their gardens, they first need to acquire cannabis genetics in the form of cannabis seeds or cuttings/clones.
Limiting home cultivators in Germany to only seeds makes no rational sense being that the seed will eventually turn into a small plant anyway. Cannabis cuttings/clones provide some unique advantages over seeds that many cultivators prefer, including speeding up the cultivation process. Prohibiting them serves no purpose other than to perpetuate the illogical policies of Germany’s past.
A recent YouGov poll in Germany found that 7% of poll participants indicated that they had already purchased cannabis seeds or cuttings/clones since legalization took effect. In addition to the 7% of poll participants indicating that they had already purchased cannabis genetics for their home gardens, another 11% of poll participants responded that they plan to purchase cannabis genetics in the future.
Home cannabis cultivation by adults for recreational purposes is also legal in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, South Africa, and in many states in the U.S. Major court decisions in other nations also provide some level of protection for cultivating personal amounts of cannabis.
The global cannabis seed market is projected to experience significant growth between now and 2031 according to a market report by Allied Market Research. The market researchers estimate that the value of the worldwide cannabis seed market was $1.3 billion in 2021 and that the sector’s value will increase to $6.5 billion by 2031 (a CAGR of 18.4%).
Increased demand for cannabis seeds is due to various factors, not the least of which is laws being modernized around the globe to permit the sales and purchases of cannabis seeds. A great example of that can be found in Germany where, as of April 1st, 2024, adults can cultivate up to three cannabis plants in their private residences.
Many German home cultivators are purchasing seeds to populate their home gardens. A recent YouGov poll in Germany found that 7% of poll participants indicated that they had already purchased cannabis seeds (or clones) since legalization took effect.
In addition to the 7% of poll participants indicating that they had already purchased cannabis genetics for their home gardens, another 11% of poll participants responded that they plan to purchase cannabis genetics in the future. Increased demand for cannabis seeds in Germany has resulted in booming sales among Europe’s seed banks.
Another part of the world where cannabis seeds are very popular is the United States. Currently, twenty-four states have adopted adult-use legalization laws in the U.S., as well as in Washington D.C. Not every jurisdiction permits home cultivation, however, most do, and many consumers are taking advantage of the recently afforded freedom.
In 2022, the DEA confirmed that cannabis seeds are legal now in the United States since they do not contain enough THC to be prohibited. Cannabis seeds are considered hemp under U.S. law, and hemp was legalized nationwide as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.
A great event dedicated to cannabis seeds is coming to San Francisco on December 7th-8th, 2024. More than 1,000 cannabis cultivators are expected to access the next generation of elite cannabis genetics at the first “Terpnami” seed fest in San Francisco. The event will feature over 20 cannabis seed breeders.
The public event is free to attend with RSVP and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th.
“Terpnami will feature fine food, drink, art, DJs, and festival attractions. A weekend of events including clone and seed drops at Bay Area dispensaries like 7 Stars, as well as VIP receptions wrap around the seed festival.” stated SFHashWeekin a recent blog post.
The event is organized by award-winning journalist and best-selling author David Downs. His ‘David Downs Presents’ production team brought more than 25 events to San Francisco in 2024, including the incredibly successful SF Weed Weeks and SF Hash Week.
“Everything in cannabis starts with great genetics and I’m honored to celebrate the breeders. Breeders are rockstars and deserve to be celebrated in a world-class city with a top-notch event. San Francisco in December is the perfect place for the cannabis genetics world to get together every year,” Downs said.
According to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll, most cannabis cultivators (61%) prefer to start their gardens with seeds. The study also found that:
81% of cannabis consumers agree all Americans should have the right to grow at home
62% of cannabis consumers would rather grow their own cannabis than buy it
34% of cannabis consumers who have grown at home do so because they feel safer consuming their own home-grown flower compared to store-bought cannabis
As cannabis policy modernization efforts continue to gain momentum in Europe, and more European nations reform their outdated and harmful cannabis policies, one country that is on every cannabis advocate’s radar is France.
France is home to one of the largest cannabis consumer bases on earth. With a total population of roughly 68 million people, an estimated 10.6% of French adults reported having consumed cannabis within the last year according to a 2022 survey conducted by the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies in partnership with the Santé Publique France agency.
Applying the estimated cannabis usage rate to France’s adult population works out to potentially millions of adult cannabis consumers for an eventual legal adult-use market in France. Of course, many of the adults who report consuming cannabis in France are doing so for medical reasons and the market potential for an effective medical cannabis program in France is also huge.
In March 2021, France launched a limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients to gain insight into possibly crafting national medical cannabis policies and regulations.
The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons. Cannabis producer LaFleur was eventually selected as the cultivator for the program and has supplied participating patients since the experiment’s launch.
Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024. The program is now expected to end in 2025.
A national medical cannabis program was initially expected to launch in France in 2025, although, 2026 appears to be a more realistic timeline for the program’s launch. Meanwhile, adult-use cannabis reform is likely to occur further into the future in France. With that being said, cannabis activists in the country are doing everything they can to speed up both timelines.
Currently, cannabis is legal at a national level for adult use in three European countries – Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. Additionally, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are currently operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland, affording enrolled consumers a legal way to source their products.
Further delays in cannabis policy modernization in France come with an opportunity cost. If France institutes a regulated industry it could easily become a continental and international powerhouse.
Conversely, if lawmakers in France continue to drag their feet, the nation’s market potential will decrease with every passing year. Surrounding nations will gain a larger market share and their domestic cannabis companies will create advantages that will be hard for France-based companies to compete with.
To be clear, large numbers of cannabis consumers and patients consume cannabis every day in France, albeit illegally. French lawmakers would be wise to recognize this fact and work to transition the market from an unregulated one to a regulated one which would, among other things, boost positive public health outcomes.
The situation is fluid in France and it can be difficult for cannabis enthusiasts to navigate. A great opportunity to learn the latest and most important information about France’s shifting cannabis landscape is coming up next month in France at the Science in the City International event in Bordeaux on October 26th, 2024.
Science in the City International is a unique opportunity for international industry stakeholders, medical healthcare professionals, functional and integrative medicine practitioners, and community healthcare changemakers and leaders to come together for a historic event. It’s a great opportunity to learn and network with other like-minded people.
Policies and regulations pertaining to industrial hemp cultivation and commerce are being modernized around the globe to permit entrepreneurs, investors, and entities to gain their share of the emerging global hemp market, including in Africa.
A recent market analysis by the Africa Hemp Fund projects that Africa’s industrial hemp industry possesses a market potential of $2.4 billion, and the entity’s market projection excludes cannabidiol (CBD), which itself is a massive market.
“Africa has long been known for its rich natural resources, and now the continent is poised to tap into a new industry with immense potential – industrial hemp.” states the Africa Hemp Fund, an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development in Africa.
“The Africa Hemp Fund believes that the continent is well-positioned to become a major player in the global industrial hemp market. With its vast land and favorable climate, Africa has the potential to become a leading producer and exporter of industrial hemp. This could not only bring economic benefits to the region, but also create 180,000 job opportunities.” Africa Hemp Fund also stated.
Africa’s emerging industrial hemp industry fits within the larger global industrial hemp market, which is expected to grow at a significant rate in the coming years as more countries modernize their hemp laws and regulations.
According to market analysts at Spherical Insights LLP, the global industrial hemp market is projected to be worth an estimated $24.30 billion by 2033. Spherical Insights describes itself as “a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI.”
“The Global Industrial Hemp Market Size is to Grow from USD 5.38 Billion in 2023 to USD 24.30 Billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.27% during the projected period.” the researchers stated in a press release.
The worldwide industrial hemp market is embarking on an industry journey that has never occurred before at this scale, so as time goes on projections for Africa’s industry and the global industry could ultimately prove to be too conservative.
For more than 15 years, the Cultiva Hemp Expo has served as the most exclusive event for cannabis in Austria. Cultiva is part trade fair and part festival, featuring lectures dedicated to all things cannabis under one roof where cannabis enthusiasts can meet and learn.
Europe is the most exciting place on earth for cannabis policy and industry right now, and cannabis advocates in Austria are working extra hard to get their nation’s cannabis policies and regulations modernized. With legalization now in place in Germany, Malta, and Luxembourg, momentum for reform in Austria is greater than ever.
Cultiva Hemp Expo 2024, taking place at MARX Halle in Vienna October 4th-6th, is the perfect meeting place for hemp enthusiasts and interested visitors, as well as producers, decision-makers, journalists, investors, and young entrepreneurs from the cannabis industry.
In addition to the industry-focused component of the event, Cultiva also has an extensive entertainment program planned with a music and street food festival, glass-blowing demonstrations, a joint rolling contest, and much more.
The event’s glassblowing show, Torchland Glass Circus by THCBD, will feature professionals such as Chadd Lacy, Adrienne Di Salvo, Orglasmus, Frank Fleischer, Fedex, Hashba Glass, Scomo, and Tibor Toth. The artists will demonstrate the art of glassblowing and engraving, and their finished products can be purchased after the demonstrations.
The CULTSOUND Music Festival component of the expo will include a variety of genres, from electro to reggae sounds. The three-day music festival with its extraordinary location offers a special experience for attendees. Acts such as the band Mary Jane Soundgarden and Arai will ensure an amazing atmosphere.
Cultiva’s street food festival will bring together the best of local street food vendors, offering a mouthwatering array of dishes from around the world. Alongside the food, the festival will feature live performances, creating a lively atmosphere filled with music and entertainment.
With cannabis policy being such a hot topic right now in Europe, Cultiva’s Hanfexpo Congress is sure to be a popular component of Cultiva’s event. It will offer insight into the topics of law, politics, and medicine, as well as culture and innovation. National and international experts from different fields will share their knowledge and answer important questions about cannabis in the form of lectures and panel discussions. The focus will be on both the current regulations on the subject of cannabis and the future of the industry.
Lastly, in the exhibition hall, there will be a B2B lounge area with a small café and seating. Innovative minds, experts, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers will meet to exchange ideas and explore business opportunities. Exhibitors and business visitors are invited to a B2B brunch in the MARX Halle on Friday, October 4th from 09:00 – 11:00 a.m.
People can find out more about the event and purchase tickets at: https://www.cultiva.at
Starting on July 1st, 2024, aspiring cannabis cultivation operators in Germany can apply with local authorities to gain permission to produce and distribute recreational cannabis to cultivation association members.
According to local German reporting, roughly 280 cultivation association applications were received by regulatory officials in the first two months of the application process opening.
“Across the country, more than 280 applications for permits have been received, according to a survey of the relevant state authorities. The most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, is at the top with 69 applications so far. In Lower Saxony, 27 applications have been submitted, and 11 permits have already been granted – in all other states combined, 3.” reports NTV (translated from German to English).
“Larger numbers of applications for cultivation associations have also been received in Baden-Württemberg, where, according to the responsible regional council in Freiburg, there are now 47 applications. In Bavaria, according to the State Office for Health and Food Safety, 24 applications were submitted by August 28.” the outlet also reported.
It is worth noting that KrautInvest has reported that 295 applications for German cannabis cultivation associations have been received so far.
Cannabis cultivation associations are part of the first phase, or ‘pillar 1,’ of Germany’s modernized cannabis legalization model. The associations combine with home cultivation to serve as the foundation of legal recreational cannabis sourcing in Germany. Eventually, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials will also provide a legal means by which consumers can source their cannabis products (pillar 2).
Memberships at cannabis cultivation associations are capped at 500 members in Germany. A maximum of 25 grams of cannabis can be distributed per member per day at German cultivation associations, and a maximum of 50 grams per month per member. For consumers between the ages of 18 and 21 years old, there is a purchasing limit of 30 grams per month with a maximum product limit of 10% THC.
Meanwhile, Burkhardt Blienert, SPD politician and Germany’s Federal Government Drug Commissioner, is continuing to defend the nation’s approach to cannabis policy modernization and regulation. Blienert led Germany’s effort to legalize cannabis for adult use in recent years.
“By allowing cannabis to be grown legally at home and in clubs, the federal government has not legalized the drug, but rather decriminalized its consumption,” explained Burkhardt Blienert according to Oldenburger Nachrichten. “Until now, cannabis was generally prohibited, and yet the drug was regularly consumed by around 4.5 million people in Germany. The ban did not work, especially as cannabis from the black market became increasingly stronger and riskier.”
“We urgently needed to do something to curb the black market and reduce the risks associated with consumption, which is already taking place. That’s what we did.” he also stated.
Cannabis is currently legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and South Africa, in addition to Germany and various states in the U.S. Cannabis is legal for medical use in nearly five dozen countries, including in Germany.
The hemp plant has been used by humans for many centuries for various purposes before it was prohibited in the 1900s. Thankfully, policies are being modernized around the globe to permit the use of the hemp plant, and hemp products are making a major comeback.
A recent example of the modern hemp revolution can be found in an announcement by Volkswagen. Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany.
“Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH from Darmstadt. The aim is to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp.” the company stated in a press release. “These could be used as a sustainable surface material in Volkswagen models from 2028. The material made from 100% bio-based hemp uses residues of the regional hemp industry. It can be produced on existing industrial plants and recycled or composted at the end of its service life in an automobile.”
“Our innovative surface material called LOVR™ that we are developing and testing for the automotive industry in cooperation with Volkswagen is scalable and groundbreaking for sustainability in the automotive sector.” stated Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO and co-founder of Revoltech GmbH.
The main focus of the new partnership will be hemp-based leather materials to be used on some of Volkswagen’s automobile lines. If successful, innovations yielded by the new partnership between Volkswagen and Revoltech could be incorporated by other automobile makers, as well as by other industries.
“Together with the Revoltech GmbH start-up, the predevelopment team at the Volkswagen brand is working on a material innovation as a substitute for imitation leather. This material made from what is known as industrial hemp cultivated for the food industry is an all-natural, 100% biological single-layer surface material called LOVRTM (the letters stand for leather-free, oil-free, vegan and residue-based) that is being developed specifically with the automotive industry in mind.” Volkswagen stated.
“The hemp fibers and a fully bio-based adhesive are combined using a special technology and processed to become a surface material. This truly circular material is sourced from regional hemp fields and is fully recyclable or compostable once it has reached the end of its service life. It is produced from residues of the hemp industry that have no further use. In addition, it can be manufactured on existing industrial plants, thus enabling swift scalability – and is therefore also suitable for use in large-scale production.” Volkswagen also stated.
According to a recent market analysis by Spherical Insights LLP, the global industrial hemp market is projected to be worth an estimated $24.30 billion by 2033.
Humans harnessing hemp is far from being a new thing. Hemp fiber was used as far back as 10,000 years ago during the Early Jomon Period in Japan. Consumption for medical purposes goes back at least as far as back as 2,800 BC. Cannabis was included in Emperor Shen Nung’s (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia around that time.
Unfortunately, many countries began prohibiting hemp in the early 1900s as overall cannabis prohibition took hold. From an agricultural standpoint, hemp and cannabis are the same plant. However, from a legal standpoint, hemp and cannabis are now treated differently by many governments.
In countries that permit hemp activity, below a defined THC threshold (.2-1%) is considered to be hemp, and above the defined THC threshold is cannabis. Hemp and cannabis laws vary across the globe, with some countries still prohibiting both.
One nation that has modernized its hemp laws to permit production and commerce is Zimbabwe. The African nation adopted reforms in 2019 and 2020 that now govern the domestic hemp industry. Still, the industry is taking longer to thrive in Zimbabwe than advocates have hoped.
“The key challenges are production, seeds, access to finance from local financial institutions, market access, certification of our farmers, and value-addition,” Jonathan Mukuruba, agribusiness director at the Agriculture Marketing Authority, said during a recent panel discussion according to HempToday. “We still do not yet have good agricultural control and control practices applicable to agricultural practices for our processors locally.”
“As of this year, the Agricultural Marketing Authority has issued a total of 61 licenses for hemp production, including cultivation, trade, research, and breeding. Reports suggest Zimbabwe has so far exported over 8,000 ton of hemp – most likely flower biomass for CBD — primarily to Poland, Switzerland and Germany, but figures are difficult to verify.” HempToday also reported.
Cannabis is currently legal for adult use at the national level in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa, although recreational cannabis commerce remains prohibited in Luxembourg and South Africa.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.
The legal global cannabis industry is set for significant expansion in the coming years, and a new report by Skyquest Technology Consulting is projecting that the regulated worldwide cannabis market will surpass $148.4 billion in value by 2031.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf recently became the first district in Berlin to approve a cannabis cultivation association. Starting on July 1st, 2024, entities can apply with local regulatory authorities in Germany to create cannabis cultivation associations for adult cannabis consumers.
“The Green Leaf Society eV association received permission, which, according to district councilor Gordon Lemm (SPD), is due to the high sense of responsibility and the well-thought-out structure of the application.” the German Cannabis Business Association stated in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).
“After a thorough review of the submitted documents, they meet the approval criteria set out in the law. The law places particular emphasis on the issues of youth protection, security, non-commercial structures and information on health and addiction risks for club members.” the District Office of Marzahn-Hellersdorf stated in a news release announcing the application approval.
“The Green Leaf Society’s proposal can certainly be seen as exemplary in many ways. I am sure that other potential cultivation associations can and will learn from it. I fundamentally hope for a responsible approach to cannabis in our society, the protection of our young people and the decline of criminal structures surrounding the issue. Every consumer can contribute to this.” stated district councilor Gordon Lemm (SPD).
After a rocky start, local German governments have started to receive applications for cultivation associations at an increasing rate, with over 200 applications received so far. Cultivation association memberships are capped at 500 members, and associations must adhere to various rules and regulations.
The first cultivation association approval occurred in Lower Saxony in early July. Officials in North Rhine-Westphalia previously estimated that their state could eventually be home to as many as 3,000 cultivation associations based on population. Applying the same population-based calculation, Berlin could eventually be home to over 600 cultivation associations.
Cannabis cultivation associations are part of the first phase (pillar 1) of Germany’s adult-use legalization model. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis for recreational purposes.
The second phase of Germany’s legalization model (pillar 2) involves permitting local municipalities to launch regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot research trials. Per our recent reporting, over two dozen municipalities in Germany have indicated that they will launch their own pilot trials once the regulatory process is implemented.
A supermajority of respondents in a recent survey in Germany hold a positive or neutral view of the nation’s modernized approach to cannabis policy and regulation.
“According to a recent representative survey by the Björn Steiger Foundation, 61 percent of Germans have never consumed cannabis, or at least not in the last 12 months. In the new federal states, the figure for never-consumers is almost 50 percent, which is almost 10 percent higher than the figure in the old federal states.” stated the Björn Steiger Foundation.
“Around 70 percent of respondents see the partial legalization as positive or neutral, with male respondents showing significantly greater approval.” the organization also stated.
The European continent, and much of the rest of the world, is undergoing a historic shift when it comes to cannabis policy and industry. After many decades of failed cannabis prohibition policies, a growing number of jurisdictions are finally pursuing a more sensible approach.
Jindřich Vobořil is at the forefront of Europe’s cannabis policy revolution. Vobořil is one of the leading world experts on drug policy and proponents of rational regulation and harm reduction. He has lectured and developed community and social projects in Hungary, Afghanistan, Great Britain, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The International Cannabis Business Conference is pleased to announce that Jindřich Vobořil will provide a keynote address at its upcoming cannabis science and technology event in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th, 2024. Vobořil’s keynote address will focus on exploring the relationship between international, EU, and national laws, and examining the ongoing dynamic between the EU and its member states when it comes to cannabis policies.
Vobořil has also worked as a consultant for the European Union, the UN, and the Open Society Foundations. Between 2010 and 2024, he served twice as a national drug coordinator of the Czech Republic. In that role Jindřich Vobořil worked on a draft bill to regulate cannabis in Czechia and stop the criminalization of consumers. The policy modernization measure is now ready to be introduced by Czechia’s Parliament.
In September 2024, Jindřich Vobořil became a strategic adviser to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala which should further boost the Czech Republic’s cannabis policy modernization efforts.
“The new position will allow Mr. Voboril to be closer to the PM whose support is crucial for any meaningful reform of Czech cannabis laws, at the same time freeing him from pressure from conservative forces in the ruling coalition because as a national drug coordinator he was their subordinate (employee of the whole government), whereas strategic advisor is not a full-time job and his employer will be only the PM himself, not all five coalition parties.” states Lukáš Hurt, co-founder of NGO Rational Regulation which is working closely with Voboril on regulation efforts.
“Also, Voboril has many friends and supporters among MPs and Senators and his influence on legislative processes related to cannabis will thus remain strong.” Lukáš Hurt also stated.
The International Cannabis Business Conference will be held in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th at the iconic Rikli Balance Hotel. The conference will also feature an after-party hosted by acclaimed multi-Grammy winning DJ and producer Native Wayne. The conference after-party is sponsored by Metaflora and will be held at the Grand Hotel Toplice.
The conference in Bled is the first major cannabis event to be held in Slovenia after the nation’s historic cannabis votes in June. A majority of voters in Slovenia selected ‘yes’ when asked, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use on its territory?”
Additionally, a super-majority of Slovenian voters (66.71%) selected ‘yes’ during the June election when asked, “Should the Republic of Slovenia allow the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes on its territory?”
Cannabis and hemp science and technology are expansive topics involving ecological remediation, biology, horticulture, chemistry, and nearly every other scientific field of study. Leading regional and international experts will participate in keynote presentations and panel discussions as part of the event’s curriculum.
The conference, which is a recent addition to the International Cannabis Business Conference series, is expecting attendees and speakers from all over the world to participate in the science and technology event. The title sponsor for the Slovenia conference is global hemp industry leader Laurelcrest.
As the emerging international cannabis industry continues to expand in size and scope, the demand for research and development is increasing. As an established international leader in research and development, Slovenia is uniquely positioned to gain a meaningful market share in the sector, and this event will explore potential options that the nation and region can pursue.
“With so much going on, it is vital for the future success of the industry, and for unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant, that leading scientists, researchers, and innovators network with and learn from each other. I am excited for my team to facilitate this conference in Slovenia and to bring the world’s leading minds together to help push cannabis science and technology forward.” states Alex Rogers, co-founder, and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference.
Visit the International Cannabis Business Conference’s website for a full list of speakers and the conference schedule. Conference topics will include:
Endocannabinoid research
Emerging cultivation science
Technology industry sector trends
Global policy modernization efforts
Regulations and compliance
Business opportunities for the Balkan region
The current state of international markets
A limited number of tickets are still available to the International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th. Find out more information, including how to purchase tickets, at Internationalcbc.com/slovenia.
The climate in parts of Morocco is well-suited for large-scale cannabis production, which is why the North African nation has long served as a leading source of unregulated cannabis, particularly as a source for the European market.
In recent years, Morocco’s government has worked to modernize the nation’s cannabis policies and regulations to permit legal cannabis production and commerce. According to recently released statistics from Morocco, production authorizations have increased exponentially in 2024.
According to the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-related Activities (ANRAC), Morocco has issued 2,837 authorizations to 2,659 farmers so far in 2024, up from 430 authorizations in 2023.
Additionally, regulators in Morocco have issued 60 authorizations for processing, 49 for marketing, 39 for exports, and 24 for seed imports. The increase in authorizations in 2024 demonstrates the growth of Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry.
Earlier this month, Morocco’s king pardoned nearly 5,000 farmers previously convicted of cultivating cannabis. The pardons issued by King Mohammed VI should “encourage farmers” to get involved in Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry to “improve their revenue and living conditions” the head of ANRAC stated according to initial reporting by Reuters.
Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization policies to some degree. Morocco is trying to gain a meaningful share of a legal global cannabis industry that is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars.
Colombia’s emerging legal cannabis industry exported over $10.8 million worth of cannabis products in 2023 according to recently released stats from ProColombia. ProColombia is a government agency of the Executive Branch of the Government of Colombia in charge of promoting Colombian non-traditional exports, international tourism, and foreign investment in the South American nation.
According to Colombia’s Ministry of Justice and Law, more than 3,000 licenses for the cultivation and production of cannabis have been issued in Colombia so far, with an estimated 864+ hectares of legal cannabis planted and a potential cultivation area of at least 57 thousand hectares.
Of the $10.8 million worth of legal cannabis products exported from Colombia in 2023, 32% went to Brazil, 25% went to Australia, and another 14% went to Germany. Germany imported a record 31,398 kilograms of medical cannabis products in 2023.
“According to Mónica Hoyos, director of the Observatorio Colombiano de la Industria del Cannabis, who led the internationalization route of medicinal cannabis for companies of the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce last year: Brazil, Australia, Peru and Germany present better conditions for Colombian exports of medicinal cannabis, data that corroborate the information provided by ProColombia.” reported Sechatin its local coverage.
Mónica Hoyos also issued words of caution that the export numbers reported by ProColombia could be lower than what was actually exported from Colombia in 2023 due to various factors.
“From what we have been able to analyze, under-reporting may occur due to issues of tariff classification and export modalities. This situation, for example, has drawn the attention of entities such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which recognized the discrepancies in the hemp export data from its database (Comtrade) and the data from national customs.” stated Hoyos according to Sechat.
Colombia has a long history with the cannabis plant, albeit not always involving a regulated industry. The South American nation legalized medical cannabis and industrial hemp in 2016 and 2021, respectively.
Cannavigia, an international cannabis compliance and production management company, estimates that Colombia’s commercial cannabis cultivators can produce dry cannabis flower for as low as $0.06 per gram, giving it a major advantage over legal industries in other nations where cannabis can cost as much as $2 per gram to produce.
The Colombian export figures for 2023, before any future adjustments, were an 11.3% increase over 2022 when Colombia’s medical cannabis exports amounted to $9.7 million, and a 96% increase compared to 2021.
Starting on July 1st, 2024, aspiring cannabis cultivation association operators can apply with their local regulatory authorities to try to open facilities. The nation’s first cannabis cultivation association application was approved in the district of Oldenburg last month.
Cannabis cultivation associations will serve as a major foundational component of Germany’s legalization model for the foreseeable future. Cultivation associations, which are also legally operating in Malta, involve up to 500 members cultivating cannabis to be distributed to association members.
Additionally, cultivation associations can conduct other cannabis activities, such as selling cannabis clones and seeds to home cultivators. Associations, home cultivation, and eventually regional adult-use pilot trials, are the legal channels from which adult consumers can source their cannabis in Germany.
Bureaucratic delays have slowed the process of launching cannabis associations in various parts of Germany, however, the flow of applications is starting to pick up in some regions. The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) provided the following status update in its most recent newsletter (translated from German to English):
North Rhine-Westphalia : 32 applications were submitted here by 18 July.
Baden-Württemberg : The Freiburg Regional Council had received 38 applications by July 31.
Bavaria : By July 29, 16 applications had been received by the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety. The majority of the applications came from smaller towns.
Rhineland-Palatinate : Here, 13 applications were submitted to the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Welfare. Here, too, most of the applications came from small towns and villages.
Hesse : The Darmstadt Regional Council has received nine applications, including five from small towns and three from large cities.
Saxony , Schleswig-Holstein , Hamburg : Seven applications were submitted in each of these federal states.
Brandenburg : So far there have been five applications, three of which come from small towns.
Thuringia : Four applications were received here.
Saxony-Anhalt : The State Office for Consumer Protection is currently processing four applications, three of which are still incomplete.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania : The Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection has received two applications.
Bremen : The first application was submitted to the Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection.
Saarland : An application has also been submitted here.
Lower Saxony: Lower Saxony, of all places, was not mentioned in the PZ article. As reported in the BvCW newsletter, 20 applications were counted there and the first (at least) three were approved.
“In Berlin, the situation is more complicated: the responsibility for processing the applications has not yet been clarified. The district administrations accept the applications, but do not process them until a jurisdictional regulation is in place. This delay is causing dissatisfaction among the clubs, as they are already bearing rental costs without their applications being processed.” BvCW stated about efforts in Germany’s largest city.
In a recent nationwide survey conducted in Germany by Pronova BKK, 44% of self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers indicated that they plan to join one of the country’s cannabis cultivation associations once they launch in their area. Another 27% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also indicated that they plan to join an association.
Germany’s legal medical cannabis industry was already the largest in Europe before the first provisions of adult-use legalization took effect on April 1st, 2024, and thanks to the recent removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List, the nation’s medical cannabis industry is set to surge.
Still, Germany imports a considerable amount of medical cannabis products from other countries, particularly from Canada. According to a recent social media post by international cannabis expert Alfredo Pascual, medical cannabis imports have increased significantly over the last year:
🇩🇪 The #German#BfArM reports 11,706 kg of #medical#cannabis imported in Q2 2024—up 44% from Q1 and up 51% from Q2 2023.
First data showing growth since the April 1st legal changes.
Reminder: Imports don’t equal pharmacy sales. pic.twitter.com/newX7y2FxF
In 2023, Germany imported 31,398 kilograms of medical cannabis products according to data from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), a 26.2% increase compared to the prior year. In 2022 Germany imported 24,876 kilograms, compared to 20,771 kilograms in 2021, 11,746 kilograms in 2020, and 8,057 kilograms in 2019.
Roughly 50% of imported cannabis to Germany in 2023 originated from Canada compared to 40% the previous year. In the first half of 2024, 56% of medical cannabis product imports to Germany originated from Canada.
Starting in 2017, Germany legalized the use of 14 different varieties of cannabis flower for patients with severe debilitating diseases and no other treatment options. The legal medical cannabis products have been distributed through German pharmacies ever since. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that Germany allowed medical cannabis to be produced domestically, with the European nation’s medical cannabis industry initially relying solely on medical cannabis imports.
Three companies were chosen in 2019 to produce medical cannabis within Germany. The companies were capped at 10,400 kilograms of product production over the course of a four-year span. With the new CanG law taking effect, that quota system has since gone away. More companies can now apply to cultivate medical cannabis within Germany’s borders, and that will presumably impact Germany’s medical cannabis imports.
Few regions in the world, if any, are as well-positioned as Colombia to sustainably produce mass amounts of raw cannabis material at an affordable price. The South American nation’s climate and geographical location are ideal for cultivating cannabis under the sun and in greenhouses on a very large scale.
Located along the equator, the duration of daily sunlight in Colombia is roughly 12 hours every day of the year, which is perfect for ‘flowering’ cannabis plants. In other regions of the world, including North America and Europe, cannabis can only be cultivated outdoors during warmer seasons.
Additionally, Colombia is located in the Andes Mountain range and has an average altitude of roughly 2,600 meters. Cannabis cultivated at higher altitudes requires less pest control than cannabis cultivated at lower altitudes.
Due to those factors and other factors, quality cannabis can be cultivated in Colombia for as cheap as $.06 per gram of dried flower – a fraction of what it costs to produce dried cannabis flower in North America and Europe, which can be as much as $2 per gram of dried flower.
Colombia has major cannabis production advantages over other regions that simply cannot be replicated, and the legal international cannabis business community is taking notice. Large companies are relocating their production facilities to Colombia and/or teaming up with domestic producers at an ever-increasing rate.
The opportunities in Colombia and the surrounding region are substantial, but getting in on the ground floor in a meaningful way can be tricky. It requires proper due diligence and networking with the right people at the right place and time.
A great opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and other industry members to learn more about Colombia’s emerging legal cannabis industry is coming up in Medellín, Colombia at the 2024 Cannaworld Congress where policy experts and industry leaders from the region and around the world will converge.
The 4th installment of the Cannaworld Congress, which is taking place on November 12th and 13th, 2024 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellín, will focus on medical cannabis policy, industrial hemp, and the emerging global industry.
Another great opportunity is the 7th installment of the EXPOMEDEWEED conference, which is taking place alongside the Cannaworld Congress from November 11th to 13th at the Intercontinental Hotel. EXPOMEDEWEED is the largest international cannabis industry event focused on the Latin and South American regions.
According to ProColombia, a government agency in charge of promoting nontraditional Colombian trade, the value of medical cannabis exports from Colombia was $10.8 million in 2023, which was an 11.3% increase over 2022, and a 96% increase from 2021.
Per Statista, Colombia’s legal cannabis industry is expected to increase to a value of $64.59 million by the end of this year, and “revenue is anticipated to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 2.09%, leading to a market volume of US$71.64m by 2029.”
As the legal cannabis industry continues to expand to nearly every corner of the planet, the variety of products available to medical cannabis patients is also expanding. Raw medical cannabis flower is still popular in many jurisdictions, however, patient demand and regulatory parameters are driving product innovation, particularly at the international level.
A great example of that can be found in Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom where multi-country operator SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals recently introduced its proprietary Mint Oral Solutions product line.
“The new line includes single-strain oils infused with peppermint terpene mixes in various dosage forms, from CBD-dominant to balanced and high-THC. The mint line is the first introduction to improve patients’ compliance and treatment adherence, combining purified extracts and a subtle aromatic mint taste.” SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals stated about its new product line.
“Cannabis patients prioritize the products’ performance, smell, and taste,” said Michael Sassano, the founder and interim CEO of SOMAI Pharmaceuticals. “So as we prioritize improving patient experience, mint is an excellent starting experience as a popular blend with calming and therapeutic effects, as well as a pleasant subtle taste.”
Currently, the international cannabis industry is a patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations. As such, each market has its own nuances and limitations regarding which types of products can be sold. That, in turn, results in the introduction of new products as entrepreneurs and innovators come up with fresh ideas for products to meet evolving demand.
According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures. The spread of global medical cannabis policy reform is being matched by a rise in the worldwide industry’s market potential.
For example, the global cannabis pharmaceuticals sector alone is projected to reach $102.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 53.3% from 2024 to 2030, according to a recent analysis by Research and Markets.
“In 2023, Europe dominated the overall market with a revenue share of 41.9% owing to increasing cannabis consumption, as well as rising awareness and positive attitude towards cannabis and its products.” stated Research and Markets in its analysis.
A separate global CBD market analysis conducted by Grand View Research found that the global CBD market was worth $7.7 billion in 2023, and estimates that the market will grow by 15.8% from 2024 to 2030.
Israel’s government is considering imposing import fees on medical cannabis products imported from Canada. Israel previously launched an “anti-dumping” investigation to determine if Canadian cannabis imports were hurting the nation’s domestic industry. In the fiscal year 2023, Israel imported about 21,000 kilograms of medical cannabis products from Canada’s emerging legal cannabis industry.
The investigation’s preliminary findings seem to have determined that prices for Canadian cannabis have impacted Israel’s medical cannabis industry and that a proposed ‘fix’ will come in the form of import fees.
A final decision on whether to implement import fees on Canadian medical cannabis products is expected sometime later this year. Per initial reporting by StratCann:
In the course of the investigation, it was determined that the large volume of cannabis sold into the Israeli medical market from Canada was having a significant impact on both the local market and domestic companies’ ability to compete.
These products, determined Tal’s report, were sold at lower prices that, he argues, do not reflect the normal course of business and at prices that are lower than production costs or from their prices in the Israeli market, especially given the additional costs of exporting cannabis from Canada.
StratCann reports that roughly 80% of cannabis imported by Israel currently comes from Canada. The remaining imports reportedly originate from Portugal, Uruguay, and Uganda. Israel’s investigation “determined that a fair price for Canadian cannabis sold into the Israeli market was about $2-8 a gram” according to StratCann.
Israel’s legal medical cannabis industry is in a state of contraction right now according to domestic coverage, with The Israeli Cannabis Magazinereporting that “after a record of over 140,000 patients in January 2024, in the last six months the number of medical cannabis license holders in Israel dropped by about 8% to 128,355 as of today, the beginning of July 2024.”
Cannabis cultivation associations appear to be moving forward in Lower Saxony, with local media outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reporting that Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte delivered the first approved permit to “Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee” (translated from German to English) in the district of Oldenburg.
“With regard to consumer protection, it is clear to me: By allowing cultivation by associations, risks posed by illegally sold cannabis, such as excessive THC levels, can be avoided.” stated Minister Staudte according to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
So far, 45 cannabis cultivation associations have registered to start applying for a permit in Lower Saxony, 16 of which have reportedly completed their applications. Cannabis cultivation associations became legal in Germany as of July 1st, although bureaucratic issues hampered an immediate rollout.
North Rhine-Westphalia is another area of Germany that is already accepting applications for cannabis cultivation associations, albeit “only a few” so far according to local reporting from ASB Zeitung.
“In North Rhine-Westphalia, a few Cannabis growing associations filed applications for permits starting July 1st, as revealed by a dpa survey of the responsible district administrations.” stated ASB Zeitung.
“According to a spokesperson, the first applications have been submitted in the Regierungsbezirk Duesseldorf, but a specific number could not yet be named by the authority. Three applications have been filed at the Bezirksregierung Köln by Tuesday, and one in Detmold. At the Bezirksregierung Arnsberg, there were initially “three incomplete applications,” according to a spokesperson. The Bezirksregierung Münster reported no applications yet.” ASB Zeitung also stated.
German cannabis cultivation associations have to adhere to various rules, including limiting membership to a maximum of 500 members and restricting sales to 50 grams per member a month (30 grams for members 18-20 years old). Clubs will also be permitted to sell cannabis clones and seeds.
In a recent nationwide survey conducted in Germany by Pronova BKK, 44% of self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers indicated that they plan to join one of the country’s cannabis cultivation associations once they launch in their respective jurisdictions. Another 27% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also indicated that they plan to join an association.
The Pronova BKK survey involved 1,000 people in Germany aged 18 and over and was conducted in May 2024. The survey also determined the following (translated from German to English) about Germany’s cannabis consumer base:
Over a quarter of Germans consume cannabis at least occasionally, and one in ten consumes it weekly
More than half of Generation Z consumes cannabis at least occasionally
For a third of cannabis consumers, legalization does not influence consumption behavior
Among younger respondents under 45 years of age, one in ten has increased consumption since legalization
Eight percent of non-users are considering growing their own cannabis at home
Among self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers participating in the survey, 51% selected “Yes, I can imagine having my own cannabis to grow at home” when asked about home cultivation. Another 40% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also selected that option in the survey.
Germany’s emerging medical cannabis industry was already the largest in Europe before the nation’s new CanG law took effect. However, since April 1st, 2024 when the first provisions of adult-use legalization became effective in Germany, the nation’s medical cannabis industry has already grown exponentially.
“Since April 1, the medical cannabis market has almost doubled in Germany,” says David Henn, CEO of the medical cannabis wholesaler Cannamedical, per original reporting by ntv.de.
The recent growth in Germany’s medical cannabis industry is also evident in new data published by Bloomwell Group. The brokerage service company ‘provides both doctors and pharmacies with a digital platform for medical cannabis.’ The company reported a “1,000 percent” increase in business since legalization started in Germany.
A main contributing factor to the recent growth of Germany’s medical cannabis industry was the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List, which was a key component of the new CanG law. The removal of cannabis from the list made it easier for doctors to prescribe cannabis in Germany, in addition to improving the medical cannabis supply chain and boosting domestic medical cannabis production.
Medical cannabis is arguably the biggest winner of Germany’s adult-use policy modernization effort so far, and the boost in patient numbers is still very much in the early stages. Prior to April 1st, researchers estimated that Germany had between 200k and 300k active medical cannabis patients. That number is projected to increase to as much as 5 million in the not-so-distant future.
A February 2024 market analysis by Zuanic & Associates determined that if 1% of Germany’s population (roughly 838,000 people) became cash-paying medical cannabis patients, the German medical market ‘could reach €1.7Bn in value by the end of 2025.’ If current trends persist, the 1% threshold could be surpassed far earlier.
The legal German cannabis market is projected to reach an estimated $4.6 billion in value by 2034 according to a recent market analysis by researchers at The Niche Research, which is an impressive sum. However, if Germany’s medical cannabis industry continues to increase at its current rate, the projection could prove to be too conservative as time goes on.
Germany’s medical cannabis industry boom is paralleled by a dramatic increase in the nation’s ancillary cannabis industry, and that increase is having a butterfly effect on other parts of Europe. A recent survey by YouGov found that 7% of surveyed German adults have already purchased cannabis seeds or clones, and another 11% reported that they will in the future.
In a separate nationwide survey conducted in Germany by Pronova BKK, among self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers participating in the survey, 51% selected “Yes, I can imagine having my own cannabis to grow at home” when asked about home cultivation. Another 40% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also selected that option in the survey.
Cannabis seed banks across Europe have reported a significant sales spike due to German home cultivation legalization, and presumably the same is true for companies specializing in home cultivation equipment.
Cannabis opponents in Germany are pointing to the increased size of the nation’s medical cannabis industry and trying to use it to justify their prohibitionist positions. What those opponents fail to recognize is that a boost in patient numbers is not indicative of a ‘broken system.’ Rather, it is a testament to the cannabis plant’s wellness properties and the evolving attitudes of medical professionals.
According to tens of thousands of peer-reviewed studies, countless patient testimonials, and the professional opinions of licensed medical doctors throughout Germany, cannabis is a safe, effective medication that can treat numerous ailments and conditions. Suffering patients deserve to have safe access to therapies that their doctors deem appropriate, and that includes medical cannabis therapies.
Germany’s new medical cannabis policies are working exactly as they should be, regardless of the fear-mongering talking points that cannabis opponents choose to cling to.
The excitement surrounding cannabis in Germany is palpable. With the current government coalition decriminalizing and rescheduling the plant, a wealth of opportunities has arisen for both domestic and international organizations. Events like the International Cannabis Business Conference and Mary Jane Berlin are buzzing with activity, setting new attendance records. However, navigating the German market requires a nuanced understanding of the current regulations to avoid potential pitfalls.
To assist international companies aiming to enter this vibrant market, the largest German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW – Branchenverband der Cannabiswirtschaft, www.cannabiswirtschaft.de) has introduced a specialized format. This initiative is designed to provide critical information and support for businesses looking to establish a presence in Germany. With its comprehensive focus on all aspects of cannabis—medicinal, recreational, and industrial—the BvCW is uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape.
Why Germany?
“We understand that there are many eyes on Germany at the moment,” states Dirk Heitepriem, president of the BvCW. “Since April 1st, many opportunities have opened up for international companies looking to sell products and services in Germany! We receive numerous inquiries daily from industry colleagues worldwide. Our goal is to provide them with a platform that will guide them through the process, helping them find the right stepping stones while avoiding inherent traps.”
Key Developments and Opportunities
Benjamin Patock, a member of the Executive Board, adds, “A lot has changed. Access to cannabis as a medicine is easier than ever. Additionally, we are witnessing a significant boom in the recreational home-growing market, with the first cannabis clubs on the horizon. However, some opportunities remain exclusive to EU member states at this point.”
Introducing the BvCW International Briefing
To keep international companies well-informed, the BvCW will host the “BvCW International Briefing” quarterly via Zoom. These sessions will cover recent policy changes, current opportunities and risks, and expected regulatory developments. Participation is free of charge upon registration.
Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your company is well-prepared to tap into Germany’s expanding cannabis market. Register now to join the BvCW International Briefing and gain the insights needed for a successful entry.
The legal German cannabis market is projected to reach an estimated $4.6 billion in value by 2034 according to a new market analysis by researchers at The Niche Research. The market analysis predicts that Germany’s legal cannabis market will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2% between 2024 and 2034.
Germany implemented the first provisions of its national adult-use cannabis legalization law on April 1st, and the home cultivation sector is already increasing in size at an exponential rate. According to a recent survey by Pronova BKK, 51% selected “Yes, I can imagine having my own cannabis to grow at home” when asked about home cultivation. Another 40% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also selected that option in the survey.
A separate survey by YouGov found that 7% of surveyed German adults have already purchased cannabis seeds or clones, and another 11% reported that they will in the future. Cannabis seed banks across Europe have reported a significant sales spike due to German home cultivation legalization.
Medical cannabis was already a huge industry in Germany prior to adult-use legalization, with the country being home to Europe’s largest medical cannabis market. However, part of the CanG law involved the removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List, and with it, caps on domestic medical cannabis production. Germany imported a record 32,398kg of medical cannabis products in 2023, up 26.6% from 2022.
One could easily argue that the biggest winner of German recreational legalization so far is the nation’s medical cannabis industry. Doctors can more easily prescribe medical cannabis in Germany thanks to the CanG law, and the medical cannabis supply chain is more streamlined than ever. The changes are expected to boost Germany’s medical cannabis base from 0.03% to 1% of Germany’s population in the coming years.
Previous projections for Germany’s emerging cannabis industry include one by Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf which estimated that adult-use legalization will create 27,000 new jobs in Germany, although that projection may prove to be too conservative as time goes along.
Consider the fact that North Rhine-Westphalia alone is planning on permitting up to 3,000 social cannabis clubs, each able to serve up to 500 members. Every one of those social clubs will create jobs, and that is just one sector of the industry in one region of Germany. If the nation’s medical cannabis industry continues to surge as social clubs and regional pilot projects launch this year, the economic potential of Germany’s emerging industry will be enormous.
Germany’s cannabis industry is currently estimated to be worth nearly 1.2 billion euros according to Euromonitor International. Euromonitor estimates that the emerging global cannabis industry is currently worth 51.4 billion euros, with that figure estimated to top 60 billion in 2025.
Germany was already home to Europe’s largest legal medical cannabis market before the first provisions of the nation’s adult-use legalization measure took effect on April 1st, 2024. When the first provisions of Germany’s CanG law were enacted at the start of April, the nation also became the largest country on earth to implement national adult-use reform.
The nation’s cannabis policy and industry landscape will forever be measured as occurring before or after 2024 due to how pivotal the year 2024 is proving to be. Nearly every facet of Germany’s industry and cannabis community is evolving this year, with the most notable items listed and discussed below.
Personal Consumption
People in Germany who are 18 years old or older can now consume cannabis in private settings without the fear of prosecution and can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis when away from their residences. Cannabis consumption is not new in Germany, with 4.3% of German adults reporting that they use cannabis on a monthly basis and 8.8% reporting that they have used cannabis at least once in the last year.
However, the way that people consume cannabis in Germany is undergoing a technological revolution, with many device and gadget makers eyeing the German cannabis consumer market with their latest creations. According to a recent analysis by market researchers, the global handheld cannabis vaporizer market is projected to reach $15.9 billion in value by 2031, and Germany will play a big role in the growth of the sector.
Home Cultivation
On April 1st Germany became home to the largest potential home cultivation market in Europe, with Germany’s roughly 70 million adults becoming eligible to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences. Personal cannabis cultivation is already proving to be very popular with adult consumers in Germany, as reflected by a recent YouGov poll which found that 7% of poll participants indicated they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds since legalization took effect. Another 11% of poll participants stated that they intend to purchase clones or seeds in the future.
In addition to clones and seeds, Germany’s newly afforded home cultivation freedoms are increasing sales of many other sector products, including growing mediums, nutrients, lighting, environmental control systems, odor control, harvesting tools, and drying equipment. Home cultivation educational programs and materials are also experiencing increased demand in Germany.
Social Clubs
Starting next month, Germany will begin permitting social cannabis clubs in many parts of the country. Social clubs are a key provision of ‘Pillar 1’ of Germany’s CanG law and will play a vital role in legally sourcing adult-use cannabis in Germany. Earlier this month the Bundestag approved new policies that afford states more authority to set limits on social cannabis clubs, so the prevalence and scope of clubs will likely vary throughout the country.
It is going to be very interesting to see how creative social cannabis club operators get once clubs are launched. The basic premise of social clubs is for adults to become members and to source legal cannabis through the social clubs that will cultivate cannabis for members. However, cannabis clubs can employ paid workers to carry out various tasks that are not necessarily directly related to the cultivation or distribution of cannabis, and clubs will likely offer ancillary products and services that could prove to be very engaging (and lucrative). Only time will tell what social club operators come up with, and conversely, what local and national regulators will allow.
Pilot Trials
‘Pillar 2’ of Germany’s cannabis legalization model revolves around the launch of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. Pilot trials permit a certain number of entities to cultivate cannabis that is then sold to registered customers at licensed outlets. Such pilot trials are already underway in parts of the Netherlands and Switzerland with no reported issues.
Pilot trials in Germany are expected to be more widespread than what is in place in Switzerland and the Netherlands, both in the number of jurisdictions where they operate and the number of participants they will serve. German pilot trials are expected to begin by the end of the year, and when combined with social clubs and home cultivation, will serve as the foundation for legal adult-use cannabis access in Germany.
Medical Cannabis
Often lost in the hype and chaotic nature of the rise of adult-use cannabis in Europe is the fact that Germany’s medical cannabis industry is currently undergoing dramatic changes. Part of Germany’s new CanG law involved the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List and the removal of quota limits for domestic medical cannabis production. Doctors in Germany can prescribe cannabis more easily, the medical cannabis supply chain has fewer hurdles and hoops, and domestic production is set to surge.
As a result, the German medical cannabis industry is projected to experience tremendous growth in the coming years. A February 2024 market analysis by Zuanic & Associates determined that if 1% of Germany’s population became cash-paying medical cannabis patients, the German medical market could reach €1.7Bn in value by the end of 2025. Germany’s medical cannabis industry is a major winner of German adult-use legalization.
Much of Italy’s public cannabis policies are shaped by legal decisions. In late 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that laws against ‘small-scale domestic cultivation of cannabis’ were unconstitutional, providing some level of legal protection for consumers and patients.
In 2021, cannabis activists in Italy successfully collected hundreds of thousands of signatures to place a cannabis referendum measure on the ballot for voters to decide. However, in 2022 the nation’s Supreme Court deemed the measure’s language to be unconstitutional.
A decree was issued in 2020 to classify CBD as a narcotic in Italy, but shortly after it was issued, the decree was temporarily suspended. That temporary suspension was then lifted via yet another decree in 2023, just to also be temporarily suspended.
Efforts to shut down Italy’s emerging hemp-derived industry have picked up recently, resulting in Italian trade groups seeking an intervention by the European Commission.
“The Italian hemp supply chain receives important news from the European Commission. Our complaint against amendment 13.6 to the Security Bill (Security Bill) has been officially examined.” the Canapa Sativa Italia trade organization stated in a news release (translated from Italian to English).
“This amendment, which introduces restrictions on the cultivation and trade of hemp inflorescences and derived products, has been contested because it could violate European Union law on free competition and movement of goods. The complaint, registered under number CPLT(2024)01387, represents a positive signal for the sector, which has over 15 thousand workers and a turnover of 500 million euros.” the organization also stated.
If the European Commission determines that there is a violation of Union law, it could send a “letter of formal notice” to Italy’s government. The notice would compel Italy’s government to submit various information by a set deadline.
From there, if the returned information is not deemed to be satisfactory, the European Commission may issue a “reasoned opinion” and possibly refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
“This process, although it may take years, is essential to ensure that national regulations comply with EU law.” stated Canapa Sativa Italia.
An estimated 5% of adults in Italy report having consumed cannabis within the last month, 10.8% report having consumed it at least once in the last year, and 34.8% of adults in Italy have consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetime.
Germany made history on April 1st, 2024 when it became the largest nation to implement provisions of a national adult-use legalization measure. Starting in April, adults in Germany can legally cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis. Social cannabis clubs are set to launch in July, and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are expected to launch by the end of the year.
Personal cannabis cultivation is already proving to be very popular with adult consumers in Germany, as reflected by a recent YouGov poll which found that 7% of poll participants indicated that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds since legalization took effect.
Commercial sales of cannabis clones and seeds were legalized in Germany as part of the nation’s new cannabis law (CanG). In addition to the 7% of poll participants indicating that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds, another 11% of poll participants responded that they plan to purchase cannabis clones or seeds in the future.
When the results are filtered by age, 14% of poll participants aged 18-34 indicated that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds. Only 2% of German adults over 55 who participated in the YouGov poll indicated that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds.
The YouGov poll, which surveyed 3,375 German adults, was conducted on May 13th, 2024. When social cannabis clubs launch in Germany in July, they are expected to be a primary source of cannabis clones and seeds for aspiring German cannabis cultivators, and that will increase access to cannabis genetics.
YouGov’s poll results provide insight into how big the cannabis clones and seeds sector may currently be in Germany, and with it the larger personal cultivation sector. Germany is home to an estimated 70 million adults and if the results of the YouGov poll are indicative of the larger adult German population, that works out to a massive personal cultivation market base.
Cannabis cultivation, even on a small personal scale, requires more than just clones or seeds. Growers need grow mediums for their clones or seeds, nutrients to feed their plants, indoor lighting, environmental control equipment, and/or harvesting and drying equipment too. Many aspiring cultivators also need instructional materials such as books or other educational literature. All of those subsectors create opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators.
Personal cannabis cultivation is already big business in Germany, and the sector will presumably only get bigger as time goes along. Domestic commercial medical cannabis production is also set to experience tremendous growth in Germany, with historical medical cannabis domestic production quotas being removed as part of the new CanG law.
The rise of personal recreational cultivation and increased domestic commercial medical cannabis production is going to transform Germany’s cannabis industry going forward. In 2023 Germany imported a record 34.6 tons of medical cannabis products from other countries, and clearly, that is going to change.
Cannabis products that contain high percentages of THC generate a lot of headlines in Germany these days, and rightfully so. Germany recently legalized the cultivation, possession, and consumption of high-THC flower by adults, and the nation’s medical cannabis industry continues to thrive as well.
However, Germany’s domestic hemp industry is making strides too, with consumer demand for hemp-derived products trending upward. Some consumers in Germany prefer CBD products with little to no amounts of THC, as well as products derived from hemp containing ‘alternative cannabinoids’ such as delta-8 THC.
Leadership in Germany recently announced that enforcement authority for the “authorization and monitoring of the use of cannabis for scientific purposes” will be vested in the Federal Agency for Food and Agriculture. Cem Özdemir, the current Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, has indicated that a major hurdle facing Germany’s emerging hemp industry could be going away soon.
“Cem Özdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, announced the abolition of the so-called “intoxication clause” at yesterday’s Parliamentary Evening of the Cannabis Industry. This special German rule means that even very low levels of THC in industrial hemp can lead to criminal liability, raids and plant closures.” stated the Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) in its initial coverage (translated from German to English).
“In conjunction with other bureaucratic hurdles, this has hindered the use and processing of industrial hemp in Germany. This unnecessary competitive disadvantage is now finally being abolished. The cannabis industry association has campaigned intensively for this in recent years.” the Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) also stated.
“Imagine if dealers and producers of non-alcoholic beer were subjected to raids and punished because they could distill a schnapps from the remaining alcohol. In practice, such a complex extraction does not take place with industrial hemp,” said BvCW managing director Jürgen Neumeyer. “This senseless noise clause has increasingly led to economic damage and bankruptcies in recent years. The abolition is urgently needed and we are therefore very pleased! This is an important step towards re-establishing the German industrial hemp industry. We look forward to a draft from the BMEL and will continue to support the parliamentary process constructively.”
Soon, Germany will launch social cannabis clubs and adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. Adult consumers will be able to become members of a social club and/or join a local pilot trial and legally source cannabis products that contain THC.
As previously mentioned, adults in Germany can already cultivate high-THC cannabis in their homes as of April 1st, 2024. Punishing people for cultivating or consuming hemp-derived products is more ridiculous than ever.
Cannabis advocates have long pushed for this type of reform, including in the lead-up to the passage of the new CanG bill. Unfortunately, opponents were able to maintain the status quo under the premise that consumers could make intoxicating products out of hemp.
“If access to THC-containing flowers is to be made possible through clubs and home cultivation anyway, why should anyone go to the trouble of extracting low doses of THC from CBD flowers for several hours in their own home workshop?” Krautinvest.de pointed out in its initial reporting.
“Speaking at the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) Berlin last year, industry veteran and President of EIHA Daniel Kruse said: “I would simply cancel this clause. All stakeholders will advocate for its abolition.” Business of Cannabis stated in its initial reporting.
“The debate about the ‘misuse of hemp’ needs to be brought to an end. Hemp has huge potential if the clause is abolished. Industrial hemp would lead to more sales than medical and recreational put together in Germany.” Daniel Kruse also stated at ICBC Berlin according to Business of Cannabis.
In addition to causing headaches in Germany, the lack of comprehensive hemp and CBD industry reform has also caused similar issues throughout Europe. The European CBD and hemp-derived consumables industries are here to stay, and governments at all levels would be wise to work toward harmonizing related laws, rules, and regulations.
The emerging legal cannabis industry in Europe continues to experience exponential growth as more nations modernize their cannabis policies and regulations. Germany recently enacted the first provisions of its adult-use legalization measure and more European countries are expected to do the same in the coming years.
In addition to adult-use reform, the legal medical cannabis industry is also continuing to expand across the European continent. The rise of adult-use legalization will obviously impact Europe’s medical cannabis industry to some extent, however, much is still unclear regarding how both sectors of the industry will operate alongside each other in the future.
The remaining years of this decade in Europe will be pivotal for the emerging legal cannabis industry. Now is the time for entrepreneurs and investors to work to gain a meaningful footprint in Europe’s cannabis space.
Industry policies, rules, regulations, and other framework components that are being created and implemented during this crucial period will largely determine what the future of Europe’s cannabis industry looks like for decades to follow.
That is why it is so important for cannabis entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other leaders to network and learn from each other as much as they can right now. A great opportunity to do exactly that is coming to London on June 25-26, 2024, when Cannabis Europa’s flagship event comes back to London.
“We are ultimately trying to change society by bringing about acceptance and accessibility to cannabis in Europe,” stated Stephen Murphy, Co-Founder and CEO of Prohibition Partners at last year’s Cannabis Europa event. It’s a mission that remains true for this year’s event as well.
The venue for the event, the Barbican Centre, is a return to Cannabis Europa’s roots, with the location previously serving as the venue for the first-ever Cannabis Europa conference back in 2018 and the 2023 installment of the conference. The event’s two-day agenda will cover a range of topics. Below is a sampling of the event’s speakers:
Boris Jordan – Executive Chairman, Curaleaf
Pat Cash – Former Wimbledon Champion
Adonis Georgiadis – Minister of Health, Hellenic Republic (Greece)
Paul Depla – Mayor of Breda
Nikos Beis – CEO & Vice President of the Board, Tikun Olam Europe
Dr. Dylan Said – Senior Head, Malta Medicines Authority
Join 1,500+ influential leaders from thriving cannabis companies, investors actively deploying capital into the market, plus key politicians — the crucial combination needed to drive the European cannabis industry and your business forward.
The event will once again be holding a boutique industry expo, showcasing more than 50 leading businesses as the cream of the European cannabis crop, acting as a jumping off point for growing your business in Europe and beyond.
You can find more information about Cannabis Europa, including how to register for the event, at: www.cannabis-europa.com. Make sure to use the discount code ICBC15 during checkout to receive a 15% discount on tickets!
Thousands of leading international cannabis investors, entrepreneurs, inventors, policymakers, regulators, and industry service providers descended upon Berlin, Germany for the annual International Cannabis Business Conference on April 16th-17th, 2024. This year’s two-day International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin took place at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel and was the first major cannabis event to occur after Germany’s new adult-use legalization law took effect.
Germany’s recent adoption of its CanG law loomed large over the event, and rightfully so. Germany became the largest country to ever adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure on April 1st, 2024, and the significance of the policy change cannot be overstated. Germany has ushered in a new era for cannabis policy on the European continent, and the International Cannabis Business Conference continues to be at the heart of it all. Below is a recap video of the 2024 International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, followed by pictures and additional information about the event:
Georg Wurth, leader of the German Hemp Association (DHV), kicked off the two-day conference by providing background information about Germany’s history with cannabis policy, how the cannabis movement arrived at where it is currently, and what people can expect in Germany going forward. Wurth also explained what components are involved in Germany’s legalization model, and what advocates can do to help ensure that Germany has the best cannabis policies possible.
Yoko Miyashita, CEO of Leafly, also provided a keynote address at the event. Miyashita shared observations from Leafly’s 13-year history of tracking and operating in jurisdictions that have modernized their cannabis policies to permit adult use. Yoko Miyashita also discussed what lessons other nations can learn from North America’s legalization journey.
Internationally renowned cannabis expert Peter Homberg, a partner at leading business law firm Dentons, provided an update regarding current cannabis policy modernization efforts underway in European Union member nations. Homberg examined major economic developments in Europe’s emerging legal cannabis industry and provided prognostic outlooks on significant legal trends arising from the continent’s cannabis movement.
Rounding out the rest of the Day 1 curriculum for the event was a series of panel discussions on important topics within the emerging global cannabis industry. Videos of each panel discussion from the Berlin event, as well as videos for past International Cannabis Business Conference events, can be viewed on the International Cannabis Business Conference’s YouTube channel.
In addition to the event’s curriculum, the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin featured an exhibition floor where cannabis companies displayed their products and services. The event’s expo floor facilitated a significant amount of industry networking. Against the historical backdrop of legalization in Germany, the excitement level on the expo floor was considerable throughout the two-day event.
No International Cannabis Business Conference event in Berlin would be complete without an after-party, and this year’s conference in Berlin was no exception. The after-party for the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin was headlined by Reggae pioneer Rocker-T. It made for the perfect evening for conference participants after a day full of learning and networking.
Day 2 of the conference kicked off with a keynote address by Barinder S. Bhullar, Senior Vice President of Brains Bioceutical Corp. Bhullar discussed advancing the cannabinoid scientific landscape and the challenges and rewards involved. Bhullar provided strategies and necessary considerations to help minimize risk for sound investment decision-making.
A series of expert panel discussions followed throughout Day 2, with topics ranging from regulations and pharmaceuticals to technological advancements, cultivation, and emerging markets. Videos of each panel discussion from day 2 of the Berlin event can be viewed on the International Cannabis Business Conference’s YouTube channel.
The next International Cannabis Business Conference event will be held in Bled, Slovenia on September 13th, 2024 and anyone interested in emerging cannabis science and technology is encouraged to attend. The next International Cannabis Business Conference event in Berlin will be held on April 29th-30th, 2025. Tickets go on sale starting May 22nd, 2024.
News broke yesterday in the United States regarding the cannabis plant’s status at the federal level. After decades of outright cannabis prohibition at the national level in the U.S., the DEA agreed to reschedule cannabis from its current Schedule I status to Schedule III.
Arguably the most significant domestic impact that should arise out of the rescheduling if/when it is implemented is the end of the 280E issue that most cannabis companies face in the United States. A provision of U.S. tax law (280E) prohibits businesses from leveraging many basic tax write-offs if a Schedule I substance is part of their business.
U.S. businesses that ‘touch the plant,’ such as cannabis cultivators and cannabis retailers, pay significantly more in federal taxes every year compared to other agricultural and retail businesses because of 280E. For U.S. businesses that are subjected to 280E, rescheduling to Schedule III may be like winning a lottery. Researchers estimate that ending 280E for the United States cannabis industry would lower the industry’s federal tax burden by over $2 billion per year.
“Today, the Attorney General circulated a proposal to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III,” Justice Department Director of Public Affairs Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement to Marijuana Moment on Tuesday evening. “Once published by the Federal Register, it will initiate a formal rulemaking process as prescribed by Congress in the Controlled Substances Act.”
“Facilitating research and reducing burdens on medical cannabis patients, providers, and the businesses that serve them” are other benefits of the proposed policy change according to the Marijuana Policy Project.
Cannabis advocates in the United States were hopeful that cannabis would be de-scheduled completely, removing all federal criminal penalties for cannabis and leaving the issue largely up to individual states. A move to Schedule III would still keep state-level businesses in the U.S. in conflict with federal policy, and federal criminal penalties for cannabis activity would remain in place.
The emerging international cannabis industry will be a big winner if/when the United States reschedules cannabis, albeit perhaps not in direct ways. Rescheduling in the United States does not replace international agreements that prohibit certain forms of cannabis commerce, including the same type of commerce that is occurring in much of the U.S. However, the butterfly effect of U.S. rescheduling could be substantial.
First and foremost, the symbolism of the United States updating its federal cannabis policy for the first time in over 50 years is significant. The United States once led the charge at the global level to prohibit cannabis in the first place, with many nations adopting parts of the United States’ harmful policies decades ago. The U.S. rescheduling to Schedule III will never right all of the wrongs of prohibition, but it does send a very loud message to the entire world that prohibition is a failed public policy, that it is a new era, and that it’s time for a more sensible approach.
The United States is obviously an important player in the world banking system, and as the cannabis industry continues to go global, entities will need proper access to that system. Jamaica’s Trade Minister previously indicated that his nation’s medical cannabis export industry was experiencing “major roadblocks” when trying to gain access to banking, pointing to federal policy in the United States as contributing to the issues. Perhaps financial institutions will be less hesitant to work with cannabis companies once the U.S. reschedules cannabis. Only time will tell.
Cannabis stocks in North America could be in for a wild ride in the coming years, particularly in the case of Canada. The entire landscape for Canadian and U.S. stocks could be overhauled because U.S. cannabis companies that ‘touch the plant’ are currently prevented from being listed in major U.S. exchanges due to cannabis’ Schedule I status.
Additionally, since cannabis is legal at the national level in Canada, Canadian companies are allowed to be listed on major U.S. exchanges, and many of them also have footprints in other countries. Will a North American stock listing shuffle occur due to rescheduling? A lot of things are still murky, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on, as a tectonic shift could be coming in the not-so-distant future.
United States cannabis companies may still be hindered in many ways if/when cannabis is rescheduled to Schedule III. However, if 280E goes away, and if more U.S. cannabis companies can be listed on major exchanges, some U.S.-based companies will presumably turn their eyes toward the emerging international cannabis industry and develop plans for expansion. For years Canada has held a clear advantage over the United States and other countries on the global stage, but that could be changing to some degree with so much more money flowing through the U.S. industry.
An undeniable winner for everyone across the planet is a looming boost in cannabis research in the United States. Cannabis research in the United States was always hindered by the Schedule I status, presumably by design. A move to Schedule III would remove some of the hurdles that researchers and scientists have historically come up against. Research that is conducted anywhere on Earth, including in the United States, benefits people everywhere by increasing our collective understanding of the cannabis plant and how it can be best utilized by humans.
Canada became the first G-7 nation on the planet to pass a national adult-use legalization measure in 2018, and only the second country to ever do so. The only country to have passed a national adult-use legalization measure before Canada was Uruguay, which legalized cannabis for adult use in 2013.
However, unlike Uruguay, which limits legal adult-use sales to residents, anyone of legal age (18 years old) can make recreational cannabis purchases from retailers in Canada. Canada remains the largest adult-use policy and industry experiment on Earth.
Statistics Canada recently released new cannabis industry and consumer data, including how much money the legal industry generated for Canadian governments during the 2022/2023 fiscal period. Per excerpts from Statistics Canada:
Federal and provincial governments received $1.9 billion from the control and sale of recreational cannabis in 2022/2023, up by almost one-quarter (+24.2%) from a year earlier.
With more than 3,000 legal cannabis stores in Canada, over two in three cannabis consumers bought from the legal market. Among those who used cannabis in the 12 months before the survey, just over 7 out of 10 (71.7%) bought exclusively from legal sources.
Cannabis legalization is succeeding in Canada by every reasonable measure, as demonstrated by the new consumer and industry data from Statistics Canada. In addition to the revenue generated by Canada’s legal industry for public coffers, governments have also saved a considerable amount of public resources by no longer arresting consumers for cannabis activity.
Canada is a glowing example of what is possible when lawmakers take a sensible approach toward cannabis. The nation’s cannabis law is not perfect, however, it is undeniably better than cannabis prohibition and countries would be wise to follow in Canada’s footsteps.
Germany continues to serve as the largest legal medical cannabis market in Europe, and not just for domestically produced medical cannabis products. Germany reportedly imported a record amount of medical cannabis products from other countries in 2023.
In 2023, Germany imported 31,398 kilograms of medical cannabis products according to data from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), a 26.2% increase compared to last year’s medical cannabis imports.
In 2022 Germany imported 24,876 kilograms, compared to 20,771 kilograms in 2021, 11,746 kilograms in 2020, and 8,057 kilograms in 2019. Canada was the top source of imported medical cannabis in Germany followed by Portugal and the Netherlands. Roughly 50% of imported cannabis to Germany in 2023 originated in Canada compared to 40% the previous year.
Starting in 2017, Germany legalized the use of 14 different varieties of cannabis flower for patients with severe debilitating diseases and no other treatment options. The legal medical cannabis products have been distributed through German pharmacies ever since.
However, it wasn’t until 2019 that Germany allowed medical cannabis to be produced domestically, with the European nation’s medical cannabis industry initially relying solely on medical cannabis imports. Domestic production has ramped up since 2019, yet, medical cannabis imports have remained strong.
With the new German adult-use cannabis legalization law (CanG) taking effect on April 1, 2024, Germany’s medical cannabis industry is set to undergo a fairly substantial evolution going forward.
Three companies were chosen in 2019 to produce medical cannabis in Germany. The companies were capped at 10,400 kilograms of product production over the course of a four-year span. With the new CanG law taking effect, that quota system is going away. More companies can now apply to cultivate medical cannabis within Germany’s borders.
Furthermore, a major component of the new CanG law involves cannabis being removed from Germany’s Narcotics List, which will have a significant impact on patient access to medical cannabis. Germany’s medical cannabis program will no longer require a narcotic prescription form. The policy change will likely result in a dramatic increase in Germany’s legal medical cannabis base.
Japan’s emerging cannabis industry expanded sixfold during four years spanning from 2019 to 2023 according to a new report by Euromonitor International. Japan’s emerging legal cannabis industry currently largely revolves around the buying and selling of CBD products.
One such cannabis-derived medication, Epidiolex, has been found to help people who suffer from severe epilepsy. A study conducted in 2019 found that “6.9 per 1000 individuals have epilepsy in the general Japanese population, and that the prevalence of epilepsy increases with age, probably because of elderly onset cerebrovascular diseases.”
The new report by Euromonitor International regarding Japan’s emerging cannabis industry was insightful. Per excerpts from The Japan Times:
Japan’s cannabis market expanded sixfold over four years to ¥24 billion ($154 million) in 2023, a trend that is expected to accelerate with the amendment in December of cannabis laws, market research firm Euromonitor International said in a recent report.
The growing sales of products using CBD (cannabidiol), a compound found in marijuana, are attributed to the rising demand for products that offer relaxation, sleep and stress relief, the firm said, estimating the current number of CBD users in Japan at 588,000.
“The year 2023 marked a pivotal moment for cannabis in Japan, signaling a potential turning point for the country’s CBD market. Recent legal reforms have opened doors for further CBD establishment and development, with the sector gaining attention as a high-growth industry. The increasing utilization of CBD across various sectors, including health, beauty, beverages, and edibles, is expected to reshape societal perceptions of CBD and cannabis.” Euromonitor stated about its new report.
Back in December, the same month that Japan’s government lifted its ban on cannabis-derived medications, the nation’s Health Ministry banned products containing one or more specific synthetic cannabinoids. Six synthetic cannabinoids total were listed in the new ban.
A March 2023 analysis by Comprehensive Research Report found that the global CBD market is projected to reach $59.43 billion by 2030. The researchers estimated that the global CBD market was worth $18.43 billion in 2022.
Roughly two weeks ago the first provisions of Germany’s new adult-use cannabis legalization law took effect, with policy components related to personal cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption by adults being implemented. Adults in Germany can now cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess up to 25 grams when away from their homes.
On the heels of the historic policy change, international cannabis leaders have converged this week in Berlin for the annual International Cannabis Business Conference B2B event, which is Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis industry conference. The two-day conference is scheduled to take place in Berlin at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel from April 16th-17th.
The International Cannabis Business Conference, which also co-organized the Global Investment Forum with the Talman Group that took place today on the eve of the B2B event, is hosting the first major event anywhere in Europe after Germany’s legalization law took effect. Representatives from over 80 countries are expected to be in attendance.
Once again, European cannabis policy modernization efforts will be a large focus of the two-day conference. The topic has always been prominent in past International Cannabis Business Conference events in Berlin going back to 2017 when the first flagship conference was held in Berlin.
However, the cannabis policy landscape has obviously shifted across Europe now that Germany has legalized recreational cannabis for adults. In addition to cultivation, possession, and consumption, noncommercial cannabis clubs are expected to play a prominent role in Germany’s legalization model. Noncommercial cannabis clubs are expected to launch in July of this year.
Germany’s legalization law also removed cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List, the significance of which cannot be overstated. Cannabis research is now easier to conduct in Germany as a result, and the supply chain for medical cannabis products will be streamlined as well. Germany’s legalization model is now the gold standard for Europe.
“This year’s International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin is going to be extra special for our team given the historical context. We are excited to offer world-class cannabis industry and policy education, networking, and entertainment to attendees at such a historic time for Germany and Europe’s emerging cannabis industry.” says Alex Rogers, founder of the International Cannabis Business Conference.
Given Germany’s prominence in European industry and politics, many other nations in Europe are reportedly considering cannabis policy modernization efforts of their own. Germany is now leading a growing coalition of emerging legal European cannabis markets, and nations would be wise to join the coalition and follow Germany’s lead.
Cannabis science and technology will also be prominently featured at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin this week. Leading experts from many scientific fields will be presenting at the two-day event.
You can find a full list of speakers for the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin at this link here, and the full two-day schedule at this link here. For those who are unable to attend in person, you can follow along on social media via the conference’s Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn social media channels.
Last month Morocco’s Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Activités relatives au Cannabis (ANRAC) reported the nation’s first legal cannabis crop, which totaled a reported 294 metric tons. It was a major milestone for a nation that has long been associated with the cannabis trade, albeit the unregulated cannabis trade.
Historically, Morocco is one of the world’s largest sources of unregulated cannabis, with Moroccan cannabis being particularly popular in Europe. The first legal harvest reported last month is part of a new government program in Morocco that was launched to give cannabis farmers in the North African nation a path to join the regulated industry.
Morocco first adopted its current medical cannabis policy in 2021. The measure authorized the legal production of cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial uses, as well as tasked a national agency to oversee the launch and operation of the industry.
In March 2022, Morocco’s government selected three provinces where medical cannabis would eventually be legally cultivated for domestic and export purposes. Roughly three months later, the nation’s national cannabis regulatory agency, ANRAC, met for the first time. In October 2022, Morocco issued its first cannabis production permits.
Now, the North African nation has announced that it has adopted an official logo for legal cannabis products created within its borders:
Many legal jurisdictions adopt an official symbol for cannabis products for various reasons, not the least of which is to alert people that the product contains cannabinoids. For Morocco, given its long history with the cannabis plant, the logo could eventually become more than just a symbol for legal cannabis products, but rather, a symbol for the nation’s entire emerging legal industry.
According to excerpts from initial reporting by Morocco World News, “The official gazette notice emphasized that the logo should be used as a label on all legalized cannabis products…It further emphasized that if the color used in the logo is not possible, the logo can be used in black and white.
Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, is an island nation and self-governing British Crown Dependency. Jersey’s economy currently revolves around finance center activities, with such activity accounting for nearly 40% of economic activity in Jersey and 70% of the island nation’s tax revenue.
Home to roughly 100,000 people, 66% of the total resident population of Jersey were of working age as of 2021 (women and men aged 16 to 64 years). About a sixth (18%) were above working age and another sixth (16%) were below working age in 2021.
Jersey, like every other country on the planet, can benefit from the economic boost that the emerging legal medical cannabis industry can provide. According to Jersey’s Economic Development Minister medical cannabis will play a key role in the nation’s economy going forward. Per Jersey Evening Post:
JERSEY’s medicinal cannabis industry is still on course to become a “significant” part of the economy – having already generated around £60 million of investment in the Island – the Economic Development Minister has claimed.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said that local growers had contended with high start-up costs and strict regulatory standards, but that his department expected demand for medicinal cannabis to grow as more countries allowed for it to be prescribed.
In 2021, former Economic Development Minister – now Chief Minister – Lyndon Farnham predicted that the industry would start generating “meaningful returns” within five years and that it could become a “mainstay” of Jersey’s economy.
Unfortunately, not everyone is excited about Jersey’s medical cannabis industry. Police Chief Robin Smith is calling for tighter control of the country’s emerging industry, claiming that “entrepreneurial criminals” see the industry as “an opportunity to commit crime.”
“We have one case currently – and we have had others – where we believe that some people are dealing in medicinal cannabis via their prescriptions, or other people’s prescriptions. It is not a huge number but it is inevitable because that’s what happens when criminals get entrepreneurial,” Chief Smith stated according to Jersey Evening Post.
The police chief’s anecdotal evidence is limited at best, and just as many countries around the world are benefitting from a booming medical cannabis industry without any widespread issues, the same will presumably be true in Jersey in the coming years.
On April 1st, 2024, Germany became the largest nation to ever implement a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. The historic policy change has ushered in a new era for Europe’s emerging cannabis industry, with Germany leading the way. Several other European nations are reportedly making plans to modernize their own cannabis policies now that Germany’s policy change has become effective.
The timing could not be more perfect for the return of the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin on April 16-17th at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel. ICBC Berlin is the conference series’ flagship B2B event and tradeshow, serving as Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis B2B conference. ICBC Berlin is also the first major cannabis event to occur after Germany’s legalization law took effect. In addition to the B2B event, the International Cannabis Business Conference will also co-host the Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin on April 15th.
The emerging legal cannabis industry is becoming a global phenomenon, with more nations than ever before having modernized their cannabis policies to permit legal cannabis research and commerce. That spread of policy reform has, in turn, created tremendous potential at the international level for cannabis entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers.
Euromonitor International estimates that the emerging global cannabis industry is currently worth 51.4 billion euros, with that figure estimated to top 60 billion in 2025. Germany’s cannabis industry is currently estimated to be worth nearly 1.2 billion euros. With the first pillar of Germany’s legalization model launching and further expansion of the law on the horizon, that number is likely to increase considerably in the coming years.
The legal industry no longer operates in regional silos, and a major challenge currently facing the emerging international cannabis industry is the difficulty of effectively networking with people from all over the world. The International Cannabis Business Conference and Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin are the perfect networking opportunities, taking place right in the middle of European cannabis history being made.
The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis B2B event series on the planet, with previous conferences occurring in several countries on multiple continents. The event series is owned and operated by cannabis advocates who believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.
“This year’s International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin is going to be extra special for our team given the historical context. We are excited to offer world-class cannabis industry and policy education, networking, and entertainment to attendees at such a historic time for Germany and Europe’s emerging cannabis industry.” says Alex Rogers, founder of the International Cannabis Business Conference.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain an edge on the competition in the emerging international cannabis industry, and it’s vital for people to get their ideas, products, or services in front of the right people at the right time. With executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers converging from across the planet, the ICBC B2B trade show event in Berlin is the perfect place to put cannabis ideas on the global cannabis stage. You can find a full list of speakers at this link here, and the full two-day schedule at this link here.
The Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin, which will be held at the iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, is investor-focused. Taking place on the eve of the International Cannabis Business Conference’s flagship B2B event in Berlin, Europe’s largest event of its kind, the Talman Global Investment Forum will bring together true leaders from top sectors and companies in the emerging cannabis space.
The goal of the event is to help facilitate meaningful networking, to provide timely education, and to stimulate deal flow potential among attendees. Rising industry sectors will be a major focus of the event, with speakers discussing how those sectors fit into the larger industry ecosystem.
“We know how hard it is for quality investors to link up with vetted cannabis industry companies offering valuable investment opportunities,” Rogers stated. “That is why we are bringing the Talman Global Investment Forum back to Berlin. It will be a prime networking opportunity for cannabis industry investors, entrepreneurs, and industry service providers alike.”
Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers. Attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with investors, entrepreneurs, industry regulators, and international policymakers and take your industry pursuits to the next level. Secure your tickets now before the B2B and Talman Global Investment Forum sell out.
Few places on earth, if any, have as long and as storied of a history with cannabis consumption as the Netherlands. Amsterdam, which was home to the Cannabis Cup international competition for many years, has served as a top international cannabis tourist destination for decades.
Yet, as many parts of the world have successfully modernized their cannabis policies, the Netherlands has lagged behind on such reforms in many ways. Much of the cannabis industry in the Netherlands is still unregulated, with many of the nation’s famed cannabis cafes operating in a legal gray area at best.
According to a recent poll, a strong majority of residents in the Netherlands want to install regulations around the country’s cannabis industry, rather than letting the status quo remain. Per NL Times:
Six in ten Netherlands residents believe that the production, supply, and sale of cannabis and hashish should be legal. It is currently prohibited to grow cannabis, and growers are also not allowed to supply coffee shops, but the government tolerates the sale. Only 11 percent believe this current policy works well and nothing needs to change. That is the conclusion of Kieskompas and ANP based on a survey completed by over 6,000 Dutch people.
In almost all provinces, a majority is in favor of legalization. That group is the largest in Groningen and Flevoland, at around 70 percent. People from Drenthe and Zeeland are the least likely to favor legalization and are also the most likely to think that weed should not be tolerated at all.
Limited regional adult-use cannabis commerce trials are currently in operation in the Netherlands. Such trials permit a limited number of consumers, cultivators, and retailers to conduct cannabis production and purchases. The trials in the Netherlands first launched in December 2023 after a long delay.
For a time earlier this year, it appeared that the trials in the Netherlands would be halted, if not eliminated. However, such proposals have failed to materialize so far. Trials were approved in the Netherlands in Breda, Tilburg, Arnhem, Almere, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, and Zaanstad.
A proposal to expand the cannabis trials to include the Amsterdam-Oost district was recently denied by members of the Netherlands Parliament.
For many long-time cannabis consumers and medical patients, there are few things as rewarding as cultivating a personal amount of cannabis. Historically, legal home cultivation was just a seemingly far-off dream for many adults in Germany, however, home cultivation is now legal for people 18 and older in Europe’s largest economy thanks to the tireless efforts of German cannabis advocates.
Legalization in Germany involves various provisions, including the right to cultivate three plants in a private residence. Adults can now possess up to 25 grams of personal cannabis while away from home in Germany, and up to 50 grams at their residence.
Another important facet of Germany’s new cannabis law involves lower penalties (administrative offense) for people caught possessing slightly more than the permitted limit.
While it is difficult to know exactly how many adults will choose to cultivate cannabis at home in Germany, Canada does provide some insight. Canada legalized home cultivation in 2018, and as of September 2022, an estimated 9% of Canadian consumers reported cultivating cannabis at home.
According to official statistics from 2021, an estimated 8.8% of adults in Germany aged 18-64 reported that they had consumed cannabis at least once in the last 12 months. Applying an 8.8% estimated consumer rate to Germany’s adult population and then applying a 9% home cultivation rate to that consumer base works out to over half a million people who would be expected to cultivate their own cannabis in Germany.
With that many people cultivating cannabis, certain sectors and products of Germany’s cannabis industry are going to explode, including but not limited to grow tents, grow lights, containers, grow mediums, nutrients, odor control temperature control, harvesting equipment, drying equipment, and storage technology. Service companies that specialize in energy efficiency will presumably experience increased demand.
The explosion in home cultivation product demand that is now underway in Germany will inevitably be met with a flood of products and services from innovative entrepreneurs and inventors. The best of those products will then have the potential to expand to an international market as legalization spreads across Europe and the rest of the globe.
The ‘ripple effect’ of Germany’s new cultivation freedoms will be felt around the world.
Demand for cannabis seeds and clones is going to be enormous in Germany going forward. Companies that specialize in providing quality cannabis genetics, both in Germany and the rest of Europe, are virtually guaranteed to see a spike in business.
The boost in home cultivation will result in more quality cannabis being consumed in Germany, and that, in turn, will boost demand for fun and unique ways to consume homegrown cannabis. As such, top companies that specialize in consumption gadgets and devices should experience an ancillary boost as well.
Germany’s emerging home cultivation sector will be a popular topic at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, which is taking place later this month on April 16th and 17th. The event will be the first major cannabis event in Germany after legalization took effect. A limited number of tickets are still available.
Register today for the historic event before the conference sells out.
According to Morocco’s Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Activités relatives au Cannabis (ANRAC), the nation’s first legal cannabis crop totaled 294 metric tons.
The legal harvest is part of a new government program in Morocco that was launched to give cannabis farmers in the North African nation a path to join the regulated industry. Historically, Morocco is one of the world’s largest sources of unregulated cannabis, with Moroccan cannabis being particularly popular in Europe.
Morocco first adopted its current medical cannabis policy in 2021. The measure authorized the legal production of cannabis for medical, cosmetic, and industrial uses, as well as tasked a national agency to oversee the launch and operation of the industry.
In March 2022, Morocco’s government selected three provinces where medical cannabis would eventually be legally cultivated for domestic and export purposes. Roughly three months later, the nation’s national cannabis regulatory agency, ANRAC, met for the first time. In October 2022, Morocco issued its first cannabis production permits.
The recent harvest is the culmination of years of effort on the part of Morocco’s emerging industry, regulators, and elected officials. It will take a while before Morocco’s legal industry supplants its unregulated industry, however, the 294 metric ton harvest is still a major milestone. Per excerpts from Reuters:
The harvest was made by 32 cooperatives that brought together 430 farmers covering 277 hectares in the northern Rif mountain areas of Al Houceima, Taounat and Chefchaouen, ANRAC said in an email to Reuters.
This year, the regulator is examining applications by 1,500 farmers who organised themselves into 130 cooperatives, ANRAC said.
Nearly a million people live in areas of northern Morocco where cannabis is the main economic activity. It has been publicly grown and smoked there for generations, mixed with tobacco in traditional long-stemmed pipes with clay bowls.
The value of Morocco’s medical cannabis market was valued at USD 24.90 million in 2022 according to Grand View Research. The nation’s medical cannabis market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48.0% from 2023 to 2030.
Cannabis industry data company BDSA projects that the legal global cannabis industry will be worth $55 billion by 2027.
The legal cannabis industry has evolved considerably in recent years. It has gone from an industry made up of several silo industries operating at a local level to an international community of emerging cannabis companies, with more entrepreneurs and investors joining every day.
The cannabis import and export markets are increasing in size as a result. Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led cannabis companies in North America, while still underrepresented in the cannabis industry, are at the forefront of international cannabis imports and exports.
Such entities act with autonomy due to tribal sovereignty, giving them a distinct advantage at both producing cannabis for export, as well as creating opportunities for international players looking to do business in North America.
A great example is Indigenous-owned All Nations Cannabis. All Nations Cannabis completed its first export to the international market in 2023. The company, in partnership with Shxwhá:y Village, became a vertically integrated business in 2022, producing and selling cannabis both at their own retail outlets and abroad.
“We’ve continued to grow high-quality cannabis and we’ve put that cannabis into two brands that we’ve launched, our All Nations premium brand, and Uncle Bob, our secondary brand, and we are selling through the provincial distribution system throughout Canada.” Darwin Douglas, CEO of All Nations Cannabis, told The Abbotsford News back in April 2023.
“I think it’s a huge accomplishment as a licensed producer operating not only on First Nations land, but also just as a licensed producer in the Fraser Valley to be making these big moves on the export front.” Douglas also stated at the time. “So we are really, really proud of our team, and all the hard work that’s gone into this, and excited for what the future holds on the export markets.”
Helping drive the Indigenous cannabis industry forward is the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA). A first-of-its-kind organization, the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association exists to promote the exploration, development, and advancement of the cannabis industry for the benefit of all Indigenous communities.
ICIA is dedicated to the advocacy and empowerment of Indigenous cannabis businesses, influencers, and aspiring entrepreneurs along with being a conduit of connection and data for Indigenous Nations as they push towards a vision of an equitable, just, and sustainable Indigenous cannabis economy.
Founded by cannabis entrepreneur and member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians Rob Pero in August 2022, ICIA creates opportunities for Indigenous people in cannabis and empowers the Indigenous community through policy, programming, and outreach initiatives.
In 2016 the National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution approving cannabis production to promote tribal self-determination and self-governance, create job opportunities, strengthen tribal governance, and promote equity in the cannabis industry. The current legal landscape of the cannabis industry is complex.
Tribal corporations are eligible to establish a ‘Foreign Trade Zone’ according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a designated geographical area where foreign and domestic goods are treated, for tax and tariff purposes, as if they had never entered the United States. It’s an important distinction for cannabis imports and exports and is one of the many areas of public policy and industry regulations that the ICIA helps its members navigate.
Members of ICIA are also given access to ICIA’s network of Tribal Nations, industry partners, advocacy groups, mentors, businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs to help navigate the complex landscape of tribal, state, and federal policy and to provide resources for Tribal governments and Indigenous people to design and advocate for equitable cannabis policies.
“In the rapidly evolving landscape of the international cannabis industry, the most significant yet untapped opportunity lies within the Indigenous cannabis sector. As founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, I am proud to say that our communities and partners are pioneering a collaborative approach towards this burgeoning industry,” said Pero. “We are committed to engaging in all aspects of the cannabis industry at the highest level, prioritizing public safety and wellness, while also recognizing the profound economic and workforce development potential. By activating our sovereign rights and abilities to self-determine sustainable commerce in emerging industries, Indigenous Nations are not only building global relationships but also setting a precedent for equity, justice, and sustainability in the cannabis economy.”
ICIA serves Tribal Nations and Indigenous-led businesses as the leading Indigenous trade association in the nation, working to develop Indian Country’s roadmap for federal, state, and local lobbying and advocacy while providing technical assistance to tribes and their members for optimum access to cannabis industry resources.
“Our journey represents a pivotal shift from Indigenous-led cannabis efforts operating locally to a formidable presence in the international market, as demonstrated by milestones like All Nations Cannabis’s first international export,” said Pero. “This is just the beginning. Together, we are charting a course for a future where Indigenous-led cannabis businesses thrive, contributing to the wellness of our communities and the global economy.”
Rob Pero will be presenting at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany. The event, which is the largest and longest-running of its kind in Europe, takes place on April 16-17 at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel. Register today to come learn more about Rob Pero and the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association along with several other world-class speakers. Space is limited, so purchase your tickets as soon as possible before the event sells out.
Featured image via the Indigenous Cannabis Business Association
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