Kick off International CBC Berlin in style at the exclusive VIP Reception held at the International CBC Network Pavilion. Taking place the evening before the main conference begins. It will bring together top industry leaders, innovators, speakers, and exhibitors for an intimate and dynamic networking experience.

Judith Heimbürger of gunnercooke will pay tribute to Peter Homberg. Mr. Homberg blessed the international cannabis community with exceptional professionalism, a deep understanding of both market dynamics and the people who shape them, as well as his rare ability to strike precisely the right tone, offering not only legal clarity but practical, solution‑oriented guidance. Judith Heimbürger will then turn to the topic that mattered deeply to Peter Homberg before his sudden passing: the draft amendment to the MedCanG. This presentation will provide an overview of the latest developments and explore the anticipated implications for market participants in Germany.

Established cannabis companies in Germany and entities seeking to enter the legal German market are facing an increasingly challenging environment. Between rising competition among companies and attempts by cannabis opponents within Germany’s government to impede the industry, it is getting harder and harder for current and aspiring industry operators to become profitable, remain profitable, or improve their profit margins. The German cannabis market is truly becoming a survival of the fittest situation. Members of this panel will explore ways that companies can gain or expand their footprints within the German market, focusing on effective components of operating strategies. Panelists will explain how companies can become safe harbours in the German market.

Germany is the continental leader when it comes to working toward modernized European cannabis laws. The country’s legal medical cannabis base is the largest in Europe, and Germany is also the most populous nation on the planet to adopt national recreational cannabis use. Despite serving as a model for the rest of Europe, Germany’s cannabis policy advances continue to face opposition within domestic political circles. Policy experts will dive into the current political battles going on in Germany and offer up their insights into what the future of German cannabis policies will entail.

Multiple legal cannabis and hemp markets underwent significant regulatory changes in 2025, particularly in Europe and North America. The effects and impacts of the policy changes are sure to continue into this year and beyond. Rescheduling in the United States, explosive growth in key markets in the Eastern Hemisphere, and important M&A/investment transactions have fueled increased investor interest in global cannabis. As investors enter/re-enter the space and markets continue to mature, investing strategies must be more sophisticated, with competition for capital being more intense than ever. Current and prospective cannabis investors will gain key insights from expert panelists to help them align their strategies with emerging global market opportunities.

An important component for a cannabis company to successfully scale its operations globally is to forge strategic partnerships with innovative individuals and entities in other regions. A cannabis company can’t reach its full potential at the international level without forming partnerships. Unique endeavors will require specialized talent, mentorship, capital, and many other inputs to achieve success in the increasingly competitive cannabis industry. Panelists will provide insight into what a constructive partnership involves, when to pursue one, how to measure success, and what potential pitfalls to watch out for.

National governments are considering cannabis policy and industry regulatory modernization proposals at an increasing rate, and in some cases, have already adopted reform measures. New markets are being created in regions such as Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, while existing markets are being expanded. This panel will highlight key markets and provide overviews for developing market strategies, researching local regulations, and projections for the markets with the most growth potential. The panel of experts will also discuss the importance of public and private sector relationships while respecting cultural and regulatory nuances.

The European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standard is a regulatory requirement that helps ensure cannabis product safety. All cannabis products produced domestically or imported to the European Union must be GMP-compliant before being sold in EU markets. Science-based decontamination processes are at the heart of European GMP cannabis compliance. A team of expert panelists will discuss various approaches to cannabis decontamination, the regulatory requirements involved, and the unique GMP compliance hurdles that cannabis companies can expect.

The evolution of cannabis products in recent years has been significant, particularly in the concentrates and edibles sectors. As European markets shift from medical to adult-use, the coming years will likely witness the current 100% flower market transitioning to a 50/50 mix of extracts and flower, similar to what has occurred in legal North American markets. EU markets, prioritizing safer consumption, may see an even higher ratio of extract-derived products like vapes and edibles. A panel of experts will provide an overview of the different methods used to make cannabis extracts, discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each method, and provide insights about which cannabis concentrates and edible product types hold the most profit potential.

Many lawmakers and regulators know more about cannabis now than in years past. However, there are still many policymakers who do not have a sufficient understanding of the cannabis plant and the industry that surrounds it. It is why ongoing cannabis advocacy and lobbying are so important, and help ensure that there is always a proper counterbalance to the misinformation that cannabis opponents are spreading. Georg Wurth, CEO of DHV, and Omar Yar Khan, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at High Tide Inc., will discuss what goes into effective cannabis advocacy and lobbying in the current political and regulatory environment.

The emerging cannabis industry is no longer made up of just individualized, siloed markets. These days, the cannabis industry is more globally connected than ever before, and that trend will continue. The way cannabis products are stored, transported, and integrated into legal markets continues to evolve, and companies need robust distribution and logistics strategies to avoid issues. This panel will explore the latest trends and innovations in cannabis distribution and logistics and present ideas and tactics for navigating the international supply chain.

Over seven years after Canada legalized cannabis nationwide for adult use, the North American country remains home to the most robust cannabis market on the planet. In addition to its domestic cannabis industry, Canada continues to be a dominant force in the international cannabis scene. A group of leading Canadian cannabis industry experts will analyze the current state of Canada’s industry, its role in the global cannabis market, and what other nations can learn from Canada’s experience.

At a time when the global cannabis industry faces unprecedented competition, consolidation, and demand for differentiation, this keynote reframes what matters most in product-led growth: the human experience.

Drawing on sensory science and support of over $8 billion of cannabis product success annually, Daniel Cook, CEO of True Terpenes, reveals how an undervalued biological driver shapes perception, preference and purchasing behavior. Leave with a strategic understanding of how olfactory biology primes the brain’s emotional and memory centers before conscious evaluation and why pleasant aroma predicts quality more reliably than labels.

Dan will demonstrate the underlying cultivation, processing, and product design decisions needed to create winning brands in mature markets. An essential conversation for leaders focused on growth, differentiation and long-term market relevance.

Establishing a successful cannabis brand at an international level presents unique challenges and hurdles that localized companies in single markets do not experience. An effective branding strategy that resonates with cannabis patients and consumers across multiple regions involves several facets and considerations. A team of global cannabis branding experts with proven track records will provide tips and best practices for creating and expanding cannabis brands on a worldwide scale.

A key component of Germany’s adult-use cannabis industry model is cultivation associations. Cultivation associations, sometimes referred to as social clubs, serve as primary outlets for the nation’s consumers to source cannabis products legally. Germany now has hundreds of licensed member-based associations, with considerably more club applications pending and under review by regulators. This panel of experts will evaluate the current status of Germany’s cultivation association sector, discuss the challenges facing associations, and offer insights into what to anticipate going forward.

Innovations in agricultural technology continue to reshape and revolutionize how cannabis is produced. Automated systems and AI-driven analytics are just two examples of emerging technology that are being incorporated into cultivation operations in legal markets. This panel will explore how tech solutions can boost yields, improve quality, and reduce costs for cannabis producers. Experts will examine how energy storage, cultivation lighting, environmental control systems, and high-efficiency production techniques are helping companies.

Cannabis laws and regulations are being modernized in many parts of the world, with more governments pursuing and implementing sensible approaches to cannabis public policy. Every policy and regulatory change at a national level has the potential to impact the wider region in which it is located, and in some cases, influence continental and international markets. Legal experts will provide an overview of the most significant recent policy changes and their potential impacts, including the recently announced cannabis rescheduling in the United States.

The global cannabis industry is facing a dual crisis of attention fragmentation and margin compression. Brands are more visible than ever, yet increasingly unable to convert awareness into demand. As oversupply drives prices downward and regulated platforms restrict traditional marketing, many operators are discovering that visibility alone no longer leads to growth. This panel brings together operators, investors, policy leaders, and marketing strategists to examine why current go-to-market strategies are failing and what must change. Attendees will gain practical frameworks for differentiation, demand creation, and measurement in highly regulated, oversaturated markets, with actionable insights for navigating global cannabis markets in 2026 and beyond.

This panel brings together a diverse group of experts, including plant scientists, biochemists, R&D leaders from the private sector, to take a deep dive into recent cannabis research that focused on agronomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, materials science, and healthcare. The discussion will examine how interdisciplinary collaboration can drive innovation and ensure scientific integrity, which, in turn, can lead to real-world applications, support the development of research-based businesses, and contribute to improved public health internationally.

Effective marketing in any large industry can be challenging, but it is especially so in the cannabis industry due to industry-specific regulations and limitations. Stigma-driven content restrictions on many social media platforms further add to the hurdles for marketing cannabis products and services. We’ll bring together top international cannabis marketing experts to share tips and advice on overcoming those hurdles and developing marketing strategies that increase international brand visibility and awareness.

As far as the emerging legal cannabis industry has come in recent decades, the industry’s growth continues to be hindered by inconsistent rules and regulations from country to country. With the industry continuing to expand globally, it is vital that regulatory discrepancies and the issues they create are properly addressed. Public policy and regulatory experts will examine what it will take to harmonize standards to help boost market access, reduce legal risks, and create economies of scale. Panelists will highlight success stories and lessons that can be learned from them to further the global cannabis industry.

The cannabis plant and all of its varieties make it arguably the most dynamic crop on the planet. The rise of home cultivation worldwide, evolving product demand, and shifting needs of large-scale cultivators are all driving cannabis genetics research and development. This expert panel will explore some of the latest developments in the field of cannabis genetics, including the science of breeding and the role of genetics in IP and branding. Panelists will also explain the biomolecular compounds and other characteristics sought after in new strains.

In many markets, a larger variety of cannabis products is available to patients and consumers than ever before, and that is paralleled by an expansion of the types of devices and gadgets that patients and consumers can choose from. Additionally, cannabis cultivation is permitted in several jurisdictions for industrial, medical, and recreational purposes. A panel of the world’s leading cannabis technology inventors and innovators will participate in a robust conversation about the latest consumption, cultivation, and harvesting technology on the market and what people can expect in the coming years.