Recapping The Historic 2024 International Cannabis Business Conference In Berlin
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.
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.