Author: Hazel Norman

A New Phase For Cannabis Pilot Trials In The Netherlands

Written by Hazel Norman on April 7, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Retail adult-use cannabis outlets participating in pilot trial research projects in the Netherlands entered into a new era today, with sales of recreational pilot trial cannabis flower products being limited to flowers originating from regulated sources. Previously, pilot trial participants could sell cannabis flower products produced by unregulated sources.

“From today, all coffeeshops in the ten participating municipalities are only allowed to sell cannabis grown by regulated cultivators.” reported NL Times in its local coverage. “This involves almost 80 coffeeshops in Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Zaanstad.”

“This is a big step because it puts an end to the tolerance policy – in which coffeeshops were allowed to sell cannabis, but authorities turned a blind eye to where they got their supply because cultivation was illegal – in these municipalities.” the outlet also reported.

Some participants of the pilot trials had previously expressed concern about potential supply issues. Many regulated cannabis producers have indicated that they have experienced various setbacks in their operations.

Hash products were also originally slated to be part of the April 7th deadline; however, Minister of Justice David van Weel and State Secretary for Prevention Vincent Karremans previously announced that the deadline for requiring hash pilot trial products to come from regulated sources will be delayed until June 10th, 2025.

Poll Finds Little Support For Reversing German Legalization

Written by Hazel Norman on April 2, 2025. Posted in Policy.

After a year of cannabis legalization being the law of the land in Germany, a new YouGov poll has found that a minority of the nation’s citizens want to reverse adult-use cannabis legalization. Conservative lawmakers in Germany have pushed for a reversal in recent months.

“Thirty-eight percent support reversing legalization, according to a survey conducted by the YouGov polling institute on behalf of the German Press Agency. Another 38 percent are in favor of maintaining legalization within its current framework. Eleven percent support even greater liberalization with fewer restrictions. Thirteen percent did not answer this question.” reported Frankfurter Rundschau in its local reporting.

“Even after controlled legalization, the survey shows that the vast majority still don’t smoke marijuana. 87 percent said they haven’t consumed cannabis since legalization. “Yes, but not because of legalization,” said 4 percent. Accordingly, 3 percent smoked marijuana because of legalization.” the outlet also reported.

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate, possess, and consume a personal amount of recreational cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, adults can apply to launch an adult-use cultivation association in Germany. So far, at least 133 cultivation associations have gained approval, with hundreds more currently having their applications reviewed.

Another component of the German CanG law involves permitting regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. The research-based pilot trials will help lawmakers and regulators gather data and insight. Federal regulators are currently processing 26 pilot applications.

All Doctors In Czechia Can Now Prescribe Medicinal Cannabis

Written by Hazel Norman on April 1, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Starting today, all licensed doctors in the Czech Republic can now prescribe medical cannabis therapies to suffering patients. Previously, only specialist doctors could prescribe medical cannabis.

“All general practitioners (GPs) in Czechia are from today, April 1, authorized to prescribe medical cannabis to patients suffering from chronic pain, marking a significant shift in accessibility for the drug.” reported Expats CZ in its local coverage.

“Until now, only specialists—of whom there are approximately 250—could issue prescriptions for medical cannabis. Under the new regulation, GPs will be able to provide prescriptions, simplifying access for patients dealing with long-term health conditions.” the outlet also stated.

The medical cannabis public policy change will help improve safe access to cannabis therapies in the European nation. The change in who can prescribe legal medical cannabis in Czechia is now in line with many other countries around the world. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Czechia in 2013.

Starting in July of this year, the Czech Republic will regulate sales of cannabis containing up to one percent THC. The public policy change will also involve permitting regulated sales of kratom.

“The regulation focuses on substances deemed to pose low public health and social risks based on current scientific evidence. These include Kratom and kratom extracts, known for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects; cannabis with up to 1 percent THC, a low-potency form of cannabis with minimal psychoactive effects.” reported Expats CZ in its local coverage.

“Cannabis extracts and tinctures with up to 1 percent THC are also included.” Expats CZ also reported. Low-THC cannabis products will be permitted to be sold in licensed stores starting this summer in Czechia, although certain forms of commerce, such as automated vending machines, remain prohibited.

Moldova Issues First Authorization For Hemp Production

Written by Hazel Norman on March 24, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Hemp policy and regulatory modernization is sweeping across the globe, with a recent example being in the European nation of Moldova where the government has issued its first authorization for legal hemp cultivation.

“Moldova has officially entered the industrial hemp sector, issuing its first authorization for hemp cultivation under new regulations that open the door for fiber and seed production.” reported Hemp Today in its original coverage. “The approval, granted by the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices through its Standing Committee on Drug Control, marks a significant step in the country’s agricultural policy.

“The move follows recent government amendments to laws regulating plants containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, which now define industrial hemp separately from marijuana. Under the new framework, farmers can grow hemp varieties listed in the Moldovan National Plant Variety Catalog, the EU’s Common Catalog of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species, or national catalogs of EU member states.” the outlet also stated.

Humans have made use of the hemp plant for various purposes for thousands of centuries. It wasn’t until the 1900s that policies prohibiting hemp production and use were enacted.

Thankfully, more governments are getting on the right side of history and allowing aspiring members of the legal hemp industry to cultivate hemp and use it as a source for medical products and adult-use products, in addition to using hemp for creating numerous textiles.

Australian Government Report Recommends Cannabis Reform

Written by Hazel Norman on March 24, 2025. Posted in Policy.

A government committee in Victoria, Australia is recommending that personal cannabis cultivation and possession be decriminalized in the jurisdiction. The recommendation is similar to the public policy approach that is already in place in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

The cross-party parliamentary group in Victoria is an eight-member council focused on legal and social issues. The committee concluded that the local government should “draw on the experience of the ACT” and adopt a “new approach” to cannabis policy.

“This Report from the Legal and Social Issues Committee examines a Bill introduced in the Legislative Council by the Legalise Cannabis Party, to regulate the personal use of cannabis in Victoria.” stated the report titled Inquiry into the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Regulation of Personal Adult Use of Cannabis) Bill 2023.

“During this Inquiry, the Committee engaged with stakeholders through submissions and consultations. It visited Canberra on 11 February 2025 to better understand the impact of the ACT’s Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Act 2019. The Committee also spoke with a range of stakeholders at a public hearing on 14 February 2025.” the report also stated.

The report determined the following after examining the impact of cannabis policy modernization in the ACT:

Stable cannabis use: Cannabis use rates have remained stable, with no significant increase since the reforms. ACT residents remain less likely to have used cannabis recently than the national average.
Decrease in cannabis offences: Charges for cannabis offences and police diversions have declined significantly, reflecting the intended shift towards treating
cannabis use as a health issue rather than a criminal justice matter.
No increase in health issues: Cannabis‑related ambulance callouts and hospital admissions have shown no substantial changes since the Act’s implementation.

The 146-page report concluded by offering nine findings and seven recommendations for Victoria’s government to consider. The government now has six months to respond to the report.

Action Gets Delayed On Italy’s Restrictive Hemp Laws

Written by Hazel Norman on March 23, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

For centuries the hemp plant and its varied uses were fairly limited to textiles. While the practice of incorporating hemp into medicinal applications is thousands of years old, it wasn’t as widespread in use compared to using hemp to make things like rope and paper.

In recent years, hemp-derived products for medical patients and consumers have increased significantly. ‘Cannabis light’ products in Europe, which contain low amounts of THC and typically larger amounts of CBD, are very popular and widespread in many places, including in Italy.

Unfortunately, lawmakers in Italy have tried to hinder the nation’s emerging hemp-derived product sector, having issued a decree last year that equates cannabidiol (CBD) with dangerous narcotic substances. The decree sought to limit the sale of CBD products to pharmacies only (non-repeat prescriptions).

Members of Italy’s CBD industry have sought relief from the European Commission, requesting that the European Commission intervene. However, such an intervention has yet to materialize, and action from the EC is being delayed.

“Brussels has delayed addressing Italy’s restrictive measures on industrial hemp and CBD, with stakeholders warning that the holdup is stifling the country’s growing hemp industry, following a March 17 debate in the European Parliament.” reported Hemp Today in its original coverage.

“The conflict centers on two key Italian measures that have raised alarms among hemp advocates: a proposed amendment to the country’s Security Law and a decree that classifies oral CBD products as narcotics. The amendment, still under consideration in Italy’s Senate, would ban the production and trade of hemp flowers and derivatives, even those with THC content below the EU’s permitted 0.3% threshold.” the outlet also reported.

Until the European Commission makes a firm decision in either direction, Italy’s hemp and CBD industries will continue to remain in a state of limbo.

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Luxembourg Cannabis Use Survey Provides Insight

Written by Hazel Norman on March 23, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Luxembourg became the second country in Europe to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization law when lawmakers approved the public policy change in 2023. Malta became the first nation in Europe to adopt national legalization in 2021.

At the time of Luxembourg’s approval, the European nation was the fourth legalized country on the planet, with Uruguay becoming the first legalized country in 2013 followed by Canada in 2018. Germany has also since legalized cannabis for adult use, as has South Africa (both in 2024).

Luxembourg’s model is the most restrictive of the countries that have adopted a national legalization measure. Adults in Luxembourg can cultivate up to four plants in their private residences, however, they can only possess up to three grams of cannabis, and sourcing models like cultivation associations and pilot trials remain prohibited.

According to a poll that market research firm ILRES recently conducted on behalf of Luxembourg’s Health Ministry, nearly half of residents in Luxembourg have consumed cannabis at least one time in their lives.

“46.3% of Luxembourg residents have tried cannabis at some point in their life, the ILRES poll released Monday estimates. That includes 14.2% who have used the drug in the past year and 7.8% in the past month.” stated Luxembourg Times in its local reporting.

“Although just under seven in ten people growing cannabis at home said they started cultivating after it became legal, they still amounted to just 11.5% of recent cannabis users.” the outlet also stated.

Legal Cannabis Supply Changes Coming To The Netherlands Next Month

Written by Hazel Norman on March 22, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The Netherlands is home to multiple regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. The pilot trials involve permitting limited recreational cannabis sales at a local level for policymakers and regulators to be able to gather industry research data for later use.

Currently, the participating pilot trial retail outlets can source their cannabis products from non-legal sources. However, that is going to change starting next month when all products for the pilot trials have to be sourced from legal suppliers.

“As of April 7, coffeeshops in the ten participating municipalities will no longer be allowed to sell illegally sourced cannabis, marking the most substantial shift in the Netherlands’ drug policy in decades.” stated NL Times in its local coverage.

“Under the new system, all cannabis must come from government-approved growers. Minister of Justice and Security Van Weel said he expects the “quantity, quality, and diversity” of legally grown cannabis to be sufficient by the deadline to meet consumer demand.” the outlet also reported.

Cannabis pilot trials are operating 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 previously denied by members of the Netherlands Parliament.

A poll conducted in April 2024 found that 60% of residents in the Netherlands support having a regulated cannabis industry.

Legal Cannabis Sales Spike In Canada As Alcohol Sales Plummet

Written by Hazel Norman on March 22, 2025. Posted in Business.

Canada was the second country to adopt a national recreational cannabis legalization law and remains the most robust nationwide legal adult-use cannabis market on the planet. Uruguay legalized cannabis before Canada, however, Uruguay continues to limit adult-use cannabis commerce to legal residents.

The legal adult-use market in Canada is the best recreational cannabis commerce experiment for public policy and economic researchers for a multitude of reasons. The data generated in Canada provides insight into what other nations may expect if/when they adopt a similar legalization model.

One thing that the data is demonstrating in Canada is that legal cannabis sales continue to erode the unregulated cannabis market, and paralleling the rise in cannabis sales is a drop in sales of alcohol products. Below is more information about the sales trends via a news release from NORML:

Ottawa, Ontario: Sales of alcohol and cannabis in Canada are on opposite trajectories, according to data provided by Statistics Canada, the national statistical agency of the Canadian government.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, sales of alcoholic beverages experienced historic declines, with beer sales experiencing the largest overall decrease. In comparison, “Sales of recreational cannabis by provincial cannabis authorities and other retail outlets increased 11.6 percent or $0.5 billion from one fiscal year earlier, reaching $5.2 billion in 2023/2024.” Sales of cannabis products had previously grown nearly 16 percent in 2022/2023.

Canada legalized the adult-use marijuana market in 2018.

Separate data published in February in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reported that fewer young adults in the US acknowledge consuming alcohol following the opening of licensed marijuana retailers.

While survey data finds that many consumers acknowledge substituting marijuana for alcohol, observational data gathered from jurisdictions that have legalized cannabis is mixed – with some studies reporting dips in alcohol sales post-legalization and others reporting no significant changes at the population level.

Complete data sets are available from Statistics Canada.