Author: Hazel Norman

Constitutional Challenge To Cannabis Prohibition In Namibia

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

Cannabis prohibition policies are typically challenged in one of two ways. The first is via the political process, with some countries having better options for seeking this route than others.

The other common way that cannabis advocates challenge cannabis prohibition policies is via the courts. Several countries have witnessed their top courts handing down landmark rulings against cannabis prohibition, such as in Mexico and South Africa. Namibia is the latest country to see a cannabis court challenge.

“Three judges of the Windhoek High Court are set to hear oral arguments in early July on whether an attempt to have the outlawing of cannabis in Namibia declared unconstitutional is ripe to be decided at this stage.” reported The Namibian in its local coverage.

“The plaintiffs in the case, Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) president Brian Jaftha and GUN secretary general Borro Ndungula, want the High Court to declare the prohibition of the possession and use of cannabis by adults in Namibia as unconstitutional.” the outlet also reported.

Currently, cannabis activity is expressly permitted by adults in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa after lawmakers in those countries adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures.

Additionally, court decisions have been rendered in at least Spain, Italy, and Mexico that afford some level of protection for adult cannabis consumers. Cannabis is also legal at the state level in two dozen states in the U.S., and recreational pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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French Lawmakers File Cannabis Legalization Proposal

Written by Hazel Norman on February 19, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Momentum for cannabis policy and regulatory modernization efforts has increased in recent years in Europe, with three countries—Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany — having adopted national adult-use legalization measures.

France is one European nation that advocates hope will make history soon by adopting recreational legalization. A pair of lawmakers, Ludovic Mendes (EPR) and Antoine Léaument (LFI), recently filed a proposal in France to achieve that goal.

“This measure, which opposes the government’s repressive policy, would aim to regulate production and distribution via a public agency, on the model of the National Gaming Agency.” reported Entrevue in its local coverage (translated from French to English).

“Legalization advocates, such as the Addictions France association, point out that cannabis consumption is already massive in France, with around 4 million regular users. For them, lifting the ban would not cause a significant increase in consumption, but would on the contrary allow for stricter control of the product and a reduction in health risks.” the outlet also reported.

A recent report produced by NORML France determined that 99.7% of cannabis being consumed in the European nation is unregulated, which creates potential public health risks.

According to a recent newsletter sent out by international cannabis economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics, France is home to the largest total addressable cannabis market in the European Union with a value of $11.3 billion (midpoint).

A previous study by an economic advisory board within the nation’s prime minister’s office determined that the French government spends roughly €570m annually on cannabis prohibition enforcement. The study recommended that France adopt adult-use cannabis legalization and launch a regulated recreational industry.

Emmanuelle Auriol, a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics who authored the study’s report and findings, estimated that such a policy change could create as many as 80,000 new jobs, and generate €2.8bn in taxes annually.

Argentina To Revoke All Medical Cannabis Production Permits

Written by Hazel Norman on February 19, 2025. Posted in Business.

In October 2022, regulators in Argentina issued the nation’s first-ever domestic cannabis production license. However, government officials in Argentina announced this month that it plans to revoke all current medical cannabis cultivation permits.

“The Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrich announced that the Government will cancel permits to grow marijuana.” InfoBae stated in its local coverage.

“We are going to cancel everything, we are going to start from scratch.” Patricia Bullrich stated according to the media outlet.

In April 2023, Argentina’s government participated in the nation’s first legal hemp harvest in roughly 50 years. Starting in 2019, Argentina has made a big push to boost its domestic cannabis industry, particularly as it pertains to science and research. Back then, Argentina’s Ministry of Science and Technology signed an agreement with a local government, the National University, and other entities.

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

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

99.7% Of Cannabis In France Remains Unregulated

Written by Hazel Norman on February 16, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As of 2022, the European Union Drugs Agency estimated that France had the greatest cannabis consumption rate of any of its member nations, with a reported 10.6% of France’s population having consumed cannabis at least once within the last year.

Unfortunately, cannabis use by adults for recreational purposes remains illegal in France, and only patients enrolled in the country’s medical cannabis trial experiment are permitted to consume cannabis legally. As such, nearly all of the cannabis consumed in France comes from unregulated sources.

“Despite a strict prohibition policy in France, the figures are clear: after the Place Nette operations, 99.7% of the cannabis circulating in France remained on the black market.” reports Newsweed (translated from French to English).

“This observation highlighted by the NORML France association in a report entitled “Why legalize cannabis in 2025” aims to show the ineffectiveness of repressive measures and raises the question of their relevance in the face of a market that continues to prosper.” the outlet also reported.

Health authorities in France announced late last year that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

“The experiement was due to end on 31 December 2024, but at a meeting on Thursday between patient associations and the health authorities, the Ministry of Health gave the green light for it to run for a further six months, FranceInfo reported.” stated RFI in its local coverage.

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.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024 before receiving the latest extension pushing the estimated end of the trial to the summer of 2025.

European Parliament Accepts Low-THC Cannabis Petition

Written by Hazel Norman on February 16, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Cannabis products that are low in THC are very popular in many parts of the world right now, particularly in Europe. ‘Cannabis light,’ as it is sometimes referred to, is widespread across the European continent.

Italy is a market where cannabis light products are very popular, however, the products have been the target of recent crackdown attempts by Italian lawmakers and regulators. Attempts to ban Italy’s cannabis light industry resulted in a petition being previously submitted to the European Parliament, and the petition was recently accepted.

“The petition presented by several national acronyms last September was accepted by the Petitions Committee (PETI) of the European Parliament. Its chairman, Polish conservative Bogdan Rzońca, asked the European Commission to “conduct a preliminary investigation into the issue.” reported EUNews in its recent coverage.

“In the response addressed to the president of Canapa Sativa Italia, Mattia Cusani (the first signatory of the petition that gathered the yes of Confagricoltura, Cia, Copagri, Cna Agroalimentare, Unci, Liberi Agricoltori, Altragricoltura, Associazione Florovivaisti Italiani, Federcanapa, Sardinia Cannabis, Assocanapa, Resilienza Italia Onlus, Canapa delle Marche, the European Industrial Hemp Association -EIHA, and the French UPCBD) the PETI committee pointed out that the Court of Justice of the European Union, in a judgement of October 4, 2024, ruled that Member States may not impose restrictions on the cultivation of industrial hemp, including indoor cultivation and cultivation exclusively for the production of inflorescences, unless such restrictions are supported by factual scientific evidence relating to the protection of public health.” the outlet also reported.

The battle over cannabis light in Italy and other parts of Europe comes at a time when many European countries are working to modernize their cannabis policies. Most European nations now have some type of medical cannabis program operating to some degree.

Currently, cannabis that is not low in THC is expressly legal for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. Additionally, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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Hemp Flowers Are Now Subject To Austria’s Tobacco Tax

Written by Hazel Norman on February 11, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The level of popularity for hemp flowers among cannabis consumers has exploded in recent years, particularly in Europe. ‘Cannabis light,’ as it is sometimes referred to, contains low enough levels of THC that many markets in Europe permit sales of it.

Whereas adult-use cannabis commerce for products derived from non-hemp sources remains illegal throughout most of Europe, commerce involving hemp products is often legal to some degree. Hemp flowers are a bit of a grey area from a regulatory standpoint in much of Europe. In Austria, a recent court decision declared that hemp flowers are subject to the nation’s tobacco tax.

“The Austrian Administrative Court (VwGH) has recently ruled that dried hemp flowers with a THC content of up to 0.3% are subject to tobacco tax.” reported Cannabis Industrie in its original coverage. “In addition to the tax liability, these products are also subject to the Tobacco Monopoly Act, which means that they may only be sold through tobacco shops.”

“The decision of the VwGH could have far-reaching consequences for the cannabis industry in Austria. Producers and distributors must now adapt to the new regulations and comply with the sales restrictions. This could lead to a shift in the market and possibly new legal challenges.” the outlet also reported.

According to analysts at the Tax Foundation, Austria places a €3.32 excise duty per 20-pack of tobacco cigarettes. An additional ‘value added tax’ or VAT is also placed on tobacco products, raising the total tax per pack of tobacco cigarettes to €4.23. The Tax Foundation estimates that tax as a share of the final selling price per pack of tobacco cigarettes is 77%.

Regulators across Europe, and many other parts of the world, are struggling to rectify the inconsistencies in laws and regulations pertaining to consumable hemp products. For many years, hemp products were largely limited to textiles. However, many savvy entrepreneurs are bringing more consumable hemp products to emerging markets, and policymakers are scrambling to try to catch up.

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Malta Cannabis Associations Permitted To Sell Concentrates Later This Year

Written by Hazel Norman on February 11, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Malta will forever hold the distinction of being the first European nation to adopt a national recreational cannabis legalization measure. Lawmakers in Malta approved adult-use legalization in 2021, permitting adults to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis.

Before Malta approved legalization, the only other nations to do so previously were Uruguay in 2013 and Canada in 2018. A major component of Malta’s legalization model is permitting cultivation associations, sometimes referred to as clubs. Members can source cannabis legally through the associations.

So far, cultivation associations in Malta have only sold cannabis flower. However, starting later this year cannabis cultivation associations in Malta will also be able to sell certain concentrated cannabis products to their members.

“Malta’s cannabis associations will be allowed to sell cannabis resin and rosin, the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) Executive Chairperson Joey Reno Vella confirmed to MaltaToday.” reported MaltaToday in its local coverage.

“ARUC is in the process of updating its Directives to permit the distribution of cannabis resin (hash) and similar processed products, such as rosin, through licensed CHRAs. However, it is imperative to highlight that only solvent-free, non-chemical extraction processes will be authorised. The use of solvents and/or chemical agents for the production of cannabis derivatives remains strictly prohibited. Additionally, the conversion of cannabis into oils and tinctures will not be permitted under these amendments,” Joey Reno Vella said according to the media outlet.

Cannabis concentrates, sometimes referred to as cannabis extracts, are very popular among adult cannabis consumers and medical cannabis patients. According to Coherent Market Insights, the global cannabis extract market “is expected to reach USD 38.13 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2024 to 2031.”

In other recent cannabis news out of Malta, the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis signed an agreement with the University of Malta to conduct cannabis-based research.

“The authority and the university’s chemistry department plan to study pesticides and “substances” found in legal and illegal cannabis by next October, with legal samples from cannabis associations and illegal samples held by the courts due to be tested.” reported Times of Malta.

“The tests aim to scientifically demonstrate how the dangers of controlled – legally grown – cannabis and illegal offerings vary, Reforms Junior Minister Rebecca Buttigieg said.” the local media outlet also reported.

Paraguay Exports Cannabis Flower To Switzerland In Historic First

Written by Hazel Norman on February 2, 2025. Posted in Business.

Paraguay first adopted a national industrial hemp legalization measure back in 2019, and the South American nation recently passed a historic milestone by making its first legal export of cannabis flowers to Switzerland.

“The Paraguayan Chamber of Industrial Cannabis proudly announced the first export of 100% Paraguayan industrial cannabis flowers, known as Kuñatai, to Switzerland. This flower, registered with specific cultivars, stands out for its high quality and purity, meeting the rigorous standards required by the Swiss market and opening doors for expansion to other destinations in Europe.” reported Sechat in its local coverage (translated from Portuguese to English).

“The export of Kuñatai to Switzerland represents a significant step forward for Paraguay on its path to internationalizing its cannabis industry.” the outlet also stated.

Paraguay’s international cannabis industry pursuits come at a time when nearly six dozen nations around the world have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures, many of which now import and export medical cannabis products.

Additionally, Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa have adopted adult-use cannabis legalization measures, although none of those countries currently permit the importation of recreational cannabis products and all adult-use cannabis is produced domestically either by individuals for personal use or by local companies.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are also currently operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Pilot trials are also expected to launch in Germany soon. Two dozen states in the United States have adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures, although cannabis remains prohibited at the federal level in the U.S.

Analysts at Research and Markets estimate that “the global cannabis cultivation market was valued at USD 43.52 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to record steady growth over the forecast period, with a CAGR of 5.25% through 2029.”

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Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Hemp Pilot

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

The government in Himachal Pradesh, a state in India, has approved a pilot study to examine the potential benefits of permitting industrial hemp cultivation and the creation of related medical products and scientific research.

“The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved the report of a committee recommending the controlled cultivation of cannabis for industrial, scientific, and medicinal purposes, setting the stage for its legalisation in the state. The report, previously passed by the Himachal Vidhan Sabha, was prepared with inputs from opposition BJP members, horticulture experts, and scientists.” Indian Express stated in its local coverage.

“Controlled cannabis cultivation will be undertaken jointly by two agricultural universities—Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni, Solan. The Agriculture Department has been designated as the nodal body for the initiative.” the outlet also reported.

A recent market analysis by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence estimates that the global industrial hemp market “is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 17.75% between US$9.913 billion in 2025 to US$22.438 billion in 2030.”

A separate market analysis recently published by Markets and Markets predicts an even larger global industrial hemp market in the future, estimating that “the industrial hemp market is estimated at USD 11.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 30.24 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 22.4% from 2024 to 2029.”

The booming industrial hemp market is not limited to just industrial applications and medical products. According to analysts at Maximize Market Research, “the global hemp-infused beverage market is experiencing significant expansion, driven by increasing consumer awareness of hemp’s health benefits and a growing demand for functional, wellness-oriented drinks.”

“In 2023, the market was valued at USD 3.63 billion and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.9% from 2024 to 2030.” the analysts predict.