Author: Hazel Norman

37% Of Medical Cannabis Patients In New Zealand Have A Prescription

Written by Hazel Norman on January 25, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Modern medical cannabis was first legalized in New Zealand in 2018, with the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme launching in 2020. Since that time, a growing number of medical cannabis patients have received prescriptions to safely access medical cannabis products.

“In 2022/23, fewer than one in 10 medical users obtained a prescription for their cannabis. That had climbed to 37% in 2024, according to the annual New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS) conducted by the Shore and Whariki Research Centre at Massey University’s College of Health.” states Cannabiz in its original reporting.

“Of 1,742 respondents who claimed all or most of their cannabis use was for medical purposes, 60% said they had not approached a health professional, down from 85% in 2022/23 and 93% in 2020, when the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme launched in New Zealand.” the outlet also reported.

Initially, all legal medical cannabis products sold in New Zealand were imported. However, in September 2022, New Zealand’s government granted permission for domestic medical cannabis cultivation.

Voters in New Zealand decided on a recreational cannabis legalization measure in 2020, with the measure being narrowly defeated on Election Day. At the time, only two countries had adopted adult-use legalization measures – Uruguay and Canada.

Since the failed legalization vote in New Zealand, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa have approved national legalization measures. Additionally, nearly five dozen countries have now adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

A recent survey of more than 23,000 New Zealanders found that 60% of respondents reported that they consumed less alcohol after beginning cannabis use. The survey also found that of people who report using cannabis and other substances, 60% of respondents reported consuming less synthetic cannabinoids, 44% reported using less morphine, and 40% reported using less methamphetamine.

Belize Offers Automatic Expungements For First-Time Cannabis Offenders

Written by Hazel Norman on January 20, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Cannabis prohibition is one of the most harmful public policies in human history. Starting in the early 1900s, cannabis prohibition has ruined countless lives across the globe and wasted a tremendous amount of precious public resources.

Fortunately, more and more governments around the globe are getting on the right side of history when it comes to cannabis policy, albeit slowly. One of those countries is Belize where the government is now offering automatic expungements for first-time cannabis offenders.

“Тhе Соmmunіtу Rеhаbіlіtаtіоn Dераrtmеnt оf thе Міnіѕtrу оf Нumаn Dеvеlорmеnt, Fаmіlіеѕ & Іndіgеnоuѕ Реорlе’ѕ Аffаіrѕ hаѕ аnnоunсеd thе аvаіlаbіlіtу оf аutоmаtіс ехрungеmеnt fоr сеrtаіn fіrѕt-tіmе оffеnѕеѕ undеr nеw рrоvіѕіоnѕ оf thе Сrіmіnаl Rесоrdѕ (Rеhаbіlіtаtіоn оf Оffеndеrѕ) Асt, 2024.” stated Breaking Belize News in its local reporting.

The change in public policy applies to “a fіrѕt оffеnсе fоr роѕѕеѕѕіоn оf саnnаbіѕ оr саnnаbіѕ rеѕіn undеr ѕесtіоn 7 оf thе Міѕuѕе оf Drugѕ Асt, whеrе thе іmроѕеd fіnе dоеѕ nоt ехсееd $1,000” according to the media outlet.

In order for people to obtain an expungement for a first-time cannabis offense that fits within the parameters of the new program they must submit an application to the government for consideration and approval. The program is designed to help offenders move on with their lives and not be further affected by a personal cannabis possession offense.

Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Belize, and only first-time offenders are eligible for the expungement program. People convicted of cultivating and/or distributing cannabis are not eligible for the expungement program.

Rate Of Legal Cannabis Buyers Continues To Increase In Uruguay

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

Uruguay became the first nation on earth to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization law back in 2013. The first legal recreational sales were launched in registered pharmacies in Uruguay in 2017. Since that time, the number of adults making legal purchases in Uruguay has increased considerably.

“The number of legal marijuana buyers rose to some 102,156 people over the course of last year, boosted by the market debut of the Epsilon variant, which has a higher THC content (20%), and was in high demand.” reported Ambito.

“The new, more potent variant debuted in October, and in the following two months alone, a total of 359 kilos were sold in pharmacies, more than what had been sold up to that point of Alpha or Beta, according to data provided by the Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis (IRCCA).” the media outlet also reported in its local coverage.

When legal sales at pharmacies began in Uruguay in the summer of 2017, consumers could initially choose from two different strains. The two strains are named ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’, each with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels equal to or less than 9%, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels equal to or less than 3%.

Then, in 2022, Uruguay permitted a third option, ‘Gamma,’ which has a THC level of equal to or less than 15%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%. Regulators in Uruguay then approved a fourth option that contains a higher level of THC than the other three options.

“The new variant has a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of equal to or less than 20% and a cannabidiol (CBD) content of equal to or less than 1%.” stated Latin America Reports in its local coverage at the time of the strain’s launch.

Currently, 74,583 adult consumers are reportedly registered to make legal recreational cannabis purchases from Uruguay’s 40 authorized pharmacies making sales. Additionally, a reported 15,796 adults are members of 460 cannabis clubs registered in Uruguay, and another 11,597 adults reportedly cultivate legal plants in their homes.

Uruguay’s legal cannabis companies exported over $3 million worth of medical cannabis products in the last year to such nations as Germany, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Uruguay’s export data is part of a report recently published by the Uruguay XXI Institute.

Legal Cannabis Cultivators Call For Adult-Use Legalization In Morocco

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

Legal cannabis cultivators and advocates in Morocco are urging the nation’s lawmakers to adopt recreational cannabis legalization. Morocco first adopted its current medical cannabis policy in 2021, with ten entities receiving permits to legally cultivate cannabis in late 2022. The number of legal cultivators has increased exponentially since 2022.

“Growers and activists say legalizing recreational and traditional cannabis use could ease market pressures while bringing economic benefits.” reported Newsweed in its original coverage. “Such measures could not only boost domestic sales, but also attract tourists, especially as Morocco prepares to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.”

According to the National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis-related Activities (ANRAC), Morocco issued 2,837 authorizations to 2,659 farmers in 2024, up from 430 authorizations in 2023.

Additionally, regulators in Morocco issued 60 authorizations for processing, 49 for marketing, 39 for exports, and 24 for seed imports. The increase in authorizations in 2024 demonstrated the growth of Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry.

ANRAC Director General Mohamed El Guerrouj recently announced at an annual board meeting that the nation’s emerging legal cannabis industry produced thousands of tons of cannabis last year.

“In 2024, approximately 4,000 tons of cannabis were produced over an area of 2,169 hectares,” ANRAC Director General Mohamed El Guerrouj stated about Morocco’s legal cannabis industry according to local reporting by APA News. “No infractions related to non-compliance were recorded.”

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.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, nearly five dozen countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization policies to some degree.

Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Are Decreasing In Poland

Written by Hazel Norman on January 10, 2025. Posted in Policy.

Medical cannabis reform was implemented in Poland in 2017, and as of November 2022, the nation’s doctors were approving roughly 3,000 medical cannabis patients a month. After years of an increasing medical cannabis patient base, Poland’s medical cannabis approvals are reportedly declining.

“New regulations in Poland require in-person doctor visits for medical cannabis prescriptions, leading to a sharp drop from 68,000 in October 2024 to 28,000 by December.” reported Born2Invest in its original coverage.

“This change is not surprising at all, because medical cannabis was largely used not for treatment, but for recreation. The new regulations limit this phenomenon,” commented Jakub Kosikowski, spokesman for the Supreme Medical Chamber, according to Born2Invest.

While medical cannabis policy in Poland appears to be backtracking, there is an effort to modernize the nation’s adult-use policies. In November 2024, a legislative committee in Poland sent a cannabis reform proposal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for his consideration.

Members of the Polish Parliamentary Committee on Petitions moved forward with the proposal which would decriminalize up to 15 grams of cannabis for personal use by adults in addition to decriminalizing home cultivation of one plant. However, the measure still has additional political hurdles before becoming law.

Currently, nearly five dozen countries around the world have adopted medical cannabis legalization to some degree, and Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa have adopted national adult-use legalization measures.

Textile Industry Members In India And South Korea Forge Hemp Partnerships

Written by Hazel Norman on January 4, 2025. Posted in Business.

At a recent meeting hosted by the Wool and Woolens Export Promotion Council, members of the textile industries in both India and South Korea announced plans to, among other things, forge partnerships to tap into the industry potential of the industrial hemp fiber sector.

“Attendees discussed innovative ways to greater integrate hemp into India’s textile ecosystem, and the benefits of blending hemp with wool to create sustainable products that can help meet the rising global demand for eco-friendly materials.” reported Hemp Today in its original coverage.

“Also during the meeting, India’s Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering the growth of commercial hemp production, pledging to collaborate with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to draft a proposal aimed at aligning policies and promoting growth within the sector.” the outlet also reported.

Despite a long history with the hemp plant, India does not currently have national hemp industry regulations permitting such activity. However, some local jurisdictions have adopted industry rules and regulations, and India’s hemp industry should experience continued growth in the foreseeable future.

According to a recent market analysis by Technavio, “the global industrial hemp market size is estimated to grow by USD 13.90 Billion from 2024 to 2028,” and “the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 25.25% during the forecast period.”

In other news out of India, senior state police officials in India recently told Al Jazeera that they have “seized about 600 tonnes of cannabis in the three years until 2023, goods worth $200m, and have also arrested 8,500 drug traffickers.”

“The police have also destroyed about 28,000 hectares (70,000 acres) of cannabis plantations in Odisha between 2021 and 2023, the highest for cannabis in the country, JN Pankaj, a former inspector general of the Special Task Force of the Odisha Police, told Al Jazeera.” the media outlet also reported.

Morocco’s Legal Industry Produced 4,000 Tons Of Cannabis In 2024

Written by Hazel Norman on January 4, 2025. Posted in Business.

Morocco’s National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) Director General Mohamed El Guerrouj recently announced at an annual board meeting that the nation’s emerging legal cannabis industry produced thousands of tons of cannabis last year.

APA News also reported the following statistics for Morocco’s legal cannabis industry in 2024:

3,371 licenses were granted out of 4,158 applications, reflecting an approval rate of nearly 81%
3,056 permits were issued to 2,907 farmers for cannabis cultivation and production – up from the 430 licenses issued in 2023
315 licenses were granted to 158 sector operators

In recent years, Morocco’s government has worked to modernize the nation’s cannabis policies and regulations to permit legal cannabis production and commerce.

Lawmakers Criticized In Australia For Failing To Legalize Cannabis

Written by Hazel Norman on December 30, 2024. Posted in Policy.

A lawmaker in Australia is criticizing his peers for failing to approve an adult-use cannabis legalization measure this year. Legalise Cannabis WA MP Dr. Brian Walker recently lashed out at Australia’s federal government for failing to take advantage of the robust economic benefits that recreational cannabis legalization creates.

“Dr Walker hit out at what he called the “pig-headed intransigence of the federal government” after it helped vote down Greens Senator David Shoebridge’s Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 in November.” Cannabiz stated in its local coverage.

“Late last month, we watched the Labor and Liberal parties vote down a proposal to legalise cannabis in the federal senate,” Dr. Walker said according to Cannabiz.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, two dozen states in the U.S. have adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures, and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Medical cannabis sales in Australia have quadrupled during the last two years, with Australians expected to spend an estimated $1 billion on medical cannabis this year. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Australia in 2016.

“The Pennington Institute’s Cannabis in Australia report has revealed spending has skyrocketed from $230 million two years ago to a predicted $1 billion by the end of this year.” 9News stated in its local coverage.

“The spending correlates with usage, which jumped from just 3.9 per cent of survey respondents in 2019 to almost 30 per cent admitting they use prescription marijuana.” the outlet also reported.

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France’s Medical Cannabis Trial Receives Another Extension

Written by Hazel Norman on December 30, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Health authorities in France recently announced 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 extension will be granted only “with a view to weaning patients off the drug or finding alternatives”, the resigning Health Minister, Geneviève Darrieussecq, wrote in the letter enabling the decision.” the outlet also reported.

In March 2021, France launched its limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients at the time to gain insight into 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.

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.

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).