Skip to main content

Author: Johnny Green

cannabis leaf plant cannabis leaf plant cannabis leaf plant cannabis leaf plant

Leaked German Legalization Points From Health Minister – Homegrow, Retail Stores, And Possession Of Up To 20 Grams

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Policy.

This morning it is being reported that long-awaited key points of a German adult-use legalization plan were made available to Germany’s media community. The provisions being leaked out there are reportedly from Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), and are providing tremendous insight into what a finalized coalition plan may look like. Obviously, there’s still a lot of political lifting to be performed between now and when someone is physically purchasing regulated adult-use cannabis in Germany, however, this is the first look of its type into what the governing coalition is at the very least strongly considering, if not outright trying to implement.

Last year Germany elected a new coalition government, and after the dust settled on the election results the coalition made it abundantly clear that it was going to pursue adult-use legalization and the launch of a regulated national industry. To date, only Uruguay, Canada, and Malta have passed a national adult-use measure, and out of the three, only Canada has a regulated adult-use sales system that is open to anyone of legal age regardless of citizenship status.

What Provisions Are Involved?

According to the initial reporting from RND, the legalization components that are involved originated from the Health Ministry, and the plan “is currently being coordinated among the [other] ministries involved,” which is leading many to believe that there still could be some changes made to what is being floated out there. As I previously touched on, there’s still a lot of time left on the clock to use a sports metaphor.

In my opinion, the provisions were leaked versus announced in order to see what the reactions were from the public and international community, with the possible plan to make tweaks accordingly. That’s just conjecture on my part, but it is a common political communications tactic, particularly with legislation of this magnitude. It’s a great way to gain feedback and insight while also mitigating controversy. With that being said, below are some of the major components involved in today’s news:

  • 18 years old is the legal age to purchase/possess cannabis
  • A 20 gram possession limit
  • Home cultivation of up to 2 plants
  • A 15% THC cap limit on products sold to people over 21
  • A 10% THC cap limit on products sold to people 18-21
  • Retail buffer zones around schools and other specified establishments
  • A general ban on industry advertising
  • Outlets would include, but not be limited to, pharmacies
  • Possibly allowing shops to have ‘consumption options’
  • A possible tax assessment based on THC content
  • All cannabis for the market will be cultivated domestically

“The Federal Ministry of Health did not confirm the RND report on request and referred to ongoing votes in the federal government. A Lauterbach spokesman said the departments of health, justice, economy, nutrition and the Federal Foreign Office were working together to implement the coalition agreement. Lauterbach had announced a key issues paper for the fall and a draft law for the end of the year.” RND stated in its reporting.

Room For Improvement And Clarification

Here in the United States, where I live, the state-level legal age for cannabis is 21. The legal age in Canada and Uruguay is also 18. Malta, which was the first nation to legalize cannabis for adult use in Europe, also has a legal age of 18, although sales are currently not permitted in Malta. I have always felt that if someone is old enough to vote for legalization, or for candidates that support it, then they are old enough to participate in a legal market. Regardless, allowing industry access to people 18-21 obviously expands the market base, albeit with the apparent potential for a different THC product limit for that subset of customers.

The 20 gram possession limit is considerably greater than what is allowed in Malta away from a person’s home. In Malta, the possession limit away from a person’s home is only 7 grams, although up to 50 grams is allowed within a person’s home, along with up to four plants. The two plant cultivation limit that is being reported out of Germany is drawing some pushback, as many feel that the limit is too low. One thing that could prove to be problematic is the possession limit combined with the plant limit, as even one healthy cannabis plant cultivated in a closet can yield far greater than 20 grams of cannabis. It seems that more could be done to harmonize the two limits in order to help mitigate any issues for consumers come harvest time.

The retail buffer zones and advertising bans were to be expected, and I certainly think that they will ultimately make it into whatever final version of a legalization model is adopted. Advertising bans can be tricky to enforce given how many different ways people get their information these days, particularly on the internet, however, we will have to wait and see what enforcement strategies may entail. The reported THC caps may be the most confusing aspect of what was reported today, in that it seems to be unclear if that will apply to things like vape pen cartridges and cannabis concentrates. It’s common for products in other legal markets of those types to contain a considerably larger THC percentage than 10-15%. That’s something that will need to be further addressed in a finalized plan.

The German Retail Model Is Taking Shape

Arguably the most insightful components of today’s news related to how cannabis will be sourced, sold, and consumed in Germany once a legal, regulated market is launched. Ever since a push to legalize was announced, many cannabis observers around the world wondered if adult-use cannabis sales would be limited to pharmacies? If what is being reported today eventually becomes adopted, then the retail options for consumers will be far more robust. In addition to pharmacies, cannabis would also be sold in dedicated stores, and possibly via the internet, which is currently an option in Canada.

Other components that were leaked today could change and evolve, however, the basic sales outlet model provisions are likely to remain the same from a macro perspective. Again, there’s still a lot of lifting to be done to get something across the finish line, yet I think it’s safe to assume that once legal sales are launched in Germany they will be allowed via a number of different ways beyond just at pharmacies. Legal social consumption lounges seem to be a very real possibility too based on what we have seen today.

The domestic cultivation part also seems to be a component that will be set in stone, at least for the foreseeable future, and the significance of that cannot be overstated. In order to get around issues with international and continental treaties, it sounds like all cannabis for the adult-use market will need to be produced within Germany’s borders. I assume that will be completely separate from medical products, which will presumably still be imported in addition to being produced domestically.

As I have pointed out countless times in my articles, the German market will not just involve consumers from Germany. Germany shares more borders with other countries than any other nation in Europe – nine total. When Germany inevitably launches legal adult-use sales, it will be largely doing so for the entire European continent, as well as for any tourists that will no doubt flock to Germany in record numbers from other continents to partake in the newly established freedoms. I don’t know exactly how much German cannabis supply will be needed to match the demand that will be flooding into Germany’s borders, but it’s a very safe bet that it’s going to be unlike anything that the legal market has ever seen before, and cultivation licenses within Germany’s borders are going to likely become the most sought after cannabis licenses on earth as a result.c

US Germany US Germany

Who Legalizes First – The United States Or Germany?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

When it comes to cannabis policy there are two nations that likely have more eyes watching them right now than any other countries on the planet – Germany and the United States. It is no secret that many lawmakers in Germany are working really hard right now to determine which provisions should be included in a national cannabis legalization and industry model. It is also no secret that United States President Joe Biden recently tasked federal Departments with re-examining cannabis’ current status in the U.S.

Efforts to reform national cannabis policies in both countries are making headlines, and understandably so, as both Germany and the United States are home to two of the largest economies on earth, and both countries wield tremendous political influence around the world. However, that is not to say that the efforts in both nations are on the same trajectory or timeline, as that will almost certainly prove to not be the case. One nation is far more likely to legalize at the national level soon than the other one.

Germany Is ‘In The Lead’

One thing that is always important to point out is that nothing is guaranteed in the world of politics. With so much rhetoric being thrown around by lawmakers and aspiring lawmakers, especially these days, nearly everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. As the old saying goes, ‘actions speak louder than words,’ and from that perspective Germany is clearly farther along in its effort to legalize nationally compared to the United States.

The current governing coalition in Germany previously announced direct intent to legalize cannabis for adult-use and to launch a regulated national industry. Since that time, many members of the governing coalition have engaged with stakeholders in multiple ways, gaining insight and feedback, and working meaningfully towards their goal. The process is not going as fast as many had hoped, however, just as Rome wasn’t built in a day the same is obviously true for a country trying to launch what will instantly become the world’s largest regulated cannabis market by far.

Compare that to the United States where things are much more fractured, both from a governing standpoint and an industry standpoint. Yes, President Biden did issue pardons for simple possession and tasked Department leaders with re-examining cannabis’ current federal status. However, that is not the same as Biden taking the lead on pushing for a regulated national industry. It’s quite possible that nothing could occur between now and when Biden is up for re-election, and it’s anyone’s guess where things go from there if/when he is not re-elected.

Furthermore, Biden can only do so much, as the burden for much of the work that needs to be performed lies on the shoulders of Congress. The current Congress has failed to get even a limited legalization measure passed, and with another election looming next month, the deck will be re-shuffled and likely in a manner that doesn’t move the needle. In fact, if the needle is moved, it will likely be in the wrong direction given historical midterm election trends in the U.S.

Adding To Momentum

Make no mistake – both the United States and Germany will legalize federally sooner rather than later, although, Germany is likely to do so on a quicker timeline compared to the U.S. Whereas Germany will presumably legalize nationally in one fell swoop, the U.S. will continue to see state after state pass their own legalization measures until the point where it reaches such a critical mass that it tips the scales. And just as every state that legalizes adds to the momentum for federal reform in the U.S., so too will legalization in Germany add to the momentum of efforts in the U.S.

The United States would be a larger domino between the two countries given that the United States has historically led the charge on prohibition and its economy is bigger. Yet, that doesn’t seem to be on the horizon in the U.S. The two largest economies behind the United States are China and Japan, and neither of those countries will be legalizing anytime soon, unfortunately. That puts the spotlight squarely on Germany, and once the German prohibition domino falls it’s going to speed things up everywhere else on earth, including in the United States.

canada flag canada flag

Health Canada Is Seeking Feedback After Four Years Of Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Canada was not the first country to legalize cannabis for adult-use, however, it was the first G-7 nation to do so, and the first to implement a nationwide, regulated adult-use cannabis industry that is open to anyone of legal age.

Uruguay is the only nation to have passed an adult-use legalization measure prior to Canada doing so. Yet, unlike Canada’s industry model, Uruguay limits adult-use sales to residents.

Legalization in Canada has certainly experienced its ups and downs, and by no means is it perfect. With that being said, it’s still the greatest cannabis policy and industry ‘experiment’ to-date, and much can be learned from the last four years.

On that note, Health Canada issued a statement today recapping its views regarding the last four years. Part of the statement urges people to share their feedback. Below is the statement in its entirety:

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ – Today, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health issued the following statement about the Cannabis Act:

On this day in 2018, the Cannabis Act came into force, putting in place a new, strictly regulated framework for controlling the sale, possession, production and distribution of legalized and regulated cannabis for non-medical purposes.

Since this time, the Government of Canada has implemented a robust public health approach to help keep cannabis out of the hands of youth and to help ensure adults have access to a quality-controlled and regulated supply, while reducing the scope and scale of the illicit market.

The Cannabis Act has two important and critical objectives: first, it protects the health and safety of Canadians while serving as a flexible legislative framework that adapts and responds to the ongoing and emerging needs of Canadians; second, it provides for the establishment of a diverse and competitive legal industry made up of small and large players to displace the illicit market.

In the short time since legalization, more and more Canadians who consume cannabis are choosing to buy cannabis from legal retailers - according to the 2021 Canadian Cannabis Survey, 53% reported a legal storefront as their usual source, an increase from 41% in 2020.

Public education efforts play an important role in protecting the health and safety of Canadians, especially youth. We will continue to equip Canadians with trusted information about how to identify legal cannabis and lower their risk if they choose to consume.

To ensure the functioning of the Cannabis Act is continuously improving, Health Canada has launched an independent review of the legislation to examine the progress made towards achieving the Act’s objectives, and to help identify priority areas for improvement. An Expert Panel, chaired by Mr. Morris Rosenberg, will lead this credible and inclusive review.

As an initial step, an online engagement process has been launched and is open to all Canadians. We encourage you to read Taking Stock of Progress: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Canada and to share your views via the online questionnaire or through written feedback until November 21, 2022.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples are also invited to read and provide feedback by November 21, 2022, on the Summary from Engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

As we look to the future, the Government of Canada will continue to provide clear, consistent and evidence-based information on the health and safety effects of cannabis use to people across the country, so they can better understand the risks and make more informed choices.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.

Associated links
Reduce your risk: Choose legal cannabis 
Cannabis Resource Series – How to read and understand a cannabis product label 
Pursue your Passion campaign 
Authorized cannabis retailers in the provinces and territories 
Canada’s lower-risk cannabis use guidelines
Accidental ingestion of illegal “copycat” edible cannabis products causing serious harm to children: Public Advisory 
Canadian Cannabis Survey 2021: Summary

SOURCE Health Canada

For further information: Marie-France Proulx, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Maja Staka, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, 343-552-5568; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, media@hc-sc.gc.ca

slovenia flag eu european union flag slovenia flag eu european union flag

Europe’s Most Cannabis-Friendly Country

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

By Alex Rogers

Not long ago, just the mention of the words ‘Europe’ and ‘cannabis’ conjured up one name and image only – Amsterdam. While the police were busting down doors and arresting people left and right in most other countries around the world, Holland was a cannabis Valhalla of sorts. A place where you could be left alone to smoke your weed in peace, sans disruption, sans incarceration. For the last ten years Spain has, by some people’s assessment, taken over Holland’s venerable spot as the number one cannabis destination in Europe, as coffeeshop style venues have popped up all over the country, particularly in the city of Barcelona.

That all being said, neither The Netherlands nor Spain are Europe’s most cannabis friendly country. In fact, the irony is that Dutch and Spanish cannabis users are still looked down upon by the majority of their fellow citizens. Only deep in these countries’ urban enclaves is the culture of using cannabis looked upon as ‘no big deal.’

The Dutch and Spanish cannabis clubs are frequented by tourists, and the locals that hang out in the coffeeshops/clubs are often looked upon by their respective societies as ‘fringe.’ If a colleague from work catches them coming out of a coffee shop, it could be a slight embarrassment. Cannabis, though quasi-legal in Holland and Spain, is still stigmatized to a high degree.

There is one little gem of a country in Europe, tucked between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, where most of the entire country seems to be OK with cannabis use. That country is Slovenia. I have spent extensive time in Slovenia, as I have in Holland, and I have never seen a place in Europe where cannabis use was not only de-stigmatized, but also seemingly promoted by the majority of society in some way or another. Many family households in Slovenia even grow a few plants outside in the summer. Oftentimes Slovenians have even shown me pictures of their grandmas in the garden tending to cannabis. Slovenia is a green land (literally) with 65% of the country covered by forest. It looks like Switzerland, but has half the population density.

It is an agricultural society, and cannabis is looked at merely as another product that the Slovenians get from their beautiful mother earth, along with their wine, olives, honey, wild mushrooms and herbs, ubiquitous home vegetable gardens and abundant fruit trees. Slovenia is a literal garden of Eden, and if you like cannabis, it is in abundance and not expensive. Rick Simpson oil is known by the entire country. They don’t necessarily see it as a miracle cure for cancer, but rather, an aide to help the healing process ensue. The oil is readily available in Slovenia, and the government turns a compassionate eye to it, as it is used mainly for very sick people that need non-invasive treatment with non-detrimental side effects.

The capital city of Ljubljana feels like a little Prague with ever so slight hints of Berlin. It is a small city, but jammed packed with things to do. There are more outdoor cafes here per capita than almost any other European city. And, as far as I can tell, weed is effectively legal in Slovenia, or at least it feels that way. Almost every bar I have ever been to in Slovenia’s Capital allows smoking cannabis, or at least turns a blind eye to it. Is cannabis technically legal in Slovenia? No. However, small amounts are decriminalized, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time until Slovenia opens up a taxed and regulated adult use-market.

Being in Slovenia is like being dropped into a fairy tale, as it is consistently rated a top-ten “safest country in the world” by all the major indices. One would be hard pressed to find a more intelligent, vibrant, rational and sophisticated nation than the tiny, quaint and civilized, 2 million person mountain-nation of Slovenia. There is no doubt that the citizens of Slovenia are ready to legalize cannabis. It makes perfect sense.

Research Nature Institute University of Ljubljana seminar Research Nature Institute University of Ljubljana seminar

Research Nature Institute Bringing Cannabis Healthcare Seminar To University Of Ljubljana

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

The cannabis plant is arguably the most helpful plant on earth, especially when it comes to wellness benefits. Cannabis, and the cannabinoid-based products derived from it, have been found to effectively treat numerous health conditions, as evidenced by a growing body of peer-reviewed research and patient experiences.

Unfortunately, many in the healthcare field are not as knowledgeable about the cannabis plant and its wellness properties as they should be. Given how prevalent cannabis use is in society, particularly for medical purposes, it’s vital that members of the healthcare community know the science behind the cannabis plant and how to use it effectively to treat various conditions.

An amazing opportunity to learn more about cannabinoids and their role in healthcare is coming to the University of Ljubljana later this month. The Research Nature Institute, in conjunction with university faculty, is hosting a two-part cannabis healthcare seminar on October 19th and 26th.

The two-part seminar at the University of Ljubljana is the second event of its type at the institution, with a prior seminar taking place back in May. It is the third education event by the Research Nature Institute recognized by the Medical Chamber of Slovenia and the Chamber of Nurses of Slovenia.

Topics to be covered during the seminar later this month include:

– information as facts – and separate it from misinformation,
– the situation in the field of medical use of cannabis in Slovenia,
– policy in the field of cannabis and cannabinoids in Slovenia and in the world,
– clinical approaches to cannabis therapies in Israel,
– theory and the practice of using cannabis with medical vaporizers,
– methods and success of using cannabis among older adults in the world,
– methods of applying cannabis to healthy and sick populations,
– experiences of treatment with cannabinoids in Germany,
– experiences with cannabis in complementary medicine (Israel).

The seminar’s program will include world class speakers, which is itself a testament to the quality of the seminar, as well as a testament to the increased international cannabis community focus on Slovenia and the greater Balkan region.

The event will be moderated by journalist Mr. Gorazd Rečnik and will be available online in addition to in-person, so everyone around the globe is encouraged to attend. You can find out more, and register, at the seminar’s webpage on the university’s website.

***

About the Research Nature Institute

The Research Nature Institute researches the efficacy and safety of natural remedies that are currently available or are of limited access to persons in need. By setting standards for quality control and standardization, providing accreditation programs, and taking part in clinical trials, the Research Nature Institute aims to ensure natural remedies are clean (free of contaminants) and effective at known dosages to the user. Underlying its mission is to educate the public, medical professionals and legislators of its findings based on sound scientific methodologies and principles.

gavel law courtroom judge jury conviction appeal gavel law courtroom judge jury conviction appeal

Will Brittney Griner Get A Fair Appeal To Her Cannabis Possession Conviction?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Entertainment, Policy.

Back in February of this year international basketball superstar Brittney Griner was arrested at an airport in Russia for cannabis possession. The arrest apparently involved a personal amount of vape pen cartridges that allegedly contained cannabis oil. Ultimately, Brittney Griner would plead guilty to the allegations, although many have speculated that the guilty plea was merely a procedural thing to start the process of a possible prisoner swap, as that can only occur after a conviction is rendered. Griner has appealed the sentence related to the conviction, and a Russian court has set a date for the 25th of this month for the appeal.

When it comes to initial criminal court cases Russia has a 99% conviction rate, which speaks for itself regarding the level of fairness, or lack thereof, in Russia’s court system. That is something that legal experts have pointed to as likely another reason why Griner pled guilty and seemed to throw herself at the mercy of the court, as the conviction was basically a forgone conclusion, and that is even further compounded by the political factors involved with Griner’s case. All of that brings into question what level of fairness Griner will receive during the appeal process.

Why Appeal A Conviction In A Corrupt System?

It is very much worth noting that just because a court in Russia set a date for the appeal proceeding to begin that does not mean that it will automatically occur. As evidence of that, consider how many times Griner’s initial court proceedings were delayed. The United States and Russia are currently in negotiations to include Griner in some type of prisoner swap, and it’s likely a safe bet that she will unfortunately continue to be used as a political pawn, as the rising tensions between the two countries doesn’t appear to be cooling off any time soon.

With that in mind, it seems unfathomable that a court in Russia would do anything to intervene in the situation, including reducing Griner’s nine year sentence. What is more likely to occur, in my opinion, is that her case will continue to be used as political theater, and that any number of delays and/or extensions will occur to maximize the political usefulness of that theater. Don’t get me wrong, I would obviously love to see Griner win her appeal outright and be able to come home immediately, however, that doesn’t seem to be realistic based on everything involved. Griner appealed her lower court decision presumably because she had no choice but to do so, as the alternative is to accept an inhumane conviction and related nine year sentence.

The Political Solution

Unfortunately, the odds of Brittney Griner receiving justice via Russia’s court system are not strong. In fact, they are dismal at best. Realistically, the only way that Griner will be able to come home short of serving her entire prison sentence in Russia is via a prisoner swap, and the burden of succeeding at that falls entirely on the leaders of the United States and Russia. Reports have surfaced of offers being made and rejected, however, what it will take to get a deal completed seems to be uncertain at this time.

The effort to free Griner has followed a precarious path, with the Biden administration initially seeming to be unwilling to get involved and reportedly even told Griner’s family and fellow members of the WNBA to not speak publicly about the issue for fear that ‘it may make Griner a political pawn.’ The posture from the Biden administration has since changed, both in Griner’s specific cannabis case as well as in potentially thousands of domestic cannabis possession cases via a recent mass pardon issued by President Biden. Yet, the Biden administration only represents half of the parties involved in a prisoner swap, and with the other half of the equation currently in the midst of war against an ally of the U.S., there’s no telling how long it could take, and also what it will take, before Griner is finally free.

white house washington dc white house washington dc

What Does Joe Biden’s Announcement Mean For The International Cannabis Industry?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

United States President Joe Biden made a big announcement today regarding federal cannabis policy, indicating that he is issuing a pardon to everyone convicted of a federal cannabis possession charge. You will be hard pressed to find a mainstream media outlet that isn’t covering it in some fashion, although many of those outlets appear to be overstating some components of the announcement, especially as it pertains to the emerging cannabis industry.

It’s very important for people to understand what President Biden’s announcement involves, what it doesn’t involve, and where things will likely go from here. It’s amazing news to be sure given the historical context of cannabis prohibition in the United States at the federal level. However, as will all things cannabis politics related, it’s important to keep everything in perspective.

What Did Joe Biden Announce?

President Joe Biden’s announcement essentially had three components. The first is that he will be issuing pardons to people convicted of federal cannabis possession charges. Initial estimates seem to be that the scope of cases will be about 6,500 total. To some cannabis advocates that number seems super low, but people need to realize what exactly Biden’s pardon covers, and equally important, what it does not cover.

Biden only has the power to pardon people convicted of federal charges, not state charges, and there are way more people with state convictions on their records versus federal. Furthermore, Biden is not extending pardons to people that have cultivation or distribution related convictions on their records, only personal possession. With all of that in mind, the 6,500 statistic that is being floated around doesn’t seem too low to me, although, only time will tell how many cases it ends up involving.

The second component of Biden’s announcement is that he will be encouraging state governors to adopt his pardon effort at the state level. It is unclear at this time what governors, if any, will follow Biden’s lead, although several states in the U.S. have already taken similar measures (as well as additional measures). Lastly, President Biden is tasking his related Department heads to re-examine the United States’ cannabis policies, with a heavy focus on scheduling. Currently, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance in the United States – the strictest classification possible.

Good News For The Industry?

As it stands right now, very little of what Joe Biden announced today pertains to the cannabis industry, let alone provides it any direct relief or assistance. After all, cannabis possession pardons don’t have any industry component. With that being said, the fact that the sitting U.S. president is taking an active role in exploring federal cannabis policy reform, and in the case of pardons, he is taking significant action, that is obviously a great thing.

The United States has historically led the charge when it comes to global cannabis prohibition, and while the same zest for prohibition has not been found in recent administrations compared to the likes of the Nixon administration, prohibition and reefer madness talking points have largely continued to dominate the rhetorical landscape.

“I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.” Biden stated in his announcement.

Notice he didn’t say that the industry shouldn’t be allowed, but rather, he spoke from a pro-regulatory position. At the very least, there is a clear change in tone out of the White House when it comes to the emerging cannabis industry, and that is bound to help change at least some lawmakers’ minds around the globe, and hopefully, soften their hearts a bit.

switzerland flag switzerland flag

Switzerland’s Cannabis Legalization Pilot Program To Expand To Geneva

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Switzerland is following in Denmark’s footsteps by launching its first adult-use cannabis commerce pilot program. A little over two weeks ago legal cannabis sales were supposed to begin for adult-use purposes in Basel, Switzerland for the first time as part of a localized cannabis pilot program, although the launch was delayed and it’s unclear if sales have started, and if not, when they will start. Regardless, just as Denmark is seeking to expand its pilot program to other cities, Switzerland is planning on doing the same, with a pilot program now being announced for Geneva in 2023.

The Netherlands is another European country that is trying to launch adult-use pilot programs, although that effort has experienced a series of delays as we previously reported. Lausanne, Switzerland is also set to launch a pilot program in the near future.

A Slower Path To National Legalization

The goal of an adult-use cannabis commerce pilot program is to help national lawmakers and regulators gain insight into what works and what does not work at a local level when it comes to cannabis policy in order to be better suited to craft national policies. That may prove to be a two-edged sword in that it will likely ensure that national legalization happens eventually, however, it may also ensure that legalization does not happen in the near future, as the Switzerland pilot program itself was originally slated for a five year cycle, with a possible multi-year extension option for local jurisdictions.

A big question that I have, and I know I am not alone in wondering this, is will Switzerland scrap the pilot programs and go with full national legalization once Germany passes its own legalization measure and implements a robust, regulated adult-use industry? Or will it stay the course and wait at least five years after the launch of local pilot programs before taking action at the national level? Obviously, there is a tremendous opportunity cost involved if Switzerland waits too long to make the larger leap.

Expanding Pilot Programs

As of right now, there is no firm date for legalization in Germany, although legalization there does appear to be inevitable and it’s a question of ‘if’ not ‘when.’ In the meantime, it would be a great thing for Switzerland to expand its pilot program to as many cities as possible. After all, if every city in Switzerland was home to a pilot program, that would effectively legalize cannabis for adult use for many people, although there is a limited number of slots for each program so presumably there would still be a lot of people left on the outside looking in.

Pilot programs are a great short-term concept and absolutely better than outright prohibition. With that being said, they are also far inferior to national legalization, such as can be found in Canada, and lawmakers in Switzerland need to recognize that and push harder for wider reform. Cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy, including in countries that are home to adult-use pilot programs. Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands – they all ultimately need to ditch the piecemeal approach and move towards comprehensive national legalization.

europe topography map europe topography map

Will Europe’s Emerging Cannabis Industry Reach Its Full Potential?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy.

The emerging cannabis industry is now legal in more places in Europe than at any other point in time since the dawn of prohibition, and that is clearly good news for consumers and patients across the continent. A great deal of reform still needs to take place to be sure, however, momentum is building and the European legalization light at the end of the prohibition tunnel continues to shine brighter with every passing year.

One of the best examples of that momentum on display came late last year when Malta became the first European country to pass a national adult-use legalization measure. While Malta’s legalization model is not as robust as the models found in Canada and Uruguay, the passage of a national legalization measure was still historic nonetheless. Adult-use pilot programs are already underway at the local level in Denmark, and those programs are also expected to be launched in the near future elsewhere. Yet another example can be found via low-THC cannabis products, or ‘cannabis light,’ which are now commonly bought and sold all over Europe.

The Biggest Domino Of Them All

The largest cannabis policy elephant in the figurative continental decision-making room is, of course, Germany. The European country is home to the continent’s largest economy and Germany shares more borders with other nations than any other country in Europe. Obviously, Germany holds tremendous political power in Europe and at the international level, so the significance of legalization there cannot be overstated. With the country trending towards launching an adult-use cannabis industry in the coming years, every cannabis observer around the world is glued to what is going on within Germany’s borders.

Not only will Germany likely prove to be the largest domino of them all and open the floodgates to reform elsewhere in Europe, Germany will also likely serve as the blueprint for legalization efforts and models in other countries, especially within the continent. Part of what is enticing about Germany is that it is such an enormous economy with a huge population, however, the fact that Germany is doing a lot of the heavy lifting right now when it comes to crafting cannabis policies and industry regulations on such a grand scale is also significant, as provisions will be adopted in part or entirely by other nations. No country will have to ‘start from scratch’ if they do not want to.

Tolerating The Cannabis Industry Versus Embracing It

Logically, there is a huge difference between European lawmakers and regulators tolerating the cannabis industry versus embracing it. Casual public policy observers may think that simply allowing the cannabis industry to legally operate is enough to ensure success, yet that is not the case. The emerging cannabis industry presents a once in a generation opportunity to do a lot of good for all of society, and thus it should be embraced by lawmakers and regulators as such.

Every government benefit and assistance that is afforded to other large industries in Europe should also be afforded to the emerging cannabis industry. Additionally, all nations need to work together to harmonize regulations to help mitigate unforeseen hurdles and barriers to industry growth. By embracing the emerging cannabis industry governments will then be able to harness it to create much-needed jobs, help suffering patients, boost local economies, and generate public revenue throughout the continent, including in rural areas.