Author: Johnny Green

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Will Luxembourg Beat Germany To Adult-Use Legalization?

Written by Johnny Green on May 20, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Luxembourg’s Minister of Justice Sam Tanson announced in the Chamber of Deputies this week that a draft cannabis legalization bill is on its way, with the Council of Government expected to get its first look at the draft next month.

Even though the draft bill has yet to be introduced, some components of it were made public along with the announcement that the draft bill was looming.

The measure, which if approved would serve as the foundation of Luxembourg’s legalization model, is largely based on citizens’ right to home cultivation, although it seems to be unclear what the plant limit would be.

Furthermore, possession of 3 grams of cannabis or less would no longer result in a criminal penalty, and according to the previously cited local media coverage, ‘fines will be decreased.’ Is it really legalization if there is any fine, no matter how large or small the fine might be?

Delays In Luxembourg

For a time, it appeared that Luxembourg would become the first country in Europe to pass an adult-use legalization measure. However, that designation was ceded to Malta late last year when lawmakers there approved an adult-use legalization bill.

Unlike the only two countries where cannabis is currently legal for adult use (Uruguay and Canada) Malta’s legalization model does not include provisions for legal purchases through storefronts, pharmacies, delivery services, etc.

Rather, Malta’s legalization model is largely non-commercial, relying on private cannabis clubs and home cultivation by which consumers can acquire cannabis.

What Luxembourg’s final legalization model will look like is something that we will all have to wait for. However, if the details that are floating around right now ultimately prove to be the basis of the country’s legalization model, legalization in Luxembourg will prove to be less significant than if the country implemented a legalization model that is more in line with what is being pursued in Germany.

Legalization Effort’s Current Status In Germany

Germany recently announced that it would be speeding up its own timeline for legalization to as early as this summer, and the Bundestag’s budget committee recently issued an ultimatum to the nation’s Health Ministry to submit a passable recreational cannabis bill by the end of the summer or face budgetary consequences.

For a time it seemed unclear whether legalization in Germany would entail home cultivation, however, members of Germany’s current coalition government have indicated in recent weeks that home cultivation is a necessary component of a viable legalization measure.

Whether Luxembourg beats Germany to adult-use legalization or not is largely moot in many ways being that legalization in Germany appears to be just as imminent as in Luxembourg, both countries are expected to legalize home cultivation, and Germany’s legalization model will likely prove to be far more robust compared to Luxembourg’s.

All of that, of course, doesn’t even touch on the potential market size difference between the two nations. Luxembourg has a population of roughly 632,000 people. Germany has a population of roughly 83 million people. Germany also experiences over 10 times the level of tourism that Luxembourg does.

Even if Luxembourg allowed legal sales, which it doesn’t appear that it will, the country’s industry would pale in comparison to Germany’s.

Israeli Medical Cannabis Seeds Legally Shipped To U.S. In Historic First

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business.

In a historic first, medical cannabis seeds were legally exported this week from Israel to the United States according to Israel’s Agriculture Ministry. Last August Israel’s government reformed cannabis export laws to permit the legal export of medical cannabis seeds, with this week’s shipment to the United States serving as the culmination of many months of effort.

For many decades Israel has served as an international leader when it comes to medical cannabis research. After all, Israel is the home of famed chemist Raphael Mechoulam who is credited with being the first to isolate both CBD and THC back in 1963 and 1964 respectively. From the 1960s until fairly recently, Israel was one of the very few countries that even permitted large-scale cannabis research, let alone embraced it.

Heavily-Researched Cannabis Genetics

It’s not a leap to assume that Israel is sitting on some amazing cannabis genetics given the amount of research its scientists have conducted over so many years. What type of strain(s) were involved in Israel’s first legal cannabis seed exportation is unclear. Who will be on the receiving end of the shipment is also unclear. All that was referenced in the Israeli government’s announcement on that front was, “Upon arrival, the seeds will be examined by commercial hemp growers to verify their suitability for the US market.”

The specific seeds at the heart of this story sent from Israel to the United States originated from the BetterSeeds company. Per the BetterSeeds company’s website, “BetterSeeds makes use of genome editing technology (CRISPR-Cas9) in order to produce new varieties, incorporating game changing traits which are not today available across all crops due to the limitations of conventional breeding. Genome editing technologies make precise and rapid breeding possible by introducing specific, controlled and preselected changes in the plant genome.”

BetterSeeds produces more than just cannabis seeds and appears to produce seeds for nearly every type of major crop imaginable. I know that when I read ‘genome editing technologies’ it gave me a bit of heartburn, and I know that I am likely not alone in feeling that way. However, the seeds that were sent to the United States are proprietary in nature, so we may never know for sure what they are and/or how they may have been altered in some manner.

A Small, Significant Milestone

This first-ever legal shipment of cannabis seeds from Israel out to the international community is worth keeping in context. It is essentially a test run to help ensure that the shipment can be performed and completed in a way that complies with regulations in both Israel and the United States, as well as within evolving international cannabis policy (at least to some degree).

“The shipment is an experimental and initial shipment, after which contacts will be made regarding the continued export. This is a historic step as part of the implementation of Government Resolution No. 4490, which was updated last August to include the export of medical cannabis seeds from Israel, and could lead to the opening of additional international markets for Israeli exports and significantly advance the medical cannabis industry in Israel.” the Ministry stated in its press release.

“The opening of seed exports in the field of cannabis is expected to strengthen Israel’s position as having knowledge and expertise in the field of seeds. In addition, increasing the range of exports and expanding it to cannabis products, will enable the deepening of existing markets and penetration into new markets while riding on the growing wave of demand for cannabis products with medical-health value. Moreover, Israel is among the leading countries in seed research and development in general as well as medical cannabis in particular, and cannabis seed exports are expected to attract interest from various researchers around the world and further strengthen the field of research.” the Ministry also stated in its press release.

Obviously, this is not the first time that cannabis seeds have been shipped from one part of the world to another. It’s quite likely, if not guaranteed, that seeds from Israel have specifically made it from Israel to the United States in the past, albeit illegally. Still, this is a big milestone for a country that is sitting on a wealth of knowledge, experience, and other valuable assets, including genetics. Hopefully it leads to a much larger global involvement for Israel within the emerging international cannabis industry.

Thailand To Give Away 1 Million Cannabis Plants

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

The government will distribute 1 million free (low THC) cannabis plants to households across the country to mark a new rule allowing home grow

In a post that went instantly viral, Thailand’s Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul just announced, via Facebook, that he was going to give away 1 million cannabis plants this summer. His goal? To encourage the plant to be grown in every household. About a third of the population works in agricultural jobs.

The giveaway will occur in June, after the new Thai rule allowing home grow comes into effect.

However, this is not a huge free-for-all. Citizens will be allowed to grow cannabis at home for medical purposes only, and even then, not until after notifying local authorities. However, cultivators will not be allowed to enter into commercial dealings with the plants without being specifically licensed to do so. They will also not be able to consume anything they grow at home with a THC level higher than 0.2%

How the government will be able to control such regulations domestically is also unclear.

The move comes as Thailand positions itself, globally, as a source of legal cannabis. It remains the only country in Southeast Asia to do so. Indeed, since 2018, the country has gradually loosened restrictions around CBD and hemp. As of this February, the country removed both cannabis and hemp from the national narcotics list. Cannabis is still technically illegal for recreational use although it essentially has just been decriminalized.

The plants given away by the government will also have less than 0.2% THC in them.

The Great Asian Hemp Revolution

China takes the prize for largest hemp producer in the world – although it is still illegal, with harsh penalties including jail time, to even possess hemp seeds. Thailand is clearly challenging this kind of policy in the region – although it may take some time for their Chinese neighbour to get inspired to come along for the ride.

Regardless, the steady progress towards legalization in Thailand is bound to make an impact – and not just domestically. The entire world is now watching the progress of reform in different countries, and there are few places where the debate is not progressing.

Thailand, however, because of its history with the plant, let alone the recent move to normalize its production, is likely to lead the way in this part of the world.

And in the meantime? Its citizens are going to be very familiar with how to grow the cannabis plant – no matter the percentage of THC found in it.

Here’s hoping other governments – starting in Europe – start thinking this way.

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London Mayor Appoints Drug Commissioner To Explore Cannabis Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Sadiq Khan appoints a former member of Tony Blair’s cabinet and current Labour shadow cabinet member to examine decriminalization

Sadiq Khan has been on at least a cannabis decriminalization kick for the past couple of years. He announced last year in April that he wanted to set up a commission to examine the impact of at least cannabis decriminalization. In January, he announced that he wanted to set up a decriminalization scheme in three London boroughs. This month, after visiting a cannabis plant in Los Angeles, he is moving forward with setting up his commission.

While City Hall in London does not have the power to change criminal law on a federal basis in the UK, it can certainly influence the debate.

Khan is particularly interested in two issues – producing income in the form of taxes for the state – and reducing cannabis-related arrests. Arrests for cannabis dropped by 56% after California legalized the cultivation, production, and sale of the plant.

Could The UK Follow Switzerland and Germany?

Khan’s commission will take another year to study the issue – in part by conducting a global survey on the health impacts of decriminalizing the plant.

In the meantime, however, both Germany and Switzerland will be moving towards a full-blown recreational market. In Switzerland, it is clear that the first step will be a highly limited, canton-by-canton trial that must first gain the approval of the federal government. In Germany, the indications are that the government will launch a fully functional market immediately.

By next year, when Khan’s commission reports back, there will, in fact, be (at least) four recreational markets in Europe (counting Malta) and potentially five if Luxembourg also takes the opportunity of the changing environment to release their plans. Holland’s national plan will kick in as of next year.

This is powerful evidence indeed – beyond of course the history of both Canada and the legalizing U.S. states.

The UK’s CBD Market May Also Provide a Model

The UK has actually moved ahead of many European states (including Germany) by allowing several thousand pre-approved CBD products onto the market. This government-sanctioned commercialization of the CBD industry could also lead the UK to move forward with full legalization, particularly if other countries in Europe are also moving forward on legalizing recreational use.

However, no matter what happens, there will still be a period of consideration – no matter what Khan and his commission come back with. And in the meantime, the UK will watch several markets in Europe begin to establish themselves, and potentially the US as well.

One thing is for sure. The British are not leading this one.

UK-Appointed Governor Prevents Cannabis Reform In Bermuda

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

In a move that was widely expected to happen the Governor of Bermuda, who is appointed by the United Kingdom, effectively vetoed a cannabis reform measure passed by Bermuda lawmakers.

While the decision to ‘reserve assent’ by the Governor was expected, it’s no less defeating for cannabis advocates in Bermuda and elsewhere around the world.

When public officials do not want to respect the will of the people and proceed to stand in the way of cannabis reform they seem to be increasingly pointing to international treaties as ‘justification’ to not allow reform to proceed, which is exactly what happened in Bermuda. Per Bernews:

“In terms of cannabis reform, the key international obligations are set out in United Nations Conventions [the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances]. The Conventions permit legalisation of cannabis and cannabis products for medicinal and scientific purposes, and for certain industrial purposes, as long as appropriate regulatory oversight is put in place.

“The legalisation of cannabis for other purposes is not permitted under the Conventions. It is possible to decriminalise the possession of limited amounts of cannabis for personal use, but that is not the same as making cannabis legal, for example, for sale in shops and cafes.

“The Bill presented to me legalises cannabis for other purposes. So, it appears to me that the Bill is inconsistent with what I understand to be obligations that the UK and Bermuda have under the Conventions and assenting to the Bill would lead to a breach of those obligations.

“I therefore have no choice but to reserve Assent of the Bill under Section 35 [2] of Constitution and to notify the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

It is worth noting that Canada signed on to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs that the Governor references. Canada also was represented at the 1971 convention that the Governor mentioned. Canada also allows the legal sales of cannabis ‘in shops’, all of which the Governor of Bermuda seems to not know about apparently (I am being sarcastic, of course).

The move by the Governor was pure reefer madness. Uruguay sells cannabis in pharmacies and at clubs, Canada sells cannabis in just about every way imaginable, and Malta will soon permit sales via private clubs as well.

If lawmakers in Bermuda want to launch a robust, legal cannabis industry then they should be allowed to do so. For the United Kingdom to stand in the way is ridiculous and a prime example of the lingering, negative effects of colonization.

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Brazilian Researchers Determine That CBD Is Safe For Dogs

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Science.

An area of the emerging cannabis industry that is often overlooked is cannabis products for pets. Worldwide, it is estimated that over half of the households around the globe own a pet and many of those households own more than one pet.

The most popular pet type around the world is dogs, with as many as 33% of households around the planet estimated to own at least one dog. With that in mind, any product that can effectively and safely help dogs live better lives is obviously something that there would be a tremendous demand for.

Medical cannabis products for pets is still a very young sector within the emerging cannabis industry, and quite a bit of research is needed to help ensure product safety.

However, at the macro level, cannabis appears to be safe for pets, especially cannabidiol, as long as it’s administered in the right dosage level. Below is more information about it via an abstract of a recent study conducted in Brazil:

The review was systematically performed in Medline (via Pubmed^®) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) databases, with period restriction (between 1990 and 2021). The qualified articles (n=19), which met the previously established inclusion criteria, were critically evaluated.

Based on the literature review, it is possible to infer safety in the administration of cannabis-based products for the treatment of dogs, especially products rich in cannabidiol (CBD), free or with low concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, under the conditions evaluated. In addition, CBD products potentially promote improved quality of life and reduce pain perception in animals affected by canine osteoarthritis.

Finally, owing to the lack of large-scale and robust clinical research studies, the performance of clinical trials, considering the individual characteristics of each cannabis-based product (composition, concentration, nature of adjuvants, dosage form, route of administration), is strongly encouraged.

Now, before you run out and grab the nearest cannabis product that you can find and try to give it to your dog, keep the results of this study in context.

Dogs are far more sensitive to medications than humans, and not only is it important to get the right medical cannabis product designed specifically for a dog of a specific size, it is also important to use the right dosage level and use the right consumption method.

Check with a veterinarian prior to administering medical cannabis products to your dog or any other pet that you may have.

Medical Cannabis Associated With Sustained Improvements In Anxiety And Depression

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Science.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions that patients suffer from globally. As many as 275 million people suffer from anxiety worldwide, and roughly the same number of people suffer from depression around the world.

For many patients, anxiety and depression go hand in hand, and suffering from the conditions can be debilitating and negatively impact nearly every aspect of daily life.

Fortunately, the cannabis plant may be able to help treat both conditions, as described in a recent news release from NORML:

Calgary, Canada: Patients with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression report sustained improvements following the use of cannabis, according to survey data published in the journal Psychiatry Research.

Canadian investigators surveyed over 7,000 patients authorized to access medical cannabis products. The average age of subjects in the study was 50 years old. All of the study’s subjects belonged to a licensed Canadian medical cannabis clinic.

Authors reported “statistically significant improvements” between subjects’ baseline and follow up scores on validated measurements of anxiety and depression. Symptom improvements were sustained for at least one year.

“To our knowledge, this study is the largest completed to date examining the impact of medical cannabis use on anxiety and depression outcomes utilizing longitudinal data and validated questionnaires,” they concluded. “It provides evidence on the effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression that otherwise is not currently available, demonstrating that patients who seek treatment with medical cannabis for anxiety and depression can experience clinically significant improvements. This study offers reasonable justification for the completion of large clinical trials to further the understanding of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression.”

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis use in Canada and its impact on anxiety and depression: A retrospective study,” appears in Psychiatric Research.

Australia Has Issues A Quarter Million Cannabis Prescriptions Since 2016

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

Medical cannabis is increasingly prescribed for a multitude of conditions. Where does this indicate that the market ‘down under’ is headed?

According to researchers from the University of Sydney at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, anxiety, chronic pain and sleep disorders are the top three reasons that Australians seek a cannabis prescription. This is despite the limited number of trials supporting its use for either anxiety or sleep disorders.

Prescriptions have also increased dramatically over the last two years – although researchers were unable to determine if the rise in such requests was due to the Pandemic. Another unexplained trend revealed by the data set that has been gathered since the beginning of medical reform showed that Queensland prescribers represented over half of the prescriptions written nationally.

How Does This Compare with Germany?

Australia is perhaps the closest “Western” country to Germany in terms of timing and approach to initializing the legal cannabis market. Both countries approved medical use on a federal level about the same time (within a year of each other). And while Germany’s total number of prescriptions outnumbers the Australian total so far, they are certainly comparable.

The difference between the two countries, however, is that Germany is now moving solidly towards a recreational market. Australia seems mired in indecision.

When Will It Get Dank Down Under?

In Europe, there is now a pressing regional political issue to deal with. Namely, there is no way that Germany can sit the recreational reform question out with countries all around it (and in two cases bordering it) now proceeding with federally regulated recreational cannabis markets. Australia is a bit isolated in this regard, although it is, as a country, clearly following the global trend.

Australian producers are also trying to export to Germany (as well as eastern Europe).

The latest poll numbers show that Australians are currently split, 50-50 on whether the country should proceed with a recreational market. That has moved fairly dramatically in the last several years.

For this very reason, it is also highly likely that, at a bare minimum, the initiation of a recreational market in Germany might tip the scales. Everyone right now is looking for a new industry or line of revenue post Covid.

And then of course there is the ability to export to a fully recreational market or two in Europe.

Given all the possibilities now at stake, it is very likely that Australia will be one of the next major western economies to make the switch. Even if so far unannounced.

Swiss City Seeks 1,000 Volunteers For Recreational Cannabis Trial

Written by Johnny Green on May 19, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

The city, set to be the second after Basel, is gearing up for its pilot trial now on track for this autumn

Calling cannabis users in Lausanne! The government wants you for its first recreational cannabis trial.

A first in French-speaking Switzerland, the southern city will sell cannabis via a non-profit association located in the city centre. Called Cann-L, the project is currently being finalized and will require approval by the cantonal ethics commission.

The signup process is also not complete, but users can pre-register via an online signup form that asks the prerequisite questions. Eligibility includes being over the age of 18, that you live in Lausanne, and whether (and how often) you consume cannabis or cannabis products containing more than 1% THC. The organizers also want to know if you are breastfeeding.

Final selection will happen this fall, as the city launches the trial.

The Swiss Move Ahead – With Germany Close Behind

The Swiss will have five city trials underway before the end of the year. Other cities also moving towards launch this year include Basel, which just announced its own plans, as well as Zurich, Bern, and Geneva.

The impact of the national trial will be interesting to watch as it will be taking place in parallel to the launch of Germany’s new market – now expected to be authorized by the end of 2022 with implementation presumably within the next 18-24 months.

Given the fact that sources are confirming that the German government will set up a for-profit industry from the beginning, and even authorize special dispensaries for the same, the comparison between the two markets will be interesting to watch.

It is unlikely, however, that the German government will just pass legislation allowing limited trials. Statements coming out of Berlin over the last several weeks suggest that the Germans will go whole hog.

How this will impact the Swiss trials is another question – particularly as the participant numbers for Basel and Lausanne are low (only 1,400 participants between them).

Beyond this, of course, with an open border, it is not inconceivable that German products may start to end up in Switzerland. Legally or illegally.

As a result, it may be that the German decision to create a recreational market will completely overwhelm what appears to be a more measured, and limited progression of the issue in Switzerland.

One thing is for sure. Reform has come to the EU and the DACH region of the world. And may, beyond anything else, also finally flip Austria into the rec column too. Not to mention other countries now on the edge of recreational reform like Portugal.

It is going to be a fascinating 24 months in Europe for sure!