Author: Marguerite Arnold

Latin American Cannabis Exports To Europe Are Increasing – And Increasingly Important

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 22, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

Central and South America are playing an ever more vital role in European cannabis market development

The first shipment of CBD from Ecuador to Switzerland has successfully landed. Even though the amounts were small – 5kg of hemp flower and one litre of CBD extract – the longer-term impact is potentially very large. Indeed, this step is an important one across the EU’s map of cannabis reform where there is a growing need for both hemp and higher THC products – but a growing question about where affordable flower and products will come from.

So far, the Ecuadorian experiment has been neither cheap or easy. Bureaucratic hurdles on both sides of the border were the order of the day. However, the potential of Latin American and African exports entering Europe is something that is beginning to trickle down – from the largest producers to smaller enterprises.

This is true of the CBD and medical market. It is also clearly going to be on the drawing board for recreational too.

Costa Rican President Fast Tracks Recreational Cannabis Reform

The newly sworn in President, Rodrigo Chaves, has prioritized the legalization of recreational cannabis while also promising to publish long awaited regulation on the medical side – which has already been approved by Congress.

This in turn will open up two important sources of income for the country – both domestically and via export.

Whether recreational reform clears the Costa Rican political opposition still aligned against it is another matter – but with a president enthusiastically behind the same, this is much more likely to happen in Chaves’ first term. This is even more the case when one considers evolving reform discussions elsewhere.

Beyond this, such developments will cement Costa Rica’s popularity as a medical vacation destination – if not create the second recreational market in the region (after Uruguay).

On the export side of the discussion, things will also become very interesting. One of the outstanding questions about pending recreational reform in Germany is where such product would come from, if outside of the country. Shipping properly regulated product between countries where cannabis reform is federally and recreationally legal may well end up being one solution to the problem of compliance with international drug control treaties still in force.

This discussion of course is not just limited to Ecuador and Costa Rica. Columbia is beginning to look even more strategically important in the provision of at least medical cannabis to Europe. And then of course there is the unrealized potential of Uruguay.

No matter what, it is clear that Europe is going to see an influx of cannabis flower if not products from this part of the world – and increasingly it is on a timeline of sooner rather than later.

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Legacy Vs. “Legitimate” Cannabis? The Answers Are Not So Clearcut

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 22, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

The line between legitimacy and legacy is increasingly blurry – and it is not clear that legalization will change this

In New York State, products from around the country are showing up on dispensary shelves. In South Africa, a fierce debate has broken out about preserving the ability of farmers in the Pondoland to grow their own cannabis (for sale elsewhere) without a license. The same kinds of issues are also present in Canada, where patients continue to have to defend their right to cultivate their own medicine. In Europe, indoor only GMP growing processes mandated by the German government are being challenged in other countries (and by the biggest cultivators).

No matter the details, there is one constant to this conversation. The entire debate around regulating either the medical or the recreational market and further distinguishing either from hobby cultivation is currently front and centre in countries across the region. This includes Malta, Italy, Luxembourg, and Germany. Holland appears to be moving in a direction that Spain might go with its clubs – namely crafting a national regulation for all cannabis that is commercially consumed – but it is pretty clear that non-licensed growing is not just going to end – certainly not overnight.

The reality is as legalization proceeds, there is often a very grey line between what is legit and what is not, as much as some would claim. But it is in these grey areas that policy is being written. How much of this will actually succeed?

It is not like there is a roadmap. There is no similar precedent anywhere. Nobody ever tried to regulate poppy farmers.

Home Grow Vs. Commercial Cultivation

There are two main issues that have never been adequately addressed, anywhere. The first is that banning a plant is impossible – much less preventing people from growing one. The second, however, is a discussion about commercial production (for either the medical or recreational market).

Yet in an environment where even the largest companies have been caught out – and for either malfeasance or being in the middle of changing regulations – finding a middle ground if not a transition path is anything but easy.

This is especially true in an environment where the vast majority of legacy growers feel “left behind” by an industry that is rapidly formalizing if not internationalizing. Most of this is caused by the cost of licensing and legitimacy measures beyond this that stretch through the entire supply chain.

There are also no easy answers when it comes to drawing the lines between non-profit vs for profit production either – which continue to get complicated beyond this in the private vs public company debate.

One thing is for sure. Legalization is opening up just as many thorny issues as the Drug War ever did.

From Gun Bans To Driving Limits: The International War On The Rights Of Medical Cannabis Users

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 15, 2022. Posted in Policy.

In the United States, the Biden Administration is in favour of banning gun ownership for medical users. In Germany, there is an ongoing debate about driving limits. Such policies rely on outdated criteria to penalize cannabis users

The push to fully and federally legalize cannabis in places like the US and Germany right now is leading to some very unfortunate (and certainly rights-infringing) regulations.

In the US, as various cannabis bills languish in both the House and Senate, and Brittney Griner cools her heels in a Russian prison for possession of less than one gram of cannabis oil, the Biden Administration is (shamefully) defending a federal gun ownership ban for medical cannabis users. The issue is now front and centre in a legal battle launched by Florida agricultural commissioner Nikki Fried (a Democrat) to challenge the same. Fried is running as a Democratic challenger to the sitting Republican governor, Ron DeSantis.

No matter how one feels about gun control, the idea of punishing a sick person who takes a certain kind of medication (which could be any medication, beyond cannabis) is highly worrying. Not to mention represents grotesque discrimination against those with disabilities requiring medication.

In Germany, with a federal government now in the process of figuring out how to craft legislation for the full legalization of cannabis, one of the most controversial aspects of the same is setting drugged driving limits. Currently, drivers are charged with drugged driving if they are caught with even one nanogram of THC in their bloodstream – the smallest measurable amount possible. Both ADAC, the German version of AAA, and the working group of Traffic Court Day, an annual and highly influential congress that recommends new driving regulations to the government, are in support of the smallest limit possible.

That said, there is beginning to be a debate here about how problematic that is for medical users – particularly as they have a continual THC presence in their blood, even if not “high.” Beyond these heavier users of course, even a light recreational user can show traces of cannabinoids in their blood up to 60 days after their last joint. While nobody wants stoned drivers on the speed limit-free Autobahn, there needs to be some kind of compromise – not to mention some kind of technology deployment to the police – which can differentiate between recent enough use to impair driving and a THC blood level that shows constant use.

No matter where this kind of debate is taking place, however, it is clear that such questions have never been answered – and any new regulations are likely to be controversial enough to end up in court. Legislators are unlikely to be able to figure this out on their own.

Spanish General Counsel Of Official Colleges Of Physicians Plans To Train Doctors In Cannabis Care

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 15, 2022. Posted in Policy, Science.

The formal approval of cannabis for medical purposes in Spain has created a demand to train doctors in prescribing medical cannabis

The Spanish General Council of Official Colleges of Physicians has announced plans to train doctors to prescribe medical cannabis. This endeavor however is not something specific to cannabis reform, but rather incorporates cannabis into already existing training programs for new medicines in general.

There is no date set for the initiation of the new program.

The Urgent Need for Doctor Training and Education

The need for doctors who understand how to administer cannabis as medicine has never been more urgent. As recreational reform how hangs in the balance in multiple European countries, how the drug interacts with the human body is an issue that still needs to be better understood – no matter the intention of the user.

There are several reasons for this. The first is, of course, medical. Most mainstream physicians do not understand how to administer cannabis – and specialists tend to err on the side of extreme caution – leaving many medical users without enough medicine. The additional issues include ending discrimination that still exists against medical cannabis users – such as prohibiting them from receiving organ transplants – to understanding how cannabis interacts with the human body.

The second reason, however, is clearly because additional reform is on the way. “Recreational users” will mushroom across Europe – many of whom are actually patients but do not realize it.

The Status of Cannabis Legalization in Spain

Spain pioneered the idea of cannabis clubs – the model for which has shown up internationally – and most notably, in South Africa. For the past decade, clubs have been established across the country and are now present in most Spanish cities. Barcelona remains the centre of club culture and where most of the country’s clubs are located.

Beyond this, Spain has issued five licenses for medical cultivation at a federal level, the last being issued just this year.

In addition, hemp cultivation is legal across the country – but only for industrial use.

The formal recognition of medical cannabis is an important step here – but it clearly won’t be the last. Training doctors in cannabis care is an important part of the process to normalize the use of the plant as a medicine.

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Colombian President Considers Removing License Prerequisite For Cannabis Cultivation

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 15, 2022. Posted in Business, Policy.

Newly sworn-in President Gustavo Petro is on the cusp of a revolutionary new national stance on cannabis cultivation – namely removing the requirement of licenses for the same

Gustavo Petro, the newly sworn-in, left-leaning President of Colombia, has made clear that ending the drug war will be a priority of his administration.

He even highlighted the same in his inauguration speech saying, “It is time for a new international convention that accepts that the drug war has failed, which has left a million murdered Latin Americans during these 40 years and that leaves 70,000 Americans dead from drug overdoses each year.”

Last week, he discussed his vision of a legal industry in Colombia at a summit of mayors.

Petro stressed the economic potential of a fully legal cannabis industry – and in a revolutionary move not often seen at the federal level – proposed removing the requirement to have a license for domestic cannabis companies.

He has also called for the release of prisoners held on non-violent drug charges.

As a former member of M-19 a guerrilla group, Petro is no stranger to violence, including over drugs.

Where Does Legalization Stand in Colombia?

Senator Gustavo Bolivar introduced new legislation last month which has a good chance of passing now that the country has a majority of liberal lawmakers. The position has also been recognized internationally, including by US Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) who said that he looked forward to working together with such a forward-thinking executive to “rethink drug policy.”

How Would Unlicensed Cannabis Fit into International Standards?

Petro is suggesting a potentially radically new approach to the regulation of the cannabis industry – namely turning it into a regular commodity crop – like soybeans and corn. This does not mean that he is suggesting the cultivation of the crop without any oversight. All such food crops must comply with international standards on everything from pesticide use to the kind of soil they are grown in – even if not sold as “organic.”

This approach is a truly different one that the model that currently stands – thanks in large part to the approach adopted in Europe’s medical markets. Currently, the only high THC cannabis that can cross international borders is GMP certified (medical, pharmaceutical grade).

However, the debate about this is now starting to be heard across a much wider spectrum of debate given the pending legalization of recreational use aus Deutschland. It could be that Petro is angling to become first in line to import Colombian-grown cannabis into the new recreational market in Germany.

Whatever happens, however, Colombia is now at the forefront of an international discussion about regulation that will undoubtedly have an impact on the status quo. Globally.

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Canada To Spend CA $200 Million Annually On Cannabis For Veterans

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 15, 2022. Posted in Policy.

The Canadian government is reimbursing more than double the amount for veterans’ cannabis reimbursement than it did just three years ago

According to newly released data, the Canadian government is on track to spend CA $200 million this year on cannabis claims for vets. This is $50 million more than last year and double what it spent just three years ago.

While experts and advocacy groups cannot pinpoint the specific reasons for this surge in demand, there are some obvious answers. The first is full legalization. The second is increased understanding and education about the impact of cannabis on the health issues that veterans tend to face. These include PTSD and brain injuries as well as other physical ailments. The third is undoubtedly the Covid Pandemic, which has seen increased use no matter the local legality of the plant.

There is also a call for more studies to understand what veterans are using the drug to treat.

Regardless, it is a very good indicator that the United States will also see a surge in demand from the same population after full legalization. The issue of reimbursed coverage is a controversial topic everywhere.

A Brief History of Canadian Veteran Cannabis Reimbursement

The federal government of Canada began reimbursing veterans for medical cannabis in 2008. At this time, such reimbursements were extremely limited and hard to get approval for. However, the change in policy was based on court rulings that stretched back for 20 years.

In 2014, Health Canada relaxed its rules about reimbursement authorizations, but did not impose limits on either expense or amount consumed. That year, the government reimbursed 112 vets at a cost of $409,000. The next year, the number of vets increased to 600 patients, and the cost increased to $1.7 million. According to government data released last June, there are now 180,000 Canadian veterans who are part of the program, at a cost of $153 million annually. This despite a 2016 decision by the government to limit use to 3 grams a day under the program, and further to impose a cost cap of $8.50 per gram. To put this in direct comparison with the civilian population, there are now 345,000 private citizens whose private insurance covers the costs.

Implications for Other Insured Populations

There are several takeaways from this data. The first is that it is clear that cannabis is working – and that the news about its medical efficacy is spreading. The second, however, which will have implications in places like Germany and the United States, is that insurers (either government-backed or private) may not like paying the costs – but it will soon become accepted – simply because there are no alternatives.

Cannabis the wonder drug has arrived. But the question of who pays for it is still an open question that no country has answers for.

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Brittney Griner Sentenced To Over 9 Years Hard Labour For Cannabis Possession In Russia

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 15, 2022. Posted in Policy.

The WNBA star, arrested at the airport in February with less than a gram of cannabis oil, is bringing global attention to the issue of continued cannabis criminalization

Just one week before Russia invaded Ukraine, Brittney Griner landed in Russia with the expectation of playing her next off-season. That hope was dashed almost as soon as she landed. Officials found a few vape cartridges containing less than a gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. For this “crime” she was promptly arrested. Her subsequent detention and now conviction and sentencing has made global headlines.

Griner is a medical cannabis user, despite the fact that it is still banned by the WNBA and has been certified medically as such in her home state of Arizona since 2013. She also testified in court that she had packed the vape cartridges by accident before she left the US and did not realize they were in her luggage.

A Global Call for Decriminalization

As a local Arizona man buys 6,500 Mercury tickets to support Griner and the WNBA held a moment of silence for her on Sunday, both the US State Department and the Biden White House are working to obtain her release. This, despite the fact that cannabis use is still federally illegal in the United States, where thousands of people remain in jail because of their own cannabis use and possession.

While it appears that she was deliberately targeted for political purposes that have nothing to do with cannabis reform by the Russian government, and her case was certainly mishandled, even under Russian law, it is clear that Griner’s plight has just added fuel to the fire for the cannabis legalization cause globally.

In Germany, where recreational legalization is now slated to occur sometime in the next 24 months, the German press has covered the case with interest. It is clear, at least aus Deutschland that this is a global example of what happens when patients are unjustly prosecuted, although of course, German patients still face criminal charges when caught with “undocumented” cannabis.

What Happens Next?

It is very likely, given the increasing din domestically, that the White House will be on the hot seat until Griner is returned home. However, this incident is, tragically, not likely to move either the Senate or the White House to implement cannabis reform any time soon – even after the U.S. midterm elections which occur in the fall.

As such, Griner becomes “just” the next, if globally high-profile victim of a Drug War which has still not ended, no matter how much there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel in several countries.

Minister Of Justice In Germany’s Largest State Expresses Support For Cannabis Legalization

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 8, 2022. Posted in Policy.

Benjamin Limbach is the new Minister of Justice of North Rhine-Westphalia and has stated that he considers the legalization of cannabis to be a German “right”

In an encouraging development for the recreational cannabis discussion, Benjamin Limbach, the Green Party-affiliated Minister of Justice and member of the state cabinet as of June, has now publicly backed recreational reform. According to Limbach, he will help implement any law the Bundestag passes in Germany’s largest state.

This is encouraging news, particularly given the battles on the ground so far in the state also referred to as “NRW,” where the city of Dusseldorf was forced to reverse its ban on CBD just last year after losing in court.

Will There Be NIMBY Issues in Germany?

While politicians of all stripes are beginning to recognize that backing the legalization of cannabis is a winning issue, there is also no doubt that reform will also, like it has in other places, instigate more local backlashes to continue to ban the legal sales of adult-use cannabis. There may also be local bans on cultivation and manufacturing.

While cannabis legalization is increasingly popular with the public as a whole, there are still many who believe that this is not a positive development.

So far, of course, this issue has not been an issue in Germany, but that is because nothing has become concrete. In neighbouring Holland, local communities protested local cannabis cultivation farms after they had been selected in a national bid.

National Law, Local Regulations

One of the more interesting questions that has so far been left unanswered is whether local jurisdictions and municipalities will be able to ban either local production or sales once recreational reform becomes the law of the land. In California, for example, despite having a legitimate legal market since 1996 and a recreational one since 2016, there are still counties and municipalities that have banned dispensaries outright.

Given the highly emotional response to cannabis use that is still present everywhere, this is likely to become a political issue post-legalization. In the meantime, continue to expect high-ranking politicians who are in the ruling government coalition to publicly support the advance of the Traffic Light Coalition policy. For the very first time aus Deutschland at least, supporting recreational reform has become not only a political game-changer but an issue politicians will back to bolster their careers.

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UK’s Top Contender For Prime Minister Criticized For U-Turn On Cannabis Reform

Written by Marguerite Arnold on August 8, 2022. Posted in Policy.

In an increasingly bitter and close race, Tory rival for the top political job, Rishi Sunak has criticized Liz Truss for her flip-flop on cannabis reform

The current political battle in the UK to replace Boris Johnson has gotten increasingly nasty if not out of touch with the issues that most people are now facing. The top two rivals for the Prime Minister’s office, have been slugging away at each other’s policies for weeks now.

Given this, it was inevitable that the issue of cannabis reform would surface, in some form.

Now Rishi Sunak, dubbed “Dishy Rishi” by his detractors, who would become not only the first non-white Prime Minister but the first practicing Hindu to hold the office, has gone there. Specifically, he has attacked Liz Truss, his opponent, for once supporting cannabis reform – when she was a student at Oxford and the one-time president of the Oxford Liberal Democrats.

Interestingly, Sunak, who also spent time in California while attending Stanford University to obtain an MBA degree, is not taking a stand on cannabis reform, even of the medical kind. His criticism is that Truss is a politician who will flip flop to gain political advantage and holds no fixed beliefs. She currently opposes cannabis reform as a member of the Tory party.

It is the kind of campaign not seen (yet) in the United States or Germany – two countries where the issue of federal cannabis reform is now looming. It is also a sign of how far even medical cannabis reform still has to go in the UK – forget full legalization.

Where Cannabis Reform Now Stands in Britain

The UK is now suffering from high inflation, post-Brexit woes, and a political discussion that has been warped beyond recognition because of the same. As literally millions of Britons are suffering from energy costs that have increased dramatically this year plus food and medicine shortages, the Tory leadership battle has focussed on esoteric issues that have little to do with the major problems now faced by the majority of the country.

In the meantime, the government is at a literal standstill under the lame duck tenancy of Boris Johnson, who was forced out by members of his own party after one too many scandals earlier this summer.

The issue of cannabis reform is, as a result, unlikely to become a political force on a national level in this kind of environment. Indeed, it has stagnated all over the country, even in places like the Channel Islands where local support had gelled for proceeding.

It is unlikely that the UK will be able to hold out forever, no matter who wins the current leadership contest. Indeed, it will be a potent political issue in the next national election, due to be held in the next several years.

Until then, however, look for the same old, tired excuses for failing to enact more comprehensive policies from the Tory party as cannabis patients continue to suffer and people are convicted of criminal charges even for small amounts of cannabis. There are currently an estimated 17,000 “legal” cannabis patients in Britain.