International Cannabis Business Conference Blog – Page 143 – International Cannabis Business Conference

Uganda Cannabis Exports To Germany

Written by Marguerite Arnold on October 27, 2021. Posted in Medical.

The African country is ramping up production for not only exports but also intra- African trade

The African cannabis scene is not only heating up, but so is the path from the “Dark Continent” to Germany. Indeed, Uganda is the next country to achieve GMP export status for its crops. In this case it is particularly significant as the majority of product produced in Uganda so far has been bound for the Israeli market.

What is even more interesting about this development, however, is that there is increasing interest and focus on registering medical cannabis products in the Ugandan market for local use.

A Strong African Cannabis Market

There is every indication, both in terms of the early market movers and what is clearly coming, that Africa, generally, is going to be a strong entrant into the global cannabis market. Even more than South America, it is both geographically and culturally closer to Europe (for starters). Beyond this, the difference in labour costs is already creating cannabis that is making EU-GMP starved flower markets in Europe, starting with Germany, wake up and pay notice.

It is entirely possible, in other words, for African producers to hit a production cost per kilogram that is highly competitive with the German government reference price for flower. Beyond this, the world of extracts looms large.

The appetite for imported flower for burgeoning recreational markets in Europe may also prove to be a strong one. While Switzerland is limiting its initial recreational market to product sourced domestically, it is likely that at least Luxembourg, and almost certainly Holland will be open to exotic new breeds – many of them landrace or landrace crosses.

A Systematic Approach to Cannabis Reform

While it is not all smooth sailing, the powers that be in Africa, certainly in Uganda and even more strongly now in the tip of the continent, are starting to realize that cannabis reform is going to be very good for African economies. Governments are starting to offer incentives, and many are beginning national cannabis councils to advise on how to make cannabis a sustainable, economic development crop.

African doctors are also starting to support the use of medical cannabis – particularly as a medicine that, beyond export, can vastly help a country’s healthcare bottom line.

One thing is for sure. African cannabis is on the map, and its influence is being felt, already, in medical markets in both Israel and Europe.

Be sure to stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog for more developments in the world of international cannabis.

nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree nba basketball referree

NBA To Continue To Not Test Players For Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on October 20, 2021. Posted in Cultural.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular professional sports leagues on earth and is made up of players and coaches from literally every corner of the planet.

Unfortunately, the NBA has had a cannabis prohibition policy in place for multiple decades, which has resulted in needless harm being caused towards a number of players including and especially International Cannabis Business Conference alumni Clifford ‘Uncle Cliffy’ Robinson (RIP).

Testing players for cannabis made no sense prior to any state/country legalizing cannabis for medical and/or adult use, and it makes even less sense now that reform is spreading.

Every NBA team is now located in a state that has legalized cannabis for at least medical use, and many teams are also located in states that have legalized for adult use. In the case of the Toronto Raptors, the team is located in a country that has legalized cannabis entirely.

Thankfully, the NBA announced that it will continue to refrain from testing players for cannabis, which is a continuance of a temporary policy that was originally put in place at the start of the pandemic.

The NBA needs to make the policy permanent, as well as apologize to every player that was needlessly harmed by the NBA’s historic cannabis policy. Anything less is unacceptable.

Below is more information about the NBA’s recent decision via a news release from our friends at NORML:

For the second season in a row, the National Basketball Association has announced that it will suspend the practice of randomly testing players for marijuana.

A spokesperson for the league announced last week that it will “extend the suspension of random testing for marijuana for the 2021-22 season and focus our random testing program on performance-enhancing products and drugs of abuse.”

Commenting on the policy, NORML’s Political Director Justin Strekal said: “The NBA, like a number of sports leagues, has wisely recognized that it is inappropriate to subject players to drug detection testing for their off-the-court use of cannabis. Their actions are part of a growing trend, and we anticipate that their decision will propel other organizations and companies to make similar changes to their drug screening policies.”

Recently, both the NFL and MLB have amended their drug testing policies so that use of the substance is no longer an offense resulting in a suspension. Last month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that it would be reviewing its marijuana-related drug testing guidelines for international athletic competitors.

A literature review published in September in the journal Sports Medicine reported that athletes do not perform better under the influence of either cannabis or THC, but that the use of marijuana and/or CBD may aid in their recovery following competition.

Also last month, the nation’s second largest private employer – Amazon.com - announced that it had dropped pre-employment screening for marijuana and that it was reinstating eligibility for former applicants who were denied consideration under its former policies.

Since 2015, cannabis-related testing in the workplace has fallen over five percent, with jurisdictions where marijuana use is legal for adults experiencing a more significant decline.

Several states - Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Montana - now limit employers’ ability to pre-screen certain job applicants for past marijuana use, as do a growing number of municipalities, including Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.

Additional information is available from NORML’s fact sheet, ‘Marijuana Legalization and Impact on the Workplace.’

cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market cannabis stocks stock market

South African Producer To List On Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Written by Marguerite Arnold on October 20, 2021. Posted in Business.

In a first of its kind, a Gauteng based cannabis producer has listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Tuesday October 12 last week was a red-letter day of sorts for the South African cannabis industry (not to mention the regional discussion beyond that plus destination markets). Cilo Cybin Pharmaceutical, based in Gauteng, listed on the JSE.

Partnered with the Vaal University of Technology, the company has received massive interest from investors so far. Product validations are on target for the South African summer season.

The Africans Are Coming

The cannabis industry in the southern tip of Africa is certainly starting to come into its own. The first GMP cannabis has now shipped to Germany (from several firms) and at prices that are making everyone impressed (along with high quality). This includes cannabis from Lesotho as well as South Africa. But there are others lining up to follow (see Zimbabwe).

Cannabis from Africa is starting to make a splash, in other words, in many places in Europe (and not just Germany). With prices that make exports even to low-income European countries feasible, cannabis production from this part of the world is on track to have a major impact in the highly competitive medical market across the EU and in the UK.

In turn, this will also begin to make a serious dent on pricing, which has started to go down, but not by much. News, however, of 100 euro a gram cannabis sold wholesale to any European country is not likely to surface again as a result.

The Growing German Medical Market

While patient counts are still hard to nail down for sure, the German cannabis market continues to grow. The latest estimates are that there are 130,000 German patients right now – and of course, as most in the industry know, this is only going to increase.

Beyond this, there is a general interest in medical cannabis now that the Covid Pandemic is at the stage where it is. This includes scientific inquiry (and by some of the best-known names in the industry like Rafael Mechoulam) about the impact of cannabis on Covid.

Bottom line? You are likely to see some African-grown cannabis in a pharmacy near you – and as recreational markets open in Europe, no doubt some intriguing brands that are off the charts in terms of taste and stability.

African Queen cannabis anyone? The journey is just beginning.

Stay tuned for more regional and international cannabis updates.

germany flag germany flag germany flag germany flag

“Trivializing The Joint?” German Police Unions Speak Out Against More Legalization

Written by Marguerite Arnold on October 20, 2021. Posted in Politics.

Head of Police Union speaks out against recreational reform as coalition talks for new government continue with parties in favour of forward progress on cannabis issues

In a clear clash of values as well as a sign that German politics are changing, the head of the country’s police union, GdP, Oliver Malchow, spoke out against the further legalization of cannabis. The police are mostly concerned with road accidents and are comparing recreational cannabis’ intoxication impact to that of alcohol.

Such remarks come at a time when the Social Democrats (SDP), the Greens and the Free Democrats (FDP) are caucusing in discussions about ruling the country in a coalition government – and further all parties are clear that they want more cannabis reform.

The FDP for example is very excited about the tax revenue the legal cannabis industry could create. The Greens want to eliminate the black market and reduce organized crime. The least pro-cannabis reform group, the SPD has at least called for a recreational trial.

Something green is going down in Deutschland. The question is when and in what form.

A National Recreational Trial

There are several theories that are highly popular in the cannabis industry. One is that the new coalition, when it finally forms, will at least agree on decriminalization. Beyond this, however, the roadmap is not so clear, even with recreational reform now on the docket in Europe.

Several countries – including Portugal and Luxembourg, are now discussing how to legally implement recreational markets in an environment, regionally, where cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug (even if its component cannabinoids are slowly being defined otherwise). Indeed, some of the opposition in Luxembourg against the implementation of a recreational market is the fear of “unrest” on the country’s borders with the rest of Europe. Namely, cannatourists from other places, starting with Deutschland.

Whatever happens in Germany, however, will clearly affect the discussion across such countries if not others in the EU region.

What Is Possible Beyond Decriminalization?

There are several options. The world is not where it was on cannabis issues even four years ago – the year of the German bid. Countries all over Europe (see Malta and Italy for starters) are beginning to accept home grow legislatively.

The most likely options - beyond decrim for that reason, are recreational trials in major cities and some kind of amended home grow option.

One thing is also for sure. The German police will be on the hunt for state-of-the-art cannabis breathalysers used in legalizing US states.

To keep up to date on emerging market cannabis news and events, be sure to stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog.

gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling gavel law legal decision court ruling

U.S. Cannabis Arrests Reduced More Than 30 Percent In 2020

Written by Johnny Green on October 20, 2021. Posted in Politics.

Cannabis prohibition is one of the most harmful public policies in human history. Prohibition negatively impacts lives wherever it exists, including and especially within the criminal justice system.

Thankfully, cannabis prohibition is dwindling across the globe, including in the United States. All but two states have some type of legal cannabis on the books now, whether it’s medical or adult-use.

Cannabis still remains illegal at the federal level in the United States, and people are still getting arrested for cannabis, however, it’s at a decreasing rate.

That is good news for cannabis consumers and taxpayers. Below is more information about it from our friends at NORML via a news release:

The estimated number of persons arrested in the United States for violating marijuana laws declined precipitously in 2020, according to data released this week by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, police made an estimated 350,150 arrests for marijuana-related violations in 2020. This total is a 36 percent decrease from 2019, when police made an estimated 545,602 marijuana-related arrests. Not since the early 1990s has the FBI reported so few marijuana-related arrests in a single year.

Marijuana arrests are down more than 50 percent from their peak in 2008, when police made over 800,000 marijuana-related arrests. Since 2012, 18 states and Washington, DC have enacted laws legalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis by adults.

“As more states move toward the sensible policy of legalizing and regulating cannabis, we are seeing a decline in the arrest of non-violent marijuana consumers nationwide,” NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri said.

He added: “The fight for legalization is a fight for justice. While these numbers represent a historic decline in arrests, even one person being put into handcuffs for the simple possession of marijuana is too many.”

Of those arrested for cannabis-related activities, some 91 percent (317,793) were arrested for marijuana possession offenses only. Marijuana-related arrests represented 30.3 percent of all drug-related arrests in the United States in 2020.

Marijuana-related arrests were least likely to occur in western states — most of which have legalized the possession of the substance — and were most prevalent in the northeast, where they constituted an estimated 50 percent of all drug arrests. This will likely change going forward, as several northeastern states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York have all legalized their marijuana markets in recent months.

‘Overwhelming Majority’ Of Feedback For Legalization Bill In Malta Is Positive

Written by Johnny Green on October 20, 2021. Posted in Politics.

When it comes to the next country to legalize cannabis for adult use, Malta is probably not the first country that comes to mind. However, momentum for cannabis legalization is extremely strong in Malta right now.

A cannabis legalization measure has been introduced in Malta, and the government is seeking feedback from the public. According to at least one government official, the feedback has been very favorable towards the measure. Per Lovin Malta:

Feedback to the recently proposed bill to legalise the personal use of cannabis up to 7g has been received positively across the island.

Published by Reforms Minister Owen Bonnici, Bill No. 241 has been welcomed by criminal justice activists calling for a better and more appropriate approach to cannabis use on the island. The island has been known to be notoriously harsh on cannabis users, with people being sent to prison for nearly a decade over the plant.

This is certainly welcome news. Any time a government official speaks favorably about cannabis reform it’s a good thing, and that’s especially true when it is happening in a country that has historically cracked down hard on cannabis.

With that being said, the words are just that – words. Those words have to be backed up by action, otherwise, it’s just governing officials gaslighting the public like they often do when it comes to cannabis policy.

The fact that a bill has already been introduced is helpful, and the limited legalization model will hopefully boost its chances of being completely passed and implemented sooner rather than later.

Legalizing the personal possession of up to 7 grams of cannabis is something that everyone in Malta should be on board with. After all, why would anyone want to waste limited public resources going after personal amounts of cannabis? (or any amount of cannabis, but I digress).

If/when Malta passes their legalization bill, it will be a far cry compared to Uruguay and Canada. However, the limited reform is clearly better than Malta’s current complete prohibition law.

Cannabis cigarette joint Cannabis cigarette joint Cannabis cigarette joint Cannabis cigarette joint Cannabis cigarette joint

German Study Shows Dramatic Increase In Cannabis Consumption

Written by Marguerite Arnold on October 5, 2021. Posted in Science.

A study by UKE-Hamburg shows that the number of cannabis users in Europe has increased more than 25% over the second decade of the century.

According to a study conducted by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Addiction Research at the University of Hamburg and the Technical University of Dresden, evaluated publicly available data from EU countries along with the UK, Norway, Turkey and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime, cannabis use has increased dramatically across Europe.

According to such data, the number of adults, rather unsurprisingly, who have consumed cannabis has risen by an average of 27%. The strongest relative increase occurred among 35-64-year-olds, but overall regular consumption has also increased.

This is certainly interesting data simply because, both anecdotally and otherwise, even CBD stores are reporting a dramatic uptick in traffic as consumers try to ease Pandemic-related stress and anxiety.

However, this information is also coming at a time when many in Germany are calling for a comprehensive reform of the drug laws here – particularly as they relate to cannabis.

While this data also comes from police and crime interdiction reports (see the UN in particular) what this shows generally is that Europe, which has always been more cannabis-friendly (or at least less draconian) than the United States (see no widespread drug testing for employment as one example of the same), is finally starting to have a more honest conversation generally about the topic of cannabis reform.

With more and more countries admitting that cannabis has medical efficacy, even if grudgingly, as well as several now moving in the direction of home grow if not decriminalization, this data serves to underline a major and critical reality.

Cannabis as a medical drug, adult-use substance like but not as dangerous as alcohol and far less dangerous than tobacco consumption not to mention used in a vast variety of other products from food to cosmetics, building supplies to clothing, has hit the mainstream debate in Europe in a way that it has not before.

Change here may not happen as fast or in the same patterns as it did anywhere else, although it is beginning to resemble the fight for legalization in the United States.

And just like the US, there are starting to be clear movements, as well as official data, which points in the direction, finally of the next phase of cannabis reform – and both at a country and regional level.

Stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog for updates about the European cannabis industry.

europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe

Which Way Are The Winds Of Recreational Cannabis Blowing In Europe?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on October 5, 2021. Posted in Politics.

Several countries have decided to delay their plans for recreational markets – apparently in response to the German national elections

In a strange response apparently to the results of the German elections, both Portugal and Luxembourg have just announced delays and review of their decisions and legislation to move to recreational markets.

In Portugal, the pending adult market legislation has now been put on hold for at least the next sixty days. In Luxembourg, the ruling government, which promised as part of its mandate to create a recreational market in the country by 2023 is now sending signals that it wishes to delay the same because of potential clashes with European law. Note: this has not stopped the Dutch from proceeding with the region’s first nationally regulated adult-use market – which is another reason for believing that the excuse just given in Luxembourg is nothing more than a political cover story to give the new ruling German coalition a chance to think about their position. Even the decriminalization of cannabis here will make it impossible for anyone at the EU level to object to recreational markets on a country-by-country basis. Indeed, the last decision about the scheduling of cannabis at the UN level was specifically to allow individual countries to come to their own decisions about the same.

No matter what, however, recreational reform has suddenly become a hot topic in Europe.

As Goes Holland?

One of the more interesting issues raised by the Luxembourgian decision is that while the official recreational market may be delayed, citizens may well gain the right of home grow. This would create its own ripple across the cannabis landscape in a way that might also begin to change the discussion (a la Italy) and further in a way that would be good for patients and adult users even if it does not directly create a formal industry.

Beyond this, of course, any discussions of European objections to expanding on a country-by-country basis, adult use markets, will have to overcome the problem of Holland. There is clearly no going back, although the steps forward may be stranger if not even sideways than anyone can yet foresee.

Regardless, the topic of adult-use is now clearly in the air – and the odour of Europe is absolutely getting danker.

Stay tuned for more news and information from the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Czech Republic Is Wrongfully Trying To Punish Cannabis Educators

Written by Johnny Green on October 5, 2021. Posted in Cultural.

Cannabis media resources play a vital role in the cannabis community and beyond. For many years, efforts to spread the truth about the cannabis plant were difficult because mainstream media outlets around the world helped perpetuate misleading, and in some cases, blatantly false information about cannabis.

The motivation behind those efforts was obviously political in nature, with global mainstream media outlets helping further the reefer madness agendas of political leaders. There were also business interests at play, with people and entities that financially benefitted from cannabis prohibition working hand-in-hand with lawmakers and media outlets to keep the truth about cannabis hidden.

For many decades, that reefer madness coalition had a virtual monopoly on cannabis information, which is why it wasn’t a coincidence that many people around the globe thought that cannabis was harmful. In many cases, older people still think that is the case because they were conditioned to think so over the course of so many years.

Thankfully, due in large part to better access to media printing and the rise of the internet, there are now various cannabis-focused media outlets operating around the globe, including in the Czech Republic where Legalizace magazine is based. Legalizace magazine is a bimonthly periodical focused on cannabis, as well as drug policy relating to human rights and environmental issues.

It’s an amazing resource for people in the Czech Republic and elsewhere. Their unbiased reporting and the educational information that they publish adds tremendous value to society. Unfortunately, Legalizace magazine and its editor-in-chief Robert Veverka are now facing charges for doing nothing more than educating people. Below is more information about it via a press release from Legalizace:

September 29, 2021 – Prague, Czech Republic

Education is not a crime!

Legalizace magazine and its editor-in-chief, Robert Veverka have been formally accused of “inciting and promoting toxicomania”, with penalties of up to five years of imprisonment. The first court hearing will take place on Tuesday, October 5 at 8:30 AM at the district court in the town of Bruntál, Czech Republic.

According to Czech law, cannabis is considered a regular agricultural crop plant and also possesses the status of a medicinal plant, and its cultivation and processing is permitted in compliance with Act No. 167/1998 Czech Law Coll. without special permission. Given this fact, Legalizace magazine considers the criminal charges of “inciting and promoting toxicomania” not only an instance of systematic failure and demonstrable ignorance of cannabis legislation by the prosecuting authorities but also a gross infringement of freedom of expression and the right to information guaranteed by the Czech Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

“The prosecution, which is calculated, stigmatizing, borderline untruthful, and based on fallacious conjectures and limited interpretation by the police that the cultivation and processing of cannabis is automatically illegal or that any mention of cannabis automatically equates ‘inciting toxicomania’, comprises a dangerous precedent comparable to totalitarian repression and censorship. I consider it my duty to fight not only for the right of Legalizace magazine to exist, but also for the rights of all print and electronic media who have ever dared mention the word ‘cannabis’ – or plan to do so in the future,” said Robert Veverka, the editor-in-chief, regarding the indictment.