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Colombia’s President Calls For Cannabis Legalization

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Over the weekend Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged his nation’s Congress to legalize cannabis for adult use, stating in a social media post (translated from Spanish to English) that “the prohibition of marijuana in Colombia only brings violence.”

“The empowerment of mafia organizations shows the failure of prohibition and the absence of alternative measures to simple prohibition,” President Petro also stated in his social media post. “I ask the Colombian Congress to legalize marijuana and remove this crop from violence.”

This is not the first time that Colombia’s current president has publicly expressed support for cannabis legalization. In late 2023, when a push for legalization in Colombia failed, President Gustavo Petro called out lawmakers for ‘helping to perpetuate illegal drug trafficking and the violence associated with the unregulated trade.’

Colombia is home to an emerging legal medical cannabis industry, including the legalized exporting of medical cannabis products. Colombia’s legal industry exported over $10.8 million worth of medical cannabis products in 2023.

Cannabis is currently legal at a national level for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, cannabis is legal at a state level in two dozen states in the U.S., and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are currently operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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CBD May Mitigate Severe Behavioral Symptoms In Children With Autism

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

One of the most sensitive areas of cannabis policy, science, and industry is medical cannabis use by children. No responsible cannabis consumer advocates for kids to consume cannabis except for in the most limited, tailored medical circumstances.

It is an issue that needs to be taken very seriously and parents should only proceed after talking to their family doctor(s) to make sure that it is the right move for their situation.

With that being said, there are instances when medical cannabis therapies can help younger patients. According to the results of a recent study in Argentina, cannabidiol may help mitigate severe behavioral symptoms in children diagnosed with autism. Below is more information via a news release from NORML:

Buenos Aires, Argentina: The adjunctive use of CBD is safe and effective in mitigating severe behavioral symptoms in pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to data published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.

Argentinian researchers assessed the efficacy of purified CBD in young patients (ages three to 17) with autism. CBD was administered as an add-on medication for six to 12 months.

Consistent with prior studies, investigators reported that CBD treatment improved the quality of life of patients and their families. In nearly half of the patients treated, the use of prescription medications decreased following the initiation of CBD therapy.

The study’s authors concluded, “Our results suggest that treatment with purified CBD is effective and safe and could benefit patients with severe ASD by improving some of the core symptoms, including repetitive behaviors and social interaction, as well as associated comorbidities.”

The findings are consistent with those of placebo-controlled trial data showing improvements in ASD-related symptoms following the use of cannabinoid products. Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits to young people and adults with autism.

Full text of the study, “Purified cannabidiol leads to improvement of severe treatment-resistant behavioral symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder,” appears in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. Additional information on cannabinoids and ASD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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Cannabis Provides Sustained Relief For Cancer-Related Pain In UK Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Cancer is one of the worst things that can ever happen to a person. Anyone who has survived a battle with cancer or had a friend or family battle cancer knows that unfortunate fact firsthand.

According to estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, “in 2022, there were an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths” and “about 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease.”

One of the ongoing symptoms of cancer is chronic pain. A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom found that cannabis therapies may offer sustained relief for cancer-related pain. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Cancer patients report less pain and improved sleep following their use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs), according to observational data published in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

British researchers assessed the use of botanical cannabis or oil extracts in 168 cancer patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British specialists are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes at one, three, and six months.

Patients’ use of cannabis products was “associated with improvements in all pain-specific PROMs [patient-reported outcome measures] at all follow-up periods,” investigators reported. Study participants also reported improved sleep and less anxiety. No significant adverse effects from cannabis were reported.

The study’s authors concluded: “Initiation of CBMPs is associated with improvements in pain-specific and general health-related quality of life outcomes in CP [cancer pain] patients over six months, with a relatively low incidence of mild-to-moderate AEs [adverse events] and no life-threatening AEs. … RCTs [randomized controlled trials] and longer observational case series are warranted, but this study can help inform their rollout, serving as a valuable pharmacovigilance tool for the use of CBMPs in CP, either as an alternative therapeutic option or as one part of multimodal treatment.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products among patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those diagnosed with anxiety, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK Medical Cannabis Registry: An analysis of clinical outcomes of medicinal cannabis therapy for cancer pain,” appears in the Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy.

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Prominent German Financial Institution Enters Cannabis Industry

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Germany’s emerging legal cannabis industry continues to go mainstream, with the latest example of that coming in the form of cannabis company GOC Nexus receiving funding from leading German financial institution Volksbank Donau-Mindel.

Volksbank Donau-Mindel was joined in the successful funding round by a concurrent investment from Synbiotic, Germany’s largest publicly listed cannabis company, and was coordinated by leading European cannabis investment firm The Talman House. Synbiotic is a member of The Talman House.

Volksbank Donau-Mindel and Synbiotic’s funding of GOC Nexus, a cutting-edge cannabis technology company that is revolutionizing the processing of medicinal and recreational cannabis, will create the first production facility of its kind that is compliant with EU-GMP standards.

“Despite significant interest from potential business partners in our services, particularly the microbiological cold plasma treatment of cannabis flowers, many were reluctant to invest upfront.” Stated Dr. David Surjo, CEO of GOC Nexus.

“The initial investments required for a pharmaceutical production facility are substantial, making it impossible to finance entirely from internal resources.” Dr. Surjo said. “After deciding to approach banks, we concentrated on local banks without a presence in the USA or Canada. This was crucial, as international banks often face legal restrictions when dealing with cannabis businesses.”

“We are excited that the cooperative bank Volksbank Donau-Mindel supports our project. Their interest in innovative business models and flexibility were key to our success.” Dr. Surjo also stated.

The significance of this successful funding round cannot be overstated. It is no secret that the legal cannabis industry has struggled to gain consistent access to the world’s banking system, and gaining funding from prominent financial institutions has proven to be particularly difficult for cannabis companies. From that perspective, Volksbank Donau-Mindel’s investment is a very big deal, and a testament to the benefits of cannabis companies becoming members of The Talman House network.

The Talman House is private and exclusive, with dozens of leading cannabis companies already serving as members. It is the largest private network of cannabis investors and executives in Europe and has helped established cannabis companies secure funding, including GOC Nexus.

GOC Nexus’ innovative cold plasma technology designed by an experienced multidisciplinary team, is revolutionizing the cannabis industry through its unique combination of efficiency, product safety, and the preservation of therapeutically valuable compounds.

The company’s patent-pending process combines optimal cleaning performance with careful, gentle treatment. This is achieved through minimal energy input and synergistic cleaning effects of activated plasma particles. Cold plasma processing sets new standards compared to conventional methods. The treatment enhances the product by safely eliminating microbiology while preserving the entourage effect of cannabinoids.

GOC Nexus technology protects the organoleptic properties of the processed material. The terpene profile, essential for the therapeutic entourage effect, remains completely intact. Traditional methods destroy 30-70% of volatile active compounds and destabilize cannabinoids. The trichomes, as production sites of cannabinoids and terpenes, remain undamaged through the gentle cold plasma treatment. This ensures taste, aroma, therapeutic efficacy, and pharmaceutical stability. The optical quality of the flowers is also preserved, increasing patient acceptance.

It is estimated that today more than 50% of cannabis produced worldwide does not meet microbiological requirements. GOC-NEXUS helps cultivators control the microbiological contamination of the final product through a non-thermal, non-radiative remediation service without using any chemical agents.

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Industrial Hemp Regulations To Be Reviewed In New Zealand

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business, Policy.

The global industrial hemp market is already massive, and likely to continue to increase in size for the foreseeable future. According to a recent market analysis by Technavio, the worldwide industrial hemp market “is set to grow by USD 18.31 billion from 2025 to 2029” at “a CAGR of over 27% during the forecast period.”

New Zealand is a market that is largely struggling to properly get off the ground, however, a recent announcement by government officials that the nation’s hemp regulations will be reviewed could help.

“On Friday, Minister for Regulation David Seymour announced it would review what he called “outdated and burdensome regulations” surrounding industrial hemp.” reports The New Zealand Herald in its local coverage.

“It was the result of years of campaigning by hemp farmers, processors and companies that were hamstrung by regulations developed in 2006, which put licensing for cultivation into the hands of the Ministry of Health.” the outlet also reported.

In addition to the previously cited market analysis by Technavio, IMARC Group also recently published a global industrial hemp market analysis, finding that the global industrial hemp market size “was valued at USD 6.2 Billion in 2024” and will “reach USD 20.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 14.5% during 2025-2033.”

“The market is witnessing significant growth mainly driven by the extensive change in legislative landscapes facilitating a more favorable environment for hemp cultivation and processing, thereby facilitating the recognition of hemp’s environmental benefits and diversification of hemp applications across numerous end use industries.” IMARC Group also stated.

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Constitutional Challenge To Cannabis Prohibition In Namibia

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Cannabis prohibition policies are typically challenged in one of two ways. The first is via the political process, with some countries having better options for seeking this route than others.

The other common way that cannabis advocates challenge cannabis prohibition policies is via the courts. Several countries have witnessed their top courts handing down landmark rulings against cannabis prohibition, such as in Mexico and South Africa. Namibia is the latest country to see a cannabis court challenge.

“Three judges of the Windhoek High Court are set to hear oral arguments in early July on whether an attempt to have the outlawing of cannabis in Namibia declared unconstitutional is ripe to be decided at this stage.” reported The Namibian in its local coverage.

“The plaintiffs in the case, Ganja Users of Namibia (GUN) president Brian Jaftha and GUN secretary general Borro Ndungula, want the High Court to declare the prohibition of the possession and use of cannabis by adults in Namibia as unconstitutional.” the outlet also reported.

Currently, cannabis activity is expressly permitted by adults in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa after lawmakers in those countries adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures.

Additionally, court decisions have been rendered in at least Spain, Italy, and Mexico that afford some level of protection for adult cannabis consumers. Cannabis is also legal at the state level in two dozen states in the U.S., and recreational pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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German Cannabis Business Week – Global Industry To Converge In Berlin

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Germany’s legal cannabis industry is experiencing an unprecedented revolution. Thanks to last year’s adoption of the CanG policy modernization measure, every major sector of the nation’s emerging cannabis industry is experiencing growth.

The German Cannabis Business Week will take place during this pivotal moment, bringing together leaders from across the global cannabis industry to Berlin, Germany, beginning on April 28th, 2025. The week will commence with The Talman House’s exclusive investor gathering, held at the prestigious Hotel Adlon Kempinski, an internationally renowned venue recognized for its historic significance and unmatched hospitality.

This private investor event, reserved for The Talman House members, will serve as a strategic forum where key investors and industry experts will examine evolving market dynamics, investment trends, and regulatory shifts shaping the European cannabis sector. Discussions will center on the economic implications of Germany’s legalization model, the expansion of regulated cannabis markets across the EU, and how investors can navigate the rapidly changing landscape.

Following the Talman House event in Berlin, the International Cannabis Business Conference will once again bring its flagship two-day conference to the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel on April 29th-30th. International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin is Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis B2B event, and this year’s installment will be bigger and better than ever.

Several important and timely topics will be covered at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, including Germany’s cultivation associations. As of July 1st, 2024, aspiring cultivation association operators can apply with their local regulatory authorities in Germany. Many association applications are being processed across Germany, with dozens of associations already receiving approval and having launched operations.

Additionally, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot projects are expected to launch soon in Germany, and it is sure to be a popular topic at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. Associations and pilots are expected to proliferate many parts of Germany. Competition is going to increase significantly within Germany’s industry, and a great way to learn how to maximize your opportunities and network with industry leaders is at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. Register now and save $200 before ticket prices go up on April 2nd at midnight.

Part of the new German CanG law involves permitting adults to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences. Home cultivation legalization is creating a thriving industry sector in Germany. Companies specializing in home cultivation equipment and cannabis genetics are experiencing exponential sales growth within the German market.

Germany’s emerging medical cannabis industry was already the largest in Europe before the nation’s new CanG law took effect. However, since April 1st, 2024, when the first provisions of adult-use legalization became effective in Germany, the nation’s medical cannabis industry has already grown exponentially.

A main contributing factor to the recent growth of Germany’s medical cannabis industry was the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List, which was a key component of the new CanG law. The removal of cannabis from the list made it easier for doctors to prescribe cannabis in Germany, in addition to improving the medical cannabis supply chain and boosting domestic medical cannabis production.

Medical cannabis is arguably the biggest winner of Germany’s adult-use policy modernization effort so far, and the boost in patient numbers is still very much in the early stages. Prior to April 1st, researchers estimated that Germany had between 200k and 300k active medical cannabis patients. That number is projected to increase to as much as 5 million in the not-so-distant future. According to a recent report by the Bloomwell Group, prescriptions for medical cannabis in Germany increased by roughly 1,000% between March 2024 and December 2024. Medical cannabis in Germany will be thoroughly discussed throughout German Cannabis Business Week in April.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries are expected to be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2025 and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry, as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers. Bring your company to the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with the best and take your industry pursuits to the next level. Register now and save $200 before ticket prices go up on April 2nd at midnight. Make sure to secure your spot before the event sells out.

Additionally, serious entrepreneurs and investors looking to gain a footprint in Europe’s emerging legal cannabis industry should join The Talman House network. The Talman House is private and exclusive, with dozens of leading cannabis companies already serving as members. It is the largest private network of cannabis investors and executives in Europe and has helped established cannabis companies secure funding.

Membership in The Talman House provides numerous benefits, including gaining access to ongoing investor events in Europe such as the April 28th event in Berlin that kicks off German Cannabis Business Week. Joining The Talman House is an effective and efficient way to maximize your company’s potential in both Europe and abroad. You can find out more about how to become a member by contacting the Talman team.

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Cannabis May Induce Remission In Crohn’s Disease Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease and a very serious health condition that affects the suffering patient’s digestive tract. Chron’s disease can cause inflammation and ulcers in any part of the patient’s digestive system.

International researchers estimate that 6 million people are affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) globally. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Crohn’s disease.

Researchers in Pakistan recently conducted a meta-analysis focusing on medical cannabis use and Crohn’s disease, finding that medical cannabis therapies may be associated with clinical remission of the health condition. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Karachi, Pakistan: Cannabis use is associated with clinical remission in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and it represents a promising therapeutic option for managing the disease, according to a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science.

A team of Pakistani investigators reviewed data from five randomized clinical trials involving 176 participants. In three of the trials, subjects used either cannabis cigarettes or a placebo. In two of the trials, subjects ingested either plant-derived extracts or a placebo.

Researchers determined: “The analysis indicates that cannabis may be beneficial in inducing clinical remission. … Specifically, individuals receiving cannabis treatment exhibited substantially higher rates of clinical remission at eight weeks compared to those in the control group.”

The study’s authors concluded: “In conclusion, the meta-analysis suggests that cannabis could be a promising therapeutic option for managing CD with minimal side effects. The findings … support its potential as an adjunct or alternative therapy, especially for patients unresponsive to conventional treatments.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis use in Crohn’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials,” appears in the Irish Journal of Medical Science. Additional information on cannabis and Crohn’s disease is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Cannabis Provides Improvements In Brazilian Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

According to international researchers, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled in the past 25 years with an estimated 8.5 million individuals living with the serious health condition.

“Parkinson’s disease resulted in 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years, an increase of 81% since 2000, and caused 329,000 deaths, an increase of over 100% since 2000.” states the World Health Organization.

Researchers based in Brazil recently published the results of a case report that found that the use of medical cannabis oil provided symptomatic improvements in patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

João Pessoa, Brazil: The daily administration of plant-derived cannabis extracts containing THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids is associated with significant improvements in a patient with late-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to the case report published in the Brazilian Journal of Biology.

Brazilian investigators documented clinical improvements in a 77-year-old PD patient following his use of cannabis oil. The patient consumed up to five drops of cannabis oil twice daily for three months.

The study’s authors reported symptomatic improvements within one week of cannabis therapy. The patient’s symptoms continued to improve throughout the trial period, resulting in a reduction in his use of prescription medicines.

“This case reports a significant improvement in both motor and non-motor functions in a patient with advanced PD following the administration [of] a full-spectrum CBD-rich oil containing THC and other phytocannabinoids,” they concluded. “These compelling results suggest that cannabis oil may offer a valuable and effective therapeutic option for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.”

Full text of the study, “Cannabis oil in treating Parkinson’s disease: Improvement of motor and non-motor symptoms: A case report,” appears in the Brazilian Journal of Biology. Additional information on cannabis and Parkinson’s disease is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.