Skip to main content
cannabis concentrate concentrates dabs rosin resin hash hashish

Malta Cannabis Associations Permitted To Sell Concentrates Later This Year

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

Malta will forever hold the distinction of being the first European nation to adopt a national recreational cannabis legalization measure. Lawmakers in Malta approved adult-use legalization in 2021, permitting adults to cultivate, possess, and consume cannabis.

Before Malta approved legalization, the only other nations to do so previously were Uruguay in 2013 and Canada in 2018. A major component of Malta’s legalization model is permitting cultivation associations, sometimes referred to as clubs. Members can source cannabis legally through the associations.

So far, cultivation associations in Malta have only sold cannabis flower. However, starting later this year cannabis cultivation associations in Malta will also be able to sell certain concentrated cannabis products to their members.

“Malta’s cannabis associations will be allowed to sell cannabis resin and rosin, the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) Executive Chairperson Joey Reno Vella confirmed to MaltaToday.” reported MaltaToday in its local coverage.

“ARUC is in the process of updating its Directives to permit the distribution of cannabis resin (hash) and similar processed products, such as rosin, through licensed CHRAs. However, it is imperative to highlight that only solvent-free, non-chemical extraction processes will be authorised. The use of solvents and/or chemical agents for the production of cannabis derivatives remains strictly prohibited. Additionally, the conversion of cannabis into oils and tinctures will not be permitted under these amendments,” Joey Reno Vella said according to the media outlet.

Cannabis concentrates, sometimes referred to as cannabis extracts, are very popular among adult cannabis consumers and medical cannabis patients. According to Coherent Market Insights, the global cannabis extract market “is expected to reach USD 38.13 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4% from 2024 to 2031.”

In other recent cannabis news out of Malta, the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis signed an agreement with the University of Malta to conduct cannabis-based research.

“The authority and the university’s chemistry department plan to study pesticides and “substances” found in legal and illegal cannabis by next October, with legal samples from cannabis associations and illegal samples held by the courts due to be tested.” reported Times of Malta.

“The tests aim to scientifically demonstrate how the dangers of controlled – legally grown – cannabis and illegal offerings vary, Reforms Junior Minister Rebecca Buttigieg said.” the local media outlet also reported.

cannabis plant leaves

German Pharmacists Oppose Reclassifying Cannabis As A Narcotic Drug

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

German pharmacist Florian Sedlmeier and other members of Germany’s pharmacy industry are publicly pushing back on an effort by cannabis opponents in Germany to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic drug in the European nation. Cannabis was removed from Germany’s Narcotics List last year as part of the enactment of the CanG law.

“Pharmacist Florian Sedlmeier warns against reclassifying medicinal cannabis as a narcotic drug (BtM). Such a step would increase the bureaucratic burden and make it more difficult to provide patients with rapid care, ” stated the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) in its recent newsletter, citing an article from apotheke-adhoc. “He considers the concern expressed by SPD Health Minister Clemens Hoch that medicinal cannabis can be ordered too easily online to be understandable, but stresses that pharmacies carefully check prescriptions and licenses.”

“Reclassification as a narcotic would not curb the black market, but rather limit storage and the range of products available in pharmacies. Pharmacies are currently benefiting from the fact that medicinal cannabis no longer has to be stored in safes and can be prescribed more easily using e-prescriptions or model 16 forms. Instead of returning to the narcotic prescription requirement, Sedlmeier proposes stricter control of medical prescriptions, for example by requiring doctors to submit prescriptions and possible sanctions in the event of misuse.” BvCW also reported.

Germany implemented the first provisions of its new adult-use cannabis legalization law on April 1st, 2024, legalizing the personal cultivation, possession, and consumption of cannabis by adults. Another major component of the first provisions involved the previously referenced removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List.

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. The report also found that prices for medical cannabis products are decreasing in Europe’s largest medical cannabis market.

Another component of Germany’s new legalization model involves permitting cultivation associations. The application process for cultivation associations started on July 1st, 2024, and to date, 83 cultivation applications have been approved, with hundreds more working their way through the process.

Germany was already home to the largest legal medical cannabis industry in Europe before the enactment of adult-use legalization, and changes in medical cannabis policies and regulations in 2024 have resulted in a domestic medical cannabis boom, as demonstrated by the data in Bloomwell’s recent report.

Legal medical cannabis imports continue to rise in Germany as well. During the first three full months following Germany’s enactment of the CanG adult-use legalization law (Q3), legal medical cannabis imports increased by over 70% compared to the previous period.

Alex Rogers, founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference, recently visited Helios’ Munich pharmacy location to see their world-class operations firsthand, which can be viewed in the video embedded below. The video provides a great glimpse into Germany’s emerging legal medical cannabis industry:

german germany berlin police law enforcement german germany berlin police law enforcement

German Government: No Connection Between Cannabis Legalization And Organized Crime

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Since the implementation of the first provisions of adult-use cannabis legalization in Germany back on April 1st, 2024, some cannabis opponents inside and outside of the country have tried to claim that recreational legalization is causing a spike in organized crime activity.

However, in the federal government’s answer to a recent inquiry made by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group regarding the “Mocro Mafia” in North Rhine-Westphalia, it was made clear that this is not the case based on the available evidence. The question and answer was included in the German Cannabis Business Association’s (BvCW) recent newsletter.

“Does the federal government see a connection between the legalization of cannabis and the increase in organized crime? especially the “Mocro-Mafia” in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), and if not, why not?” was the question posed by the CDU/CSU faction (question #27, translated from German to English).

“The legal changes as part of the legalization of cannabis are only been in force for a few months. At present, no conclusions can be made about the impact on organized crime. Over and beyond
the events mentioned in North Rhine-Westphalia are probably not due to the partial legalization of cannabis, but rather to independent conflicts between rival criminal gangs.” the federal government stated in response to the question.

The answer from Germany’s federal government comes on the heels of the results of a peer-reviewed study being published that addressed another claim made by global cannabis opponents, this one being based on the claim that ‘legal cannabis sales lead to a spike in emergency room visits.’

“This study investigates the impact of recreational cannabis retailer allocation on emergency department (ED) visits related to cannabis, alcohol, and opioids.” the researchers in the recent study stated. The study used data from Canada’s legal recreational market which launched in 2018.

“No significant effects were found in cannabis, alcohol, or opioid-related ED visits following the allocation of cannabis retailers.” the researchers concluded. “The allocation of recreational cannabis retailer licenses did not significantly impact acute care use.”

Another common claim made by cannabis opponents is that ‘cannabis legalization harms youth and increases youth consumption rates.’ Numerous studies have looked at the data in the United States where several state-level legalization laws have been adopted going back to 2012.

“Youth marijuana use declined in 19 out of 21 states that legalized adult-use marijuana—with teen cannabis consumption down an average of 35 percent in the first states to legalize a decade ago—according to government data.” Marijuana Moment stated in its recent reporting.

cannabis plant

Ancillary Cannabis Industry Sectors Projected To Experience Major Growth

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

When many people think of the emerging global cannabis industry, they tend to think about cultivating cannabis and selling cannabis. While those are obviously important components of the legal cannabis industry, they are only two sectors. The legal cannabis industry is much more complex and dynamic than just growing and selling cannabis and is made up of several other sectors, all of which have their own opportunities and market potential. Below are some notable examples that entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators should consider.

Cannabis Technology

Nearly every sector of the cannabis industry, including the cultivation and retail sectors, incorporates technology in one way or another. The ancillary cannabis technology sector comprises several subsectors, some of which are listed later in this article. It is arguably the most needed and promising ancillary sector of the emerging legal cannabis industry, and entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators are wise to explore the various opportunities. According to a recent market analysis by Coherent Market Insights, the “cannabis technology market is estimated to be valued at USD 4.10 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 20.01 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.4% by 2031.”

Consumption Devices

One constant in every legal cannabis market is that people will be consuming cannabis, and how they consume cannabis is evolving at a seemingly ever-increasing rate. While some consumers and patients continue to smoke cannabis via more rudimentary methods like joints and pipes, many are using more advanced consumption methods, such as portable vaporizers. The global portable vaporizer sector is already huge and getting bigger with every passing year. According to analysts at The Business Research Company, the portable vaporizer market is “projected to grow from $2.56 billion in 2023 to $2.90 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%,” and is “expected to reach $4.82 billion by 2028.”

Product Testing

A standard component of every market where legal cannabis commerce is permitted is that legal products have to be tested for compliance. Cannabis testing helps consumers and patients know that the products they are consuming are safe and informs them about important information regarding the product’s contents, such as cannabinoid levels. Technavio recently estimated that the size of the global cannabis testing sector will “grow by USD 2.05 billion from 2024-2028.” The Business Research Company has also recently published a projection, estimating that the sector will reach “$6.05 billion in 2028,” and analysts with Research and Markets project a global market value of $12.37 billion by 2035.

Packaging

Cannabis product packaging is another ancillary sector that shows a lot of promise, with most legal cannabis products being stored and dispersed in some kind of required packaging. That presents significant opportunities for companies that specialize in creating effective product packaging options. As more markets become legal across the globe, the demand for cannabis packaging will increase. According to a recent cannabis packaging sector projection by Coherent Market Insights, the “global cannabis packaging market is expected to reach US$ 13.17 billion by 2030, from US$ 2.64 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 25.8% during the forecast period.”

Food And Beverages

Just as patients and consumers are increasing their use of advanced portable vaporizer technologies, they are also using other smokeless forms of cannabis consumption, most notably foods and beverages. Edibles and liquid consumables are increasing in popularity in markets where they are permitted, and that is reflected in recent market projections. For example, analysts at Allied Analytics estimate that the global cannabis food and beverage market size “was valued at $427.0 million in 2018, and is expected to reach $2,632.0 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 26.6% from 2019 to 2026.” The food and beverage sector is not limited to intoxicating products. Future Market Insights projects that the global hemp protein powder market alone will be worth over $1 billion by 2035.

Insurance

Business insurance is something that many companies need, and entities in the cannabis industry are no exception. Business insurance helps mitigate the unexpected costs that may arise as a company conducts its day-to-day operations. Insurance in the cannabis industry is not as established as it is in other legal industries. However, more insurance professionals are either working with cannabis companies now or are considering doing so compared to past years. One recent market projection for the emerging cannabis insurance sector estimates that the cannabis insurance market is expected to grow to “USD 6.7 billion by 2032” with a CAGR of “around 14.14% during the forecast period (2025 – 2032).”

paraguay flag

Paraguay Exports Cannabis Flower To Switzerland In Historic First

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Paraguay first adopted a national industrial hemp legalization measure back in 2019, and the South American nation recently passed a historic milestone by making its first legal export of cannabis flowers to Switzerland.

“The Paraguayan Chamber of Industrial Cannabis proudly announced the first export of 100% Paraguayan industrial cannabis flowers, known as Kuñatai, to Switzerland. This flower, registered with specific cultivars, stands out for its high quality and purity, meeting the rigorous standards required by the Swiss market and opening doors for expansion to other destinations in Europe.” reported Sechat in its local coverage (translated from Portuguese to English).

“The export of Kuñatai to Switzerland represents a significant step forward for Paraguay on its path to internationalizing its cannabis industry.” the outlet also stated.

Paraguay’s international cannabis industry pursuits come at a time when nearly six dozen nations around the world have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures, many of which now import and export medical cannabis products.

Additionally, Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa have adopted adult-use cannabis legalization measures, although none of those countries currently permit the importation of recreational cannabis products and all adult-use cannabis is produced domestically either by individuals for personal use or by local companies.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are also currently operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland. Pilot trials are also expected to launch in Germany soon. Two dozen states in the United States have adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures, although cannabis remains prohibited at the federal level in the U.S.

Analysts at Research and Markets estimate that “the global cannabis cultivation market was valued at USD 43.52 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to record steady growth over the forecast period, with a CAGR of 5.25% through 2029.”

hemp-cannabis-flower-plant-garden-outdoor hemp-cannabis-flower-plant-garden-outdoor

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Approves Hemp Pilot

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

The government in Himachal Pradesh, a state in India, has approved a pilot study to examine the potential benefits of permitting industrial hemp cultivation and the creation of related medical products and scientific research.

“The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved the report of a committee recommending the controlled cultivation of cannabis for industrial, scientific, and medicinal purposes, setting the stage for its legalisation in the state. The report, previously passed by the Himachal Vidhan Sabha, was prepared with inputs from opposition BJP members, horticulture experts, and scientists.” Indian Express stated in its local coverage.

“Controlled cannabis cultivation will be undertaken jointly by two agricultural universities—Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture, Nauni, Solan. The Agriculture Department has been designated as the nodal body for the initiative.” the outlet also reported.

A recent market analysis by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence estimates that the global industrial hemp market “is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 17.75% between US$9.913 billion in 2025 to US$22.438 billion in 2030.”

A separate market analysis recently published by Markets and Markets predicts an even larger global industrial hemp market in the future, estimating that “the industrial hemp market is estimated at USD 11.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 30.24 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 22.4% from 2024 to 2029.”

The booming industrial hemp market is not limited to just industrial applications and medical products. According to analysts at Maximize Market Research, “the global hemp-infused beverage market is experiencing significant expansion, driven by increasing consumer awareness of hemp’s health benefits and a growing demand for functional, wellness-oriented drinks.”

“In 2023, the market was valued at USD 3.63 billion and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.9% from 2024 to 2030.” the analysts predict.

emergency room hospital bed beds

Legal Retail Cannabis Isn’t Associated With Rise In Emergency Department Visits

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Business, Science.

Canada was not the first country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. That distinct title goes to Uruguay, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2013, five years before Canada did so. However, Canada was the first G-7 nation to legalize recreational cannabis and remains the largest legal adult-use cannabis commerce experiment on earth.

According to a recent market analysis by Research and Markets, revenue generated by Canada’s legal cannabis cultivators “has ballooned at a CAGR of 43.4% to reach $13.1 billion over the past five years.”

Canadian cannabis companies dominate the legal global cannabis industry, an industry that analysts at The Business Research Company estimate was worth “$21.79 billion in 2023” and “$26.56 billion in 2024” and is projected to grow to an estimated “$58.93 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 22.0%.”

Researchers at Allied Analytics offer up even rosier estimates and projections, finding that the legal cannabis market “was valued at $25.7 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $148.9 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 20.1% from 2022 to 2031.”

A common claim made by cannabis opponents who try to thwart the growth of the emerging legal cannabis industry hinges on ’emergency room visits spiking due to cannabis legalization.’ The results of a recent study conducted in Canada throw cold water on those claims. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Toronto, Ontario: The establishment of licensed cannabis retailers is not associated with any uptick in marijuana-related emergency department (ED) visits, according to longitudinal data published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.

A team of Canadian researchers assessed the impact of cannabis store openings on ED visits in 278 communities in Ontario.

They found “no evidence that the allocation of cannabis retailer licenses led to changes in cannabis-related ED visits.”

Similarly, no changes in ED visits related to either alcohol use or opioids were identified.

“Despite the anticipation that the introduction of licensed cannabis retailers might influence such health outcomes, our findings suggest no significant changes in ED visit rates following the allocation of retail licenses,” the study’s authors concluded. “This research highlights the complex relationship between the availability of cannabis retail options and public health metrics. … Given these findings, policymakers may consider focusing on understanding regional factors (e.g. cannabis pricing and retailer hours of operation) beyond retail density that could influence substance-related health outcomes.”

Other studies have failed to identify any association between dispensary openings and rising local crime rates. Studies have documented a relationship between dispensary openings, rising home values, and reductions in opioid-related mortality.

Full text of the study, “The impact of recreational cannabis retailer allocation on emergency department visits: A. natural experiment utilizing lottery design,” appears in the International Journal of Drug Policy. Additional information is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Societal Impacts of Cannabis Dispensaries/Retailers.’

Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa

Canadian Patients Report Significant Reductions In Pain Following Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Canada was at the forefront of medical cannabis policy modernization, having adopted national medical cannabis reform in 2001. Canada remains an international leader in the emerging legal global medical cannabis industry, an industry that continues to experience tremendous growth.

According to a recent market analysis by The Business Research Company, the legal global medical cannabis industry “is projected to rise from $27.5 billion in 2023 to $33.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%” and “is expected to reach $72.9 billion by 2028.”

A major driver of the expanding legal medical cannabis industry is patients using medical cannabis to treat chronic pain. A recent study conducted in Canada found that suffering patients report significant reductions in pain following medical cannabis use. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

Hamilton, Canada: Cannabis products provide short-term relief for patients suffering from chronic muscle, joint, or nerve pain, according to data published in the journal Cannabis.

Canadian investigators assessed the short-term effects of cannabis on chronic pain in a cohort of 741 individuals over a 3+ year period. Study participants self-administered cannabis products at home and reported symptom changes in real time on a mobile software application (Strainprint). Most participants inhaled botanical cannabis. Twenty-one percent ingested cannabis oil extracts. Changes in participants’ pain scores were assessed using a 10-point scale.

On average, subjects reported a three-point reduction in their pain scores following cannabis use. Male participants were more likely than females to experience greater pain relief. Greater efficacy was associated with products either dominant or balanced in THC content as compared to CBD-dominant products.

“Our analysis of observational data from chronic pain patients who use medical cannabis found large reductions in pain, and that men were more likely to experience greater pain relief than women,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our findings require confirmation in rigorously conducted randomized trials that include a placebo control to account for non-specific effects.”

Separate data published in 2023 in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent and many of those who do substitute it in place of opioids.

Full text of the study, “Predictors of response to medical cannabis for chronic pain: A retrospective review of real-time observational data,” appears in Cannabis. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

cannabidiol cbd oil tincture

CBD “Significantly Reduces” Pain, Other Symptoms In Nail-Patella Syndrome Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The global market for cannabidiol (CBD) is booming. Several market analysis reports and sector projections demonstrate the buffet of opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the CBD sector.

For example, a recent analysis by researchers with Research and Markets found that “the global hemp-derived cannabidiol market size was estimated to be USD 8.28 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 46.25 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 16.93% during the forecast period 2024-2034.”

A separate analysis by Wiseguy Research Consultants estimated that the cannabidiol extract market was worth “5.06 billion USD in 2023” and that the market is projected to be worth “from 6.16 billion USD in 2024 to 29.8 billion USD by 2032.”

A growing number of studies are finding that CBD helps suffering patients. One such study was recently conducted in France which found that orally administered CBD significantly reduces pain and other symptoms among patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Paris, France: Patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome-induced pain report significant improvements in their health-related quality of life following CBD therapy, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports. Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal malformation and chronic pain.

French researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of CBD treatment in a cohort of 28 patients diagnosed with NPS. Study participants ingested pharmaceutical-grade synthetic CBD for three months.

Investigators reported: “Treatment (median dose of 900 mg/day) was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity (mean score of 7.04 at initiation versus 4.04 at three months. … Health-related quality of life and other NPS-associated symptoms also improved in most patients. CBD treatment was well-tolerated and no elevations in liver enzyme levels were reported.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Oral treatment with synthetic CBD was associated with a significant reduction in pain in most of the patients with NPS included in our study and led to improvements in most of the NPS-associated symptoms analyzed. Hence, synthetic oral CBD appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for NPS-associated pain and may be an alternative to conventional analgesics for managing chronic pain in this pathology.”

Full text of the study, “Evidence for therapeutic use of cannabidiol for nail-patella syndrome-induced pain in a real-world pilot study,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.