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Is Medical Cannabis For Animals The Next Big Thing?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

When most people think of medical cannabis, they think of how it pertains to suffering human patients, and rightfully so. Medical cannabis has helped countless human patients as a growing body of scientific research and patient testimonials demonstrates.

However, the benefits of medical cannabis are not limited only to humans. Many household pets and livestock can also benefit from the wellness properties contained within the cannabis plant and medical products derived from it.

More governments around the world are recognizing this fact and modernizing their cannabis policies and regulations to reflect it. For example, back in late 2019 Malta’s Minister for the Economy announced plans to permit the production of medical cannabis for veterinarian use.

Late last year, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency decided to amend Ordinance SVS/MS 344/1998 to allow the regulation of medical cannabis products for animals by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. Other examples of similar policy modernization can be found elsewhere around the globe.

Medical cannabis for animals is an underrated sector of the emerging legal cannabis industry and possesses tremendous profit potential for innovative entrepreneurs and savvy cannabis industry investors.

Industry analysts at Research and Markets recently projected that the CBD pet market size alone is expected to reach $1.72 billion by 2030 and increase at a compound annual growth rate of 32.47% between now and then. This of course does not take into account other cannabinoids and non-pet animals like farm livestock.

Researchers estimate that there are over 900 million pet dogs globally, and another 370 million pet cats. In the United States alone pet owners spend an estimated $136 billion on pet products annually. Add to the mix tens of billions of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and other livestock around the world, and the potential market for medical cannabis wellness products for animals is off the charts.

The medical cannabis for animals sector is very young and has hurdles to overcome to be sure, not the least of which is the need for more research. Determining which cannabinoids and in which specific doses for each animal type and size is no small feat.

With that being said, individuals and entities who can figure it out safely and reliably are sure to reap considerable financial rewards in the future. Medical cannabis for animals is virtually guaranteed to be the next big thing. It is not a question of if, but rather, a question of when.

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South African Human Rights Commission Urges Police To Halt Cannabis Arrests

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Last year South Africa became the latest country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure, codifying a prior landmark court decision which determined that prohibition policies against personal cannabis use were unconstitutional.

Recreational legalization in South Africa placed the country on a list with Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany for nations that have adopted an adult-use cannabis legalization policy change. Despite South Africa adopting legalization, the arrests of cannabis users persist, and South Africa’s Human Rights Commission is calling that out.

“The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has written to national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola to express concern over the ongoing arrests of cannabis users and Rastafarians despite a law permitting the private cultivation and use of cannabis by adults.” stated Times Live in its local reporting.

“As the festive season approaches, the SAHRC reminds law enforcement, in particular the SA Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority, that the arrest and/or prosecution of adults for the private use, possession or cultivation of cannabis, as well as making assumptions about dealing, is inconsistent with the law and national operational directives. Such arrests and/or prosecutions could lead to human rights violations being perpetrated by law enforcement,” the SAHRC said according to the media outlet’s coverage.

South Africa is home to an emerging legal cannabis industry. A great example is the recent certification of Africa’s first cannabis higher education course. Recently cannabis education provider Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy launched its Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management. The cannabis education program is the first on the African continent to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). CHE is an internationally recognized accreditation body.

“It comes at the same time as Cheeba Africa has announced a partnership to bring its offering to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The economically-stressed province is hoping to see benefits from provincial government efforts to roll out an investment in the local medical cannabis industry that is expected to reach R1 billion over the next five years.” Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy stated in a press release obtained by the International Cannabis Business Conference.

“It has been a rigorous four-year journey for our Academy to reach this important accreditation milestone and we’re excited to set this benchmark in cannabis education by offering this powerful programme to potential cannabis entrepreneurs and workers. It is a proud moment for our industry, and for South Africa, as we lead the way in one of the most important sectors of our time. The emerging cannabis and hemp industry has so much potential to create sustainable and dignified livelihoods in South Africa, especially in some of our most underserved communities.” states Trenton Birch, CEO and co-founder of Cheeba Africa.

The new partnership that Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy has formed with the Township Cannabis Incubator (TCI) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape is a partnership that recognizes the significant potential of cannabis-related job creation and sustainable development in one of South Africa’s most rural and underserved provinces. Official unemployment rates in the Eastern Cape are above 40%, and the expanded unemployment rates are close to 50%. With 60% of the population living below the poverty level, it is recognized as one of the country’s poorest regions.

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Health Canada To Publish Cannabis Sampling Program Results In 2025

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Canada became the first G-7 country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2018. Since that time, Canada has served as the top cannabis commerce public policy experiment on the planet.

Health Canada announced in 2023 that it would launch a program to test regulated and unregulated cannabis samples and publish the results of the cannabis sampling testing program. The first round of results is expected to be published this year.

“Health Canada intends to publish the results of this project on the Cannabis Laboratory page “in the coming months,” confirms a senior media relations advisor with the agency’s communications and public affairs branch via email.” stated StratCann in its local coverage.

“When it was announced, the agency said the new cannabis data-gathering program would allow it to “proactively collect information on the legal and illicit cannabis markets in Canada,” focusing on providing Canadians with more accurate info about cannabis health and safety risks.” StratCann also reported.

Every year since 2017, Health Canada has conducted its ‘Canadian Cannabis Survey,’ in which the government agency poses various cannabis-related questions to members of Canadian society. Canada adopted recreational cannabis legalization in 2018, and the survey helps lawmakers and regulators gain insight into how legalization has affected Canada.

Health Canada recently released the results of the 2024 survey, with data being collected from April 4th to July 2nd, 2024. The 2024 survey involved 11,666 respondents aged 16 years and older across all provinces and territories.

One of the main findings of this year’s survey is that only 3% of consumers “reported accessing cannabis through illegal sources,” which is a decrease from a reported 16% back in 2019. Many consumers reported cultivating their own cannabis and/or being gifted cannabis from friends and family. The Health Canada survey also found the following.

  • The number of respondents who reported getting cannabis from a legal source in 2024 was 72% – an increase from 37% in 2019 to 72% in 2024, with legal storefronts being the most common source since 2019.
  • There was no change in rates of cannabis use among youth (age 16-19) over the past year. Past 12-month cannabis use among youth aged 16-19 was 41%, similar to several previous years (44%, 44%, and 43% in 2019, 2020 and 2023 respectively).
  • Overall, the proportion of respondents who said they used cannabis and reported daily, or almost daily use has been stable since 2018 (approx. 25%), including among youth (approx. 20%).

“Since 2017, Health Canada has conducted the annual Canadian Cannabis Survey to better understand attitudes and knowledge regarding cannabis, as well as patterns of cannabis use in Canada. Through the information gathered, Health Canada can better understand where support is needed the most and develop program initiatives that will help educate and raise awareness around the use of cannabis.” Health Canada stated about its annual survey.

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Textile Industry Members In India And South Korea Forge Hemp Partnerships

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

At a recent meeting hosted by the Wool and Woolens Export Promotion Council, members of the textile industries in both India and South Korea announced plans to, among other things, forge partnerships to tap into the industry potential of the industrial hemp fiber sector.

“Attendees discussed innovative ways to greater integrate hemp into India’s textile ecosystem, and the benefits of blending hemp with wool to create sustainable products that can help meet the rising global demand for eco-friendly materials.” reported Hemp Today in its original coverage.

“Also during the meeting, India’s Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering the growth of commercial hemp production, pledging to collaborate with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami to draft a proposal aimed at aligning policies and promoting growth within the sector.” the outlet also reported.

Despite a long history with the hemp plant, India does not currently have national hemp industry regulations permitting such activity. However, some local jurisdictions have adopted industry rules and regulations, and India’s hemp industry should experience continued growth in the foreseeable future.

According to a recent market analysis by Technavio, “the global industrial hemp market size is estimated to grow by USD 13.90 Billion from 2024 to 2028,” and “the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 25.25% during the forecast period.”

In other news out of India, senior state police officials in India recently told Al Jazeera that they have “seized about 600 tonnes of cannabis in the three years until 2023, goods worth $200m, and have also arrested 8,500 drug traffickers.”

“The police have also destroyed about 28,000 hectares (70,000 acres) of cannabis plantations in Odisha between 2021 and 2023, the highest for cannabis in the country, JN Pankaj, a former inspector general of the Special Task Force of the Odisha Police, told Al Jazeera.” the media outlet also reported.

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Morocco’s Legal Industry Produced 4,000 Tons Of Cannabis In 2024

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Morocco’s National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) Director General Mohamed El Guerrouj recently announced at an annual board meeting that the nation’s emerging legal cannabis industry produced thousands of tons of cannabis last year.

“In 2024, approximately 4,000 tons of cannabis were produced over an area of 2,169 hectares,” ANRAC Director General Mohamed El Guerrouj stated about Morocco’s legal cannabis industry according to local reporting by APA News. “No infractions related to non-compliance were recorded.”

APA News also reported the following statistics for Morocco’s legal cannabis industry in 2024:

  • 3,371 licenses were granted out of 4,158 applications, reflecting an approval rate of nearly 81%
  • 3,056 permits were issued to 2,907 farmers for cannabis cultivation and production – up from the 430 licenses issued in 2023
  • 315 licenses were granted to 158 sector operators

The climate in parts of Morocco is well-suited for large-scale cannabis production, which is why the North African nation has long served as a leading source of unregulated cannabis, particularly as a source for the European market.

In recent years, Morocco’s government has worked to modernize the nation’s cannabis policies and regulations to permit legal cannabis production and commerce.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, nearly five dozen countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization policies to some degree.

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UK Study Finds Cannabis Helps Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

International health researchers estimate that as many as 4.9 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. The highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease are found in China and the United States.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a wider health term used to describe a group of health conditions that cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the sufferer’s digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are examples of inflammatory bowel disease.

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study involving the use of medical cannabis by patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following their use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either botanicals or oil extracts in 116 IBD 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 18 months.

Consistent with prior research, investigators reported, “CBMP treatment was associated with improvement in IBD-specific outcomes in patients and general HRQoL [health-related quality of life] over 18-months.”

According to a literature review published in October in the scientific journal Cureus, “Many IBD patients use cannabis to control disease symptoms, and there is emerging evidence that it may play a role in disease management.”

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

Full text of the study, “UK medical cannabis registry: An updated analysis of clinical outcomes of cannabis-based medicinal products for inflammatory bowel disease,” appears in Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Additional information on cannabis and inflammatory bowel disease is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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German Trial Finds That CBD Reduces Alcohol Cravings

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

International researchers estimate that as many as 400 million people worldwide, roughly 7% of the world’s adult population, suffer from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic health condition characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol.

Globally, researchers estimate that around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption in 2019, and of those, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 were from injuries, and 300,000 were the result of communicable diseases.

A team of researchers in Germany, and one from Sweden, recently conducted a clinical trial in which they explored the use of cannabidiol (CBD) by patients who suffer from alcohol use disorder. The clinical trial findings were recently published in the journal Nature: Molecular Psychiatry.

“Here we report data from the double-blind randomized controlled ICONIC trial that compared the effects of a single dose of 800 mg cannabidiol against placebo (PLC) in N = 28 individuals with AUD.” the researchers stated about their trial.

“Cue-induced nucleus accumbens (NAc) activation, alcohol craving during a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session, as well as craving during an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task and CBD plasma levels served as outcomes.” the researchers stated about the trial’s methodology.

“Individuals receiving CBD showed lower bilateral cue-induced NAc activation (tleft_NAc(23) = 4.906, p < 0.001, d = 1.15; tright_NAc (23) = 4.873, p < 0.001, d = 1.13) and reported significantly lower alcohol craving after a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session (Fgroup(1,26) = 4.516, p = 0.043, eta2 = 0.15) and during the fMRI cue-reactivity task (Fgroup(1,24) = 6.665, p = 0.015, eta2 = 0.23). CBD levels were significantly higher in the CBD group (t(25) = 3.808, p < 0.001, d = 1.47) and showed a significant negative association with alcohol craving during the cue exposure experiment (r = -0.394, pFDR = 0.030) and during fMRI (r = -0.389, pFDR = 0.030), and with left and right NAc activation (rleft_NAc = -0.459, pFDR = 0.030; rright_NAc = -0.405, pFDR = 0.030).” the researchers also stated.

“CBD’s capacity to reduce stress- and cue-induced alcohol craving and to normalize NAc activation – a region critical to the pathophysiology of AUD – contribute to understanding the neurobiological basis of its clinical effects and support its potential as a treatment option for AUD. Clinical Trials Registry: DRKS00029993.” the researchers concluded.

Separate studies have also suggested that CBD dosing can reduce cravings for tobacco, methamphetamine, and heroin, among other substances, according to a news release recently published by the cannabis advocacy organization NORML.

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Global Industrial Hemp Market To Experience Continued Growth

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

The global market for industrial hemp and hemp-related products is far from being a new thing. Humans have valued hemp fibers and hemp seeds for thousands of years. It wasn’t until the 20th century that policies prohibiting the hemp plant were implemented.

Thankfully, more and more nations are realizing that hemp prohibition makes no sense and that it is time for a more sensible approach. Hemp policy and regulatory modernization efforts are spreading across the globe, and with it, tremendous economic opportunities are being created.

According to a recent market analysis by Technavio, “the global industrial hemp market size is estimated to grow by USD 13.90 Billion from 2024 to 2028,” and “the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 25.25% during the forecast period.”

“The APAC region is a major player in the industrial hemp market, with China, Japan, and South Korea being key producers and consumers. The region’s market growth is driven by increasing product adoption in various industries and legalization of hemp cultivation in countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Japan, and Australia. China, as the largest producer, contributes significantly to the global market, with a long history of hemp use in papermaking, textiles, and medicine.” Technavio stated in its market analysis.

In a separate analysis, market analysts at Research and Markets determined that “the global market for Industrial Hemp was estimated at US$7.5 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$23.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.7% from 2023 to 2030.”

“The growth in the industrial hemp market is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials, favorable regulatory changes, and the rising popularity of CBD-based products. As industries such as automotive and construction seek eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials, hemp’s versatility and low environmental impact make it an attractive choice. Regulatory shifts, especially the legalization of hemp cultivation in many regions, have opened new market opportunities for hemp-derived products.” Research and Markets stated about the global industrial hemp market.

In yet another market analysis, Allied Analytics found that “The global industrial hemp market size was valued at $4.9 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $18.6 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 22.4% from 2021 to 2027.”

The Business Research Company also recently published a global industrial hemp market analysis, finding that, “the hemp market size is predicted to see exponential growth in just a few short years, reaching a staggering $15.08 billion by 2028, a CAGR of 20.6%.”

In its market analysis, the IMARC Group determined the following about the emerging global industrial hemp market:

  • The market is expected to reach USD 20.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% during 2025-2033.
  • Asia Pacific holds the largest share of the industry, driven by a large agricultural workforce, growing hemp product acceptance, and rising demand for eco-friendly, sustainable materials.
  • Hemp seeds lead the market, accounting for the majority of the market share owing to their high protein, fiber, and essential fatty acid content, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
  • Food and beverages represent the leading application segment spurred by increasing consumer demand for plant-based, sustainable, and nutrient-rich alternatives in diets.
  • The rise of hemp-based cosmetics in the beauty industry, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, is boosting the market demand.

For the hemp seed market specifically, The Business Research Company has determined that the sector “will grow from $6.71 billion in 2023 to $7.48 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%.”

“The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand for plant-based protein, increasing awareness of health benefits, rising use in cosmetics and personal care products, expansion of industrial applications, and rising popularity of organic and natural products.” the researchers stated about the hemp seed market.

Regarding the global hemp protein powder market, Global Market Insights estimates that “market valuation is predicted to exceed USD 530 million by 2032.” The market analysis determined that “growth is largely fueled by the increasing demand for plant-based protein options among health-conscious consumers, including vegans and vegetarians.”

Lastly, hemp clothing continues to experience increased demand around the globe, with market researchers affiliated with Allied Analytics estimating that “the global Hemp Clothing Market Size was valued at $2.29 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $23.02 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 27.1% from 2022 to 2031.”

2024

The Top International Cannabis Stories From 2024

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

This year was one of the biggest years in the history of the cannabis movement for both policy and industry. Below are the best international cannabis stories from 2024 (in no particular order):

German Adult-Use Legalization Enacted

The top international cannabis story from 2024 is the enactment of adult-use cannabis legalization in Germany. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate a personal amount of cannabis plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, people can apply to launch a member-based cultivation association in Germany.

Historic Cannabis Votes In Slovenia

In conjunction with the European elections on June 9th, 2024, Slovenia voted on two consultative cannabis referendums. 66.71% of Slovenian voters approved a measure for the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes, and 51.57% voted for the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use.

South Africa Legalizes Recreational Cannabis

Back in 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling that deemed cannabis prohibition as it pertained to adult individuals to be unconstitutional. This year, after a long delay, South Africa’s president signed a measure to codify the Court’s 2018 decision. Another major news story out of South Africa this year was the certification of the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management. The cannabis education program is the first on the African continent to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education.

Australian Medical Cannabis Sales Quadruple

Medical cannabis sales in Australia have quadrupled during the last two years, with Australians expected to spend an estimated $1 billion on medical cannabis in 2024. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Australia in 2016. Another major news story from Australia this year, albeit for less favorable reasons, was the failed vote on adult-use cannabis legalization.

Uruguay Adds A High-THC Strain To Legal Pharmacy Sales

Legal sales at pharmacies began in Uruguay in the summer of 2017, and consumers could initially choose from two different strains. The two strains are named ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’, each with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels equal to or less than 9%, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels equal to or less than 3%. Then, in 2022, Uruguay permitted a third option, ‘Gamma,’ which has a THC level of equal to or less than 15%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%. Regulators in Uruguay approved a fourth option in 2024 that contains a higher level of THC than the other three options.

Spain Ministry Of Health Publishes Medical Cannabis Royal Decree

The effort to bring Spain’s medical cannabis policies into the modern age passed a major milestone in 2024 with the nation’s Ministry of Health publishing a draft royal decree focused on medical cannabis. Spain is home to one of the largest cannabis communities in Europe and is in desperate need of updated cannabis laws.

Czechia Ministry Of Justice Proposes Legalization

The Ministry of Justice in the Czech Republic issued a proposal in 2024 to allow all adults to be able to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences, in addition to possessing up to 25 grams when away from their residences and up to 50 grams in their homes. Another major story from Czechia was a landmark court decision that found that a cannabis educator, Robert Veverka, was previously wrongly prosecuted for publishing cannabis education content.

Mexico Authorizes Low-THC Hemp Cultivation

Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks authorized the cultivation of low-THC hemp plants (less than 1% THC content) earlier this year. The announcement came in the form of a letter from the regulatory entity to Semillas Endemicas Mexicanna SA de CV.

Japan’s Cannabis Market Expanded Six-Fold

A new cannabis law took effect in Japan in 2024, and market researchers announced this year that Japan’s legal cannabis industry has increased six-fold in recent years. Japan’s new law that took effect in 2024 allows for the importation of certain medical cannabis products, which should further increase the size of Japan’s legal cannabis industry going forward.

Legalization Is Crushing The Unregulated Market In Canada

Health Canada released the results of its 2024 cannabis survey, and one of the main findings of this year’s survey is that only 3% of consumers “reported accessing cannabis through illegal sources,” which is a decrease from a reported 16% back in 2019.

France’s Medical Cannabis Trial Receives Another Extension

Health authorities in France announced this month that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.