International Cannabis Business Conference Blog – Page 32 – International Cannabis Business Conference

First Cannabis Higher Education Course Receives Accreditation In Africa

Written by Johnny Green on December 16, 2024. Posted in Business, Policy.

Earlier this year, South Africa’s president signed a measure legalizing cannabis for private use by adults. With the law’s enactment, South Africa joined Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany in adopting a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure.

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.

Since 2003, Training Force has delivered training to over 3,000 companies and upskilled thousands of workers across South Africa in various sectors.

“This collaboration strengthens our long-standing relationship with Cheeba, and we are excited to extend our footprint in the Eastern Cape, a region deserving of job creation and economic revitalisation.” Daniel Orelowitz, Managing Director of Training Force stated about the collaboration.

Cheeba Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management program is a 120-credit, NQF Level 5 qualification. The program will be offered at the Academy’s
flagship campus in Johannesburg making it easily accessible to students from other African countries and the world. This full-time, in-class experience which includes practical training is
designed to be one of the most unique cannabis learning opportunities in the world. Covering crucial topics such as medical cannabis, cultivation techniques, commercial operations, cannabis business, sustainable farming, futurism, and wellness, the Higher Certificate course equips students for various roles across the entire cannabis sector value chain.

The Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management education program will start in early 2025. Find out more at: www.cheebaafrica.com.

Regulated Cannabis Sales Policy Evolves In The Netherlands

Written by Johnny Green on December 15, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are permitted by European Union law since they are research-based. Pilot trials involve allowing local recreational cannabis sales to help national lawmakers and regulators gather information to be better informed when crafting national policies and regulations.

The Netherlands officially launched its first pilot trials in Breda and Tilburg back in December 2023, and since that time the research projects have expanded to Groningen, Zaanstad, Almere, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Voorne aan Zee, Heerlen, and Maastricht.

Starting in April 2025, all licensed cannabis shops in those jurisdictions will be required to only sell regulated cannabis products. Currently, shops participating in pilot trials can sell a combination of regulated cannabis products and ‘tolerated’ cannabis products.

“All coffee shops in all 10 participating municipalities are allowed to sell regulated products, in addition to tolerated products, to consumers. After almost a year of regulated supply, 70 of the total of 75 participating coffee shops have sold regulated weed and hashish.” the Netherlands government stated in a recent news release (translated from Dutch to English).

“The ‘Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment’ aims to investigate whether a regulated chain of production, distribution and sale of cannabis is possible. A team of researchers under the supervision of an independent Guidance and Evaluation Committee will also investigate the effects of this on public health, crime, safety and nuisance. The results of this research can contribute to decision-making on future cannabis policy in the Netherlands.” the government also stated.

In addition to the Netherlands, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trails are also operating in various jurisdictions in Switzerland, and they are expected to launch in Germany sometime next year.

“The next phase of the experiment is the experimental phase. This phase starts on April 7, 2025. From then on, coffee shops in the 10 participating municipalities may only sell regulated products. This phase will last 4 years in principle. With a definitive date in sight, growers will have clarity about when they can start producing in full. This way, the supply of regulated weed and hash can be further tailored to the demand of coffee shop owners. In addition, the 5th, 6th and 7th growers are also expected to be ready to deliver in April. This will benefit both the choice of coffee shops and the stability of the supply.” the Netherlands government stated about the pilot trials going forward.

Czech Constitutional Court Rules In Favor Of Cannabis Educator In Free Speech Case

Written by Johnny Green on December 15, 2024. Posted in Policy.

This week the Constitutional Court in Czechia ruled in favor of a cannabis magazine and its director, asserting in its ruling that a prior decision by a lower court to convict the journalist and his media outlet violated the country’s free speech laws.

In October 2021, Robert Veverka, a journalist and director of the Czech-based cannabis magazine Legalizace, was targeted over his journalism, with officials accusing him of “inciting and promoting toxicomania.” Legalizace is a bimonthly periodical focused on cannabis and drug policy relating to human rights and environmental issues.

Veverka and his media outlet would later be convicted. Following two court hearings, the district court in Bruntál sentenced Veverka to one year in prison contingent on a two-and-a-half-year probationary period and fined him 50,000 CZK, and after an appeal, the Regional Court in Ostrava upheld the decision, albeit reducing the fine. An appeal to the Highest Court also resulted in an upheld decision.

“The judge mentioned that he is not competent to assess the benefits of the current legislation, the benefits of cannabis products in healthcare, or the negative effects of cannabis use, but that he must base his verdict on the existing legislation which is binding for all. He stated that according to his judgement, Legalizace magazine evidently and factually constituted the criminal offence of inciting and promoting toxicomania.” Veverka stated at the time of the November 2021 verdict in a press release.

“He did not take into account the legislative provisions allowing for cannabis to be handled legally in certain cases or the comprehensive and educational nature of the information published in the magazine. On the contrary, the judge expressed his doubts as to whether the individuals who granted interviews to the magazine were made aware of its content and overall message. Personally, I consider the verdict to be very biased and severely restrictive of the freedom of expression, the right to express political opinion, and the right to information,” Veverka also stated.

As first reported on LinkedIn by fellow Czech journalist and cannabis advocate Lukas Hurt, Robert Veverka later appealed the lower courts’ decisions, and the Czech Republic’s Constitutional Court overturned the lower court’s ruling.

“We didn’t expect much from the Constitutional Court, but Robert had to try – for freedom of speech and for the freedom of our plant. To everyone’s surprise, yesterday, the Court issued a landmark ruling.” Lukas Hurt stated in his social media post.

“Without open and free debate – even on controversial issues such as substance abuse – democracy cannot function effectively…The dissemination of information related to the issue of cannabis use, including criticism of current legal status, is a contribution to the social debate on issues of public interest.” the Constitutional Court stated in its landmark ruling.

Cannabis advocates in Czechia are urging lawmakers to modernize the nation’s cannabis policies. More information about their proposal can be found at: www.racionalniregulace.cz

Two Berlin Districts Want To Launch Cannabis Pilot Trials In 2025

Written by Johnny Green on December 11, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Germany’s approach to cannabis legalization implementation is multi-phased. The first phase of German legalization, often referred to as ‘pillar 1,’ took effect earlier this year. As of April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate and possess a personal amount of cannabis. Additionally, cultivation associations became legal starting on July 1st, 2024.

‘Pillar 2’ of German legalization involves launching regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. Two districts in Berlin, Germany’s largest city, announced plans this week to launch their pilot trials next year.

“The Berlin districts of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Neukölln want to start selling cannabis through several specialist stores next year.” the city announced today on its website. “This is made possible by a pilot project that will be scientifically monitored. Customers who want to buy cannabis must take part in the scientific study and register, the districts announced on Wednesday. They must also be resident in one of the two districts.”

“The sale is organized by a company that buys the cannabis from legal producers in Germany or abroad and sells it on to registered consumers in specialist stores.The two districts, Humboldt University and the Danity Group company signed a letter of intent to this effect on Wednesday.” the city also stated (translated from German to English).

“The application for approval of the project is to be submitted to the relevant federal authority as soon as possible. The sale could begin next summer, it was said.” city officials concluded.

As we previously reported, Germany took a major step forward this week in implementing pilot trials by announcing that the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food will help oversee the nation’s adult-use cannabis research projects, part of which includes pilot trials.

“By passing the Consumer Cannabis Act, the Bundestag has given the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) was given the task of appointing the responsible body for processing research applications on consumer cannabis and industrial hemp. The regulation that has now been issued – the Consumer Cannabis Science Responsibility Regulation – stipulates that the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food will examine corresponding research applications and monitor the approved projects.” the German government stated in a news release (translated from German to English).

“Previously, this task was carried out by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). The BfArM remains the responsible authority for research into medical cannabis.” German officials also stated.

Germany Finalizes Recreational Cannabis Pilot Projects

Written by Hazel Norman on December 11, 2024. Posted in Policy, Science.

A major component of Germany’s adult-use cannabis legalization model involves launching regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. The European nation took a major step forward in implementing pilot trials by announcing that the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food will help oversee the nation’s adult-use cannabis research projects, part of which includes pilot trials.

Germany enacted the first provisions of the CanG legalization law on April 1st, 2024. Adults in Germany are now allowed to cultivate cannabis in their private residences and to possess a personal amount of cannabis in their homes and while away from their residences.

Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults could apply to start a member-based cultivation association in Germany. Personal cultivation, possession, and consumption combined with cultivation associations were part of ‘pillar 1’ of Germany’s CanG law.

“Research on and with consumer cannabis is now possible again, but requires a permit. Applicants must meet the criteria set out in the Consumer Cannabis Act, demonstrate the required expertise and demonstrate an interest in research. Not only universities, but also companies can submit research applications. Research can help to effectively curb the black market, expand health prevention and make the debate more objective.” the German government stated.

While this week’s announcement gets Germany a step closer to launching pilot trials, more steps are necessary before final implementation.

“The regulation pursuant to Section 2 Paragraph 4 of the KCanG regulates the scientific use of cannabis for consumption. Anyone who wants to possess, cultivate, produce, import, export, acquire, receive, hand over, pass on, extract cannabinoids from the cannabis plant or trade in cannabis for consumption for scientific purposes requires a permit from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.” German officials state on a recently published FAQ page.

“This is not the “second pillar” of the key points paper. The “second pillar” should test cannabis specialty stores nationwide in a comprehensive and detailed law. The Federal Ministry of Health is responsible for drafting such a draft law.” the FAQ page also states.

Malta Cannabis Legalization Has Not Led To Increased Consumption Rates

Written by Hazel Norman on December 10, 2024. Posted in Policy.

Malta became the first European country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure back in 2021. According to the results of a recent survey, the policy change has not led to an increased rate of cannabis consumption.

“People who admitted smoking cannabis in the past year account for 4% of the population, a decline from 7% in 2021, a Eurobarometer survey shows.” stated Malta Today in its local reporting.

“The survey shows that 53% of respondents across all EU member states are in favour of regulating cannabis for recreational use.” the outlet also reported.

In addition to Malta, cannabis is legal at a national level in Luxembourg and Germany, as well as in Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa. Each legalized nation has a different model with different provisions and limits. In Malta, cannabis cultivation is permitted by adults (up to 4 plants), as is personal possession of 7 grams when away from home and up to 50 grams at home.

Cultivation associations, often referred to as cannabis clubs, are also permitted in Malta. Adults can become members of a club and legally source their cannabis from them. As of August 2024, roughly 2,000 had joined a registered cannabis club in Malta. According to the nation’s top regulatory chief, legalization in Malta is working.

“The country’s harm reduction approach is working,” ARUC Chairperson Joey Reno Vella stated in a recent interview according to separate reporting by Malta Today.

“Before 2021, before the reform was enacted, you had a reality where studies showed a large section of the population used cannabis, but they had no regulated market from where they could buy it. The cannabis they bought was not cultivated in a safe manner, and so posed more risks. They had to turn to the black market where they did not know what they were buying,” Vella also stated.

Since recreational cannabis legalization took effect in Malta in 2021, a total of 39 people have faced prosecution for consuming cannabis in public spaces according to Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri’s recent testimony to parliament.

International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023 Crowd

Israel Government Offers Co-Financing For Participation At International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2025

Written by Johnny Green on December 9, 2024. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry of Israel has included the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin 2025 as an event for which companies can receive co-financing for the cost of exhibiting or participating.

The grant falls under the Foreign Trade Administration’s “Growth for the World” program, allowing Israeli entities to apply for and reimburse up to 4K euros for expenses related to participation/exhibition at the Berlin conference, which is Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis B2B event.

Applications to participate in the program can be submitted until December 17, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Prospective applicants can apply at this link here. The International Cannabis Business Conference is noted under the ‘Med & Bio’ category in the list of conferences for which companies can receive grants.

The Berlin conference could not be timelier, with Germany’s legal cannabis industry currently undergoing a historic expansion. Starting on April 1st, 2024, cannabis became legal for adults to cultivate, possess, and consume in Germany. Additionally, as of July 1st, 2024, aspiring cultivation association operators can apply with their local regulatory authorities in Germany.

“Europe is by far the most exciting place on the planet for cannabis policy and industry right now. Germany is leading a continental revolution and creating opportunities that we have never witnessed before and may never witness again. Entrepreneurs and investors who get in on the ground floor now could reap the benefits for generations to come.” says Alex Rogers, founder and CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis B2B event series on the planet, with previous conferences occurring in several countries on multiple continents. The event series is owned and operated by cannabis advocates who believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain an edge on the competition in the emerging international cannabis industry, and people need to get their ideas, products, or services in front of the right people at the right time.

With executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers converging from across the planet, the International Cannabis Business Conference B2B trade show event in Berlin is the perfect place to put cannabis ideas on the global cannabis stage.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries are expected to be represented at the conference in Berlin 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. Secure your exhibitor and/or sponsorship slot now before the event sells out.

Alex Rogers Cornelius Maurer The Talman Group Munich Germany 2024

The Talman House Elevates European Cannabis Investment Opportunities At Iconic Munich Event

Written by Johnny Green on December 8, 2024. Posted in Business.

The Talman House hosted an exclusive event on November 8, 2024, at the prestigious Sofitel Munich Bayerpost. Attended by select members, this gathering offered unparalleled access to the latest data and insights on the European cannabis market, bringing together investors, industry leaders, and a diverse range of experts in a distinguished setting. Held in Munich’s historic former Bavarian Royal Post Office, the event facilitated invaluable networking and foresight for Talman House members.

Led by Alex Rogers, CEO of The Talman Group, and Jamie L. Pearson, international consultant for the New Holland Group, the event featured a lineup of pioneering speakers and subject-matter experts who shared insider perspectives on German and European cannabis regulations, trends, and investment opportunities. These sessions focused on strategic insights for the European market, and equipped members with a deeper understanding of this rapidly growing market.

The event opened with Max Narr, a prominent figure in Germany’s cannabis industry, who explored Germany’s transformative regulatory journey. From regulatory shifts to new pilot projects, Narr provided attendees with a unique perspective on the strategic opportunities within Germany’s evolving cannabis landscape.

In addition to Narr, a series of presentations were delivered by leading figures in the cannabis space, including:

Speakers:

Peter Homberg – Partner, Dentons & Head of European Cannabis Group
Kai-Friedrich Niermann – Founder, Kfn+ Law Office
Will Muecke – Co-Founding Managing Member, Artemis Growth Partners
Daniel Kruse – CEO, Synbiotic SE
Emily Fisher – Founder and CEO, Leafwell
David Hyde – Founder, Hyde Advisory & Investments
Dr. Draško Veselinovič – President of The Board, Slovenian Business & Research Association, Brussels, EU
Cornelius Maurer – Economist; Co-Founder and Member of the Board, Demecan
Giadha A. DeCarcer – Principal, Blue Onyx Horizons; Founder, New Frontier Data

Sharks:

George Bellow – Co-Founder, SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals
Sergio Bejar Martinez – Cannabis Industry Pioneer and Entrepreneur
Giadha A. DeCarcer – Principal, Blue Onyx Horizons; Founder, New Frontier Data

Through a rich array of expert presentations, The Talman House underscored its commitment to delivering exclusive, high-impact opportunities that keep members at the forefront of European
cannabis investment. Attendees departed better suited and inspired to take advantage of Europe’s evolving cannabis market.

The next gathering will take place on February 21st, 2025, at the Dolder Grand in Zurich, Switzerland, presenting yet another unique opportunity for members to gain valuable insights, network with industry leaders, and stay ahead in the cannabis investment landscape.

For more information on membership and upcoming events, please visit The Talman Group’s website. Below is a recap video of The Talman House’s Munich event:

UK Study Finds Cannabis Provides Quality Of Life Improvements In Pain Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on December 8, 2024. Posted in Science.

A team of researchers affiliated with several different healthcare and academic institutions in the United Kingdom found that chronic pain patients reported sustained improvements in their symptoms after medical cannabis use. The researchers published their observational data in the journal Pain Practice.

“Chronic pain (CP) affects 35.0%–51.3% of the UK population, with 67%–88% reporting sleep disturbances. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown therapeutic potential in managing CP. Evidence suggests poor sleep worsens pain perception; therefore, this study aimed to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following CBMP treatment in CP patients with and without co-morbid sleep impairment.” the researchers stated about their study.

“The sleep impaired cohort showed improvements in all PROMs at each follow-up (p < 0.010). The sleep unimpaired cohort showed similar results (p < 0.050), except in SQS and ED-5Q-5L: self-care and anxiety/depression scores (p > 0.050). However, the sleep impaired cohort observed greater improvements in BPI pain severity (p < 0.050) and SQS (p < 0.001) than the sleep unimpaired cohort at all follow-ups.” they reported about the results of the study.

“Whilst these results show promise for the effects of CBMPs on CP, they must be examined within the limitations of the study design. These findings provide further evidence to support the design of subsequent randomized controlled trials to verify causality between CBMPs and pain outcomes.” the authors concluded.

Starting in 2018, health specialists in Britain are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to suffering patients unresponsive to conventional medications.

A separate study conducted earlier this year in the United Kingdom found that older patients reported experiencing better general health and well-being following their use of medical cannabis products.

“There were consistent improvements across measures of general health and well-being after three months of treatment. … These findings accord with a growing body of observational and real-world evidence from jurisdictions that have legalized medicinal cannabis that cannabis is effective for improving sleep, mood and quality of health across multiple primary conditions.” the authors of that particular study reported.