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Health Canada: Only 3% Of Cannabis Consumers Obtain Products From Illegal Sources

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

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.

Below is a breakdown of the rates of product types reportedly consumed in 2024 in Canada according to the survey results:

  1. Dried flower/leaf (63%; down from 2018 and up from 2023)
  2. Edible cannabis (55%; up from 2018)
  3. Vape pens/cartridges (37%; up from 2018 and 2023)
  4. Oil for oral use (24%; unchanged from 2019)
  5. Beverages (21%; up from 2018)
  6. Hashish/kief (16%; down from 2018)
  7. Topical products (13%; up from 2019)
  8. Concentrates/extracts (e.g., wax, shatter or budder) (13%, down from 2018)

Canada was the second country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure behind Uruguay (2013). Malta (2021), Luxembourg (2023), Germany (2024), and South Africa (2024) have also adopted national recreational cannabis legalization measures.

hemp seed

International Hemp Sector Seeks Science-Based Animal Feed Regulations

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

Members of the global hemp sector are calling for uniform international science-based regulations for animal hemp feed. Hemp-derived animal feeds are increasing in popularity as countries worldwide move to modernize their hemp policies and regulations.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Association of American Feed Controls approved hemp seed meal as feed for laying hens. The regulatory entities set a threshold of 2 parts per million (ppm) of THC and a threshold of 20 ppm for CBD, which hemp sector members in other nations have reportedly taken issue with.

“The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) is concerned regarding the current application from the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) to AAFCO to register hempseed meal as a livestock feed ingredient for laying hens with maximum cannabinoid limits of 2 ppm for total THC and 20 ppm for total CBD.” EIHA stated in an open letter in response to the then-proposed cannabinoid thresholds.

“We believe this feed ingredient definition does not reflect current research on feed-based cannabinoid risk, would needlessly exclude most commercially available hempseed meal, and therefore create a market that would not be commercially viable. We also believe that moving forward with this registration would create precedent that will complicate commercially viable hemp livestock feed ingredient registrations in Europe and other important global markets.” the letter also stated.

Members of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA) also issued their own public letter earlier this year calling for an increase in cannabinoid thresholds.

“While we are optimistic for the new market opportunities, we do have concern that the proposed limits of 2 ppm of total THC and 20 ppm of total CBD are too low when the hempseed meal is
produced from hemp varieties that are commonly grown in North America. The observed variation of these natural constituents after decades of food manufacturing shows that most lots
will not meet these low levels.” members of CHTA stated in their letter.

“We feel that the established limit of 10 ppm for total THC for hempseed-derived food products in Canada is more appropriate in that it will not require separate testing of lots to qualify for feed, an effort in cost and time that the feeding industry will not be prepared to incur.” the letter also stated.

According to original reporting by FeedNavigator, the Federation of International Hemp Organizations is “working to harmonize global hemp regulations” and the organization is “collating the expertise of over 100 hemp professionals” to advocate for “policies that reflect hemp’s agricultural and industrial potential.”

A recent study conducted in China using hemp seed cake (HSC) to feed chickens found that “adding 20% HSC in the feed had a notable effect on the growth, antioxidant and immune capabilities, blood lipid metabolism, and meat performance” of the chickens in the study.

In addition to hemp increasingly being used as a source of animal feed, cannabinoids are also being increasingly used by veterinarians as medicine for suffering pets. For example, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently 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.

According to a recent market analysis by Global Market Insights, the global cannabidiol (CBD) pet market was worth an estimated $693.4 million in 2023. The CBD pet product market is projected to grow at an estimated 18.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.

Market growth will be driven by “growing pet ownership coupled with increasing awareness and acceptance of the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived CBD for pets” the researchers stated.

“The dogs segment is set to lead the market, accounting for the largest revenue of USD 416.1 million in 2023, anticipating its dominance throughout the forecast period with a significant growth rate.” Global Market Insights reported.

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Colombian Review Of Clinical Trials Finds Cannabis Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The use of cannabis-based medications by patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome, including the use of unprocessed cannabis flower, is associated with symptomatic improvements according to a systematic review of clinical trials previously published in the journal Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy.

“There is a need to explore pharmacological options for syndrome (FMS), such as medical cannabis. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize and analyze the available information about the effectiveness/efficacy and safety of cannabis-based products for medical use (CBPMs) and cannabis-based medicines (CBMs), in patients with FMS.” the researchers stated about the goal of the review. The team of researchers conducting the review were affiliated with:

  • Research Group on Pharmaceutical Promotion and Prevention, University of Antioquia, UdeA, AA 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia
  • 2El Dorado Botanical, Independent Researcher and Advisor in Bioinformatics and Precision Medicine, Medellin, Colombia.
  • 3Research Group on Pharmaceutical Care, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

“Interventional or observational studies, systematic reviews and meta-analysis regarding the effectiveness/efficacy and safety of CBPMs and CBMs in patients with FMS were retrieved from the PubMed/Medline database until April 2024. Then, the information was summarized in tables, with the type of CBPM and CBM, the method used in the study and the effective-ness/efficacy and safety outcomes.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic musculoskeletal condition that is estimated to affect as much as 5% of the world’s population. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome compared to men.

“19 publications were selected from the search or form the relevant references. Different CBPM and CBM were used across the studies. Also, different instruments for measuring the effectiveness were used. In general, the use of CBPMs and CBM showed an important improvement in pain, quality of life, and sleep habits. There were no serious adverse events.” researchers stated about the systematic review of clinical trials.

“The results show that CBMPs and CBMs could be effective and safe in patients with FMS; however, the evidence is limited and there is a need for high-quality clinical studies conducted with improved methodological design.” the review authors concluded.

According to a recent market analysis by S&S Insider, the global medical cannabis market was valued at $16.84 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach an estimated $86.04 billion in value by 2032 with CAGR of 19.89% from 2024 to 2032.

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Cannabis Crimes Are Down 68% In Berlin Compared To Last Year

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Cannabis-related crimes in Germany’s capital city were significantly lower for the seven months immediately following partial cannabis legalization compared to the same period last year. Cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption by adults became legal throughout Germany on April 1st, 2024.

“Berlin’s police database recorded 1,685 criminal offences under the Cannabis Act between the beginning of April and the end of October, including illicit trafficking or illicit possession, the agency said in response to questions from local Green Party lawmaker Vasili Franco.” stated Yahoo! News in its reporting.

“By comparison, 5,315 criminal offences were reported in the same period in 2023.” Yahoo! News also reported.

While adult-use cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption are legal in Germany, other cannabis-related activities remain prohibited such as selling unregulated cannabis, public consumption, and operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway while intoxicated. Adults can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis away from their homes.

“Contrary to all the scaremongering, the cannabis law is already showing initial success after just a few months. Decriminalization should mean that cannabis users are no longer unnecessarily prosecuted, criminalized and stigmatized,” said Vasili Franco.

According to a 2021 report from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany will eventually save 1.05 billion euros annually by no longer enforcing cannabis prohibition, in addition to judiciary savings of 313 million euros per year.

The German cannabis market is home to 4-8 million consumers with a total potential market value of between €7.8 billion and €15.6 billion according to data provided by leading economist firm Whitney Economics.

To completely supply German demand, Germany’s cannabis industry would need to produce over 948,000 kg of flower annually according to Whitney Economics.

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German Hospitals Want Greater Medical Cannabis Telemedicine Integration

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

The German Hospital Association (DKG) and the German Society for Telemedicine (DGTelemed) have issued a joint position paper calling for increased medical cannabis telemedicine in German hospitals and doctors’ offices. The Association and Society cite a shortage of specialized workers, especially in rural regions, as one reason greater integration is warranted.

Telemedicine involves patients visiting a doctor over the internet instead of in the doctor’s office, and DKG and DGTelemed indicated in their joint position paper that it is important “to move away from the idea that good care can only be provided at the location.” The position paper was published earlier this month.

“Telemedicine gives doctors access to specialist knowledge and patients access to care close to their homes. This avoids many transfers. This saves valuable resources at both university hospitals and smaller hospitals,” Gernot Marx, Chairman of the Board of DGTelemed, stated according to local reporting by Ärzteblatt.

“Care should also be able to be provided regardless of location if this benefits the patient,” said Gerald Gaß, Chairman of the Board of the DKG, according to the media outlet.

Demand for medical cannabis in Germany is on the rise after the nation adopted adult-use legalization reform earlier this year. 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.

The German cannabis market is home to 4-8 million consumers and patients with a total potential market value of between €7.8 billion and €15.6 billion according to data provided by leading economist firm Whitney Economics.

To completely supply German recreational and medical cannabis demand, Germany’s cannabis industry would need to produce over 948,000 kg of flower annually according to Whitney Economics.

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Brazil’s Medical Cannabis Market Increased By 22% In 2024

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

According to a new market report by Kaya Mind, Brazil’s emerging medical cannabis market is projected to increase by a projected 22% by the end of 2024. The market report estimates that Brazil’s medical cannabis market is worth roughly BRL 832 million ($142 million).

Kaya Mind estimates that Brazil is now home to about 672,000 medical cannabis patients, which is a 50% increase compared to 2023. The market researchers estimate that only one-third of those patients currently make their purchases legally through the nation’s pharmacies and another 22% access medical cannabis products through collectives.

According to leading international cannabis economist Beau Whitney, the overall region’s growing cannabis market is worth a considerable amount of money.

“Central and South America together are an $8 billion total market; however, its low-cost manufacturing and drive towards EU GMP and GAP certifications is making the region an attractive source of supply for the EU.” Whitney stated in a recent newsletter.

Whitney’s analysis was originally provided as part of his presentation at the inaugural Andean Hemp and Cannabis Trade Summit in October where he presented on the Central and South American hemp and cannabis markets.

In addition to the overall market value analysis, Whitney Economics also provided the following market information:

  • Five countries in Central and South America make up 89% of the regional demand
  • Brazil is home to the largest domestic market ($2.5 billion)
  • Total Central and South American market demand requires 6.3 million pounds of cultivated output
  • Peru is an estimated $0.8 – $2.2 billion domestic market
  • Peru’s hemp industry has strong opportunities in fibers, grains, and isolated cannabinoids

Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice recently ruled that cultivating, processing, and selling industrial hemp for medical and pharmaceutical uses is legal in Brazil. The decision will eventually increase options for the nation’s suffering patients.

“While the ruling is a significant victory for the medical cannabis community, Justice Regina Helena Costa emphasized that the court’s decision was limited to health-related applications.” reported Benzinga in its initial coverage of the landmark decision.

Additionally, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently 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.

Veterinarians who are approved by the nation’s Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine may prescribe registered cannabis-based medications to animals. A study from December 2022 conducted by researchers in Brazil found that, at the macro level, cannabis appears to be safe for pets, especially cannabidiol, as long as it’s administered in the right dosage level.

“The review was systematically performed in Medline (via Pubmed®) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) databases, with period restriction (between 1990 and 2021). The qualified articles (n=19), which met the previously established inclusion criteria, were critically evaluated.” stated the researchers about their study.

“Based on the literature review, it is possible to infer safety in the administration of cannabis-based products for the treatment of dogs, especially products rich in cannabidiol (CBD), free or with low concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, under the conditions evaluated. In addition, CBD products potentially promote improved quality of life and reduce pain perception in animals affected by canine osteoarthritis.” the researchers also stated.

“Finally, owing to the lack of large-scale and robust clinical research studies, the performance of clinical trials, considering the individual characteristics of each cannabis-based product (composition, concentration, nature of adjuvants, dosage form, route of administration), is strongly encouraged.” the researchers concluded.

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Cannabis Legalization Would Bring France Nearly €3.4Bn In Taxes And Savings

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

According to the European Union Drugs Agency, France has the highest rate of cannabis consumption on the European continent. Whereas adult-use cannabis policy modernization efforts have spread to Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, and to a lesser extent the Netherlands and Switzerland, recreational cannabis remains illegal in France.

An escalation of violence linked to organized crime in France has led to recent calls by a parliamentary group for the European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use. La France Insoumise (LFI) has criticized the government’s current approach to cannabis policy.

“According to the unveiled “fight plan,” the government’s repressive response is not only insufficient, but it fuels insecurity, pushing citizens and officials into a cycle of violence.” stated Newsweed in its local reporting. “LFI advocates for a comprehensive, community-based approach to combating organized crime in France, including the legalization of cannabis.”

A previous study by an economic advisory board within the nation’s prime minister’s office determined that the French government spends roughly €570m annually on cannabis prohibition enforcement. The study recommended that France adopt adult-use cannabis legalization and launch a regulated recreational industry.

Emmanuelle Auriol, a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics who authored the study’s report and findings, estimated that such a policy change could create as many as 80,000 new jobs, and generate €2.8bn in taxes annually.

France does have a limited operational medical cannabis experimental program. In March 2021, France launched a limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients to gain insight into crafting national medical cannabis policies and regulations.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024. The program is now expected to end in 2025.

According to a recent newsletter sent out by international cannabis economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics, France is home to the largest total addressable cannabis market in the European Union with a value of $11.3 billion (midpoint).

mjbiz con 2024

MJBizCon Comes Back To Las Vegas On December 3-6

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

MJBizCon, the top cannabis industry event in the United States, is coming back to Las Vegas next week on December 3rd-6th, 2024. The event, which is often described as ‘the Super Bowl of Cannabis’ is a must-attend for anyone serious about succeeding in the emerging legal U.S. industry.

Many members of the United States cannabis industry measure their calendar years from MJBizCon to MJBizCon, and rightfully so. In many ways, the event serves as a U.S. cannabis industry family reunion, with people from all over the country converging at MJBizCon to see their friends and colleagues and forge new relationships and partnerships.

Next week’s event is the thirteenth installment of the conference and will be bigger and better than ever. I was personally in attendance at the first-ever MJBizCon back in 2012, with the inaugural MJBizCon being held in Denver, Colorado the day after the state’s voters approved the nation’s first adult-use legalization measure.

I had attended other cannabis events over the years up to that point, but it was readily apparent that something special was beginning at the first MJBizCon event. Since that time, the legal industry in the United States has exploded, experiencing exponential growth across the country and the rise of the legal industry in the U.S. was paralleled by the rise of the now iconic MJBizCon.

79% of people living in the United States now live in a county with at least one regulated cannabis dispensary according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. The Pew Research Center also found the following:

  • 74% of people in the U.S. live in a state where recreational or medical cannabis is legal
  • There are nearly 15,000 cannabis dispensaries in the U.S.
  • California has the most overall dispensaries (3,659)
  • Oklahoma has the most dispensaries per capita (36 dispensaries for every 100,000 residents)

MJBizCon has experienced such tremendous growth over the years, going from hundreds of attendees back in 2012 to tens of thousands in recent years, that the event has long since moved to its current home in Las Vegas, Nevada to accommodate the growing number of attendees and exhibitors. This year’s MJBizCon will feature (including but limited to):

  • Pre-show forums focused on finance and marketing, science and psychedelics, and women’s leadership
  • Expo Hall featuring cultivation products and services, processing, packaging and lab services, retail, and other B2B services
  • 3 full days of informative conference education sessions
  • Over 60 popular networking event opportunities

MJBizCon 2024 is expected to host over 30,000 cannabis entrepreneurs, over 1,400 exhibitors, and over 200 industry speakers.

Members of the International Cannabis Business Conference’s team will be in attendance, and we are encouraging all of our followers in the United States to consider attending MJBizCon 2024 in Las Vegas next week from December 3rd to 6th. You can purchase your tickets at this link here, and make sure to use the special promo code ‘MIPMXAB87’ to receive a special 10% discount!

The emerging legal cannabis industry in the United States is projected to add roughly $112 billion to the nation’s economy in 2024 according to an analysis by MJBiz Daily. The projection is part of the company’s 2024 MJBiz Factbook.

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Czech General Practitioners To Start Prescribing Medical Cannabis In 2025

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Starting on April 1, 2025, general practitioners (GPs) in the Czech Republic will be authorized to prescribe medical cannabis to suffering patients. The policy change is a result of a new decree from the nation’s Ministry of Health.

“The decree allows GPs to prescribe medicinal cannabis for chronic, intractable pain,” Ministry spokesperson Ondřej Jakob said according to local reporting by Prague Morning (translated from Czech to English).

Medical cannabis was first legalized in Czechia in 2013, however, only specialists can currently prescribe it resulting in roughly 8,000 patients receiving legal access.

“If GPs can prescribe opiates such as morphine, it is logical they should also be allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis,” stated Petr Šonka, Chairman of the Association of GPs of the Czech Republic according to Prague Morning.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers from Ukraine and France, and published by the U.S. National Institute of Health, 57 countries have adopted medical cannabis legalization measures.

Per the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), nearly 30% of Czech adults have consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetimes and 11.1% report having consumed cannabis within the last year. The average rate for once-a-year consumption across Europe is 8% according to EMCDDA data.

The Czech Republic’s cabinet recently approved a plan that would permit adults in the European nation to cultivate multiple plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis.

The plan, which would legalize the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants and set a maximum possession limit of 50 grams of cannabis, was originally introduced by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice back in September 2024.

In October 2022, an expert study was commissioned by the Czech Republic Pirate Party and it found that a taxed and regulated cannabis industry would generate “tax revenue from EUR 26.5 million to EUR 73 million per year.”