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French Parliamentary Group Pushes For Cannabis Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

An escalation of violence linked to organized crime in France is leading to 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.”

LFI’s reported position is that cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy and that leaving the nation’s cannabis market to be controlled by organized crime empowers such entities by giving them a source of revenue from which to fund their activities.

The parliamentary group points out that cannabis prohibition has not reduced cannabis consumption in France, nor has it reduced violence associated with organized crime.

Currently, cannabis is prohibited at the federal level in France, although the nation 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. Cannabis producer LaFleur was eventually selected as the cultivator for the program and has supplied participating patients since the launch of the experiment.

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).

“The French government has estimated the number of potential medical patients, if the program expands it could be 320k – 400k patients, whereas the Whitney Economics estimation is 125k – 208k patients.” Whitney stated in his newsletter.

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60% In New Zealand Survey Indicated Cannabis Decreased Their Alcohol Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

A recent survey of more than 23,000 New Zealanders found that 60% of respondents reported that they consumed less alcohol after beginning cannabis use. The survey also found that of people who report using cannabis and other substances, 60% of respondents reported consuming less synthetic cannabinoids, 44% reported using less morphine, and 40% reported using less methamphetamine.

“To explore the co-use of cannabis with alcohol and other drugs within demographic subgroups of a large sample of people who use cannabis. Specifically: (1) whether cannabis is being substituted for other drugs, and (2), whether cannabis use leads to more, less or the same level of other drug use.” the survey’s authors stated about the aim of their research. The findings of the survey were originally published in the Harm Reduction Journal.

“Online convenience survey promoted via Facebook™ completed by 23,500 New Zealand respondents. Those who had used cannabis and any of eight other substances in the same six-month period were asked if their use of cannabis had any impact on their use of each other substance (“a lot more”, “little more”, “no impact/same”, “little less”, “a lot less”). Frequency and quantity used of each other drug was compared by co-use group. Generalised logistic regression models were developed to predict co-use categories.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“Young adults (21–35-years) were more likely to report cannabis use led to “less” drinking and methamphetamine use.” the researchers reported. “Māori were more likely to report cannabis use resulted in “less” alcohol, tobacco, methamphetamine, and LSD use.”

“Cannabis and other drug co-use patterns are moderated by life stages, lifestyles, cultural perspectives, and urbanicity. Harm reduction initiatives and policy reforms should take account of these moderating factors.” the investigators concluded.

The results of the New Zealand survey add to a growing area of research that is finding that cannabis can be an ‘exit drug’ for many consumers. For example, according to data from Health Canada, nearly one-quarter of surveyed Canadians report that they are consuming less alcohol after consuming cannabis.

Separate survey data from the U.S. found that 36 percent of U.S. consumers report consuming less alcohol following state-level cannabis legalization. Polling data previously published by Gallup found that most U.S. adults believe that cannabis use poses fewer risks to health than alcohol. A study conducted in 2015 found that alcohol is 114 times more harmful to humans than cannabis.

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Polish Legislative Committee Takes Step Toward Decriminalizing Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

A legislative committee in Poland recently sent a cannabis reform proposal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for his consideration. Members of the Polish Parliamentary Committee on Petitions moved forward with the proposal which would decriminalize up to 15 grams of cannabis for personal use by adults in addition to decriminalizing home cultivation of one plant.

“Tusk has 30 days to respond to the petition, which is not legally binding as it would be for a formal bill. The petition, or “dezyderat,” is more of a request from the legislative body for action on the issue.” stated Marijuana Moment in its initial coverage.

“The prime minister will be required to provide a written response with details about any steps the administration will take, an explanation if they don’t intend to act on it or a referral to another agency.” the outlet also stated.

“The committee has just finished considering the petition I submitted to the Sejm, together with a bill assuming the decriminalization of possession of up to 15 g and the cultivation of 1 plant for one’s own needs.” stated Polish activist Przemysław Zawadzki about the proposal in a social media post (translated from Polish to English). Zawadzki  is the CEO & co-founder of Freedom Farms SA.

“Everything went basically according to plan and with the support of MP Marcin Józefaciuk – Your MP who, contrary to the suggestion contained in the absurd opinion of the Sejm Expertise Office to reject my project, requested that a desideratum be sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk in this matter and the Commission agreed to this. Thanks also to Łukasz Rydzik for his support on the Commission.” Zawadzki said.

“We are therefore waiting for the position of the Prime Minister, who has recently spoken publicly several times that it is worth ending the punishment for a joint and will not interfere with this, and at the same time we are working on other fronts. This path is one of many because we want to clearly indicate that cannabis users exist and their problem related to the penalization of possession of herb is real and serious.” Zawadzki also stated.

Cannabis is currently legal for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, as well as in Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa. Cannabis is also legal for adult use in roughly half of the states in the U.S. and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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Advocates Urge German Government To Prioritize Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the firing of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, effectively ending the ruling government’s coalition of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lindner’s Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens. The coalition was often referred to as the ‘traffic light coalition.’

Chancellor Scholz also announced that Germany’s Parliament will hold a confidence vote in January which could move the next Bundestag elections to March 2025. The collapse of the traffic light coalition is resulting in industrial hemp industry advocates urging the nation’s lawmakers to ensure that the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act is prioritized.

“Following the upheaval in the federal government, important legislative projects are to be brought through the parliamentary process by the end of the year so that they can come into force before the early elections. The Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) is calling on the federal government and the parties represented in the Bundestag to put the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act (NLG) on the priority list.” stated BvCW in a press release.

The Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act was previously approved by German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir last month and includes the removal of the ‘intoxication clause,’ although the law is not yet finalized and still needs to be approved via the parliamentary process. The measure would also legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp indoors.

“Germany is lagging far behind in Europe and the world in the cultivation, research and use of industrial hemp. We cannot wait another few years . The Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act must therefore be passed by the Bundestag as soon as possible in order to finally give farmers and the industry legal certainty and to make Germany competitive again,” warns Dirk Heitepriem, President of the Cannabis Industry Association.

“We ask the legislator to give this law priority. For many agricultural businesses, processing companies and traders, it is essential that the removal of the intoxication clause is finally finalized and thus the considerable – in some cases livelihood-threatening – economic damage is put to an end. This will quickly strengthen the industrial hemp industry and at the same time reduce bureaucracy, costs and risks,” said Michael Greif, interim managing director of the BvCW.

The push for industrial hemp policy and regulatory modernization in Germany comes at a time when much of Europe is doing the same. Market analysts associated with Research and Markets project that the global industrial hemp market will reach $25.33 billion in value by 2032.

“Industrial hemp has enormous potential for the German economy. From renewable, climate-friendly building materials, in vehicle construction or as a regional alternative protein source for humans and animals. At the same time, it offers agriculture great potential, for example in the regeneration of weak and contaminated soils. That is why we need the law now to simplify the cultivation of industrial hemp, create legal clarifications and thus growth impulses for our economy,” explains Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte, Vice President and Department Coordinator for Industrial Hemp.

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UK Study Finds Cannabis Provides Sustained Improvements In PTSD Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Global researchers estimate that nearly 4% of the planet’s total population suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is one of the most common mental health conditions around the world.

Common treatments for PTSD include different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as pharmaceutical medications. Many of the pharmaceutical medications used to treat PTSD can yield undesirable side effects.

A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom examined medical cannabis therapies and PTSD. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with post-traumatic stress report symptom improvements following their use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

British researchers assessed the use of THC-dominant cannabis flower in 58 patients with post-traumatic stress. (Since 2018, British specialists have been permitted to prescribe either cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes measures at three months and at six months.

Participants, on average, attained a 16.8-point reduction in their symptom severity scores following six months of cannabis treatment. Patients also reported significant enhancements in general health, mood, and sleep quality.

The study’s authors concluded: “Results from this observational study suggest an association between treatment with THC-predominant cannabis flowers and symptomatic improvement for up to six months in a cohort of UK civilians diagnosed with PTSD. The treatment was safe and well tolerated and characterized by marked effects on quality of sleep, general mood, and severity of PTSD-associated symptoms. … However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and outcomes of controlled inhalation of CBMP in patients naïve to cannabis.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, fibromyalgia, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Full text of the study, “Controlled inhalation of tetrahydrocannabinol-predominant cannabis flowers mitigates severity of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and improves quality of sleep and general mood in cannabis-experienced UK civilians: A real-world, observational study,” appears in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Additional information on cannabis and post-traumatic stress is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Parliamentary Report: Cannabis Reform In NSW Is “Only Rational Course”

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A new parliamentary report issued in New South Wales calls for cannabis reform in the Australian state. The 148-page report, which was tabled by the premier and finance committee, called cannabis reform the “only rational course of action.”

“The committee strongly believes that this must not deter the government from pursuing a rational, staged and evidence-based policy that addresses the growing need for legal and regulated cannabis markets,” Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham stated after the report was tabled according to local reporting by Cannabiz.

“The majority of committee members are persuaded that at least initial reforms should be considered by government.” Buckingham also stated.

Currently in New South Wales, cannabis possession without intent to distribute is punishable by up to two years in prison, and ‘gifting’ cannabis is treated as distribution. The tabled parliamentary report recommended that the penalty for possession be reduced to a maximum of three months, or to penalize such activity with only a fine.

Additionally, the report recommended that ‘gifting’ cannabis without consideration should be treated as possession, and that medical cannabis patients should be afforded an affirmative defense when they test positive for THC but do not exhibit signs of intoxication when operating a motor vehicle on public roadways.

In the Australian Capital Territory, where the country’s capital is located, cannabis is already decriminalized and has been since January 2020. Driving while under the influence of cannabis is still prohibited in the territory, as is cannabis commerce and public cannabis consumption.

Cannabis remains prohibited at the federal level in Australia, although medical cannabis is legal in some instances.

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UK Government Announces Reforms To Hemp License Regulations

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

Government officials in the United Kingdom announced this week that regulators are changing hemp licensing regulations in the country. Starting in 2025, hemp license holders in the UK will no longer have to identify a specific area on a farm property where they intend to cultivate hemp. Rather, the farmers can produce hemp anywhere on the licensed farm.

Furthermore, starting in 2026, the maximum period for a hemp production license will be increased from the current 3 years to 6 years. Hemp producers in the UK will also be able to defer the start date of cultivation by up to one year.

“These reforms will bring an important boost to this industry and cut down the unnecessary burdens that have been placed on businesses.” Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Crime and Policing, said. “This government will always listen and engage with industry experts, and we want to make it easier for licence holders to capitalise on the economic potential of legally growing hemp.”

“These improvements to the licensing regime for industrial hemp are a positive step for farmers.” Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said. “Recognising that industrial hemp is a field-grown agricultural crop, these reforms will simplify the license application process and provide greater flexibility within the crop rotation, enabling farmers to fully realise the economic and environmental benefits of the crop.”

In other recent hemp industry news in the United Kingdom, a government-appointed advisory panel, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), recommended that the UK increase the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) allowed in hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%.

“The ACMD is supportive of the proposed change to increase the maximum THC content of industrial hemp grown outdoors for seed production or in order to use the non-controlled parts of the plant to produce fibre for use in the construction and textile industries from 0.2% to 0.3%, as the potential benefits outweigh an increased risk of harms.” the panel stated.

“The ACMD recommends the Home Office to conduct an assessment of the impact of the legislative change after 2 years. The ACMD foresees no issues with applying the lower fee of £580 to a raised level of THC not exceeding 0.3%, to align with other international examples.” the panel also stated.

According to the United Kingdom government, the number of hemp licenses in the UK increased from six licenses in 2013 to 136 in 2023. A first-time hemp license in the United Kingdom costs £580. Hemp producers who apply for subsequent licenses pay £326, or less than £109 per year.

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Cannabis Industry In Central And South America Is Worth An Estimated $8 Billion

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Central and South America have long served as top sources for agricultural crops, and in recent years, the two regions have also emerged as top sources for legal medical cannabis products. According to leading international cannabis economist Beau Whitney, the 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 as part of his presentation:

  • 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

South America will forever be home to the first country on earth to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Lawmakers in Uruguay approved a national recreational cannabis legalization measure in 2013, with legal sales launching in 2017. Legal adult-use sales are limited to residents of Uruguay.

Due to low labor costs and an ideal climate for outdoor cannabis cultivation, cannabis can be produced in Central and South America at a fraction of what it costs to produce in larger emerging cannabis markets, particularly in Europe. As such, legal cannabis from Central and South America will presumably be dominant in the global export market going forward.

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Brazil Approves Medical Cannabis For Animals

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

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.

“Veterinarians may only prescribe these products through special prescriptions from pharmacies, as is already the case with other controlled medications and products, in accordance with current legislation, guaranteeing their strictly therapeutic use.” stated Feedstuffs about the policy change.

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.

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.