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Over 178 Applications Received For German Cannabis Cultivation Associations

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Starting on July 1st, 2024, aspiring cannabis cultivation association operators can apply with their local regulatory authorities to try to open facilities. The nation’s first cannabis cultivation association application was approved in the district of Oldenburg last month.

Cannabis cultivation associations will serve as a major foundational component of Germany’s legalization model for the foreseeable future. Cultivation associations, which are also legally operating in Malta, involve up to 500 members cultivating cannabis to be distributed to association members.

Additionally, cultivation associations can conduct other cannabis activities, such as selling cannabis clones and seeds to home cultivators. Associations, home cultivation, and eventually regional adult-use pilot trials, are the legal channels from which adult consumers can source their cannabis in Germany.

Bureaucratic delays have slowed the process of launching cannabis associations in various parts of Germany, however, the flow of applications is starting to pick up in some regions. The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) provided the following status update in its most recent newsletter (translated from German to English):

  • North Rhine-Westphalia : 32 applications were submitted here by 18 July.
  • Baden-Württemberg : The Freiburg Regional Council had received 38 applications by July 31.
  • Bavaria : By July 29, 16 applications had been received by the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety. The majority of the applications came from smaller towns.
  • Rhineland-Palatinate : Here, 13 applications were submitted to the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Welfare. Here, too, most of the applications came from small towns and villages.
  • Hesse : The Darmstadt Regional Council has received nine applications, including five from small towns and three from large cities.
  • Saxony , Schleswig-Holstein , Hamburg : Seven applications were submitted in each of these federal states.
  • Brandenburg : So far there have been five applications, three of which come from small towns.
  • Thuringia : Four applications were received here.
  • Saxony-Anhalt : The State Office for Consumer Protection is currently processing four applications, three of which are still incomplete.
  • Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania : The Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection has received two applications.
  • Bremen : The first application was submitted to the Senator for Health, Women and Consumer Protection.
  • Saarland : An application has also been submitted here.
  • Lower Saxony: Lower Saxony, of all places, was not mentioned in the PZ article. As reported in the BvCW newsletter, 20 applications were counted there and the first (at least) three were approved.

“In Berlin, the situation is more complicated: the responsibility for processing the applications has not yet been clarified. The district administrations accept the applications, but do not process them until a jurisdictional regulation is in place. This delay is causing dissatisfaction among the clubs, as they are already bearing rental costs without their applications being processed.” BvCW stated about efforts in Germany’s largest city.

In a recent nationwide survey conducted in Germany by Pronova BKK, 44% of self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers indicated that they plan to join one of the country’s cannabis cultivation associations once they launch in their area. Another 27% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also indicated that they plan to join an association.

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Dutch Cannabis Pilot Trial Could Be Extended

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are an interesting public policy experiment. The trials are permitted under EU law and are designed to help policymakers and regulators gather information to study and analyze to be better suited when crafting national cannabis industry policies and regulations.

Under the regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trial model a limited number of cannabis producers and retail outlets are permitted to conduct cannabis commerce activity. Additionally, adult consumers can register for the trials to source cannabis legally.

Pilot trials are currently operating in Switzerland and the Netherlands, and are expected to launch in Germany by the end of the year as part of ‘pillar 2’ of Germany’s advancing recreational legalization model.

The pilot trials in the Netherlands launched earlier this summer, and currently, ten municipalities are part of the public policy research experiment. Unfortunately, cannabis producers are reportedly struggling to meet quality standard requirements for the program, and that, in turn, could yield an extension of the pilot trials. Per excerpts from The Mayor:

Five of the licensed growers are only scheduled to begin deliveries in the first half of 2025. The intention is that the growers supply at least 570 kilograms of weed and 160 kilograms of hash per week.

Given that the growers have been unable to meet the required standards, this may mean extending the pilot phase and therefore delaying the next phase of the cannabis legalization plan in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has long served as a top international cannabis tourism destination, and while the pilot trials are reserved for Dutch residents, many cannabis advocates have hoped that successful pilot trials would quickly lead to more comprehensive reform. It appears that advocates will have to wait a bit longer.

As was learned via Germany’s push for adult-use legalization, the European Union limits what cannabis reform measures can be implemented among its member nations. Widespread legal adult-use cannabis commerce, such as what is in place in Canada, remains prohibited by the European Union until EU agreements are modernized.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adults to cultivate, possess, and consume in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, as well as in Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa. Court decisions in several other nations also afford some level of legal protection to adult cannabis consumers, although the court decisions in those nations do not provide the same level of codified protections as in the previously mentioned countries where adult-use legalization measures were adopted and implemented.

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German Medical Cannabis Imports Rose 51% In The Last Year

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Germany’s legal medical cannabis industry was already the largest in Europe before the first provisions of adult-use legalization took effect on April 1st, 2024, and thanks to the recent removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List, the nation’s medical cannabis industry is set to surge.

Still, Germany imports a considerable amount of medical cannabis products from other countries, particularly from Canada. According to a recent social media post by international cannabis expert Alfredo Pascual, medical cannabis imports have increased significantly over the last year:

In 2023, Germany imported 31,398 kilograms of medical cannabis products according to data from Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), a 26.2% increase compared to the prior year. In 2022 Germany imported 24,876 kilograms, compared to 20,771 kilograms in 2021, 11,746 kilograms in 2020, and 8,057 kilograms in 2019.

Roughly 50% of imported cannabis to Germany in 2023 originated from Canada compared to 40% the previous year. In the first half of 2024, 56% of medical cannabis product imports to Germany originated from Canada.

Starting in 2017, Germany legalized the use of 14 different varieties of cannabis flower for patients with severe debilitating diseases and no other treatment options. The legal medical cannabis products have been distributed through German pharmacies ever since. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that Germany allowed medical cannabis to be produced domestically, with the European nation’s medical cannabis industry initially relying solely on medical cannabis imports.

Three companies were chosen in 2019 to produce medical cannabis within Germany. The companies were capped at 10,400 kilograms of product production over the course of a four-year span. With the new CanG law taking effect, that quota system has since gone away. More companies can now apply to cultivate medical cannabis within Germany’s borders, and that will presumably impact Germany’s medical cannabis imports.

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Canadian Patients Turning To Cannabis To Treat Chronic Skin Condition

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic autoinflammatory skin condition that results in the suffering patient developing painful bumps or boils, tunnels, and abscesses under their skin. The condition is often referred to as ‘acne inversa.’

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa. Common treatments include using skin care products such as antiperspirants, antiseptic washes, and retinoids. In severe cases, pain management therapies and medications are also incorporated.

A team of researchers in Canada recently conducted a scientific literature review and found that a growing number of suffering hidradenitis suppurativa patients are turning to medical cannabis products to treat their condition. Below is more information about the review and its findings via a new release from NORML:

Vancouver, Canada: Patients diagnosed with the skin condition Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS aka acne inversa) frequently consume cannabis products and report that they improve their quality of life, according to a literature review published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. HS is a chronic skin condition characterized by the reoccurring formation of small painful lumps under the skin, typically in the armpit and groin.

Researchers affiliated with the University of British Columbia and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota reviewed data from six studies, encompassing 34,435 patients.

They reported, “Findings show higher cannabis use among HS patients, demonstrating efficacy in pain management, sleep, anxiety relief, itch relief, and improved quality of life.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabis may play a role in analgesia, improved quality of life, pain, itch, and overall mental health in patients with HS and healthcare providers including dermatologists should increase their familiarity in appropriate use of cannabis-related products. … Efforts to reduce the stigma of utilizing cannabis-related products for medical purposes, education, and open discussion about the harms of illicit substances with patients are highly encouraged.”

Full text of the study, “Evaluation of cannabis-related product use among patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A narrative review,” appears in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.

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Colombia Is Set To Become A Top International Source For Legal Cannabis

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Few regions in the world, if any, are as well-positioned as Colombia to sustainably produce mass amounts of raw cannabis material at an affordable price. The South American nation’s climate and geographical location are ideal for cultivating cannabis under the sun and in greenhouses on a very large scale.

Located along the equator, the duration of daily sunlight in Colombia is roughly 12 hours every day of the year, which is perfect for ‘flowering’ cannabis plants. In other regions of the world, including North America and Europe, cannabis can only be cultivated outdoors during warmer seasons.

Additionally, Colombia is located in the Andes Mountain range and has an average altitude of roughly 2,600 meters. Cannabis cultivated at higher altitudes requires less pest control than cannabis cultivated at lower altitudes.

Due to those factors and other factors, quality cannabis can be cultivated in Colombia for as cheap as $.06 per gram of dried flower – a fraction of what it costs to produce dried cannabis flower in North America and Europe, which can be as much as $2 per gram of dried flower.

Colombia has major cannabis production advantages over other regions that simply cannot be replicated, and the legal international cannabis business community is taking notice. Large companies are relocating their production facilities to Colombia and/or teaming up with domestic producers at an ever-increasing rate.

The opportunities in Colombia and the surrounding region are substantial, but getting in on the ground floor in a meaningful way can be tricky. It requires proper due diligence and networking with the right people at the right place and time.

A great opportunity for entrepreneurs, investors, and other industry members to learn more about Colombia’s emerging legal cannabis industry is coming up in Medellín, Colombia at the 2024 Cannaworld Congress where policy experts and industry leaders from the region and around the world will converge.

The 4th installment of the Cannaworld Congress, which is taking place on November 12th and 13th, 2024 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellín, will focus on medical cannabis policy, industrial hemp, and the emerging global industry.

Another great opportunity is the 7th installment of the EXPOMEDEWEED conference, which is taking place alongside the Cannaworld Congress from November 11th to 13th at the Intercontinental Hotel. EXPOMEDEWEED is the largest international cannabis industry event focused on the Latin and South American regions.

According to ProColombia, a government agency in charge of promoting nontraditional Colombian trade, the value of medical cannabis exports from Colombia was $10.8 million in 2023, which was an 11.3% increase over 2022, and a 96% increase from 2021.

Per Statista, Colombia’s legal cannabis industry is expected to increase to a value of $64.59 million by the end of this year, and “revenue is anticipated to experience a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 2.09%, leading to a market volume of US$71.64m by 2029.”

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German Cannabis Legalization Is Here To Stay

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

With a population of over 83 million people, Germany is currently the largest country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. The first provisions of Germany’s historic CanG legalization law took effect on April 1st, 2024, with adults 18 years old and older now permitted to cultivate, possess, and consume recreational cannabis.

Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the implementation of the new law. Leading up to the legalization implementation date in Germany, the nation’s conservative opposition vowed to overturn the policy change if/when they gained control of Germany’s government.

“In our view, drugs policy, particularly with respect to protecting young people, is an issue of such central significance that we will revoke the legalization of cannabis in the event we take power,” lawmaker Thorsten Frei previously stated at the time. “In any possible coalition talks, [the rolling back of the legislation] will be a firm standpoint for us.”

“It’s an illusion that the law allowing cultivation for personal use will drain the black market. It’s not the case that every consumer will grow their own or join a so-called social club,” he also said.

Cannabis opponents like Thorsten Frei, who continue to spread prohibitionist talking points in Germany, seem to completely disregard the fact that Germany already had a public policy approach like the one that opponents are demanding, and that approach to cannabis public policy failed miserably.

Under prohibition, the unregulated market had 100% control of the domestic cannabis industry, which is why calls to return to it under the premise that ‘legalization does not completely eliminate the unregulated market’ is disingenuous at best. That point is not lost on Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach:

“⁦@_FriedrichMerz wants #Cannabis to return to the monopoly on supply for the black market. He rejects legal alternatives, such as the Mocro Clan. Voters are being taken for fools when people say: if there is a ban, no one will smoke weed anymore. We had a ban, but it never helped” stated Karl Lauterbach in a recent social media post (translated from German to English).

Whether cannabis opponents in Germany like it or not, legalization in Germany is already showing signs of working. Personal cannabis cultivation is already proving to be very popular with adult consumers in Germany, as reflected by a recent YouGov poll which found that 7% of poll participants indicated that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds since legalization took effect. Commercial sales of cannabis clones and seeds were legalized in Germany as part of the nation’s new cannabis law (CanG).

In addition to the 7% of poll participants indicating that they had already purchased cannabis clones or seeds, another 11% of poll participants responded that they plan to purchase cannabis clones or seeds in the future. That increased rate of home cultivation in Germany directly combats the unregulated market.

Another major component of Germany’s legalization model involves permitting adults to join cultivation associations from which to legally source their cannabis. Starting last month, regulators in Germany began accepting applications for cultivation associations.

In a recent nationwide survey conducted in Germany by Pronova BKK, 44% of self-reported ‘regular’ cannabis consumers indicated that they plan to join one of the country’s cultivation associations once they launch in their area. Another 27% of ‘occasional’ cannabis consumers also indicated that they plan to join an association.

Much like the rise in home cultivation, associations will further erode Germany’s unregulated cannabis market. The eventual launch of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs later this year will also further combat Germany’s unregulated market.

The unregulated cannabis market in Germany will never be 100% eliminated, just as the unregulated market for tobacco and alcohol products will never be completely eliminated. However, that is not to say that cannabis policy modernization efforts are not worth it.

According to a 2021 report from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany should save 1.05 billion euros annually by no longer enforcing cannabis prohibition, in addition to judiciary savings of 313 million euros per year. Whether someone consumes cannabis or not, they should realize that cannabis prohibition is a colossal waste of limited public resources, and a more sensible approach to cannabis policy is the right move.

Cannabis opponents in Germany seem to be predicting a potential legalization ‘buyer’s remorse’ on the horizon, but if Germany is like other jurisdictions that have legalized recreational cannabis, the prediction by cannabis opponents will not materialize.

According to a recent poll conducted by Research Co., a strong majority of Canadians (54%) were still in favor of legalization five years after the nation’s policy change. In the United States, youth cannabis consumption rates have plummeted in the last decade as more jurisdictions have modernized their cannabis policies to permit regulated sales.

By every measure, legalization is superior to prohibition, and most German citizens will no doubt recognize that fact as time goes on.

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Legal Global Cannabis Products Are Becoming More Diverse

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

As the legal cannabis industry continues to expand to nearly every corner of the planet, the variety of products available to medical cannabis patients is also expanding. Raw medical cannabis flower is still popular in many jurisdictions, however, patient demand and regulatory parameters are driving product innovation, particularly at the international level.

A great example of that can be found in Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom where multi-country operator SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals recently introduced its proprietary Mint Oral Solutions product line.

“The new line includes single-strain oils infused with peppermint terpene mixes in various dosage forms, from CBD-dominant to balanced and high-THC. The mint line is the first introduction to improve patients’ compliance and treatment adherence, combining purified extracts and a subtle aromatic mint taste.” SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals stated about its new product line.

“Cannabis patients prioritize the products’ performance, smell, and taste,” said Michael Sassano, the founder and interim CEO of SOMAI Pharmaceuticals. “So as we prioritize improving patient experience, mint is an excellent starting experience as a popular blend with calming and therapeutic effects, as well as a pleasant subtle taste.”

Currently, the international cannabis industry is a patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations. As such, each market has its own nuances and limitations regarding which types of products can be sold. That, in turn, results in the introduction of new products as entrepreneurs and innovators come up with fresh ideas for products to meet evolving demand.

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. The spread of global medical cannabis policy reform is being matched by a rise in the worldwide industry’s market potential.

For example, the global cannabis pharmaceuticals sector alone is projected to reach $102.4 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 53.3% from 2024 to 2030, according to a recent analysis by Research and Markets.

“In 2023, Europe dominated the overall market with a revenue share of 41.9% owing to increasing cannabis consumption, as well as rising awareness and positive attitude towards cannabis and its products.” stated Research and Markets in its analysis.

A separate global CBD market analysis conducted by Grand View Research found that the global CBD market was worth $7.7 billion in 2023, and estimates that the market will grow by 15.8% from 2024 to 2030.

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Cannabis-Infused Tea Mitigates Fibromyalgia Pain In Italian Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The cannabis plant is arguably the most dynamic plant on earth, possessing tremendous wellness benefits for suffering patients. Researchers are slowly but surely unlocking the cannabis plant’s full potential, including which delivery methods are best for certain conditions.

One form of cannabis consumption involves drinking it via cannabis-infused tea preparations. Many patients prefer cannabis-infused tea when available because it is a smoke-less cannabis delivery method.

Researchers in Italy recently conducted a clinical trial involving cannabis and fibromyalgia patients. Patients reported decreases in pain after consuming cannabis-infused tea. Below is more information about the trial and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Potenza, Italy: The daily consumption of cannabis-infused tea is associated with decreased pain and improved quality of life in fibromyalgia (FM) patients, according to clinical trial data published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Italian scientists assessed the efficacy of cannabis flower (22 percent THC | 1 percent CBD) steeped in tea in a cohort of 30 patients with refractory FM. Patients consumed the infused tea daily for six months.

Patients’ median pain ratings fell from 8 (on a numerical scale of 1 to 10) to 4 during the trial. Study participants also reported improvements in physical and mental health. None of the patients who completed the trial reported any adverse side effects from cannabis.

The study’s authors concluded: “Cannabinoids may represent an effective alternative to conventional pharmacological therapy for reducing pain and mind disorders in FM subjects. Further investigations like randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to corroborate these findings.”

Fibromyalgia patients frequently self-report using cannabis to successfully manage symptoms of the disorder. Observational data published last year reported that FM patients who consume medical cannabis preparations reduce their need for prescription opioids.

Full text of the study, “Is a low dose of cannabis effective for treating pain related to fibromyalgia? A pilot study and systematic review,” appears in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Additional information on cannabis and fibromyalgia is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

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Medical Cannabis Mitigates Symptoms Of Autism In Israel Clinical Trial

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

International researchers estimate that roughly 1 out of every 100 children has autism. Autism is often characterized by the patient experiencing some degree of difficulty with social interactions and communication, as well as difficulty with transitioning from one activity to another, focusing, and unusual reactions to sensations.

It is still largely unknown what causes autism. People diagnosed with autism battle the condition for their whole lives, although various treatments and therapies can help with the development, health, well-being, and quality of life of autistic people.

Health experts in Israel recently conducted a clinical trial involving medical cannabis therapies and autistic trial participants. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

Haifa, Israel: Preparations of CBD-rich cannabis reduce anxiety and other autistic symptoms in children, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Israeli scientists assessed the efficacy of CBD-dominant cannabis extracts in a cohort of 65 children (ages 5-12 years) with autism. Study participants consumed customized doses of cannabis extracts for six months.

Researchers reported: “We observed significant differences in the autistic children’s overall anxiety and in some anxiety subtypes. Significant improvements were observed in RRBI [restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests], including the total score, and specifically in compulsive, ritualistic, and sameness behaviors.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Our study suggests positive implications for CBD-rich cannabis treatment in alleviating anxiety and RRBI symptoms in autistic children. … We strongly recommend further double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using standardized assessments to validate these findings.”

The findings are consistent with those of numerous other studies showing that cannabinoid treatment provides symptom improvements in children with autism. Observational studies have also shown that the use of cannabis can provide benefits to adults with autism.

Full text of the study, “Effects of medical cannabis treatment for autistic children on anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests: An open-label study,” appears in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Additional information on cannabinoids and ASD is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.