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Germany Releases More Cannabis Legalization Details

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Germany’s long-awaited cannabis legalization measure is expected to be formally submitted to the cabinet next month, however, new details about the current version of the adult-use legalization measure were recently unveiled, providing further insight into what cannabis policy observers inside and outside of Germany can expect from the European nation’s cannabis policy modernization efforts.

For roughly the last two months an adult-use legalization measure has worked its way through the administrative review process in Germany, and many high-level details were released to the public via a press conference led by German Health Karl Lauterbach back in April.

The public learned in April that there would be a legal age set at 18 years old, that there would be a possession limit of 25 grams, and there would be a cultivation limit of 3 plants. Additionally, noncommercial cannabis clubs would be permitted as part of the proposal, and eventually, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs would be launched.

The new proposal seems to have evolved a bit, as recapped in a Twitter thread by VOC Nederland:

Noncommercial cannabis clubs cannot be located within 200 meters of a school, and the number of clubs will be capped at one club for every 6,000 residents according to the recently unveiled proposal.

Cannabis club permits will be valid for up to seven years, and members will be required to remain with the club they join for at least two months before they move their membership to a different club (members can only join one club at a time).

Provisions relating to regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs, which will serve as the ‘second phase’ of German legalization, are expected to be released ‘in the second half of 2023.’

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How Does Luxembourg’s Cannabis Law Compare To Germany’s Proposal?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Last week, Luxembourg’s Parliament approved a measure that legalizes cannabis possession and cultivation for adults. Unlike previous countries that have passed legalization measures (Uruguay, Canada, and Malta), Luxembourg’s legalization model does not include a commercial component, at least not initially.

Instead, what lawmakers passed by a 38-22 vote a handful of days ago removed criminal penalties for adults (18 and over) for the possession of up to 3 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of up to 4 plants in a private residence.

By global legalization standards, Luxembourg’s legalization model is clearly limited. Probably the best comparator out there is when the State of Vermont passed a legalization measure in the United States back in 2018.

Vermont, which was the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis via legislative action versus citizen initiative, initially only legalized the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis and the cultivation of up to two plants back in 2018. Commercial sales were still prohibited, although the law would eventually change to permit adult-use sales.

Compared to Uruguay and Canada, which both permit national adult-use sales and considerably greater possession limits, Luxembourg’s new law seems tame. The same is true when comparing Luxembourg’s model to Malta’s model. Malta previously held the time of the most-limited national legalization model with a possession limit of 7 grams and four plants, although Malta’s model at least provides for non-commercial cannabis clubs.

The big metaphorical elephant in the European continent cannabis policy room is, of course, Germany, where a legalization measure has worked its way through the process over the course of the last two years. A measure is expected to officially be submitted to the cabinet for consideration by mid-August.

Compared to what Luxembourg just passed, Germany’s legalization model as currently proposed would be considerably more robust being that it permits cannabis clubs. Below are some of the provisions being considered in Germany pertaining to cannabis clubs:

  • All club properties where cannabis is cultivated and/or stored have to be tightly secured
  • Every club has to have a ‘trained addiction and prevention officer’
  • Must comply with residue limits for pesticides and fertilizers
  • Must track cannabis from seed
  • Annual reporting of crop amounts, including cannabinoid percentage (THC and CBD)
  • Club members only
  • 50 grams per month limit for over 21 years old
  • 30 grams per month limit for 18-20 years old
  • THC percentage cap for 18-20 years old (ten percent THC)
  • Neutral packaging
  • Labeled with specific harvest information

Those provisions are in addition to personal possession (25 grams) and cultivation limits (3 plants), as well as the eventual launch of regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs.

Luxembourg’s new law is definitely better for personal consumers compared to outright prohibition but with such a low possession limit and no legal way to obtain cannabis beyond gifting or personal cultivation, problems are all but guaranteed to arise.

Under the new law, buying and possessing more than three grams of cannabis in Luxembourg is punishable by a prison sentence of up to six months. Even a novice cannabis cultivator can yield harvests that are far more than 3 grams per plant. At a four-plant cultivation limit, a 3-gram possession limit seems completely illogical.

Hopefully, now that some of the stigma has subsided, Luxembourg will work to improve its law, especially considering that legalization is looming large across the border with Germany. Luxembourg needs to do much better than the current law, otherwise, the nation will see just how large of an economic opportunity cost there really is once Germany legalizes and at the possible expense of some of its own citizens’ freedom.

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German Cannabis Legalization Bill Expected To Be In Cabinet By August

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

As Germany continues its high-profile quest to become the largest nation so far to pass a comprehensive, nationwide adult-use legalization bill, it is being reported that there is finally an estimated cabinet time-of-arrival for such a measure. A legalization measure is expected to be officially submitted to Germany’s cabinet by mid-August.

The announcement of an ETA for the measure comes after roughly two years of lawmakers in Germany haggling and negotiating over what the measure should include, with much of the discussion occurring behind closed doors.

The European Union’s mandatory inclusion in domestic German cannabis policy discussions increased the number of hurdles involved, and with it, increased the duration of the legalization process. However, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be growing brighter.

At this point, it seems like a lifetime ago when the current governing coalition was elected in Germany back in the summer of 2021, mere weeks after a historic cannabis policy discussion was held at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin.

At the 2021 conference in Berlin, German lawmakers discussed their intent to legalize cannabis in detail if/when the election results were favorable. As we now know, the election results did indeed prove to be favorable for legalization.

The next major milestone came in October 2022 when Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented his initial plan for German legalization, a plan that would later evolve after a series of meetings and discussions between the European Union and Minister Lauterbach.

The evolved plan would eventually be provided by Minister Lauterbach to German lawmakers earlier this year, and it has worked its way around closed political circles ever since. Although, the following provisions have surfaced:

  • All club properties where cannabis is cultivated and/or stored have to be tightly secured
  • Every club has to have a ‘trained addiction and prevention officer’
  • Must comply with residue limits for pesticides and fertilizers
  • Must track cannabis from seed
  • Annual reporting of crop amounts, including cannabinoid percentage (THC and CBD)
  • Club members only
  • 50 grams per month limit for over 21 years old
  • 30 grams per month limit for 18-20 years old
  • THC percentage cap for 18-20 years old (ten percent THC)
  • Neutral packaging
  • Labeled with specific harvest information

Much of what was leaked and reported on in Germany seems to surround noncommercial cannabis clubs, which will be strictly regulated and purely “cultivation associations.” According to domestic reporting, no cannabis can be consumed “within the clubs and within a radius of 250 meters.”

In addition to club provisions, items pertaining to individuals are also reportedly included in the current draft. Consumption is prohibited “within a radius of 250 meters from schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, youth facilities or sports facilities.” Also, consumption “should also not be permitted in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.”

Consumers will be limited to one club membership at a time and permitted to cultivate up to 3 plants. Pharmacies are not allowed to cultivate or sell adult-use cannabis under the current plan, and medical cannabis “is to be removed from the scope of the Narcotics Act.”

In fact, medical cannabis reportedly has its own separate chapter in the latest draft law, which will hopefully provide a boost in safe access for patients, as well as help streamline cannabis research project approvals.

With all of that being said, until a final measure is officially adopted, nothing is ever a sure thing in Germany, and it is vital that advocates inside and outside of elected circles keep up the pressure to help ensure that laws and regulations are as sensible as possible and that whatever is adopted is seen as being a step in the right direction rather than a final destination.

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Cannabinoid Combination Reduces Tic Frequency For Tourette Syndrome Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

It is estimated that as many as one percent of people globally suffer from Tourette Syndrome to some level, although many cases go undiagnosed around the world for various reasons. Tourette Syndrome is a nervous system disorder that involves the patient making repetitive movements and/or unwanted sounds.

Most cases of Tourette’s Syndrome start when the patient is a child, with some cases getting worse as the individual ages. Typical treatments for Tourette Syndrome include pharmaceutical medications and/or psychological therapies.

Cannabis is another form of treatment for Tourette Syndrome, albeit an emerging form of treatment that is not as common. A recent study in Australia found cannabis to be effective in some cases. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Queensland, Australia: The consumption of plant-derived cannabinoid extracts reduces tic frequency and severity in patients with Tourette Syndrome (TS), according to placebo-controlled clinical trial data published in an imprint of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Australian investigators compared the use of cannabinoid extracts versus placebo in a cohort of patients with severe TS. Extracts contained 5 mgs of THC and 5 mgs of CBD. Doses were escalated over time to 20 mgs of THC and CBD daily. Patients underwent a six-week course of treatment.

Researchers reported: “An oral 1:1 THC:CBD formulation titrated upward over 6 weeks up to a daily dose of 20 mg of THC and 20 mg of CBD led to a significant reduction in tics as measured by the total tic score on the YGTSS [Yale Global Tic Severity Scale], as well as a reduction in obsessive-compulsive symptoms and anxiety, without major adverse effects.”

Adverse events associated with cannabis treatment were reported to be “mild.”

The study’s authors concluded: “This study adds to a small body of literature suggesting that oral 1:1 THC:CBD is an effective treatment for tics and psychiatric comorbidity associated with severe Tourette syndrome. Although the adverse-effect profile was mild in this relatively short study, further work is necessary to identify the longer-term effects of cannabis use in Tourette syndrome, such as the possible development of tolerance to the anti-tic effect. … Larger and longer trials taking the adverse-effect profile of these agents into consideration are warranted.”

Israeli data published last month reported sustained benefits in the management of TS among patients who used cannabis for several years.

Full text of the study, “Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in Tourette Syndrome,” appears in NEJM Evidence. Additional information on cannabinoids and TS is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Fibromyalgia Patients Experience Symptom Improvements, Reduce Prescription Use Following THC Treatment

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Fibromyalgia is a serious health condition creating problems across the globe. It’s a condition that affects people of all ages. It is estimated that as many as one out of every twenty people on the planet suffers from the condition to some degree.

According to Mayo Clinic, “Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues.”

Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for fibromyalgia, however, researchers in Germany have found evidence that THC can be an effective treatment for some patients, and for some, lower their reliance on prescription drugs. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Burghausen, Germany: Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) respond favorably to the administration of oral THC, according to observational data published in the German medical journal Schmerz.

German researchers assessed the efficacy of oral THC capsules (dronabinol) in 62 patients hospitalized with fibromyalgia.

Compared to untreated patients, those consuming oral THC suffered from fewer bouts of depression and experienced “significant improvements” in their quality of life. Patients taking THC were also far more likely than others to either reduce or discontinue their use of pain medications – a finding that is consistent with numerous other studies of patient populations.

Authors concluded: “The results of the present analysis indicate, similar to other studies, that THC could be a medicinal alternative to the substances previously recommended in various guidelines.”

Their conclusions are consistent with those of prior studies finding that FM patients who begin using cannabis products report greater quality of life and reduce their levels of opioid consumption.

Full text of the study, “Tetrahydrocannabinol in patients with fibromyalgia: A retrospective study of changes in pain, psychometric variables, and analgesic consumption during inpatient and interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy,” appears in Schmerz. Additional information on cannabis and FM is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

Futurola Tyson Blunt Cones

Mike Tyson Reunites With Tiger In New TYSON 2.0 x Futurola Partnership Video

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Business.

Mike Tyson, the iconic boxer, entrepreneur, entertainer, cannabis advocate, and co-founder of premium cannabis brand TYSON 2.0., has unveiled an exciting new video standing alongside a tiger, smoking one of his bestselling Futurola x TYSON 2.0 Blunt Cones, sold in 13 countries, as a nod to the brands shared global success.

“We are thrilled with the success of our partnership with Tyson 2.0,” said Patrik Eriksson, Partner of Futurola. “Together, we have created a truly innovative and high-quality product line that has resonated with consumers around the world.”

Each Futurola x TYSON 2.0 Blunt Cone is a masterful blend of tobacco-free, cruelty-free, vegan, blunt paper and terpenes from Tyson’s favorite TYSON 2.0 strain, “The Toad.” Individual blunt cones are rolled with care by skilled artisans, following the most stringent quality-control standards to ensure consistency in the finished result, and each is individually packaged in shatter-resistant glass tubes.

“We are confident that our partnership will continue to be successful in the years to come,” said Eriksson. “We have many exciting new products in the pipeline, and we look forward to sharing them with our customers around the world.”

“Mike Tyson’s passion and dedication are reflected in everything we do at TYSON 2.0. Futurola shares this devotion to excellence, so the commercial made perfect sense,” said Adam Wilks, CEO of TYSON 2.0. “And by revisiting Mike’s iconic relationship with tigers in this video, we symbolize the powerful bond between our brands, TYSON 2.0 and Futurola, and our shared commitment to delivering an undisputed experience customers expect from us.”

About Tyson 2.0
TYSON 2.0 launched in October 2021, founded by cultural icon Mike Tyson and serial entrepreneur Chad Bronstein. Today it is one of the fastest-growing cannabis brands in the United States. TYSON 2.0’s award-winning cannabis line includes choice flower, pure concentrates, and consumables that pack a punch, all renowned for their exceptional quality, consistency, and affordable pricing. Today, TYSON 2.0., a Carma HoldCo brand, has its cannabis, branded accessories, and other products across a vast global network of more than 100,000 retail outlets that span 17 countries.

TYSON 2.0 is available in select U.S. states and Canadian provinces through partnerships with best-in-class cannabis operators so that discerning cannabis enthusiasts can enjoy undisputed cannabis anywhere. To learn more, visit www.tyson20.com or shop TYSON 2.0 merchandise at www.shoptyson20.com.

About Futurola
Since 1996, Futurola has been Amsterdam’s leading rolling papers and smoking equipment brand. Futurola’s roots date back to 1984 when the famous coffee shop, “Future,” opened near Central Station. Today Futurola is widely recognized as Europe’s top brand of hand-crafted rolling papers, machines, and other superior smoke rolling accessories. To learn more about Futurola, visit: www.futurola.com.

Media Inquiries

Brian J. Roberts
Chief Communications Officer, TYSON 2.0.
908-616-7822
360893@email4pr.com

SOURCE TYSON 2.0

This article first appeared at PRNewswire

Berlin International Cannabis Business Conference Registration

International Cannabis Leaders Descend On Berlin

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

Global cannabis leaders are arriving in Berlin this week to attend the International Cannabis Business Conference. The events series’ flagship business-to-business (B2B) event is taking place on June 29th and 30th at the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel.

In addition to the two-day B2B event, which is the largest of its type on the entire European continent, the International Cannabis Business Conference will also host a Global Investment Forum on June 27th at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis industry 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 that believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

“We are extremely excited about this year’s conference in Berlin given how close Germany is to modernizing its cannabis policies. It is going to be extra special for our team to offer world-class cannabis industry and policy education, networking, and entertainment to attendees at such a historic time for Europe’s emerging cannabis industry,” says Alex Rogers, founder of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain an edge on the competition in the emerging international cannabis industry, and it’s vital for people to get their idea, product, or service in front of the right people at the right time. With executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers converging from across the planet in Berlin this week, the B2B trade show event in Berlin is the perfect place for people to put their cannabis ideas on the global cannabis stage. Click here for a full list of B2B conference speakers.

Not all networking opportunities are created equal, and that is particularly true in the cannabis space. International Cannabis Business Conference events are attended by cannabis leaders from dozens of different countries, with the Berlin B2B event serving as the top international cannabis event of its type for 2023. Click here for the event’s full schedule and curriculum.

Cannabis industry opportunities that are popping up in Germany and on the European continent have tremendous profit potential, and the Global Investment Forum is the perfect place for entrepreneurs to try to secure capital to take their pursuits to the next level. It is also an unparalleled opportunity for investors to learn more about pre-vetted investment opportunities and for industry service providers to find reliable and high-end clients.

“We know how hard it is for quality investors to link up with vetted cannabis industry companies offering valuable investment opportunities,” Rogers stated. “That is why we are bringing the Global Investment Forum back to Berlin. It will be a prime networking opportunity for cannabis industry investors, entrepreneurs, and industry service providers alike.”

Sixty-one percent of polled Germans support the controlled sale of adult-use cannabis in licensed stores. It is estimated that legalizing cannabis sales for adult use in Germany would quickly create 27,000 new jobs. Additionally, Germany’s current legalization plan includes removing cannabis from the country’s narcotics law, which will have a significant impact on all sectors of the nation’s emerging cannabis industry.

Thousands of cannabis leaders from dozens of countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers. Attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to take your industry pursuits to the next level.

A limited number of tickets are currently available. Secure your tickets now before the events sell out!

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A Missed Opportunity To Modernize Colombia’s Cannabis Policies

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

In Colombia, all constitutional amendments must undergo a two-year process, and since adult-use legalization requires a constitutional amendment, all such measures must undergo the multi-year process. An adult-use legalization measure sponsored by Rep. Juan Carlos Losada was successfully working its way through that process, however, the measure came up short this month.

Both chambers of Colombia’s Congress previously approved Rep. Losada’s measure last year, but due to the multi-year process, the bill still required a series of successful votes this year.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the legalization measure again last month, but despite a Senate committee approving the measure this year, the bill failed to receive the necessary 54 votes when receiving full floor consideration. Although, it is worth noting that the bill did receive a majority of votes (47-43).

Rep. Juan Carlos Losada made it clear in a tweet after the bill stalled that he will be back to introduce the measure again next month:

The tweet’s text auto-translates to, “We are not going to give up! We remain firm because we are sure that reaching 8th. debate is historic. With @PizarroMariaJo we will once again file the project to regulate the #CannabisDeUsoAdulto market on July 20.”

It’s unfortunate that the measure has to go back to the starting line and undergo, once again, a two-year process. Hopefully, this next time is a success, as there is clearly a significant level of support for Colombia to modernize its cannabis policies.

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Cannabis Safe And Effective In Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder According To UK Study

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Generalized anxiety disorder involves a patient persistently worrying or having anxiety about one or more areas of life, with the worrying or anxiety being out of proportion to the source or event. Generalized anxiety can occur at any age.

Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can include, but are not limited to panic attacks, constant worry, restlessness, and trouble with concentration. Various treatments exist to treat generalized anxiety disorder, with the most common ones being pharmaceutical antidepressants and mood regulators.

A growing number of patients are turning to the cannabis plant for relief, and according to a recent study in the United Kingdom, cannabis products are safe and effective at treating generalized anxiety disorder. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) exhibit sustained improvements in their symptoms following the use of cannabis products, according to data published in the journal Psychopharmacology.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis products (either oils, flower, or a combination of both) in over 300 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. All of the participants possessed a doctor’s authorization to access cannabis products. (Since 2018, specialists have been permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Authors assessed the efficacy of cannabis at one, three, and six months.

Researchers reported improvements in patients’ anxiety, sleep quality, and overall quality of life at each time point assessed.

“Prescription of CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] in those with GAD is associated with clinically significant improvements in anxiety with an acceptable safety profile in a real-world setting,” they concluded.

The findings are consistent with those of other studies documenting both short-term and sustained reductions in anxiety following patients’ use of either cannabis or CBD products.

Prior studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK registry have similarly reported them to be effective and well-tolerated among those suffering from chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, inflammatory bowel disease, and other afflictions.

Full text of the study, “Clinical outcome data of anxiety patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products in the United Kingdom: A cohort study from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in Psychopharmacology.