Skip to main content
Fibromyalgia pain doctor hospital Fibromyalgia pain doctor hospital

Canadian Cancer Patients Report Decreased Pain, Fewer Opioids After Cannabis Treatment

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Arguably the top place for cannabis research right now is in Canada, largely due to the fact that the nation currently has the best national cannabis laws on the planet. Canada is one of only three countries to have passed a national cannabis legalization measure, with the other two being Uruguay and Malta.

The favorable laws, in turn, make barriers and hurdles to launching and completing research projects less daunting. Canada’s cannabis consumer and patient populations are considerably larger than that of Uruguay and Malta combined, and the North American country is a wealth of cannabis-focused data, including data pertaining to medical cannabis patients and use.

Researchers in Canada recently conducted a study involving cancer patients who completed medical cannabis treatments. What the study participants reported after their medical cannabis treatments is insightful. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Montreal, Canada: Cannabis is associated with sustained reductions in cancer pain and may be safely incorporated in cancer patients’ treatment regimens, according to data published in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.

Canadian researchers affiliated with McGill University assessed the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis in 358 cancer patients. Study participants consumed cannabis as an adjunctive treatment for one year.

Subjects experienced statistically significant decreases in pain within three months. Patients maintained their pain relief throughout the study. Participants who consumed cannabis flower containing nearly equal percentages of THC and CBD experienced greatest relief.

Although some patients reported side-effects from cannabis, most of these episodes were categorized as “non-serious.” Patients were most likely to report experiencing sleepiness or fatigue.

Investigators reported: “We found MC [medical cannabis] to be a safe and effective treatment option to help with cancer pain relief. THC/CBD balanced products appear to perform better as compared with THC-dominant and CBD-dominant products. Furthermore, we observed consistent decreases in medication burden and opioid use in our patient population. Hence, our data suggest a role for MC as a safe and complementary treatment option in patients with cancer failing to reach adequate pain relief through conventional analgesics, such as opioids.”

Dozens of studies document decreases in patients’ consumption of opioids, benzodiazepines, and other prescription medications following their use of cannabis.

Numerous placebo-controlled trials document the ability of either inhaled or vaporized herbal cannabis to significantly mitigate pain in various patient populations, including those suffering from HIV, diabetes, spinal cord injury, or severe treatment-resistant neuropathy (nerve pain). A 2017 review by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that “conclusive or substantial evidence” exists for cannabis’ efficacy in patients suffering from chronic pain, stating, “Patients who [are] treated with cannabis or cannabinoids are more likely to experience a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms.”

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis is effective for cancer-related pain: Quebec Cannabis Registry results,” appears in BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Additional information on cannabis and chronic pain is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

germany flag germany flag

Germany’s Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Plan Is Leaked, Again

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

If you have spent a considerable amount of time in politics then you know that a classic tactic to build public pressure during political negotiations is to leak details to the media. After all, it’s one thing to negotiate a measure out of public view, but often an entirely different matter when the public gets to weigh in.

International cannabis observers already got to see the tactic in action back in October 2022 when an alleged draft of German Minister Karl Lauterbach’s legalization plan was leaked to the media and it resulted in considerable public outcry against certain provisions of the plan. Later in the month when Minister Lauterbach made his historic presentation to Germany’s federal cabinet the plan had evolved for the better, and it’s a safe bet that public outcry had something to do with that.

After Minister Lauterbach’s presentation in October 2022, Minister Lauterbach started lobbying the European Union to try to gain its permission for Germany to proceed with adult-use legalization. Minister Lauterbach eventually held a press conference, joined by other members of Germany’s government, and provided details regarding negotiations with the European Union. As we all now know, some of the provisions of Minister Lauterbach’s initial plan were deemed acceptable by the EU and some were not.

Home cultivation, possession, noncommercial cannabis clubs, and eventually regional adult-use pilot programs were approved according to Minister Lauterbach, however, nationwide adult-use sales will have to wait. For now, policymakers in Germany need to craft laws, rules, and regulations for what is in scope for the first two phases of adult-use legalization. German lawmakers simply stating that noncommercial cannabis clubs are permitted is obviously not enough, and there’s a political process well underway in Germany to hammer out all of the necessary details.

In news that is not at all surprising to me, another leak has occurred in Germany and it is shedding some light as to where domestic negotiations currently stand. 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.” Below are additional provisions included in the draft that was acquired by the German Press Agency:

  • 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

In addition to club provisions, items pertaining to individuals were also reportedly included in the leaked 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.”

Other provisions that were previously known appear to be unchanged in the recently leaked draft, including limiting consumers to one club membership at a time and permitting the cultivation of up to 3 plants. Pharmacies are not allowed to cultivate or sell adult-use cannabis under the leaked 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 draft law, which will hopefully provide a boost in safe access for patients, as well as help streamline cannabis research project approvals.

Some of the previously listed provisions seem to be drawing more outcry than others, however, it’s very important to recognize that the political process is far from over and that what was leaked was merely a draft. If people in Germany are fired up about a particular provision, or multiple provisions, now is the time to contact lawmakers and urge them to push for necessary amendments to the measure.

colombia flag

Colombia Needs To Improve Its Cannabis Export Regulations

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Out of all of the countries on earth, you will be hard-pressed to find a country that is better suited to benefit from international cannabis reform than Colombia, at least from a raw cannabis production standpoint.

It is no secret that for many years Colombia has produced a significant amount of unregulated cannabis, thanks in large part to where the nation is located geographically and Colombia’s climate. Colombia is literally one of the best places on the planet to cultivate cannabis on a large scale, if not the best.

Colombia has a distinct advantage over many other countries when it comes to cannabis production, and that, in turn, makes it a top potential source for legal cannabis internationally. As the South American country tries to transition from an unregulated cannabis industry to a regulated one, a major issue that it needs to address is export regulations.

According to domestic reporting, medical cannabis exporters in Colombia are complaining about lower-than-expected export sales, and they are pointing at government bureaucracy as the reason why the sales are lackluster. Per Bloomberg Linea (translated from Spanish to English):

Sales of medical cannabis products have not met the expectations that companies had in light of issues ranging from delays in registration, permits, banking mechanisms and other regulatory issues, the National Association of Foreign Trade (Analdex) reported on Monday.

Exporters point out that “external sales of cannabis for medical use have been hampered and have been considerably affected.”

Entrepreneurs in the sector occasionally refer to delays in registration with the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (Invima).

In addition, they warn about alleged delays in the processes of the National Narcotics Fund.

If Colombia’s medical cannabis industry is ever going to reach its full potential, the process for obtaining permission from the government to export raw cannabis and cannabis products needs to be overhauled and streamlined.

It is definitely worth noting that not all of Colombia’s export issues are due solely to what is going on within the nation’s borders. International treaties, policies, and enforcement practices also make cannabis exports more difficult in general for any nation, including Colombia. As such, reform is needed at the international level as well.

cbd hemp leaf plant cannabis

Australian Arthritis Patients Report Improvements Following Use Of Plant-Derived CBD

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

According to the Global RA Network, roughly 350 million people around the globe currently suffer from some form of arthritis, making it one of the most common health conditions found around the world.

Arthritis is the number one chronic disease in North America that results in a disability. Women are more likely to develop arthritis than men, and people of any age can be diagnosed with the condition, although it’s more common for older people to be diagnosed.

The cannabis plant has been used to treat arthritis for thousands of years to some degree, and a team of researchers in Australia recently conducted a study that found that CBD was beneficial for arthritis patients. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

Sydney, Australia: Patients suffering from arthritis report decreased pain and improvements in their health-related quality of life following the use of cannabis products containing significant percentages of CBD, according to observational trial data published in the British Journal of Pain.

Australian investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of a variety of plant-derived cannabis products in a cohort of chronic pain patients, approximately one-third of whom suffered from arthritis. (Under Australian law, physicians may only authorize medical cannabis products to patients that have been unresponsive to conventional prescription treatments).

Researchers reported that pain patients were most likely to respond to products containing balanced ratios of THC and CBD. However, over half of the patients with arthritis reported “clinically meaningful improvements” following the use of products containing only CBD.

“Although the CBD-only products did not reach statistical significance in the overall chronic pain cohort, participants with arthritis did report significant improvements in pain intensity and pain impact scores,” authors reported. “With arthritis being an inflammatory condition, the anti-inflammatory actions of CBD may be resulting in improved outcomes in these patients.”

Patients who experienced side-effects from their use of cannabis products were most likely to report dry mouth, drowsiness, and fatigue.

“In this analysis, medicinal cannabis, depending on the ratio of CBD to THC, appeared to be associated with significant improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, social functioning and pain impact scores,” investigators concluded. “Balanced and CBD-only products [were] associated with the highest HRQoL [health-related quality of life] improvements.”

Survey data published last year in the Journal of Cannabis Research similarly reported that arthritis patients typically experience symptom improvements and reduce their use of prescription medications following the use of CBD. The results of a randomized clinical trial published in June in the Journal of Hand Surgery concluded that the administration of a topical formula containing hemp-derived CBD is associated with significant improvements in patients with thumb basal joint arthritis.

Full text of the study, “Medical cannabis for Australian patients with chronic refractory pain including arthritis,” appears in the British Journal of Pain. Additional information on cannabinoids and arthritis is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

euros money currency

The Top European Cannabis Companies In 2023

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Europe’s emerging legal cannabis industry is undergoing a significant evolution right now, which is guaranteed to last through at least the rest of this decade. Several countries are pursuing adult-use cannabis reform, most notably Germany, and the continent’s legalization model is starting to take shape.

Meanwhile, Europe’s medical cannabis industry continues to increase in size and scope, and products low in THC, or focused on other cannabinoids such as CBD, are gaining in popularity and availability. Various industry projections currently exist, however, it’s likely that many of them will prove to be too conservative by the time this decade is over.

The coming years in Europe will yield cannabis companies that will likely serve as titans of the continent’s emerging cannabis industry for decades to come. Below are the top companies to keep an eye on (in no particular order).

Weeco – Weeco is a European multi-country operator focusing on medical cannabis product development. The company produces pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products, conducts cannabis genetics research, and designs product dispensing technology.

Dentons – Dentons Law Firm is one of the leading firms on the entire planet, and while they represent clients from a variety of industries, they also have an area of practice that is dedicated to the emerging cannabis industry.

Canninteligence – CannIntelligence provides independent, in-depth regulatory and market data and intelligence for the global cannabis and cannabinoid sector.

SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals – SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals is a specialist biotechnology company delivering transformative treatments to meet the evolving healthcare needs of medical cannabis patients. The company creates novel treatments that truly engage the power of the cannabis plant to alleviate debilitating chronic conditions.

Fluence – Fluence creates lighting solutions for controlled environment commercial crop production, including cannabis production. Fluence applies the latest research in photobiology, evidence-based design, precise engineering, and advanced technology to foster a healthier and more sustainable cannabis industry.

Little Green Pharma – Little Green Pharma is one of the most recognizable medical cannabis brands in Europe (as well as Australia). The company delivers innovative solutions to world-class operations in both Denmark and Australia.

DEMECAN – DEMECAN is the only independent German company that is permitted to cultivate medicinal cannabis in Germany. The company’s production facility is near Dresden, and the focus of the facility is to ensure the consistently high quality of DEMECAN’s cannabis products.

Weiss Technik – Weiss Technik is a world market leader for environmental simulation systems and a leader in heat technology, climate technology, and pharmaceutical systems.

HAPA Pharm – HAPA Pharm is a German company that operates internationally with a focus on the development, production, and distribution of cannabinoid-containing products.

Cansativa Group – Cansativa is the central platform and partner of the German Cannabis Agency (BfArM). The company helps Germany’s government facilitate medical cannabis transactions.

Cannavigia – Cannavigia is Europe’s pioneer compliance software for businesses to trace, secure, and simplify transactions along the entire cannabis supply network. The company’s proprietary system provides transparency for individual processes, interlinked by modules for the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of goods made of cannabis.

Marry Jane CBD – Marry Jane CBD is a Switzerland-based retailer specializing in CBD products, including flowers, oils, tinctures, cosmetics, and sports gels.

BATHERA – BATHERA is a licensed wholesale medical cannabis company based in Germany. Since 2019, BATHERA has been committed to the responsible trade of medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes and only collaborates with high-quality indoor producers and specialized pharmacies.

Storz and Bickel – Storz and Bickel is the creator of the Volcano, which still ranks as one of the greatest cannabis consumption devices on earth despite being introduced to the world over two decades ago. Storz and Bickel’s products serve as the industry standard for cannabis consumption around the world.

Paradise Seeds – Paradise Seeds was founded by Luc Krol in 1994 in Amsterdam. More than 50 cups have been won by Paradise Seeds in several cannabis cups since 1999, as well as some honorable mentions, such as Plant of the Year 2003 for Sensi Star (High Times magazine).

Boveda – Boveda makes patented two-way humidity control pouches that preserve the rich flavors, delicious aromas, and potent effects of cannabis. The pouches can be stored along with cannabis flower to help extend the cannabis’ shelf life.

420 Pharma – 420 Pharma is a medical cannabis producer in Germany. The company produces its own cannabis brand “420” which includes both flower and full spectrum extracts.

Futurola – Since 1996, Futurola has served as Amsterdam’s leading brand for rolling papers and personal consumption equipment. The company sells products all over the globe, including rolling machines and various other consumption rolling accessories.

CannaMedical – Cannamedical is one of the leading independent licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers in the European Union, specializing in medical cannabis. The company also produces content and the ‘CannaAcademy.’

Huber – Huber is a leading supplier of high-precision temperature control solutions for cannabis research and industry. The company’s products ensure precise temperature control in laboratories and production facilities.

Plagron – Plagron is a reliable producer and global supplier of high-quality substrates, fertilizers, additives, and germination products for both personal and commercial cannabis gardens.

Bedrocan – Bedrocan produces five cannabis products or plant varieties for medicine development, patients, and clinical use. Each cannabis product is standardized according to pharmaceutical standards with a defined active ingredient composition. Every stage of the manufacturing process is GMP-certified (good manufacturing practice).

Tilray – Tilray is a global leader in cannabis research, cultivation, processing, and distribution. The company aspires to lead, legitimize, and define the future of the cannabis industry by building the world’s most trusted cannabis and hemp company. Tilray was the first GMP-certified medical cannabis producer to supply cannabis flower and extract products to tens of thousands of patients, physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, governments, and researchers on five continents.

Sanity Group – Sanity Group, founded in Berlin in 2018 by Finn Age Hänsel and Fabian Friede, includes Vayamed and AVAAY Medical (medicinal cannabis), Endosane Pharmaceuticals (finished pharmaceuticals), Belfry Medical (medical products and digital applications), VAAY (wellbeing) and This Place (natural cosmetics). Near Frankfurt am Main, Sanity Group also operates a production and processing facility for cannabis extracts.

Sensi Seeds – Sensi Seeds pioneered the cannabis seed industry in 1985. Today, the company is the world’s largest cannabis seedbank with over 500 varieties. These genetics and the brand name have become true classics in the cannabis community. Additionally, the Dutch government chose Sensi Seeds genetics to develop the medicinal cannabis supplied by pharmacies.

Canopy Growth – Canopy Growth Corporation is a world-leading diversified cannabis company. Canopy operates a collection of diverse brands and curated strain varieties, supports millions of square feet of indoor greenhouse production capacity, and has partnered with some of the leading names in the sector.

HOMEbox – HOMEbox is the first indoor greenhouse designed in Germany. For over 20 years, customers worldwide have trusted the market leader HOMEbox. With home cultivation legalization on the horizon in Germany, HOMEbox products will likely experience a big spike in demand in the coming years.

Hesi – Hesi is a thriving international company with a global reach including Europe, America, Asia, and South America. The company makes plant aids and soil additives that are mixed, filled, and packed in the company’s production facility in Kerkrade, the Netherlands.

HBI Europe – HBI Europe produces several popular cannabis consumption brands, including RAW, Elements, and Juicy Jay’s, as well as produces various types of scales.

Lux Light – For over 20 years Lux Light International has specialized in the development, production, and marketing of high-valued horticultural lighting solutions. The company product range concentrates on high-quality lamps, complete fixtures, ballasts, and LED modules for the qualitative and economical demands of cannabis cultivation.

Quality Services International (QSI) – QSI is an accredited laboratory with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and experienced, continuously trained specialist staff. The company is certified to carry out GMP analysis of medical cannabis.

Pure Holding AG – Pure Holding AG is among the largest, fully vertically integrated cannabis companies in the European market. It covers the entire value chain of the cannabis industry with its 6 entities – Pure Production, DEOM, Puregene, Pure Pharma, Pure Europe GmbH, and Pure Europe Sàrl.

Canna – Canna produces nutrients and growing media for cannabis plants. The company was founded in the early 1990s, and all its products are scientifically tested before they are launched.

LUX 99 – LUX 99 provides express delivery of medical cannabis products throughout Germany. The 2nd generation, family-owned company also has two pharmacy locations.

Cannovum Cannabis AG – Cannovum is a fully licensed medical cannabis company with the vision that every patient deserves the best therapy.

CannaPortugal Logo

Attend CannaPortugal On May 19th And 20th

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

It is a truly historic era right now for cannabis policy, industry, and research, particularly on the European continent. Adult-use legalization is receiving significant attention in Europe right now, and understandably so. However, there’s currently far more going on with the continent’s emerging legal cannabis industry than just the push to legalize adult-use sales.

Europe’s legal medical cannabis industry continues to make strides at the national level, and ‘cannabis light’ is a sector of the industry that is growing in popularity. Products focused on hemp-derived CBD and lesser-known cannabinoids continue to enter the space as well.

All the while laws are being reformed, rules and regulations are being implemented, and consumer and patient trends continue to evolve. With so much going on in Europe’s cannabis industry, it can be difficult to keep up with the best and most timely information.

The CannaPortugal International Hemp and Cannabis Expo will take place on May 19th and 20th at the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa/Junqueira and we are encouraging people that are serious about the cannabis industry to consider attending. The event will bring hundreds of investors and specialists from more than a dozen countries together in a single space, in addition to featuring exhibitors and celebrities from the cannabis research and economic sectors.

“This is an event with established credits, in Lisbon, which aims to disseminate scientific knowledge, add value and accompany the expansion of the hemp sector, in particular, and cannabis, in general, as well as to reinforce the entire production process, without forgetting the positive impact that cannabis activity has in the field of human rights, quality of life, health, sustainability of the planet and economic development.” event organizers stated in a press release.

CannaPortugal integrates several initiatives, with a view to different professional areas and audiences. In addition to the Fair component of the event, with close to a hundred companies and national and international projects, the Expo integrates a B2B (business to business) program.

Additionally, CannaPortugal will feature professional workshops, to be carried out by specialist trainers in the area of ​​cannabis medicine, including:

  • Dr. Tanja Bagar, Slovenia
  • Dr. Neuza Fernandes, Brazil
  • Dr. Rafael Traldi, Brazil
  • Hugo Monteiro, Portugal
  • Chef Luís Pimenta, Portugal

CannaPortugal will also feature debates and round tables, with renowned national and international speakers, including:

  • Luna Stower, USA
  • Marcelo De Vita Grecco, Brazil
  • Del HendriXson, USA
  • João Taborda Gama, Portugal
  • Peter Homberg, Germany
  • Marcelo Demp, Paraguay
  • Elad Kaspin, Israel-Portugal
  • Maria Lourdes Serpa, USA
  • Giocomo Bulleri, Italy
  • Maren Krings, Germany
  • Sofia Fernandes, Portugal
  • Pedro Anastácio, Portugal
  • Bozidar Radisic, Slovenia
  • Carlos Beltrão, Spain
  • Neuza Fernandes, Brazil
  • Grant M. Saxena, USA
  • André Fajardo, Brazil
  • Eric Boone, USA
  • Francisco Almeida Ferraz, Portugal
  • Mila Jansen, Holand
  • Rita Oliveira, Portugal
  • Maurício Galvão, Brazil
  • Aimée- Aimée A. Drouin, USA
  • Carla Da Silva, Canada

The Expo also includes a wide range of innovative cultural activities, including the Global Cannabis Awards to honor personalities, countries, and projects that have contributed to the advancement of the cannabis industry around the globe.

Also, the event will include the HempAction Cannabis Fashion Show by GreenFits and Neuron Bonus with the participation of Weedog (Brazil) Cannabis Holistic Therapeutic Center. There will also be the Cannabis Art Space, a Media Center for the media and influencers, the Enthronement of the Confraria Internacional Cannabis Portugal, a Car Exhibition with hemp components, a Cannabis Food and Drinks Court, as well as music by Carlota Barros, vocalist of Telefonia.

CannaPortugal will be open on May 19th and 20th from 10am to 8pm. On May 21st, CannaPortugal participants and visitors will be offered a special tour of the capital – “Lisbon Cannabis Historical Tour” – which aims to explore the relationship between Portugal and the traditional cultivation of hemp in the country.

You can find out more about CannaPortugal and purchase tickets at: https://cannaportugal.com

flag of germany

German Officials Circulate Draft Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Bill

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

The push to legalize cannabis for adult use in Germany is far from a new thing. To some extent, activists inside and outside of Germany have fought to end prohibition in Germany since the start of prohibition. However, a major milestone in the nation’s legalization efforts came in mid-2021 when a new governing coalition was elected in Germany.

Members of the new coalition made it clear that they would be pursuing adult-use legalization, and since that time the world has waited on pins and needles waiting for any movement on the formal introduction of a measure.

In October 2022, Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach provided an update to the federal cabinet, followed by a press conference earlier this year providing yet another update. Both times Minister Lauterbach hinted at the future introduction of a measure, yet provided no specific dates.

At long last, it appears that Minister Lauterbach has finally introduced a measure, albeit a scaled-back version of what was initially touted back in 2021. According to domestic reporting, the draft measure was submitted and ‘has now been sent to the other ministries for inspection and examination.’

Draft laws are not made public at this juncture, however, if it’s what Minister Karl Lauterbach described in his press conference last month, then quite a few components of the legalization plan are already out there. What Lauterbach previously described involves what ultimately amounts to a three-pronged legalization strategy.

The first phase is legalization as it pertains to individual freedoms, including possession of up to 25 grams, cultivation of up to three plants, and the launch of noncommercial cannabis clubs. The second phase involves the launch of regional adult-use commerce pilot projects.

A third phase, which was not expressly stated as such in Minister Lauterbach’s recent press conference, involves Minister Lauterbach continuing to lobby the European Union to gain its permission for Germany to launch national sales to anyone of legal age.

While the lobbying effort is not officially recognized as a third phase by lawmakers in Germany, effectively, it serves as a third iron in the German legalization fire and will take longer to make into a reality compared to the other two.

For many months I have described Minister Lauterbach as being a political pinball and bouncing back and forth between the EU and Germany. The process is now moving forward domestically, albeit slowly, and that is an exciting thing to think about as Europe’s largest economy inches ever closer to legalization.

canada flag

Canadian Legalization Associated With “Significant Reductions” In Police-Reported Cannabis Offences

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

Previously, researchers in Canada reported that the 2018 Canadian Cannabis Act was associated with a short-term post-legalization reduction in police-reported cannabis-related crimes among youth.

In an attempt to try to establish whether the reduction was sustained, the researchers then examined new data several years after legalization was implemented. The new study included three years of post-legalization data in addition to the data from the prior study.

“Using national daily criminal incident data from January 1, 2015–December 31, 2021 from the Canadian Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR-2), the study employed Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) time series models to assess the associations between legalization and youth cannabis-related offences.” the researchers stated about the design of the study.

The data involved police-reported cannabis-related offenses among youth aged 12-17 years (male, n = 34,508; female, n = 9,529).

“Legalization was associated with significant reductions in both male and female police-reported cannabis-related offences: females, 4.04 daily incidents [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.08; 5.01)], a 62.1% decrease [standard error (se), 34.3%]; males, 12.42 daily offences (95% CI, 8.99; 15.86), a reduction of 53.0% (se, 22.7%). There was no evidence of associations between cannabis legalization and patterns of property or violent crimes.” the researchers stated.

“Results suggest that the impact of the Cannabis Act on reducing cannabis-related youth crimes is sustained, supporting the Act’s objectives to reduce cannabis-related criminalization among youth and associated burden on Canadian criminal justice system.” the researchers concluded.

In addition to reductions in cannabis-related youth crimes being reported, legalization in Canada has served as a tremendous economic booster. Previous studies have found that the legal cannabis industry in Canada has created at least 151,000 jobs.

Additionally, Deloitte estimates that the legal cannabis industry in Canada has contributed over $43.5 billion to the nation’s GDP since the start of legalization. Cannabis companies have directly invested roughly $4.4 billion into Canada’s economy, with the remaining boost to GDP coming from “indirect” economic contributions, and “induced” contributions according to Deloitte.

finland flag

Legalization Efforts Receive A Boost In Finland

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Back in October, an initiative was launched in Finland which seeks to legalize cannabis for adult use in the European country. Recently, the initiative crossed the 50,000 signatures mark and will now be considered by lawmakers. Below is an excerpt from the initiative’s text:

We propose to start drafting a law to reverse the illegality of cannabis and replace it with the following:

– The use, possession, subsistence farming, manufacture and sale of cannabis are allowed with age limits.

– Creating a regulatory system for the manufacture and sale of cannabis comparable to other substances, learning from the experience of states and states that have already legalized cannabis. The aim of the regulation is to minimise harm to individuals and society, in the same way as alcohol and tobacco legislation.

– Imposing a tax on cannabis to compensate for the harm it causes to society.

– Clearly define the distinction between intoxicating cannabis and non-intoxicating cannabis, i.e. hemp, so that hemp-growing farmers can operate in their field.

– the removal of entries on cannabis use, as well as criminal records and other similar entries resulting from minor cultivation and sales.

In line with legalization strategies ramping up in Germany and other European nations, the initiative in Finland relies on the logical argument that prohibition is more harmful to public health outcomes than regulation.

“This initiative provides a comprehensive justification for why Finland, too, should replace the Cannabis Prohibition Act with regulation. The regulation of intoxicants must be based on researched information. The Prohibition Act did not bring us a cannabis-free world. Regulation does not bring us a harm-free world of cannabis either, but it can minimise the harm and compensate for the costs.” the initiative states.

Currently, only Finland’s Green Party has publicly expressed support for cannabis legalization, with Green Party member Coel Thomas helping craft the legalization initiative that recently crossed the required signature threshold. Thomas appears to be tempering expectations regarding the initiative’s adoption in the near future while remaining hopeful for the longer term.

“It seems likely that we will have a right-wing conservative government coming in, but even under a centre-right or centre-left government, it’s not likely that we could advance legalisation. I don’t see how it could get a majority of votes,” Thomas explained according to Cannabis Health News. “However, we are starting a conversation in Finland right now, that in my opinion, will most likely lead to the legalisation and regulation of cannabis this decade.”

Recently, for the first time in Finland’s history, a majority of survey respondents (57%) indicated that they felt regular cannabis use was less harmful than binge drinking, as well as a majority of respondents (53%) indicated that they feel that personal cannabis activity should not be a crime.