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Did Germany’s Government Create A Domestic Cannabis Monopoly?

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

Medical cannabis policy in Germany is somewhat unique, in that the law permits for insurance reimbursements for medical cannabis products purchased from pharmacies. Germany is not the only country to have such a system in place, with Colombia serving as another example. However, many medical cannabis programs around the globe do not have a government reimbursement program.

Reimbursing patients for medical cannabis products, which Germany has done since 2017, helps increase safe access for suffering patients by lowering the financial barrier to acquire medicine. It also doubles as a subsidy for the jurisdiction’s emerging medical cannabis industry in that it ensures that a steady customer base is always present.

A lot of focus is directed at Germany’s medical cannabis price points, import statistics, domestic cannabis production statistics, and overall market size, which is understandable. Yet, often lost in the shuffle is Germany’s current licensing model, which is fairly nuanced. Due to treaties and the German government’s current approach, one specific type of subcontract license could prove to be particularly significant in the coming years as Germany transitions towards adult-use legalization.

Subcontracting Domestic Cannabis Storage

When Germany’s legal medical cannabis program launched in 2017 the entire program was built on cannabis imports from companies based outside of Germany, such as in Canada. Various companies applied for initial import licenses, with another major evolution occurring in 2018 with the start of the tender for domestic production.

The tender for domestic cannabis production involved production capacity limits that were not that large in the grand scheme of things. That, combined with the high cost of producing cannabis in Germany versus in other nations, has created a situation in which much of the legal medical cannabis supply in Germany still largely involves imports. Domestic licenses are not as valuable as some may have originally assumed, with one very noteworthy exception.

Due to international treaty provisions, countries allowing medical cannabis production are obligated to create an agency to buy domestic harvests in order to remain in compliance. The agency can’t simply buy the harvests ‘on paper’ in a somewhat symbolic fashion – they must buy it and physically take ownership of it. The United States (at the state level) is out of compliance with this provision, and apparently receives regular warning notifications because of it, although nothing seems to come of the continued non-compliance in the U.S.

Germany’s government, which seemingly takes treaties related to cannabis much more seriously, did task an agency with overseeing the nation’s domestic medical cannabis production. However, rather than Germany’s government storing the harvests itself, it subcontracted to one company, Cansativa. Being that it’s currently the only awarded license of its type, Germany has created a domestic monopoly of sorts, with every gram of domestic cannabis produced going through Cansativa, for a fee. As Germany continues its push to launch an adult-use industry, the subcontract license could cause potential issues.

A Domestic Adult-Use Cannabis Industry

As the dust settled on the 2021 federal election in Germany, the incoming governing coalition wasted no time in making it clear that it intended to pursue the launch of an adult-use legalization market. A long awaited legalization plan was presented to the federal cabinet in October 2022, and since that time Germany’s Health Minister has tried to make the case at the European Union that the plan should be allowed to proceed with the EU’s blessing.

A major component of the legalization plan that Germany’s Health Minister is lobbying for is that an eventual German adult-use market would rely solely on domestic production due to treaties. Whereas some treaties provide for legal medical cannabis activity to some degree as previously touched on in this article, adult-use cannabis is different. By relying solely on domestically produced cannabis to supply its adult-use market Germany would, in theory, be in compliance with the international agreements that it signed on to.

That, of course, begs the question, ‘will Cansativa keep its monopoly status, with all adult-use cannabis harvests going through its hands?’ When Germany launches its adult-use market it will instantly become the largest national adult-use market on earth. How will the nation proceed when it comes to domestic adult-use cannabis storage? Will Germany issue more subcontractor licenses? Regardless of if that happens or not, one thing is for sure – Cansativa will retain its monopoly on the medical side for the first five years, and with many medical producers also likely to start producing cannabis for the adult-use market, Cansativa will be able to leverage their network considerably.

Avoiding Cannabis Industry Monopolies

It is worth mentioning that Cansativa also has an import license, and that there have been no reported issues related to its domestic license so far. With that being said, monopolies should always be avoided in the cannabis industry to help boost competition in an effort to keep costs down.

Every penny that gets added to the final price of a cannabis product makes unregulated options more appealing. Many consumers and patients are willing to pay a bit extra for legal cannabis due to convenience and other factors, however, there’s a limit. At some point if the price gets too high, they will look for other options. If Cansativa continues its monopoly post-legalization, and hypothetically decides to raise its fees, it would affect every legal adult-use gram in the entire country. No one company should ever have that level of potential influence over an entire country’s emerging industry.

This dynamic will be particularly applicable to adult-use cannabis if/when it launches in Germany, as there will be no government reimbursement program for recreational products. Germany’s government is hinging much of its argument in support of legalization on a legal market being able to supplant the unregulated market, boosting the consumption of safer products in the process. Obviously, that will only happen if legal prices are competitive, and any monopolies in Germany put the possibility of competitive pricing in jeopardy.

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Cannabis Smoke Not Associated With Impaired Lung Function According To Australia Study

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Cannabis opponents do their best to try to lump cannabis smoke and tobacco smoke into the same category, and to be fair, it’s something that many people accept unless they have looked at the body of research on the topic.

Anyone that has researched cannabis smoke versus tobacco smoke knows that they are not the same, and that tobacco smoke is demonstrably worse for consumers compared to cannabis smoke for various reasons.

A recent study conducted in Australia found that cannabis smoke exposure is not associated with impaired lung function among consumers. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

South Brisbane, Australia: The long-term inhalation of cannabis smoke does not impact lung function in the same manner as inhaling tobacco, according to longitudinal data published in the journal Respiratory Medicine.

A team of Australian researchers evaluated the impact of tobacco smoking and cannabis smoking on lung function in a cohort of 30-year-old subjects. Study participants began smoking cannabis, tobacco, or both as young adults. Pulmonary performance was evaluated at age 21 and at age 30 via a spirometry assessment.

Researchers reported that cigarette-only smokers “already showed evidence of impaired lung function” at age 30. By contrast, “those who have [only] used cannabis ever since the adolescent period do not appear to have evidence of impairment of lung function.” Specifically, investigators identified airflow obstructions in the lungs of cigarette-only smokers, but they observed no such obstructions in cannabis-only subjects.

Authors further acknowledged, “Co-use of tobacco and cannabis does not appear to predict lung function beyond the effects of tobacco use alone.”

They concluded, “Cannabis use does not appear to be related to lung function even after years of use.”

The findings are consistent with those of numerous other studies reporting that cannabis smoke exposure, even long-term, is not predictive of the sort of significant adverse pulmonary effects that are consistently associated with tobacco.

Consumers who wish to mitigate or eliminate their exposure to combustive smoke may do so via an herbal vaporizer, which heats cannabinoids to the point of vaporization but below the point of combustion. In clinical trials, herbal vaporizers have been found to be a “safe and effective” cannabinoid delivery device.

Full text of the study, “Do tobacco and cannabis use and co-use predict lung function: A longitudinal study,” appears in Respiratory Medicine. Additional information is available from NORML’s Fact Sheet, ‘Cannabis Exposure and Lung Health.’

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Medical Cannabis Reform In Japan Is A Two-Edged Sword

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Japan’s government appears to be set to adopt a limited medical cannabis legalization measure. A health ministry panel in Japan previously issued cannabis policy recommendations, including a recommendation that Japan allow medical cannabis products to be imported. Those recommendations are reportedly on their way to becoming law.

Generally speaking, allowing medical cannabis product imports is a good thing, however, cannabis observers and advocates around the world need to temper their celebrations, as the measure being considered in Japan is very limited upon further inspection, and part of the measure is particularly troubling.

In addition to legalizing products ‘whose safety and efficacy were confirmed under laws governing pharmaceuticals and medical devices’ be allowed for importing, the measure also requires that Japan make cannabis consumption itself a crime if it’s not for authorized medical purposes. Per The Japan News:

The government is poised to allow the use of medical marijuana to treat patients with intractable diseases, according to the outline of bills revealed on Tuesday.

The government is considering submitting the bills including one to revise the Cannabis Control Law during the current Diet session.

The proposed revision would also criminalize the use of marijuana.

Currently, there is no prohibition in Japan for cannabis use, although cultivation, possession, and distribution are strictly prohibited. If the new law is adopted, which it seems like it will be based on reports out of Japan, then simply having cannabis in a person’s system will be a crime.

How do authorities discover that someone has cannabinoids in their system in the first place? In many instances, it will likely be coupled with a possession charge, with law enforcement seeing the person consuming and catching them in the act.

Yet, there’s always the potential that law enforcement merely ‘suspects’ that a person has consumed cannabis, and uses that ‘suspicion’ as ‘justification’ to acquire bodily fluids for testing by whatever invasive means they deem to be useful. It’s an enforcement practice that can easily be weaponized and should never be implemented by any government anywhere.

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France Council Proposes Cannabis Legalization To Boost Public Health

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

France is one of the most popular places for cannabis consumption on the entire planet, which may shock some people given the fact that France’s public cannabis policies are not as favorable as policies in many other countries, including countries in Europe. However, France has one of the highest cannabis consumption rates on earth. Per data from 2020, 46% of adults in France have tried cannabis at least once, with 11% consuming cannabis annually. Cannabis remains illegal in France with very few exceptions, and the consumption of unregulated cannabis products is a public health concern according to the nation’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council. That public health concern is why they are now recommending that France legalize cannabis for adult use.

The Economic, Social and Environmental Council is chaired by Jean-François Naton, CGT confederal adviser, and its recommendation to pass an adult-use legalization measure comes after a year of the entity conducting research. The research reportedly involved extensive interviews, including in the southern region of France where unregulated cannabis activity seems to be particularly popular. The Council’s recommendation is not legally binding, however, it does make a very compelling argument for legalization, and the theme of the argument seems to be part of a growing trend on the continent.

Ending Prohibition For Public Health Reasons

A very interesting public policy evolution is underway on the European continent, whether many people realize it or not. For several decades prohibition was ‘justified’ by its supporters via arguments that ‘cannabis use was bad for public health.’ The whole reefer madness movement that yielded cannabis prohibition was largely predicated on claims that ‘cannabis use harmed mental health, made people lazy, and caused people to exhibit extreme behavior and poor decision-making.’

Of course, all of those reefer madness talking points have since proven to be false and/or overblown, and according to the arguments currently being made by a growing number of public health leaders in Europe, it’s cannabis prohibition that is the true danger to public health for various reasons. For example, one of the main arguments being made by the Council in France is that a regulated industry would help prevent sales to minors since part of the Council’s proposal is to prohibit such sales, in addition to banning cannabis advertising.

Some cannabis opponents have scoffed at the claim that a regulated industry would reduce youth consumption rates, with those same opponents often trying to simultaneously make the claim that legalization would create a doomsday scenario for youth consumption. Unfortunately for those opponents, there is now data from legal jurisdictions that demonstrates what actually happens to youth consumption in a regulated system.

Per government data from the Oregon Health Authority (USA), not only was there no spike in youth consumption following the launch of legal adult-use sales and outright possession legalization in 2015; youth consumption rates actually went down from 2012 to 2018 in Oregon. A broader study conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, which involved consumption survey data from over 800,000 respondents in U.S. states where cannabis sales were permitted, also found no spike in youth cannabis usage rates. A study in 2021 conducted by researchers in Canada found ‘no significant differences’ in cannabis consumption rates before and after cannabis legalization in Canada. As of May 2022, data out of Uruguay also demonstrated no sustained changes in youth consumption rates post-legalization.

‘The German Model’

Days ago a report surfaced regarding the ongoing legalization effort in Germany, with possible movement occurring in the next two months. According to the report, Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach believes that a formal introduction of an adult-use legalization measure will happen ‘in the first quarter of 2023’ and that he ‘has no reason to doubt this schedule.’ If that timeline proves to be accurate, 2023 could be a very big year for cannabis reform in Europe.

At the heart of the Health Minister’s plan for legalization in Germany is a ‘legalization to improve public health’ strategy. Much like what is being recommended in France, the Minister is making the case that a regulated cannabis industry is better for overall public health compared to cannabis prohibition. That argument could prove to be effective at both winning the approval of the public as well as the approval of the European Union. It’s worth noting that if the European Union gives its approval to Germany, that is not to say that the European Union is pro-legalization per se, but rather, that the European Union is not going to stand in the way of legalization proceeding in Germany.

The reasoning behind the EU refraining from stepping in would be that while treaty provisions limit adult-use cannabis commerce, other provisions also permit individual nations to pursue public health strategies that make sense for the particular nation. By framing legalization as a public health matter versus an economic one, as Germany is currently doing, it could put countries on a stronger legal foundation if/when they pursue legalization. Germany could quite possibly be building the blueprint for modern national adult-use legalization in Europe, and France is one of the many countries that could benefit from copying such a model.

Germany Health Minister Karl Lauterbach Germany Health Minister Karl Lauterbach

Report: German Health Minister Confirms Timetable For Cannabis Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Over the weekend a potentially significant report surfaced regarding cannabis legalization in Germany. To quickly recap how we got to where we are now, Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented an adult-use legalization plan to the federal cabinet back in October. Since that time, Lauterbach has lobbied the European Union for its permission to proceed with formally introducing the plan for consideration by German lawmakers. According to the report, Lauterbach is ‘certain’ that the European Union will grant its approval and that a formal introduction of the legalization measure will occur ‘in the first quarter of this year.’ Minister Lauterbach added, according to the report, that he ‘has no reason to doubt this schedule.’

Given that the better part of January 2023 is already in the history books, that means that if Minster Lauterbach’s schedule indeed proves to be accurate then Germany’s lawmakers could be considering a national adult-use legalization measure by the end of March (or sooner). Looking at it from a perspective beyond Germany’s borders, if Lauterbach is going to proceed with a formal introduction of a legalization measure with the EU’s blessing, then that logically means that other nations will presumably be able to do the same. If so, we could see the opening of the European legalization floodgates with other nations copying Germany’s model.

What Will Be Legalized In Germany?

The plan that Minister Lauterbach presented to the federal cabinet in Germany back in October was not the first version of the plan. In the days leading up to the formal presentation a reported previous version was leaked, and due to various provisions contained in the leaked plan, public outcry was swift. The outcry was largely directed at the initial possession limit (20 grams), an age-tiered THC percentage cap (10-15% depending on age), and the initial cultivation limit (2 plants).

What was ultimately presented to the federal cabinet involved somewhat vague language, in that the possession limit was raised to ’20-30 grams’ and that there would be ‘further examination’ as to whether there would at least be THC percentage caps for consumers 18-20 years old. The home cultivation limit was raised in the federal cabinet presentation compared to the leaked version of the plan, from 2 plants up to 3 plants per adult household.

One of the most significant components of the plan presented to the federal cabinet was the intention to launch a legal national adult-use cannabis industry in Germany. Right now, the only country that permits sales of non-THC capped cannabis products nationwide to anyone of legal age, including nonresidents, is Canada. Uruguay allows sales to residents, and Malta is in the process of setting up regulated non-profit clubs. No other country permits legal sales of non-THC capped cannabis products nationwide, and given how much larger Germany’s population, economy, and level of tourism is compared to Canada’s, the launch of a regulated national adult-use market in Germany will be a very big deal.

Limitations Of Germany’s Model

Germany’s legalization model is not perfect for various reasons, not the least of which is that it is yet to be approved, codified, and implemented. After all, politics can be full of twists and turns, and until a legalization measure becomes the law of the land in Germany there’s always the possibility that provisions could be changed and/or that the process itself could stall. We have already witnessed Lauterbach’s legalization plan evolve, and technically he has yet to reveal what, if any, changes were made as part of gaining approval from the European Union.

Part of the report that surfaced over the weekend described Minister Lauterbach as planning to present a ‘very good solution’ for German lawmakers to consider. Obviously, that is not the same as saying outright that the European Union didn’t demand any changes to Germany’s previously presented approach. If the changes are seen as regressive to some lawmakers in Germany, it’s virtually guaranteed that there will be pushback.

One huge limitation that seems to already be agreed upon by Minister Lauterbach and the EU is that all cannabis for Germany’s eventual adult-use market has to be produced domestically in order for Germany to be in compliance with treaties. While we will all have to wait and see how it plays out, I am of the opinion that supply shortages are going to be common due to this limitation. I have no doubt that German cultivators will do their best to produce as much cannabis as legally possible, however, they won’t just be supplying Germany. People from all over the world are going to flock to Germany to partake in the new freedoms. How great the demand for legal cannabis will be in Germany once sales are permitted is tough to say, but I think it’s a safe bet that it’s going to be enormous, and that may create issues.

Raphael-Mechoulam

5 Reasons To Attend An International Cannabis Business Conference Event In Europe

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

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the world’s leading cannabis industry and policy event series. Below is a list of reasons why you should attend an upcoming event, including our B2B event in Barcelona in March, and our series’ flagship event in Berlin in June.

1. A Truly Global Following

The legal cannabis industry is spreading across the world which is creating unique business opportunities at the continental and global levels. It also creates many additional hurdles, not the least of which is effectively networking with people that are often located on the other side of the planet. The International Cannabis Business Conference makes effective networking significantly easier for attendees, with entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers from over 80 different countries having attended past events.

2. Timely Information

The emerging cannabis industry is evolving at a faster pace and in more significant ways than any other large industry on earth. Just as laws are being reformed on a seemingly rolling basis in many parts of the world, so too are the regulations that govern the legal cannabis industry. Knowing the right information, and equally important knowing it in a timely fashion, can literally be the difference between a company succeeding or failing in the cannabis space. The International Cannabis Business Conference gathers true experts and leaders from around the globe so that attendees can learn the best and latest information straight from the individuals and entities that are on the frontlines of cannabis policy and industry.

3. Emerging Technologies

The International Cannabis Business Conference has debuted a number of emerging cannabis technologies, including technology related to cultivation and consumption. Every event for several years has featured exhibitors and speakers that are innovating the cannabis world for consumers, patients, and businesses. Being that the International Cannabis Business Conference has a truly global following, inventors and researchers from around the planet know that the best way to get their idea, concept, and/or findings on the world stage is to bring it to an International Cannabis Business Conference event.

4. Amazing Venues

Part of what makes the International Cannabis Business Conference events so special is where they are held. With people traveling to the events from the far reaches of the planet, International Cannabis Business Conference events double as a world class travel experience for many attendees, with the conference locations being recognized internationally as some of the top venues on earth. It’s one of the many reasons why the International Cannabis Business Conference experience is unparalleled.

5. Entertainment in Addition to Education

Anyone that has ever attended an International Cannabis Business Conference event will likely be quick to tell you how amazing the conference after-parties are. In addition to bringing in world class speakers and exhibitors, the International Cannabis Business Conference events also provide attendees with an opportunity to be entertained by renowned international musicians. Attendees can use the opportunity to unwind after listening to presentations and networking all day, or they can continue their conversations in a more relaxed setting. No other cannabis conference series provides the same level of entertainment value as the International Cannabis Business Conference.

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Another UK Study Finds THC/CBD Reduces Seizure Frequency In Children With Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Science.

Making healthcare decisions for a child is not an easy thing, as many factors have to be weighed and considered, not the least of which is the safety of the medicine/treatment. Being that children are still developing, special safety considerations have to be made.

Another major factor is the efficacy of the medicine and/or treatment. Many treatment regimens are perfectly safe in certain conditions, however, some parents experience cases in which their child’s condition is treatment-resistant. When that happens, parents have few places to turn, particularly from a safety standpoint.

One condition that results in cases of treatment-resistance in children is epilepsy. Fortunately, studies are finding that the cannabis plant may be able to help, including a recent study out of the United Kingdom. Below is more information about it via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: The daily administration of cannabis products is associated with reductions in seizure frequency among children with treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE), according to observational trial data published in the journal Neuropediatrics.

British investigators assessed the safety and efficacy of cannabis-derived products in 35 patients diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy. Study subjects were participants in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, and each of them possessed a doctor’s authorization to consume cannabis. Study participants consumed either CBD-dominant extract oils or a combination therapy containing both CBD and THC.

Researchers reported that over 90 percent of subjects treated with the combination therapy experienced a ≥50 percent reduction in seizure frequency at six months, whereas fewer than one-third of patients receiving CBD-only products did so. Investigators said that cannabis products exhibited an acceptable short-term safety profile in this patient cohort.

“The results show a promising signal toward the effectiveness of CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] in children with TRE, particularly in the cohort of patients treated with delta-9-THC,” the authors concluded. They added: “The short term adverse effects appear well tolerated, but the long-term effects of CBMPs on neurodevelopment are still unknown. The results from this study could be utilized in the design of future phase II randomized controlled trials, particularly for dosing regimens.”

Subjects enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry who were diagnosed with a variety of other conditions, including post-traumatic stress, depression, and inflammatory bowel disease, have also demonstrated symptomatic improvements following cannabis therapy.

Survey data from Canada estimates that as many as one-third of epileptic patients consume cannabis products therapeutically.

In 2018, regulators with the United States Food and Drug Administration granted market approval for the plant-derived CBD prescription drug Epidiolex in the treatment of two rare forms of pediatric epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Dravet syndrome. The drug is categorized as a Schedule V controlled substance. In 2020, FDA regulators expanded the prescription use of Epidiolex to patients with the genetic disorder tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Full text of the study, “Clinical outcomes of children treated with cannabis based medicinal products for treatment resistant epilepsy: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry,” appears in Neuropediatrics. Additional information on cannabis and epilepsy is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

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Legalization Delays Are Causing Confusion In Luxembourg

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

At one point in time, towards the end of the last decade, Luxembourg seemed to be a sure bet to become the first country in Europe to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. After all, a coalition agreement included the reform.

Unfortunately, time has proven that agreement’s legalization provision to be essentially worthless, as it’s now the year 2023 and Luxembourg doesn’t appear to be trending towards legalization any time soon. While other countries on the continent are moving in the right direction, particularly Germany, Luxembourg’s reform efforts seem to be frozen in time.

Being that the government previously touted its legalization plans to such a significant degree, delays in legalization actually happening is resulting in confusion among the nation’s citizens, and recently the nation’s Minister of Health expressed doubts that legalization would happen at all under the current legislature. Per L’Essentiel (translated to English):

On Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, admitted that everything may not be voted on under this legislature . Three stages are planned: personal cultivation (four plants authorized), professional production and finally sale of recreational cannabis. “For now, I see this legislation as a total failure. It’s legal, no it’s not… People are all confused,” says Flo, who points out that four plants, depending on the THC level (with psychoactive effects) or the size of the pot used, “that means everything and nothing”.

That is far from an encouraging tone from Luxembourg’s Health Minister. There appears to be no timetable for consideration for any of the three stages mentioned, let alone implementation. Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s neighbor Germany is expected to see a legalization measure formally introduced this year, with sales possibly beginning in 2024.

Malta has already passed an adult-use legalization measure, and applications for non-profit cannabis clubs are expected to start rolling in next month. As legalization continues to spread across the continent, the pressure will continue to build around Luxembourg’s lawmakers, and it’s a safe assumption that their continued foot-dragging will becoming increasingly scrutinized by the citizenry.

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What’s Really Going On With Cannabis In Spain?

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

Cannabis consumers and patients live in some truly amazing times in many parts of the world thanks to the tireless efforts of cannabis activists in those jurisdictions. The hard work and sacrifice of activists has helped topple cannabis prohibition policies in many areas across the globe, and consumers and patients are benefitting from freedoms that should have never been taken away in the first place.

When it comes to the consumer experience in particular, Spain likely tops the list of ‘best places on earth to consume cannabis.’ Part of that is due to the quality of cannabis that can be fairly easy to obtain in many cities in Spain, particularly in Barcelona. The Moroccan hash that is for sale at nearly every reputable club in Barcelona is as good or better than anything you will find anywhere else on earth, other than in Morocco, obviously.

The other major factor contributing to Spain’s unparalleled consumer experience is the nation’s clubs. When most people outside of Spain think of the nation’s cannabis scene, clubs are likely the first thing that comes to mind, and rightfully so. Whereas cannabis communities in many other countries are just starting to explore the concept of social cannabis use, Spain seems to have already largely perfected it.

Very few things yield as much of a ‘fear of missing out’ reaction from cannabis enthusiasts as seeing images and videos from a Spanish club on a busy day. To say that it looks like everyone is having a good time is a major understatement.

With all of that being said, Spain still has a lot of roadblocks and hurdles to overcome on the public policy side of the equation, as there’s a fairly substantial disconnect between the nation’s cannabis policies and the reality of what is actually occurring on the ground.

That disconnect can make it tough to know what is really going on in Spain right now, and equally important, where things are likely headed in the near future. To get the real scoop we reached out to Bernardo Soriano Guzmán of S & F Abogados. S & F Abogados is Spain’s leading law firm specializing in cannabis.

Bernardo explained that there are three fronts in the effort to reform the nation’s cannabis laws in ways that will help ensure that the nation’s industry will thrive – adult-use cannabis, medicinal cannabis, and industrial cannabis.

“During this legislative term, four laws have been presented in the Congress and Senate to regulate adult-use cannabis. One of them has been drafted by S&F Lawyers along with other collaborators. A law that fully regulates the production and distribution cycle of cannabis and non-psychoactive cannabis.” Bernardo Soriano Guzmán explained.

“Despite this intense legislative activity, none of the laws currently have the necessary majority for approval. So, without a doubt, this electoral year that we begin, the regulation of cannabis will be an important point in the political programs and possible electoral alliances for the formation of the next government of Spain, as has happened in Germany in 2021 with the coalition of the traffic light.” he went on to say.

” Last year 2021, a resolution in the form of a report of conclusions was approved in the Congress of Spain to give access to patients of medicinal cannabis. This report is pending to be implemented once the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency (AEMPS) proposes how to do it. The regulation proposed is quite restricted to strictly pharmaceutical channels, with flowers of cannabis not having a predominant role, rather finished products and magistral formulas.” Bernardo stated in regards to medical cannabis in Spain.

“Self-cultivation for medicinal use is also not allowed. Additionally in Spain for years licenses for research and production of medicinal cannabis have been granted, a total of 21 licenses having been granted to date December 2022.” he concluded about current medical cannabis policy and regulations in Spain.

“The position of the Spanish authorities is very restrictive beyond the classic industrial uses of hemp (production of fiber and seeds). The use of hemp flowers is prohibited, even for the extraction of unregulated cannabinoids (Cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannabidiol…).” Guzmán stated about industrial cannabis in Spain.

“This situation has generated a multitude of proceedings in the courts that have made the Supreme Court recently confirm in a ruling the restrictive vision of the Spanish authorities. This situation clashes quite with the wave of positive changes regarding hemp that are taking place in Europe, especially as a result of the position of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Countries such as France which recently, in a completely contrary line to that of the Spanish authorities, has finally authorized the use of hemp flowers for all uses.” he concluded.

Bernardo Soriano Guzmán will serve as the moderator for the ‘Squaring The Circle Of Industrial Hemp In Spain’ panel at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Barcelona, taking place on March 9th as part of a super-event collaboration with Spannabis.

Early bird ticket pricing expires on February 15th.