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What Should People Anticipate As Legalization Spreads Through Europe?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Barcelona, Politics.

The European continent is at the forefront of adult-use cannabis legalization reform. Towards the end of last year, lawmakers in Malta passed an adult-use measure making the country the first in Europe to do so. With 2022 in full swing multiple other countries in Europe may follow.

Members of the governing coalition in Germany previously announced intentions to legalize cannabis for adult use as well as launch a regulated adult-use industry. The German lawmakers did not announce a specific timeline for doing so, however, the start of the policy shift is expected to happen sooner rather than later.

Cannabis activists in Italy have likely gathered enough signatures to put a cannabis legalization referendum before voters. The effort only needs to clear one more procedural hurdle, which is expected to happen later this month. Legalization is expected to occur this year in Luxembourg according to lawmakers.

Both Switzerland and the Netherlands are pursuing adult-use ‘pilot programs’ in which cannabis will be legal in certain jurisdictions for research purposes to help craft eventual national legalization policies. Switzerland already allows the sale of cannabis products with less than 1% THC content. In every measurable way, cannabis legalization is on the move in Europe.

Opportunities For Investors, Operators, And Consumers

It is truly an exciting time to be a cannabis enthusiast in Europe and looking towards the future, the situation should only continue to improve as more countries pursue and enact sensible reform measures. Every European country that legalizes, starting with Malta, builds momentum for reform in other countries on the continent. Lawmakers have to decide if they want to get on the right side of history and see their countries reap the benefits of cannabis reform, or continue to cling to failed public policy and let once-in-a-generation opportunities pass them by.

Now that the first domino has fallen, people can expect an uptick in policy changes in the coming years in Europe. Knowing what to anticipate and getting the timing right is extremely important for investors, operators, and consumers as there will be tremendous opportunities created by the inevitable policy changes.

The perfect time and place to learn more about what to anticipate in Europe is at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference B2B event in Barcelona on March 10th. The event is part of the world’s largest superconference, with the International Cannabis Business Conference once again teaming up with Spannabis. Jamie L Pearson, Bhang Inc.’s (CSE:BHNG OTCQB: BHNGF) President and CEO will provide the keynote at the B2B event.

Pearson is a proven leader in the cannabis space and brings nearly a decade of experience from operating an internationally-recognized brand in the ever-evolving North American cannabis markets. She will offer her top 10 observations regarding social justice, banking, taxation, wellness, and leadership in her keynote address.

Additional Speakers

The rich cannabis history and culture in Barcelona, Spain make it the perfect backdrop for the next International Cannabis Business Conference being held in March. The conference is co-sponsored by Bhang Inc and Grow Glide. At the conclusion of the superconference the International Cannabis Business Conference will host one of its world-famous after-parties. This year’s after-party will be sponsored by Juicy Fields.

The most entertaining man in cannabis, Ngaio Bealum, will serve as the International Cannabis Business Conference’s Master of Ceremonies in Barcelona. Additional speakers include:

    • Bernardo Soriano Guzmán – CO-CEO, S&F Abogados
    • Guillermo J Fernandez Navarro – CO-Founder, S&F Abogados
    • Nic Easley – CEO of 3C Consulting and Managing Director of Multiverse Capital
    • Luna Stower – VP Business Development, Ispire
    • Òscar Parés – Deputy Director, ICEERS Foundation
    • Sergio González aka Weedzard – President, 420 Movement
    • Iker Val – CPO, Sovereign Fields
    • Chloe Grossman – Executive Director of Corporate Growth, Trulieve Cannabis Corp
    • Roberto Algar – Managing Director, Curaleaf Switzerland
    • Santiago Ongay – CEO, Sabia
    • Kai-Friedrich Niermann – Founder, KFN+ Law Office
    • Dr. Juana Vasella – Attorney of Law, MME Legal Zurich
    • Joan Simó Cruanyes – Coordinator of Cananbis Hub UPC
    • Albert Tio – Founder of Airam and President of Fedcac
    • Aaron Smith – Co-Founder and Executive Director, National Cannabis Industry Association
    • Lisa Haag – Founder, MJ_Universe
    • Juanma Fernández – CEO, Easy CSC Group
    • Patricia Amiguet – Founder of Pachamama Cannabis Association and President of CatFAC
    • Zeta Ceti – Founder and CEO, Green Rush Consulting
    • Ruben Valenzuela Moreno – CTO, Valenveras

The International Cannabis Business Conference also has additional upcoming events in Berlin in July 2022 and Zurich in September 2022. You can secure tickets now and take advantage of the early bird pricing discount.

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The International Cannabis Business Conference Is Coming Back To Barcelona

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Barcelona.

BARCELONA, Spain (December 27, 2021) – The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis B2B (business to business) 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.

The rich cannabis history and culture in Barcelona, Spain make it the perfect backdrop for the next International Cannabis Business Conference being held on March 10, 2022. The International Cannabis Business Conference has once again partnered with Spannabis, Europe’s top cannabis expo, to form another superconference that is a must-attend for anyone that is serious about succeeding in the emerging cannabis industry. At the conclusion of the superconference the International Cannabis Business Conference will host one of its world-famous after-parties. This year’s after-party will be sponsored by Juicy Fields.

“We needed to collaborate with a leading company in the cannabis business sector, with experience also in Europe, and International Cannabis Business Conference has all the knowledge to be able to make such an event in Spain. We have no doubt that our combined event will be a success and many of our attendees will be grateful to have a B2B event of this quality.” Spannabis organizers stated.

Spannabis organizers went on to say, “Feria del Cáñamo (Spannabis) has been in the cannabis sector for more than 18 years and is much more than just a fair. The Spanish cannabis industry has more potential every day, and is taking firm steps to improve Spain’s laws. Spannabis organizers believe that the time is right to offer reliable information on the economic potential of the cannabis sector and the viability that Spain would have to become one of the key countries in Europe.”

Spannabis previously teamed up with the International Cannabis Business Conference in 2019 to form a superconference, and the collaboration was a tremendous success. The 2022 superconference will be bigger and better than ever, with the collaboration event being the largest of its type in Spain.

“Spannabis is not only the biggest Cannabis fair in Europe, but the biggest in the world. The Spannabis brand name is iconic, and we are honored to be partnering with such a long-time and important institution,” states Alex Rogers, Executive Producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

“Spannabis is the meeting point for the entire European cannabis scene. It is first and foremost a consumer event, however, many folks who attend are also looking for a B2B element. The International Cannabis Business Conference’s partnership with Spannabis fills this gap and satisfies a clear need for major cannabis industry players to meet, network, and to progress and advance the industry as cannabis laws are liberalized in Spain and across the continent.” Rogers said.

Spain is home to arguably the best cannabis culture on earth, with 70% of Spain’s cannabis clubs being located in Barcelona. Roughly 90% of Spain voters support medical cannabis according to a recent survey by the Center for Sociological Research. Medical cannabis patients in Spain are expected to purchase over 1,700 kilograms of cannabis flower in 2022, and an estimated 10% of Spain’s adult population consumes cannabis annually.

Over 60 countries will be represented at the superconference this March in Barcelona and will include representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers. Attend the superconference in Barcelona to network with investors, entrepreneurs, industry regulators, and international policymakers and take your industry pursuits to the next level. 

Announcements regarding speakers, panels, and the conference schedule will be coming soon. The International Cannabis Business Conference also has additional upcoming events in Berlin in July 2022 and Zurich in September 2022. You can secure tickets now and take advantage of the early bird pricing discount.

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About the International Cannabis Business Conference

The International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin is Europe’s longest-running and largest industry B2B tradeshow and conference. For more information, including how to register for International Cannabis Business Conference Barcelona, Berlin, and Zurich, please visit: Internationalcbc.com. Find out more on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

For more information or media inquiries, please email noelle@internationalcbc.com or call 541.864.0090.

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European Medical Cannabis Sales Doubled from 2017 to 2018

Written by Anthony Johnson on . Posted in Barcelona, Berlin, Business, international cannabis business conference zurich.

Unless you are living under a rock, you know that cannabis legalization, for both medical and adult use purposes, is moving forward nation-by-nation across Europe and around the world. European medicinal sales doubled last year, and we can expect growth to continue rather aggressively as progress begets progress. Germany has been the leader on medical cannabis commerce, and the attendance and interest at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin demonstrated the optimism industry participants have for the German market. But Germany is certainly not alone, as Italy also showed strong demand, and opportunities abound in burgeoning markets like Switzerland (where the International Cannabis Business Conference is headed on May 15-16), the United Kingdom, Croatia, Spain (where the International Cannabis Business Conference will return to next year!), and several other nations.

Marijuana Business Daily on the release of its extensive report “Medical Cannabis in Europe: The Markets & Opportunities”:

Year-over-year sales doubled in Europe from 2017 to 2018, underpinned by strong demand in Germany and Italy, though the number of MMJ prescriptions decreased in the Netherlands in that time.

Other countries in the European Union took steps in the right direction, either advancing legislation or introducing (or improving) regulations.

Tracking the regulatory progress of these markets is important because it takes years to develop a functional medical cannabis industry – and some markets get snagged over poor, or slow-moving, regulations.

Differing regulations across Europe can make business decisions difficult, especially when trying to do business in North America, and other legal markets as well. Over time, it will be interesting to see whether the EU and other global partners start to harmonize their rules. No matter the current obstacles, the current and future growth of cannabis markets around the world will reward those that stay educated and make the right networking connections.

There is no better place to learn the latest and network with top investors, entrepreneurs, and advocates than the International Cannabis Business Conference. The next International Cannabis Business Conference is in Zurich on May 15-16, a collaboration with CannaTrade. Discounted, early bird tickets are on sale until April 24th.