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Canada Creates Forum To Discuss Cannabis Industry Challenges

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

Canada is currently home to the largest national adult-use cannabis market on earth. Lawmakers in Canada approved a national adult-use legalization measure back in 2018, and since that time, Canada has served as the ultimate ‘cannabis policy experiment’ on the planet.

The emerging legal cannabis industry in Canada has experienced several ups and downs, but by most measures, the nation’s adult-use industry has been a success. Canada’s government recently announced the launch of a forum to discuss the various challenges facing Canada’s legal cannabis industry.  Below is more information about it via Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:

The Government of Canada legalized recreational cannabis and strictly regulates the cannabis industry, which has led to many economic opportunities and challenges.

An efficient and sustainable legal cannabis industry is essential to achieving the objectives of the Cannabis Act, including preventing youth access to cannabis, protecting public health and safety, and reducing criminal activity and the burden on the criminal justice system.

To help this new industry address key issues and opportunities, the Government of Canada has created the Cannabis Industry Forum (the Forum). The Forum is composed of nine leaders who have business activities across the cannabis industrial ecosystem, which includes the cultivation and processing of cannabis as well as logistics surrounding its sale. This platform will help industry leaders exchange information and insights to address key issues and opportunities, with a specific focus on fostering economic growth and long-term stability by upholding the public health and safety goals outlined in the Cannabis Act, while reducing the illicit cannabis market.

Hugo Alves, CEO, Founder and Director of Auxly Cannabis Group Inc., chairs the Forum. The membership also includes:

  • Philippe Dépault, President and Founder, Québec Craft Cannabis Inc.
  • Taylor Giovannini, President and Founder, Oceanic Releaf Inc.
  • Beena Goldenberg, CEO, Organigram Holdings Inc.
  • Raj Grover, Founder, President and CEO, High Tide Inc.
  • David Klein, CEO, Canopy Growth Corporation
  • Miguel Martin, CEO, Aurora Cannabis Inc.
  • Rosy Mondin, President of Soma Labs Scientific Inc. and Director of Cannaworld Ventures Inc.
  • Tyler Robson, President of Cannabis, SNDL Inc.
Quotes

“For Canada to be a leader in this global economy, we require the ability to adapt to new industries and sectors that benefit Canadians. The Cannabis Industry Forum helps create innovative solutions to barriers that exist in this industry. Through active collaboration, Canada is working with industry leaders to become an innovator and leader in this changing economy.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Quick facts
  • On November 24, 2022, the Government of Canada announced the members of the expert panel on the legislative review of the Cannabis Act.
  • The Cannabis Act, which came into force on October 17, 2018, put in place a modern cannabis control framework to strictly regulate and restrict access to cannabis in Canada.
  • Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in October 2018, the cannabis industry has helped displace the illicit market by up to 70%.
  • Since spring 2023, the Forum has had preliminary meetings to discuss a range of topics. The members also engaged with Morris Rosenberg, Chair of the expert panel leading the legislative review of the Cannabis Act.
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Spain’s Ministry Of Health Begins Process Of Enacting Medical Cannabis Regulations

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

Spain’s Ministry of Health has started the process of developing a Royal Decree through which it plans to approve the regulation of cannabis for medicinal use. Before a Royal Decree is officially issued, the public will be allowed to provide input, with Spain’s government having set up an email address dedicated to receiving such input (normativa.aemps@aemps.es).

The government in Spain is seeking to finalize a “rigorous measure” that is “based on the best scientific evidence available.” Such a measure will reportedly include periodic evaluations to examine the effectiveness of Spain’s eventual medical cannabis regulations.

“The Ministry addresses this regulation based on the conclusions of the Subcommittee of the Congress of Deputies for the analysis of experiences with the regulation of cannabis for medicinal use, which called on the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products to prepare a roadmap to approve the regulation.” Spain’s government stated in a press release (translated from Spanish to English).

Spain’s Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, recently met with the European Observatory of Cannabis Consumption and Cultivation, as well as with industry associations and members of the scientific community. Secretary Padilla is also expected to meet soon with the Spanish Observatory of Medicinal Cannabis.

A recent meeting at Spain’s Ministry of Health was attended by representatives of the General Council of Medical Colleges and the General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists in addition to the Spanish Society of Palliative Care, the Spanish Society of Pain, the Spanish Society of Epilepsy, the Spanish Society of Studies on Alcohol, the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy, the Spanish Society of Primary Care Pharmacists, the Spanish Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy, the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians, the Spanish Multidisciplinary Pain Society, the Spanish Society of Neurology, Society Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, Spanish Society of Medical Oncology, Spanish Society of Dual Pathology, SED-ESOM Working Group, Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and the Spanish Society of Rheumatology.

“The proposed regulation guarantees the quality of the products and the safety of patients, enabling the legal avenues available to have therapeutic compounds based on standardized cannabis preparations that have shown evidence in relieving pain and the suffering of patients, considering the oral administration of these compounds as it is the most appropriate in terms of therapeutic effectiveness and safety for patients.” the government’s press release stated.

“This regulation is designed to evolve dynamically, allowing new elements to be incorporated as more information and the experience of the therapeutic cannabis program becomes available. In addition, it will contribute to generating more and better evidence on the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes.” Spain’s government also stated.

What is currently being proposed by Spain’s government is a national medical cannabis program that is being described as being similar to what is currently in place in European nations like Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Those nations’ medical cannabis regulations are much more limited compared to what is in place in Germany, and much more restrictive compared to what is found in many parts of North America.

Spain’s government resumed its push to pass medical cannabis regulations starting last month after previous efforts experienced numerous setbacks in recent years.

An eventual medical cannabis regulation measure in Spain is not expected to include cannabis clubs, which operate in many parts of Spain and are very popular among suffering patients. Cannabis clubs operate in a grey area of Spain’s law and serve as the primary source of medical cannabis for many Spanish patients.

Barcelona’s government is actively trying to shut down the hundreds of cannabis clubs that operate within the Barcelona area. Spain’s cannabis industry is estimated to be worth 238.5 million euros in 2024 according to an analysis by Euromonitor International. Euromonitor estimates that Spain’s medical cannabis market alone is worth an estimated 27.3 million euros as of this year. Those figures are estimated to rise in 2025 to 358.4 million euros and 107.6 million euros, respectively.

The announcement of the launch for public input regarding medical cannabis regulations in Spain comes less than a month before the world’s largest cannabis gathering takes place in Barcelona. The International Cannabis Business Conference (March 14th) is once again teaming up with Spannabis (March 15-17) to put on the world’s largest cannabis superconference.

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Health Canada: Cannabis Samples Are Permitted

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

In nearly every industry built on consumables, from the food industry to pharmaceuticals, product samples play a vital role. After all, the saying, ‘the proof is in the pudding’ is predicated on the premise that someone is actually trying out the metaphorical pudding to determine if it is the real deal.

Product samples are particularly important in the emerging cannabis industry given the fact that cannabis flower can vary widely in quality, effectiveness, and other desirable traits such as smell and flavor. There are many varieties of cannabis, and even the same grower cultivating the same cultivar can yield differing results due to a multitude of environmental factors.

Matters get even more complex for cannabis products that are derived from cannabis flower. In addition to the intricacies of the cannabis crop itself, adding the extra layers of extracting techniques that produce concentrates from flower, or infusing cannabis into edibles, drinkables, and topicals, complicates knowing what the final product may be like.

Trying product samples is the only way for retailers and their employees to know what a cannabis product is truly like, and there seems to be some confusion in Canada about whether or not cannabis producers can provide samples to licensed retailers and their employees. That confusion was cleared up recently via original reporting by StratCann. Per excerpts from their reporting:

In an email to StratCann, a representative of Health Canada affirms that federally licensed cannabis producers are “not prohibited from providing a sample of cannabis to a provincially or territorially authorized retailer (or their employees).”

“Employees of a provincially or territorially authorized retailer are not prohibited from possessing, distributing, or selling cannabis, provided they do so as part of their employment duties and functions, and in a manner that is consistent with the conditions that apply to their employers’ authorizations. In other words, it’s up to PTs [Provinces and Territories] to regulate whether and how employees of retail stores can possess, distribute (and potentially consume) free samples in the context of their employment duties and functions. Each province or territory could have additional legislation that relates to this type of activity.”

StratCann followed up with four individual provinces to confirm that they expressly permit product samples at the local level. Those provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Of the four provinces, Saskatchewan and Ontario have permitted product samples to retailers and their employees since the start of adult-use legalization in late 2018. British Columbia and Alberta started expressly permitting such activity last year. Health Canada also lists the following information regarding product samples:

Free samples of products or accessories

A person that sells cannabis or cannabis accessories cannot provide or offer to provide cannabis or a cannabis accessory without consideration or in consideration of a purchase.

For example, a free accessory for the purchase of cannabis or cannabis as bonus with any purchase. This can include:

“Free 1g pre-roll samples”
“Free rolling papers with purchase of cannabis Product X”
“Buy one and get one free”
A nominal amount of monetary consideration may be considered an inducement and non-compliant with Subsection 24(1)(a) of the Cannabis Act.

Exemption: Intra-industry samples

Licence holders that provide samples to a person authorized to sell cannabis, such as a provincially or territorially authorized retailer, are exempt from this prohibition. However, the retailer may not provide samples to consumers. Cannabis samples must comply with the other applicable rules in the Cannabis Act and Cannabis Regulations, including those on packaging and labelling, and good production practices.

Each province or territory may have additional legislation that could apply to this type of activity so regulated parties should be familiar with all relevant legislation and consult with provinces and territories as applicable.

For more information, refer to subsection 24(2) of the Cannabis Act or 24(3) as it pertains to cannabis accessories.

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The Top Cannabis Firms In Germany In 2024

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

Germany continues to trend towards adult-use cannabis legalization, with the expected launch date for some components of Germany’s legalization plan (CanG) being April 1, 2024. Noncommercial cannabis clubs are expected to launch on July 1, 2024.

This will be the most pivotal year ever for the cannabis movement not only in Germany, but also the rest of Europe, with several countries expected to follow in Germany’s footsteps after legalization is implemented in Europe’s largest economy.

It is an extremely exciting time for German-based companies that work directly in the cannabis industry or provide ancillary products and/or services to the emerging German cannabis industry. Below are the top companies that people need to keep an eye on as things continue to heat up in Germany and the rest of Europe.

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. All of their cannabis flower is hand-picked and processed in a manner that ensures unaltered terpene profiles.

Aphria/Tilray

Aphria was one of the three firms that won authorization to grow cannabis during the German cultivation bid. They subsequently merged with Tilray, but not before also purchasing the sixth-largest mainstream medical distributor in the country (CC Pharma).

Aurora Cannabis

Aurora Cannabis is a Canadian public company that also won one of the three cultivation slots in the German cultivation bid. The firm has a footprint across Europe at this point. It was one of the earliest public Canadian companies before establishing itself across the EU in recent years.

BvCW

BvCW is the voice of the cannabis industry in Germany and represents all industry segments and company sizes to politicians and administration. BvCW’s specialist areas are divided into “Luxury Food Regulation”, “Industrial Hemp & Food”, “Medical Cannabis”, “CBD et al.” and “Technology, Trade & Services”. BVCW combines industrial policy, technological, economic expertise and advocates for better political framework conditions.

Canopy Growth

Canopy Growth is a world-leading cannabis company focused on unleashing the power of cannabis to improve lives, particularly in Germany. From supporting personal wellness to fostering economic opportunity and striving toward social justice, Canopy Growth is showcasing the capacity of cannabis as a force for good. Canopy Growth offers high-quality products with best-in-class cannabinoid effects. Rooted in a belief that every moment in the day can be enhanced by the tailored use of cannabinoid products, Canopy Growth is redefining experiences with cannabis and demonstrating the true potential of this powerful plant.

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.

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.

Dentons

Dentons is the world’s largest global law firm and focuses on helping entrepreneurs, investors, and other entities in the cannabis space. Dentons helps cannabis companies operate, grow, remain secure and compliant, and gain financing by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, Dentons focuses on what matters most.

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.

Grow In AG

Grow In AG was the first hydroponics shop in the European Union. Grow In AG was founded in 1995 and now offers one of the largest international ranges of carefully tested and selected items for successful cultivation. In March 2020, Grow In AG merged with wholesaler HydroGarden LTD. Together, Hydrogarden and Grow In AG now form the largest wholesaler of hydroponic growing accessories in Europe.

Hanf Magazin

Hanf Magazin is an online and print magazine for everyone who is interested in the topic of hemp, wants to learn something about it and/or is connected to the hemp scene. It is full of inspiration on the topic of hemp, interesting facts about cannabis, medicine and law, as well as the legalization debate. Hanf Magazin covers current developments and trends on the subject of hemp online and in its bi-annual print magazine. The editorial team provides well-founded and practical information about all topics that have to do with hemp.

HiperScan

HiperScan GmbH is a successful, medium-sized technology company with headquarters in Dresden and over 60 employees. HiperScan GmbH branched off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems, Dresden, in 2006. HiperScan is responsible for the very successful and cost-effective NIR-analysis system Apo-Ident, which is distributed in Germany and internationally. It is a near-infrared spectrometer that has been specially designed for identifying raw materials in pharmacies. With this system, HiperScan is the market leader for raw material identification in German pharmacies.

Huber

Huber is one of the technological sector-leading providers of high-precision temperature control solutions for research and industry. Huber’s products ensure precise temperature control in laboratories, pilot plants and cannabis industry production processes from -125 to +425 °C.

KFN+

KFN+ law firm, led by Kai-Friedrich Niermann, advises large CBD and medical cannabis companies, as well as companies and associations interested in the emerging recreational cannabis market. With a broad range of expertise in cannabis and business law, KFN+ provides comprehensive legal support to companies and individuals. From contract drafting and company formation to day-to-day legal support, KFN+ assists cannabis companies with customized solutions in all legal matters, including white-collar criminal law where necessary.

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.

MJ_Universe

MJ_Universe GmbH was founded by Lisa Katharina Haag. MJ_Universe provides consulting services to the emerging legal cannabis industry. The company is committed to projects dedicated to accelerating cannabis as a medicine, to advocating for a more progressive and realistic regulatory framework and to activities that mainstream cannabis. MJ_Universe’s mission is to unlock the full potential of cannabis.

Purpl Scientific

Purpl Scientific is a technology company dedicated to providing accurate, affordable tools to the emerging legal cannabis industry that provide insight and intelligence about products and potency. The company packs a ton of new-generation technologies into its hand-held applications that are exceedingly powerful, amazingly fast, extremely affordable and controlled with the click of a button.

Quality Services International

Quality Services International 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.

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.

SKW Schwarz

SKW Schwarz is an independent law firm with around 130 lawyers, four locations and a common goal: they think ahead. In a world where everything is in motion, cannabis companies need legal advice that recognizes change as an opportunity. As a full-service law firm and member of TerraLex, SKW Schwarz is globally networked and advises in all relevant areas of commercial law.

Storz & 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.

VTA GmbH & Co. KG

VTA GmbH & Co. KG serves international customers and partners in a large number of process industries, including the emerging cannabis industry, with their customized equipment and systems. VTA’s distillation plants are used for purification, concentration, removal of low boilers, color improvement, drying of products and much more.

Wessling

Since the company was founded in 1983, Wessling‘s aim has been to offer their business partners high-quality, tailor-made analytical and consulting services as well as holistic solution concepts for the areas of real estate, environment, food, consumer products, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

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Britain’s Cannabis Industry Still Hindered By Limited Policies

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

Medical cannabis became legal in Britain in November 2018 after the nation’s Home Secretary had rescheduled cannabis-derived medicinal products months prior. At the time, Britain’s medical cannabis law was one of the most restrictive on the planet, and it remains so to this day.

Only doctors on the GMC specialist register can prescribe medical cannabis products in Britain, and only two types of prescriptions are legal. The legal medical products are not like raw flower, edibles, or concentrated forms of cannabis like what is found in North America.

Rather, the medical cannabis products in Britain are cannabis-derived medications called Sativex and Epidyolex. Sativex is licensed in Britain to treat spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis.

Epidyolex is licensed in Britain for use in the treatment of seizures in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Both medications are also widely available in many other nations.

Medical cannabis via legal means remains an undesirable, if not impossible, option for many suffering patients in Britain, which is reflected in the size of Britain’s medical cannabis program. Per The Guardian:

As of today, over 60 countries have legalised some form of medicinal cannabis: since November 2018 that’s also been the case in Britain. Some 30,000 of us have already been prescribed cannabis for conditions ranging from arthritis to epilepsy, anxiety to multiple sclerosis.

By comparison, Germany has roughly a quarter million medical cannabis patients. While Germany’s overall population is greater than Britain’s, the difference is nowhere near enough to offset the disparity in legal patient numbers. Canada has a considerably smaller overall population than Britain, and yet it has roughly 200,000 legal medical cannabis patients.

Britain’s medical cannabis program will always be limited and never reach its full potential if the current laws and regulations remain the same. Britain’s suffering patients, all of them, deserve to have the option of pursuing safe access to proven medications.

Sativex and Epidyolex may be fine for some patients, however, their applications are very narrowly tailored, and there are suffering patients who would experience no meaningful benefits from taking them.

Additionally, even patients who currently take Sativex or Epidyolex would likely save a considerable amount of money and still receive the benefits of medical cannabis by consuming other forms of cannabis products via a variety of delivery methods.

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5 Things Attendees Get From International Cannabis Business Conference Events

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

The International Cannabis Business Conference is hosting multiple events in different European countries in 2024, including the world’s largest super-conference in Barcelona in March and our flagship B2B conference in Berlin in April. Below are five benefits for attendees.

World-Class Networking Opportunities

Networking plays a vital role in every industry, and that is particularly true for the emerging legal cannabis industry. At the international level, networking is paramount to making a meaningful impact and gaining a foothold in the space. Many people who strike deals in this era will reap the rewards for decades to come as the industry continues to expand. Those deals are not struck via email solicitations. Face-to-face time is a must, and there is no better place to do that than at International Cannabis Business Conference events where attendees get to network with leaders from around the world in an environment that is conducive to generating deal flow.

Fun and Entertainment

The International Cannabis Business Conference has long served as the most exciting and entertaining event series on earth. In addition to providing world-class education and networking, the International Cannabis Business Conference has earned a global reputation for hosting the best events where attendees can work hard and play hard. It’s the only cannabis event series to ever feature multiple Grammy-nominated musical acts. International Cannabis Business Conference events are the perfect place to hang out with current friends, as well as to make new ones from all around the world.

Being A Part Of History

The European continent is in the midst of a cannabis policy revolution. The collective policy modernization efforts in multiple countries will, in turn, create an amazing situation for consumers who will be able to experience freedoms that have not been available since the dawn of prohibition. Future generations will look back on this exact era and likely consider it to be the turning point for the cannabis movement in Europe when nations finally got on the right side of history. International Cannabis Business Conference events provide attendees a front-row seat to these historic times, putting them right in the middle of it all.

Brand Exposure

Gaining a meaningful footprint in the cannabis industry at the international level is one of the most difficult endeavors that a company can embark on for several reasons, not the least of which is geographical logistics. The International Cannabis Business Conference is the only global event series with a truly international following and conferences feature a carefully curated experience completely focused on the cannabis industry at the worldwide level. It’s the ideal place for brands debuting products that are geared towards an international market.

Education

Cannabis reform is happening all over the globe right now, and keeping up with all of it is not an easy task, nor is figuring out how each country’s efforts fit into the larger global cannabis industry puzzle. The International Cannabis Business Conference brings true experts from all over the world to provide the best and most up-to-date information to attendees. Receiving that important and timely information straight from people at the forefront of policy reform and the global industry is invaluable.

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What Will Happen In 2024 Within The Global Cannabis Industry?

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

It is the start of a new year for the emerging international cannabis industry, and 2024 is likely to be a pivotal one, particularly for the European continent. According to domestic lawmakers in Germany, the nation’s adult-use cannabis measure will hopefully take effect this April.

Germany, in many ways, is a metaphorical plug in the European cannabis legalization dam. Once Germany passes its adult-use measure it will likely open the floodgates for other European nations passing similar policy modernization measures.

Cannabis commerce is going to look different in Europe than it does in the Western Hemisphere. In Uruguay and Canada, where cannabis was legalized for adult use in 2013 and 2018 respectively, consumers have a wide array of options for obtaining legal cannabis.

Germany’s legalization model, which is likely to be mimicked by other nations, will have fewer options for consumers to choose from to source their cannabis. However, there is still plenty of potential for people wanting to pursue efforts in the nation’s industry if they have enough ingenuity.

The country’s model, parts of which already exist in a limited fashion in parts of Europe, will rely on personal cultivation, cannabis clubs, and eventually, regional pilot programs as sourcing models. If Germany does implement that model on a large scale in 2024, it’s virtually guaranteed that other countries in Europe will do the same.

One particular country in Europe to keep an eye on in 2024 is Italy. Activists already proved in the past that they could gather enough signatures to put a referendum before voters, and while that effort was ultimately dashed by the nation’s top Court, advocates are back at it, and this time they have reportedly tightened up the language of the measure they are promoting.

Hopefully if the signature drive is successful it will pass the legal test this time around.

North America’s legal industry is sure to continue its expansion during this next calendar year, although adult-use legalization at the federal level is likely to remain elusive in the United States specifically. In the meantime, state industries will continue to operate in a silo fashion in the U.S.

Legalization efforts in countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia will continue in 2024 to round out the Western Hemisphere. However, the final passage of a legalization measure in those nations is not likely to occur this year, with 2024 serving as more of a momentum-building year for efforts in those countries.

Unfortunately, it appears that the honeymoon phase for cannabis reform in Thailand has long since ended, and attempts to roll back the nation’s progressive cannabis policies will continue throughout the year. Most, if not all, of the other nations in the region will likely not be very active in 2024 from a cannabis standpoint outside of enforcing harsh prohibition policies.

As has been the case for several years now, South Africa is the most likely nation on its continent to see possible reform and industry fireworks in 2024. With that being said, much like Mexico, things seem to keep stalling in South Africa, so that could easily prove to be the case in 2024 too. We will all have to wait and see.

For the first time in Australia’s history, a national legalization measure was introduced into the nation’s Parliament last year. While it doesn’t seem likely that the bill will receive enough attention in 2024 to be pushed to the finish line, it’s a safe bet that it will boost momentum and drive the conversation forward in Australia in 2024.

The best place for cannabis policy and industry observers to focus their attention in 2024 if they want to see the most activity is clearly the European continent.

This year could see a significant amount of movement in several countries in Europe, and while the industry revenue statistics may not be initially as large as they are across the Atlantic Ocean, 2024 may end up being one of the most historic years in Europe’s cannabis movement timeline.

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Talman Group Global Investment Forum Coming To Berlin In April 2024

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

The emerging legal cannabis industry is becoming a global phenomenon, with more nations than ever before having modernized their cannabis policies to permit legal cannabis research and commerce.

That spread of policy reform has, in turn, created tremendous potential at the international level for cannabis entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers.

It has also created significant opportunities for cannabis research, as well as product and process development.

The legal industry no longer operates in regional silos, and a major challenge currently facing the emerging international cannabis industry is the difficulty of effectively networking with people from all over the world.

Networking is vital to succeeding in nearly every industry, and that is particularly true of the cannabis industry.

As the legal industry continues its march across the globe it will become increasingly important to be in the right place at the right time, as it could literally mean the difference between success and failure.

The Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin on April 15th is the ideal time and place to meet and network with cannabis leaders from all over the planet.

Europe is currently the most exciting place for cannabis policy modernization efforts and emerging cannabis industry opportunities, with Germany expected to pass a legalization measure in April, making it the perfect backdrop for the Talman Global Investment Forum.

Taking place on the eve of the International Cannabis Business Conference’s flagship B2B event in Berlin, Europe’s largest event of its kind, the Talman Global Investment Forum will bring together true leaders from top sectors and companies in the emerging cannabis space.

The goal of the event is to help facilitate meaningful networking, provide timely education, and stimulate deal flow potential among attendees. Rising industry sectors will be a major focus of the event, with speakers discussing how those sectors fit into the larger industry ecosystem.

With so much cannabis industry and policy activity occurring right now all over the world, it is becoming increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers to stay on top of everything. The Talman Global Investment Forum streamlines that process.

The Talman Global Investment Forum is an exclusive network that focuses on research and development, consulting, advocacy, and finance. The Talman network provides access to vital market info, capital investors, and exciting cutting-edge growth companies in the legal global cannabis market.

Additionally, the Talman Group network provides unparalleled access to opportunities in emerging areas of science as well as research and development, which are some of the fastest-growing sectors in the cannabis space.

The Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin, which will be held at the iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin, is investor-focused and serves as the number one place for intimate industry education and networking.

Rather than flying all over the planet trying to fit meetings into shifting schedules and other travel plans, people who are serious about succeeding in the emerging international cannabis industry should attend the Talman Global Investment Forum in Berlin in April. Purchase your tickets today before the event sells out.

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The Top Global Cannabis Stories Of 2023

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

This year was a big one from a cannabis perspective in terms of science, industry, and politics. Below is a round-up of the top stories from 2023 (in no particular order):

Cannabis History Made In Slovenia

Dr. Metka Paragi, the current Secretary for Health of the Slovenian Prime Minister’s cabinet, presented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled, Slovenia in September. It was the first time in history that an incumbent at that level had ever presented at a global cannabis event.

CanG Introduced In Germany

The biggest story of 2023 was the introduction of Germany’s long-awaited legalization measure. While the measure did not receive full approval by the Bundestag in 2023, the measure’s formal introduction and approval by Germany’s Federal Cabinet was historic, adding to the overall momentum for reform across the European continent.

Raphael Mechoulam Passes Away

The cannabis community lost a legend in 2023 when internationally renowned cannabis scientist, the ‘Godfather of Cannabis Science,’ Professor Raphael Mechoulam passed away in March. Mechoulam is credited with making some of the most significant scientific cannabis-based discoveries in human history.

Japan Votes To Lift Ban On Cannabis-Derived Medications

Both chambers of Japan’s parliament approved a measure in 2023 that lifted the nation’s ban on cannabis-derived medications. The measure is limited in scope, however, it creates a legal path for qualifying patients to obtain medical cannabis products.

Luxembourg Passes National Legalization Measure

In mid-2023 lawmakers in Luxembourg approved a national adult-use legalization measure. The new law permits adults to cultivate up to 4 plants in their homes, as well as legally possess up to three grams of cannabis.

Legalization Moves Forward In South Africa

South Africa’s National Assembly approved an adult-use legalization measure this year. The measure is geared towards codifying a previous court decision from 2018 that struck down cannabis prohibition for individuals, and to boost the nation’s legal industry.

Medical Cannabis Trial Extended In France

The 2,540 suffering patients participating in a medical cannabis trial in France received good news in 2023. The safe access trial that they are participating in will be extended for at least another year.

Historic Measure Introduced In Australia

For the first time in Australia’s history, an adult-use cannabis legalization measure was introduced into the nation’s parliament. Greens Senator David Shoebridge introduced the ‘Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023’ which would permit the adult recreational use of cannabis across the country.

Hemp Leaves No Longer A Novel Food In The EU

A European Commission working group removed hemp leaves as a Novel Food under EU law in 2023. The policy change permits the sale of hemp-infused tea and tea-like products in member states.

First Cannabis Clubs Licensed In Malta

Malta became the first European nation to pass a national legalization measure back in 2021. This year, the country issued its first round of licenses to noncommercial cannabis clubs.

Advocates Push For Higher THC Limits In Canadian Edibles

Roughly five years after Canada passed its adult-use legalization measure, the amount of THC that is allowed in edibles has remained very low. Advocates started a push in 2023 to raise the THC limit from 10mgs per unit to 100mgs per unit.

Cannabis Pilot Programs Launch In The Netherlands

Limited adult-use cannabis commerce trials finally launched in the Netherlands in December after several delays. Cannabis trials were first proposed in the Netherlands in 2017 as part of a governing coalition agreement.

Pilot Programs Expand In Switzerland

Switzerland launched multiple adult-use cannabis pilot programs in 2023. The pilot programs permit consumers to make legal purchases from licensed retail outlets to help the national government collect local data regarding cannabis consumer purchasing habits.