Business – Page 25 – International Cannabis Business Conference

Attend The 2023 Cultiva Hanfexpo In Vienna October 6th-8th

Written by Johnny Green on October 1, 2023. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy.

An amazing opportunity is coming up this week in Vienna, Austria with the start of the Cultiva Hanfexpo on October 6th. The three-day hemp expo and festival is the largest in Austria and will take place at the Marx Halle.

At the expo, visitors will find all of the information that they need to know about the hemp plant and the products derived from it. National and international exhibitors will display their products and contribute to a unique exhibition experience. Below is more information about the event:

15 YEARS OF CULTIVA

Over the last 15 years, Cultiva has brought together people from all over the world to discuss the uses of hemp and develop new ideas. This event is important to unite and support the Austrian hemp industry. It all started in 2008 at the Pyramide in Vösendorf.

“They were expecting big tables with Indian sheets. Then when the trucks came and one-story platforms were set up, it caused a big surprise moment for the management of the event venue,” founder Harald Schubert recalls of the beginnings of Cultiva. At first, he says, there were doubts about the exhibition, because “they didn’t know what to expect”. But these hesitations quickly disappeared.

Around 5,000 visitors came to the first hemp exhibition. The aim was to provide a platform for the hemp plant and its use, the industry and its development, as well as the many socio-political issues associated with it. This has not changed over the years, but the size of the exhibition has.

“We attracted higher-value branches because of the higher purchasing power in Austria, and that set us apart from other hemp exhibitions in Europe,” says founder Schubert.

Even after 15 years, the glassblowing show is still a fixed part of the fair. Other highlights of the past 15 years of Cultiva included visits from Christian Rätsch, Jorge Cervantes and “Mr. Nice” Howard Marks. And, of course, the many performances by bands and DJs. “It’s the most iconic expo,” Schubert says.

EXPERIENCE THE WONDER OF HEMP

The WORLD OF HEMP represents one of the most extensive areas at the exhibition. On 400 sqm all information about cannabis is shown in an exciting and informative way. This interactive area educates visitors about the cannabis plant and helps them to get to know it better. Different sections can be explored with the help of a guiding system.

Whether learning, tasting, participating or trying out: The WORLD OF HEMP serves all the senses and invites you to further education.

GLASSBLOWING-SHOW – TORCHLAND GLASS CIRCUS BY THCBD AUSTRIA

Another highlight at CULTIVA HANFEXPO is the glassblowing show Torchland Glas Circus by THCBD Austria. During the live show, professionals such as Orglasmus, Nathan Belmont, Sibelle Yuksek, Fedex Glass and Tibor Toth will demonstrate the art of glassblowing and engraving. If interested, the products can be purchased afterwards.

CULTSOUND FESTIVAL

The CULTSOUND Music Festival is a new star in the sky of the Viennese event calendar. From electro to reggae sounds – the three-day music festival with its extraordinary location offers a special experience. The venue – the headquarters of the artist collective R:JOURNEY – provides the ideal setting. Acts such as the band Mary Jane Soundgarden, Matej, Sun State of Mind
will ensure a hot atmosphere and danceable sounds, and Sunday will be hosted by WNMR – If Not With Rap. Food trucks with a variety of dishes from meat or vegan to sweet and a bar provides for the physical well-being.

CULTIVA CONGRESS

The CULTIVA HANFEXPO CONGRESS offers an insight into the topics of law, politics, medicine as well as culture and innovation. National and international experts from different fields share their knowledge and clarify important questions about cannabis in the form of lectures and panel discussions. The focus will be on both the current regulations on the subject of cannabis and
the future of the industry. What changes can we expect in the hemp industry? What could the situation look like in five years? These and other questions will be answered during the congress.

BUSINESS BRUNCH

On Friday and Saturday all business visitors and exhibitors are invited to aur Networking Brunch in the Business lounge at the exhibition.
• Friday, 06.10.2023 09:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Saturday, 07.10.2023 09:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Find out more information at: https://www.cultiva.at/lang%3Den/index.htm

Accusations Of Inflated THC Potency Surface In Canada

Written by Johnny Green on September 25, 2023. Posted in Business.

A coalition of cannabis producers and testing laboratories in Canada are alleging that some entities are inflating their cannabis product THC potency levels, sometimes as much as twenty percent.

“There are cannabis companies in the top 10 that are absolutely inflating their flower values,” said Borna Zlamalik, senior vice-president of innovation and research and development at Moncton-based producer OrganiGram Holdings Inc. The comments were first reported by Globe and Mail. “I think there are some companies that have maliciously narrowed down their sample procedures to get the best flower.”

Allegations of THC inflation are not new in the cannabis industry. Part of the problem is on the producer/laboratory/retailer side of the equation, however, there’s also some blame on the consumer side as well.

It’s well known in the cannabis world that many consumers, for better or worse, rely solely on THC percentage when making their purchasing decisions. That ‘THC shopping’ phenomenon compounds the problem as entities strive to get the highest THC percentage on their flower products regardless of whether quality is being boosted or not.

The latest allegations being hurled in Canada highlight the growing need to overhaul how cannabis is organized. Indica, sativa, and THC percentages – they are all archaic ways of categorizing cannabis products.

Instead, true science should drive how cannabis products are categorized, led largely by ‘terpene profiles.’ Terpenes are found in all cannabis flower, and it’s what gives cannabis its smell. The cannabis plant contains dozens of terpenes in different ratios, often referred to as terpene profiles.

Knowing a harvest’s terpene profile is a much better indicator of what effects and wellness benefits a consumer or patient can expect compared to one lab’s testing results of a very small sample of the harvest.

Different terpenes are associated with different effects, and while it’s a more cumbersome form of categorization compared to a simple indica/sativa model, it’s far more insightful and will undoubtedly serve as the future of how cannabis is viewed by dispensary and cannabis club customers.

Limited Legal Cannabis Sales Expected To Launch In The Netherlands This December

Written by Hazel Norman on September 18, 2023. Posted in Business, Policy.

A long-awaited cannabis public policy experiment is reportedly set to launch on December 15th in two different municipalities in the Netherlands. Limited cannabis sales will be permitted at certain coffee shops in both Tilburg and Breda this winter according to the nation’s cabinet.

Health Minister Kuipers previously announced back in February that Tilburg and Breda would likely be the first of what will eventually be ten municipalities to participate in what is essentially an adult-use cannabis commerce pilot program, similar to what is already underway at the local level in Switzerland.

Germany is also expected to incorporate regional pilot programs into its legalization model. It’s a concept that is gaining in popularity in many European countries that are ramping up cannabis policy modernization efforts.

In theory, permitting local adult-use sales will provide government policymakers and regulators data to examine in order to be better suited to craft eventual national cannabis policies and industry rules and regulations. The concept is in line with continental and international agreements.

The launch of pilot programs in the Netherlands comes after a series of delays, and it wasn’t until the recent announcement that the nation’s government appeared to have backed off of its hardline stance that pilots could not begin until there were at least three cultivators.

Currently, only two cultivators are ready to supply the coffee shops in Tilburg and Breda, yet an exception was made to prevent further delays. Two more licensed cultivators are expected to start providing cannabis to the nation’s pilot program in February 2024. If everything goes as expected with the pilots in Tilburg and Breda, at least eight more municipalities will also launch pilot programs.

Additionally, at least one district in Amsterdam is expected to also become part of the cannabis public policy experiment which will permit coffee shop owners to sell a limited amount of cannabis to adults, although during the ‘start-up phase’ coffee shops are also allowed to sell ‘tolerated products’ from their unregulated suppliers.

Officials in the Netherlands have the authority to shut down the cannabis public policy experiment at any time if ‘abuses’ are found, which is a subjective measure. However, the cultivation facilities and outlets will be watched closely and local officials are optimistic that the experiment will succeed.

“With this start-up phase in Brabant we can gain first experiences, detect teething problems and gather the knowledge to perfect the experiment. In this way, we can make a flying start with the large-scale experiment.” stated Breda Mayor Dr. Paul Depla back in February (translated from Dutch to English).

International Cannabis Business Conference Bled Slovenia

Cannabis History Is Made In Slovenia At International Event

Written by Hazel Norman on September 11, 2023. Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

The International Cannabis Business Conference was held in Bled, Slovenia last week on September 7th and 8th, with a VIP reception held the night before the event. The two-day event was dedicated to emerging international cannabis science and technology.

Among the speakers at the conference, which is part of a series of cannabis events held around the world, was Dr. Metka Paragi, the current Secretary for Health of the Slovenian Prime Minister’s cabinet. Dr. Paragi, a leading international microbiologist, welcomed attendees of the first-ever International Cannabis Business Conference held in Slovenia.

She provided a brief overview of current usage rates in Slovenia, as well as discussed the level of support for policy modernization efforts in the region. Dr. Paragi also provided an update on the current state of cannabis policy and research in Slovenia. It marked the first-ever presentation at an international cannabis conference by a current officeholder at that level of government.

In addition to Dr. Paragi, presentations at the two-day science and technology conference were made by:

Lumír Hanuš – Chief Scientist, Lumir Lab, Asana Bio Group LTD
Prof Dr. Tamara Lah Turmšek – Biochemist, Researcher, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana
Peter Homberg – Partner, Dentons, Head of European Cannabis Group
Ngaio Bealum – Conference Master of Ceremonies
Alex Rogers – CEO & Executive Producer, International Cannabis Business Conference
Božidar Radišič – Project Manager and Founder, Research Nature Institute

At the conclusion of the event, the International Cannabis Business Conference hosted one of its infamous after-parties, which was headlined by none other than Slovenia’s most famous and loved artist, Magnifico.

Below are links to media coverage of the event:

Delo

SI21

Dnevnik

RTV Slovenia

24UR

STAznanost

Jutro na Planetu

Make sure to check out the upcoming event at the University of Ljubljana titled ‘Hemp and its Active Ingredients in Healthcare III’ on October 11th and 18th, 2023. The event is co-organized by the Research Nature Institute and is the third education seminary of a series involving doctors and nurses from the faculty at the University of Ljubljana.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.zf.uni-lj.si/si/arhiv-obvestil-cvu/1295-konoplja-in-njene-ucinkovine-v-zdravstvu-iii

cannabis genetics panel International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023

Big Opportunities In The Cannabis Genetics Sector

Written by Hazel Norman on August 22, 2023. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis breeding is an essential part of the industry, as it allows for the development of new strains and products that can be tailored to meet the needs of different consumers and patients. As the cannabis market continues to grow and evolve, so does the potential for genetics to play an even greater role in the industry.

In the embedded International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023 panel video below, experts discuss the latest trends in cannabis genetics and explore the future of breeding, from identifying new traits to using CRISPR technology. Panelists also delve into the question of how human DNA and cannabis DNA might be connected, and what implications this could have for the future of the industry. Panelists include:

Marcus Richardson (moderator) – Hashish aficionado and creator of Bubblebags
Dave Auger – Commissioner, Big League Genetics
Manny Dasilva – COO, Green Boyz Craft Israel
Jameson Welbourn – Founder and Managing Director, The Banyan Tree
Steven Tan – Principal Consultant, 4Plant

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin in 2024, as well as at our upcoming science and technology event in Slovenia this September!

High Tech Panel International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin

The Future Of Cannabis And Digital Innovation

Written by Johnny Green on August 13, 2023. Posted in Business.

As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, digital technology is poised to play an increasingly important role. From seed-to-sale tracking to customer relationship management, cannabis businesses are turning to software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, mobile apps, web 2.0, and big data analytics to improve efficiency, compliance, and customer experience. In the panel discussion in the video embedded below from the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, tech specialists explore the latest trends and opportunities in cannabis technology and discuss how digital tools can help businesses stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry. Panelists include:

- Christopher Budd – Co-Founder & Subject Matter Expert, Isolocity
- Nohtal Partansky – Co-Founder & CEO, Sorting Robotics
- Lewis Koski – Chief Strategy Officer, METRC
- Hans Harders – Regional Director, CCELL
- Jürgen Bickel – Managing Director, Storz & Bickel

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin in 2024, as well as at our upcoming science and technology event in Slovenia this September!

Global Investment Forum Berlin 2023 Jim Belushi

One Global Cannabis Industry: Who Will Be The Winners And Losers?

Written by Hazel Norman on August 11, 2023. Posted in Business, Policy.

The global cannabis industry is still emerging. The commodity cannabis is becoming more and more relevant for conventional industries, from food and health care via fashion to luxury niche segments. With adult-use reform coming across several nations, the opportunity for other industries in those countries has been unlocked. The biggest question today is: where are global cannabis sectors going and where will the best investments be? Panelists recently discussed this at the International Cannabis Business Conference’s Global Investment Forum in Berlin, as seen in the embedded video below. Panelists include:

David Traylor – Senior Managing Director, Golden Eagle Partners
Oliver Lamb – Co-Founder and Investment Manager, Óskare Capital
Trenton Birch – Co-Founder and CEO, Cheeba Africa
Bret Worley – CEO and President, MC Global Holdings

This panel also includes a guest appearance by legendary entertainer Jim Belushi. We look forward to seeing you in Berlin in 2024, as well as at our upcoming science and technology event in Slovenia this September!

Overcoming International Cannabis Logistical Challenges

Written by Hazel Norman on August 5, 2023. Posted in Business, Policy.

The emerging international cannabis industry is currently governed by a complex web of laws, rules, and regulations that are constantly shifting and evolving. With more countries reforming their cannabis policies and regulations, the regulatory layers will continue to increase in volume for the foreseeable future.

Yoram Eshel, CEO of Cannabilog, recently presented tips and insight regarding how to navigate the ‘regulatory maze’ in an effective way as part of his presentation at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. Eshel analyzes current international supply chain trends, provides an update on regulatory requirements in various markets, and discusses what to anticipate soon. He also discusses the ‘do’s and don’ts’ when shipping cannabis products worldwide.

We look forward to seeing you in Berlin in 2024, as well as at our upcoming science and technology event in Slovenia this September!

The Future Of Cannabis Science And Technology

Written by Johnny Green on August 2, 2023. Posted in Business, Science.

From the perspective of cannabis science and technology, we currently live in the best era in human history. It doesn’t take a historian to realize that the fields of cannabis science and technology have advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, as there is evidence of it to be found all over the planet now.

A person could make a list of all of the cannabis science and technology innovations combined from several decades in the past, and it would likely be a shorter list than what has occurred in just the last few years alone.

The advancements in cannabis science and technology in recent years are the direct result of cannabis policy modernization efforts in various parts of the world. More countries than ever before are now permitting medical and/or adult-use cannabis commerce, research, and development.

Scientists and innovators of all backgrounds and areas of focus are taking advantage of newly afforded freedoms to conduct research and development in ways that were completely prohibited in years past, and the results of their work are benefitting humans in their own jurisdictions and beyond.

For contextual purposes, consider the graph below showing the number of peer-reviewed cannabis studies listed on PubMed.gov as of the posting of this article, organized by year:

Keep in mind, while there are currently 32,491 peer-reviewed cannabis studies listed, which is a substantial amount, that is during a time period when studies were either outright prevented or the results were suppressed. Thankfully, cannabis research censorship is a thing of the past in a growing number of countries, as reflected in the graph above.

The truly inspiring thing about all of it is that we are just starting to scrape the surface. As more countries modernize their cannabis policies, cannabis science and technology innovations are going to hit warp speed and start piling up at an exponential rate. Part of that growth rate of innovation will be driven by profit given the fact that the emerging legal cannabis industry is worth so many tens of billions of dollars (and growing).

Cannabis is being cultivated in many markets now via sophisticated methods on a scale that is truly mind-boggling. It wasn’t that many years ago that a small personal hydroponic garden was considered cutting-edge technology in the cultivation world, and yet, today such a cultivation setup seems prehistoric by many measures.

These days nutrients, tailored feeding schedules, grow mediums, sungrown greenhouses, and supplemental lighting technology are arguably more advanced in the cannabis space than in any other agricultural area of focus, and unlike those other areas of focus, an army of people are working tirelessly around the clock around the globe to come up with the next great cannabis cultivation breakthrough.

Consumption research and technology is a particularly exciting sector of the emerging cannabis industry. While some countries are better at setting up sensible commerce regulations than others, one common thread that can be found in every legal country is that personal consumption is legal.

As global consumers gain confidence in partaking in their newfound freedoms post-legalization, they will continually seek out the newest and funnest ways to consume cannabis. That demand for new devices and gadgets will be met by inventors, and the financial rewards involved will be considerable. If you think that lazer bongs and handheld vaporizers are cool, wait until you see what gadgets people come up with in the near future, as well as what dispensary products hit the market.

Something that is likely not on a lot of cannabis enthusiasts’ radars right now, but certainly should be, are advancements in the area of non-consumption cannabis science and technology. By that, I mean innovating the way cannabis is used in products that are not consumed by humans, such as using hemp to make hempcrete and other building materials. One area that is particularly promising is incorporating cannabis into bioremediation efforts to clean up polluted ecosystems.

The future of cannabis science and technology is brighter than ever before, with no limit to the sector’s potential currently in sight. It can be difficult to keep up with everything, but that is why everyone should attend the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled, Slovenia.

The event is dedicated entirely to discussing and demonstrating the world’s latest and greatest cannabis science and technology, and it’s the best place on planet Earth for scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, policymakers, and industry service providers to learn and network.

Slovenia is already home to a thriving research and development community, serving as a global hub for several other industries. With local advocates ramping up efforts to modernize Slovenia’s cannabis policies, the Balkan nation is setting up to serve as an international cannabis research and development hub as well. The International Cannabis Business Conference in Bled is the ideal backdrop for the world’s best cannabis minds to meet and discuss their latest endeavors.

The event is being held at the iconic Rikli Balance Hotel on September 7th and 8th. A limited number of tickets are still available. Get yours before prices go up on August 23rd!