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Jim Belushi Belushi's Farm

Jim Belushi Talks Cannabis Ahead Of Fireside Chat In Berlin

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

This year’s International Cannabis Business Conference event in Berlin will feature a one-on-one fireside chat with acclaimed entertainer Jim Belushi. Jim Belushi is a man of many talents – actor, singer, comedian, dancer, and now a legal cannabis farmer. We asked Belushi a series of cannabis questions ahead of his appearance in Berlin and below is what he had to say:

International Cannabis Business Conference: How does farming cannabis compare to your other pursuits?

Belushi: They both are on a mission to make people feel good, whether you’re making them laugh in a comedy or performing the Blues Brothers and filling their souls with music, or giving them cannabis to heal their anxieties, hopelessness, pain…. or just making them feel good and euphoric. The entertainment industry and the cannabis industry don’t hurt anybody. You can’t overdose if you laugh too much and you can’t overdose if you smoke too much pot. You may pass out if you eat too much of an edible, and I may have peed my pants from laughing too hard (especially at John Candy movies). But all in all, I’ve been at my business for 40 years and cannabis for 7 and they both have the same purpose — making people feel a little bit better. So I feel like I’m on track. They’re the same medicine.

International Cannabis Business Conference: Belushi’s Farm is located in Southern Oregon. What made you decide to choose that region?

Belushi: Southern Oregon chose me. My friend has a beautiful ranch down the Rogue River that I used to visit with my family twice a year. I went into the river naked one time and came out baptized, with a new spiritual release. I said to my friend, “Do you know of any other properties around here?” And that was it. I didn’t know Southern Oregon was the premiere spot to grow cannabis at the time… I was brought to Southern Oregon.

International Cannabis Business Conference: What types of products does your company make?

Belushi: Belushi’s Farm is home to a range of offerings including The Blues Brothers, Captain Jack’s Gulzar Afghanica (a rare strain from the Hindu Kush region that became known in the ’70s as “The Smell of SNL”), Good Ugly Weed, Belushi’s Farm premium brand. We’ve got a variety of products including flower, ice cream, hash and vape pens.

International Cannabis Business Conference: What markets are they available in? Do you have plans to expand to other continents?

Belushi: We’re currently available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. As for other continents, watch Season 3 of GROWING BELUSHI to see where we may take the adventure next!

International Cannabis Business Conference: What is your personal cannabis consumption regimen?

Belushi: I’m a microdoser. It’s medicine to me. I take 2.5-5mg of the Blues Brothers Bhang Chocolate to help me sleep. I’ll smoke a little Cherry Pie at the end of the day to help me with the transition into the evening. It’s medicine to me…“This medicine is so good, people take it FOR the side effects.”

International Cannabis Business Conference: What was your experience like making your hit show ‘Growing Belushi’ on the Discovery Channel? How did that cannabis-focused project compare to other projects you have worked on?

Belushi: This is a big question and deserves its own essay. But in short, all the other projects I’ve been involved with in show business have been scripted. Growing Belushi was all improvised, every scene, every moment. That takes a lot of concentration, a lot of wit, a lot of trust in your own ability, and a lot of overshooting to pull together an hour show each week. But that being said, it’s rewarding and joyous and fun when you’re able to create everything in the show. I love it.

International Cannabis Business Conference: What have you learned from visiting dispensaries in Oregon and beyond? 

Belushi: I visit a lot of dispensaries. In Oregon, I actually deliver to dispensaries and I do personal appearances and meet & greets. I have learned 85% of what I know about cannabis from these visits and experiences, which has changed this from a business to a journey to the pathway to healing. There are people, so many people, in need of medicine. From the veterans with PTSD, quadriplegics with spasms, people with shattered bones from car accidents, people with MS, dementia, sleeplessness, cancer on chemotherapy…the list goes on and on. In the dispensaries, I realized this was no longer just a business, it was necessary for the health of our community, for the people who suffer, the people who struggle, the people who are screaming inside the cavity of their bodies. I personally don’t use Ambien or Xanax for anxiety or even Advil. And I don’t really drink. Cannabis has replaced all these needs. I see a community growing larger in the pursuit of using cannabis as a substitute for medications and alcohol and opiates. I have been moved to tears many times.

International Cannabis Business Conference: What advice do you have for aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs?

Belushi: My advice to aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs is to stay out. The margins aren’t there yet. Between the fluctuation of the pricing of the pounds, the taxing, the banking, and the amount of initial capital, I would say don’t do it. Unless your passion overrides your pocketbook.

International Cannabis Business Conference: What is the biggest challenge facing the emerging cannabis industry today, in your opinion?

Belushi: The tens of thousands of nonviolent cannabis prisoners that are still in jail for the plant. That’s why I support Last Prisoner Project.

What do you have coming up that people should have on their radars?

Belushi: I have a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon. Follow me, my cannabis show ‘Growing Belushi,’ and my farm on social media and check out my website to keep up on all things Belushi. And, of course, join me in Berlin at the end of this month at the International Cannabis Business Conference where I will be doing a fireside chat, followed by a performance at the conference after-party. See you there!

International Cannabis Business Conference: What is the best way for folks to keep up on all of your cannabis industry pursuits?

Belushi: Through Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and the website.

SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals

SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals Signs Supply Contract With Cosma Poland

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Business.

LISBON, Portugal (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals Unipessoal LDA (“SOMAÍ”) has entered into a two-year supply agreement with a well-respected Polish distributor Cosma Cannabis. Cosma produces medical-grade cannabis products for importation and distribution across Poland. The contract represents 1,000,000 euros in sales for SOMAÍ’s 2024 goals to develop the fast-emerging medical cannabis markets of Poland.

“We are very proud that Cosma has chosen SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals as their preferred manufacturer to penetrate the Polish market with our extract formulations,” said SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals CEO and Chairman Michael Sassano. “Being one of the first manufacturers in a large market with positive regulatory reforms must have good partners like Cosma that can effectively educate and represent our current and future product offerings.”

By the terms of the agreement, SOMAÍ has agreed to supply medical cannabis products to Cosma for distribution in Poland under the trademark of Cosma. Additionally, Cosma will be granted Marketing Authorization to supply, market, and distribute the products within the designated territory. It has been stipulated in the agreement that Cosma will carry out the distribution of the products in compliance with the agreed-upon terms and conditions.

The medical cannabis products distributed under the Agreement consist of oil drops in various ratios of THC/CBD, including 25:1, 10:10, 2.5:25, and 20:1.

The Polish market for medical cannabis products has grown rapidly in recent years, with a number of patients seeking alternative treatments for conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. The demand for high-quality medical cannabis products in Poland is exceptionally high. SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals’ products are especially needed in the Polish market due to their high quality and effectiveness in treating various medical conditions, such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and epilepsy.

“Initiation cooperation with SOMAÍ has allowed us to offer innovative medicinal substances in the Polish market. We plan to develop products dedicated to Eastern Europe patients jointly. Due to the unique composition and the use of particular ingredients in these products, their absorption by the human body will be much greater than that of competitor’s products.” – said Lukasz Kreski, CHAIRMAN and Co-Founder of COSMA. “We also plan to begin joint clinical research and studies in pain management, inflammatory conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and oncology.”

About SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals is an international company focused on the extraction of the cannabis plant and manufacturing pharmaceutic formulations for the EU market. The company invests in the extraction, research, development, and distribution of EU GMP-pharmaceutical market-authorized cannabinoid products. For more information, please visit SOMAÍ’s website. You can read SOMAÍ’s and CEO Michael Sassano’s articles here.

Press Contacts:
Nataliia Garnina
Marketing Manager
+351 963 551 216
ng@somaipharma.eu

Commercial Contact:
Geroge Bellow
Chief Operational Officer
George@somaipharma.eu

ABOUT COSMA

Cosma Cannabis is a Polish cannabis company. Cosma offers natural and safe dietary supplements that are based solely on high-quality, natural herbal extracts and free of synthetic additives. By incorporating traditional herbal extracts such as chamomile, mint, and hops, Cosma’s products cater to the specific needs of patients. The key advantages of Cosma products include proven and consistent composition, easy dosing, and the absence of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol. For more information, please visit https://cosmacannabis.com/.

Commercial Contact:
Lukasz Kreski
Chairman/Co-Founder
lukasz.kreski@cosma.pl

Source: GlobeNewswire

purple cannabis plant flower bud

What Is Next For The Cannabis Industry?

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

The emerging legal cannabis industry is continuing to undergo a dramatic evolution, particularly in Europe. The momentum for global reform is greater now than at any other time since the dawn of prohibition, and the biggest domino to date is teetering and getting closer to toppling with every passing day. That domino is, of course, Germany.

Cannabis advocates have fought for reform in Germany for many years, however, the legalization effort picked up considerable steam in mid-2021 when the results of the federal election that year yielded a governing coalition that quickly expressed its desire to modernize Europe’s cannabis policies.

Germany was already home to the largest legal medical cannabis industry in Europe at the time, and initially, it seemed that Germany would launch legal national adult-use cannabis sales in a quick fashion. Then, for over a year, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach worked behind the scenes, with details of his legalization plan leaking every once in a while.

Eventually, Minister Lauterbach held a press conference in October 2022 to announce some of the provisions he would be seeking but made it abundantly clear that his next stop was the European Union to try to get its permission to proceed.

Unfortunately, the effort hit some turbulence once Germany’s Health Minister started negotiating with the European Union, with Minister Lauterbach providing an update in April 2023 in which he indicated that the European Union would allow parts of the previously outlined legalization plan to proceed and prohibit other parts.

The main component that the European Union stated it would not permit was nationwide adult-use cannabis sales to anyone of legal age. The blocking of that robust provision seemed to send many newer industry members into a bit of a spiral. The fact of the matter is that cannabis reform rarely, if ever, follows a linear path. It is full of twists and turns, and Germany is the latest example of that.

With those twists and turns comes opportunity, as not everyone is able to navigate the shifting landscape. People who are able to navigate the shifting landscape, that can identify trends, and maximize windows of opportunity, will reap significant rewards.

What legalization will ultimately look like in Germany once it is finally implemented is something that we will have to wait and see, however, the basic provisions are already known – personal cultivation, possession, and consumption will be legal and noncommercial clubs will be permitted.

Eventually, regional adult-use commerce pilot programs will launch as well. All of that creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers if they know what to anticipate and where to focus on developing innovative ideas.

The best way to learn what is next for the emerging cannabis industry, both in Germany and beyond, is to hear from true international cannabis experts that spend every day on the frontlines of cannabis reform and industry. Fortunately, the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany later this month provides that exact opportunity.

Following yet another successful cannabis super-event in Barcelona, the International Cannabis Business Conference is once again bringing its flagship B2B event and tradeshow back to Berlin, Germany on June 29th-30th, 2023. In addition to the B2B event, which is the largest of its type in Europe, the International Cannabis Business Conference will also hold a Global Investment Forum in Berlin on June 27th.

Both events will feature leading cannabis industry experts, and the B2B event has a panel specifically dedicated to discussing what is next for the international cannabis industry now that the curtain dropped in Germany. The panel will feature:

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers.

Attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with investors, entrepreneurs, industry regulators, and international policymakers and take your industry pursuits to the next level. Secure your tickets now before the event sells out!

planet earth

The Global Rise Of Medical Cannabis

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

The legal medical cannabis industry is a global powerhouse now, however, that was obviously not always the case. International economists estimate that the legal medical cannabis market topped $31.8 billion USD in 2022 and that by 2030 the market size could more than double.

Yet, the emerging legal medical cannabis industry comes from fairly humble beginnings going back to the mid-1990s in California. A coalition of dedicated activists succeeded in getting the first medical cannabis legalization measure passed in California in 1996 and that victory set off a chain reaction that is still sweeping the globe today.

As medical cannabis reform has spread across the planet over the better part of the last three decades, the industry itself has evolved considerably during the same time period. The young legal industry in California in the mid-1990s doesn’t resemble the medical cannabis industry in existence today, including within California’s own borders.

The modern medical cannabis industry is far more sophisticated now compared to decades past, and rules and regulations are far more complex. With the rise of legal medical cannabis imports and exports, the complexities will likely only increase going forward.

Furthermore, adult-use reform is on the move, particularly in Europe where Germany is on the cusp of passing a national adult-use legalization measure. The modernization of adult-use cannabis policies will no doubt have an impact on medical cannabis policies in the regions where adult-use reform occurs.

All of that can make it hard to get a grasp on trends and opportunities, and it’s even harder when the industry and policy landscape shifts, which seems to be a frequent thing these days. Fortunately, there’s an opportunity to learn directly from leading international cannabis experts at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin on June 29th-30th.

One of the panels for the conference, which is the largest and longest-running event of its type in Europe, is dedicated to discussing the rise of the global medical cannabis industry, and what impact legalization in Germany will have on the sector.

Georgia Glick, Head of Partnerships for Hanway Associates, will serve as the moderator of ‘The Global Rise of Medical Cannabis’ panel in Berlin. Joining Georgia Glick will be Lily Temperton, Head of Analysis for Hanway Associates, Lisa Haag, Founder of MJ_Universe, Alex Revich, Equity Partner at Hybrid Pharm and Cannabis Education & Medical Partnerships at Loosh Brands, Fleta Solomon, CEO of Little Green Pharma, and Dr. Malgorzata Meunier, CSO of Hapa Pharm.

Germany has emerged as a key player in the global medical cannabis market, with a robust regulatory framework and a growing number of patients accessing cannabis for therapeutic use. Although, Germany is not alone in its pursuit of medical cannabis.

Around the world, countries are exploring the potential of cannabis to treat a range of conditions, from chronic pain to epilepsy to cancer. In this panel, experts from Germany and beyond will take a closer look at the role of Germany in the international medical cannabis industry and explore emerging markets and pilot programs around the planet.

The panel will also discuss the critical importance of education for healthcare professionals, patients, and policymakers to ensure the safe and effective use of medical cannabis. You can view the full schedule for the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin at this link here.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers.

Attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with investors, entrepreneurs, industry regulators, and international policymakers and take your industry pursuits to the next level. Secure tickets now before the event is sold out!

cannabis infused tea cannabis infused tea

Hemp Leaves No Longer A Novel Food Under EU Law

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

Cannabinoid-based products are increasing in popularity across the globe, and particularly so in Europe. ‘Cannabis light’ products are widely available in Europe, although they are not always completely legal.

Part of the problem is the patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations in Europe, with individual countries often having their own set of policies, with the European Union having sometimes conflicting policies. What is legal in one country may not be legal in another country, and all of it may be illegal in the eyes of the European Union depending on the situation.

To further complicate things, hemp and cannabis are treated differently by the governments of Europe (and elsewhere on earth), even though they are ultimately the same plant. If the THC content of a plant is under a threshold, typically .3-1%, then it is hemp. If it is above the threshold, then it is cannabis according to various governments.

It may seem like a big game of semantics to some, however, when it comes to public policy in Europe and the emerging industries that are governed by such policies, words matter. Thankfully, there is now reportedly clarification for hemp leaves at the European Union level, with the EU recently indicating that hemp leaves are no longer considered to be a ‘Novel Food.’ Per Cannabis Health News:

Hemp leaves, when separate from the flower, are now no longer classed as a Novel Food under EU law, permitting the sale of hemp-infused tea and tea-like products in member states.

An agreement to modify the Novel Food Catalogue was reached by EU members as part of a European Commission (EC) working group on Friday 2 June.

It’s now over four years since the EC made the controversial decision to classify all parts of the plants as Novel, meaning companies would need to apply for Novel Food status in order to legally sell cannabinoid-based products containing less than 0.3% THC in the EU.

The recent decision is obviously significant for people that sell cannabis teas and other products derived from hemp leaves. However, the decision clearly does not go far enough, and anything that is not derived from hemp leaves still faces a considerable amount of bureaucratic hurdles.

Europe’s emerging cannabis industry is increasing in size despite the playing field being far from level for cannabis companies compared to companies in many other major industries. Hopefully the governments of Europe, and the European Union itself, moves faster to modernize the continent’s cannabis policies.

euros currency

How Will German Legalization Affect Europe’s Emerging Cannabis Industry?

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

As a long-time cannabis activist in the United States, I have personally witnessed the ‘cannabis political butterfly effect.’ Cannabis activists worked at the state level to legalize medical cannabis for many years with no victories in the United States, although it wasn’t for lack of effort.

That all changed in 1996 with the passage of medical cannabis legalization in California. That one victory would quickly prove to be the first domino that would knock over several others in the years that followed, with state after state passing measures via citizen initiative or legislative action.

The same thing happened with adult-use legalization. The first states to legalize in the U.S. were Colorado and Washington in 2012, and roughly a decade later the list has grown exponentially to 22 states, two territories, and Washington D.C. Both policy shift patterns demonstrate the butterfly effect.

This is not to say that every reform victory sets off a public policy chain reaction. Obviously, Uruguay legalized cannabis for adult use and it was not until a handful of years later that Canada did the same, and then a few years after that before Malta passed its own legalization measure. Those examples highlight that not all prohibition dominos are created equal.

One international legalization domino is looming over all the rest right now – Germany. Germany is in the middle of a historic push to pass a national legalization measure, and we now know many of the policy facets that will be involved, although it’s still unclear what many of the regulatory requirements will be.

What is clear is that Germany is likely to spark a series of similar reform measures being introduced and passed in other countries, particularly in Europe. It is completely logical to assume that there will be a policy butterfly effect once Germany legalizes, unlike what has happened so far in Canada, Uruguay, and Malta.

Germany shares more borders (9) with other countries than any other nation in Europe. It is very unlikely that successful legalization in Germany will fail to move the needle in the region. Leaders in the Czech Republic have already publicly indicated that they will follow Germany’s lead, and presumably, several other countries are just waiting for Germany’s process to get further along before they do the same.

Germany is home to the world’s fourth-largest economy and holds tremendous political influence at the continental and global levels. Legalization in Germany is going to encourage countries throughout the world to get on the ride side of history and work to end cannabis prohibition at a level never previously witnessed since the dawn of prohibition.

This is all stellar news for the emerging legal international cannabis industry, as every reform victory yields new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, industry service providers, etc. Cannabis reform is on the move around the world, particularly in Europe, and that directly benefits overall industry pursuits.

With that being said, there are still many questions to be answered, not the least of which are how fast can people expect things to start moving, and where should they focus their attention. Some nations are going to move faster than others, and some markets are going to be worth holding out for compared to other markets that may have a lower barrier to entry but less profit potential.

Figuring that all out is not an easy task, and that is why we are encouraging people to come to learn straight from one of the best in the business at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin on July 29-30th. Renowned international cannabis expert Peter Homberg will provide a keynote address dedicated to the topic of how legalization in Germany will affect the international cannabis industry. Peter Homberg is a partner at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, and possesses a wealth of knowledge of cannabis policy and industry trends.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin and that includes representatives from every sector of the industry as well as leading international cannabis policymakers and industry service providers. Attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin to network with investors, entrepreneurs, industry regulators, and international policymakers and take your industry pursuits to the next level.

Secure your tickets now before the event is sold out!

Bern Switzerland

Switzerland Cannabis Pilot Programs Set To Expand

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

Switzerland is home to a cannabis commerce public policy experiment that is based on a concept which is seemingly growing in popularity in policy and regulatory circles. The concept, limited regional cannabis commerce pilot projects, is already in operation in Basel, Switzerland where 374 people between the ages of 18 and 76 can make legal adult-use cannabis purchases.

Additional pilot programs were approved for Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, and Bern, with Bern’s pilot program set to launch this fall. The pilot program in Bern ‘plans to recruit 1,091 participants, including approximately 600 in the federal city’ according to domestic reporting.

Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city with a population of roughly 400,000 people, although the overall metro area pushes that number considerably higher. Zurich’s pilot program is expected to launch at the end of the summer and will involve 3,000 participants when fully operational. Participants will be able to make legal cannabis purchases from an expected 21 regulated outlets in Zurich.

Switzerland is not the only nation pursuing plans for regional pilot programs. Officials in Denmark are pursuing their own plans, and Germany is likely to eventually become the largest embracer of such public policy efforts. German lawmakers are working right now to hammer out details that will serve as the foundation for the nation’s pilot programs.

Officials in Frankfurt and Offenbach have already declared their intentions to launch pilot programs, and they are surely not alone. Germany will not be the first place where pilot programs are launched, however, the nation that serves as home to the largest economy in Europe will likely prove to be the place where pilot programs become the most common, and on a much larger scale than what will be found in Switzerland.

The expansion of pilot programs in Switzerland is worthy of celebration to be sure, although the scope of the nation’s pilot programs needs to be kept in proper context. They are very limited in size and are not coupled with noncommercial cannabis clubs like what is being pursued in Germany and proposed in the Czech Republic.

What Switzerland really needs, and this is true for every country on earth, is a robust cannabis policy that ensures safe access to all forms of medical cannabis for suffering patients, and incorporates regulated adult-use commerce for all cannabis products, regardless of THC content, to help boost public health outcomes.

ICBC Global Investment Forum

Network With International Cannabis Investors At The Berlin Global Investment Forum

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

Proper timing is a vital ingredient to success in every industry, and particularly so in the emerging international cannabis industry.

The legal cannabis space is still very young, especially at the global level, and many investors, entrepreneurs, industry service providers, policymakers, and regulators are networking extensively right now to figure out who to collaborate with.

Being at the right place at the right time can literally mean the difference between crushing it in the emerging industry in the coming years or fading away.

The upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference Global Investment Forum, taking place on June 27th in Berlin, is the best time and place to effectively network with true global cannabis leaders, including top industry investors.

It is extremely rare that this many true global cannabis experts and leaders get together in one place, and even rarer for an event to host the caliber of individuals and entities that will be speaking and/or attending this specific forum.

Below is a list of speakers that will be participating in the Global Investment Forum in Berlin:

  • David Traylor – Senior Managing Director, Golden Eagle Partners
  • Peter Homberg – Partner, Dentons Head of European Cannabis Group
  • Ngaio Bealum – Conference Master of Ceremonies
  • Jamie Pearson – International Consultant, New Holland Group
  • Todd Born – Co-Founder and CEO, The Alpen Group
  • Steve Winokur – Global Head of Cannabis Investment Banking, Canaccord Genuity Corp.
  • Carmen Doran – CEO of Helius Therapeutics, Board Member of the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council
  • Constantin von der Groeben – Co-Founder and Managing Director, Demecan
  • rer. nat. Adrian Fischer – Co-Founder and Managing Director, Demecan
  • Vera Broder – CEO, MHI Cultivo Medicinal SA.
  • Joel Redelman – Founding Partner, Redfield Group, Chairman, Promethean Biopharma
  • Benedikt Sons – Co-Founder, Managing Director and CEO of Cansativa Group
  • Robert T. Hoban – Member, Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Group, & Member-in-Charge of the Clark Hill Denver Office
  • Nic Easley – CEO, 3C Consulting & Multiverse Capital Managing Director
  • Alex Rogers – CEO & Executive Director, International Cannabis Business Conference
  • Oliver Lamb – Co-Founder and Investment Manager, Oskare Capital
  • Hilary Black – Pionner, Founder, and Advisor
  • Alex Revich – Equity Partner at Hybrid Pharm, Cannabis Education & Medical Parternships at Loosh Brands
  • Cornelius Maurer – Co-Founder, Demecan
  • Kai-Friedrich Niermann – Founder, KFN+ Law Office
  • Lewis Koski – Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Metrc LLC
  • Lisa Haag – Founder, MJ_Universe
  • Giovanni Venturini Del Greco – Founder and CEO, Herbolea Biotech
  • Daniel Haymann – Legal Counsel, MME Legal
  • Trenton Birch – Co-Founder & CEO, Cheeba Africa
  • Luc Richner – CEO Founder, Cannavigia
  • Marcus Moser – MB & Partner, Zurich Und Moser consulting, Guglingen

The Global Investment Forum will be held at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin on June 27th. A VIP reception will occur the night prior at the exclusive Adlon Terrace in the shadow of the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Given the historical push to legalize cannabis in Germany right now, the setting for the Global Investment Forum VIP reception could not be better.

You can view the International Cannabis Business Conference Global Investment Forum’s full schedule at this link here. Ticket prices go up on May 17th at 11:59 PM – register now and save!

colombia flag

Colombia Needs To Improve Its Cannabis Export Regulations

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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