Business – Page 5 – International Cannabis Business Conference

A Big Win For Hemp In The United States

Written by Johnny Green on June 23, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Consumable hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have increased exponentially in availability and popularity in the United States after the adoption of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp production nationwide in the U.S.

Unfortunately, a byproduct of the rise of intoxicating hemp products in the U.S. is political and regulatory turmoil as states have scrambled to regulate the products, and in some cases, shut down the sector entirely. Arguably, ground zero for the ongoing hemp THC product battle in the U.S. is Texas.

Lawmakers in Texas introduced and approved Senate Bill 3, which would have banned hemp-derived THC products and related activity in Texas. The measure was one signature away from becoming law. However, at the last minute, the legislation was vetoed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill Sunday to ban all THC consumables, allowing the booming market flush with THC-infused vapes, gummies and other products to continue to be sold across the state.” reported the Associated Press. “Abbott, a Republican, waited until the final moment to veto the bill in what would have been one of the most restrictive THC bans in the country and a significant blow to the state’s billion-dollar industry.”

“The law would have made it a misdemeanor to own, manufacture or sell consumable THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, products and was the latest push by states to regulate THC after a 2018 federal law allowed states to regulate hemp, a similar plant to marijuana that can be synthetically processed to produce THC, the compound giving marijuana its psychoactive properties.” the Associated Press also reported.

“SB 3 would have banned widely used, federally legal hemp-derived products, pushing consumers toward unsafe alternatives and threatening public health and choice. Governor Abbott’s veto protects the hundreds of thousands of farmers, veterans, small businesses and adult consumers across Texas who rely on hemp for wellness and their livelihoods.” stated the Texas Hemp Business Council in a press release.

“Texas already has strong hemp regulations under HB 1325, such as strict rules on THC limits, full panel testing, licensing, labeling and accessible certificates of analysis. We continue to advocate for sensible additions, such as limiting sales to those 21 and older, requiring child-resistant packaging, and establishing setbacks from schools, all of which were rejected by proponents of SB 3 in both the 88th and 89th Legislatures.” the Council also wrote.

“Polling consistently shows that Texans do not support a ban on hemp-derived products. We commend Governor Abbott for his leadership and for listening to the more than 150,000 petition signers and thousands more who shared their stories through handwritten letters. We remain committed to working with lawmakers and stakeholders to support a safe, well-regulated hemp industry, not just for Texas, but as a model for the nation.” the Council concluded.

Between $19.1 and $22.4 billion in economic activity is generated by the Texas hemp-derived cannabinoid retail, manufacturing, and wholesale sectors, according to the Texas Hemp Business Council.

The Global Exchange At MJBizCon – Where Cannabis Business Leaders Connect

Written by Johnny Green on June 23, 2025. Posted in Business.

The emerging legal cannabis industry is spreading across the globe, with new markets seemingly being launched year after year, and existing markets continuing to expand. There has never been a more exciting time for legal cannabis businesses than right now, and the future of the legal international cannabis industry continues to get brighter as market projections demonstrate.

At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, leading international cannabis industry economist Beau Whitney, founder of Whitney Economics, estimated that the potential global medical and adult-use cannabis market is roughly $237.8 billion. Mr. Whitney estimated that the value of the global industrial hemp industry could be $456.2 billion.

Industry members in the United States and Canada are increasingly looking toward markets on other continents for expansion, and rightfully so. Amazing opportunities, particularly in Europe, are being created as governments modernize their cannabis policies.

It can be daunting for North American industry members to learn about and navigate the shifting legal global cannabis industry landscape, and even harder to effectively network at an international level. With that in mind, interested people and entities should check out The Global Exchange at the upcoming MJBizCon event in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December.

MJBizCon and the International Cannabis Business Conference have partnered to present The Global Exchange — a premier destination for international collaboration. MJBizCon has served as the top cannabis industry event in the Western Hemisphere for several years now, and likewise for the International Cannabis Business Conference in the Eastern Hemisphere. The collaboration between the two events is a must-attend for people serious about succeeding in the international cannabis industry.

New to 2025, The Global Exchange pavilion bridges the North American market with fast-growing global regions, including emerging opportunities in Europe. Get timely insights and unmatched networking directly on the show floor. It is where dealmakers, exporters, and investors can find their next high-value business partnership.

“The partnership between MJBizCon and the International Cannabis Business Conference provides a bridge for U.S. and Canadian operators to explore the idea of expanding operations to other parts of the world and helping international industry members forge relationships with entities in the North America markets.” stated Alex Rogers, CEO and Executive Producer of the International Cannabis Business Conference.

Over 20,000 people are expected to attend MJBizCon in Las Vegas in December, including leading entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, regulators, and industry service providers. The event will feature over 1,000 exhibitors, over 200 industry speakers, and over 60 conference sessions. People can find out more, including which attendee packages are available, at MJBizConference.com.

Cannabis Shop Inspections Ramp Up In Thailand

Written by Johnny Green on June 22, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

A series of cannabis store inspections reportedly occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, today as part of the government’s increased industry enforcement efforts. The inspections come amidst calls by cannabis opponents to repeal Thailand’s modernized cannabis policies and regulations.

“The Ministry of Public Health, in cooperation with the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and related agencies, deployed over 100 officers in a coordinated sweep of 20 cannabis shops across Bangkok on Sunday (June 22).” reported The Nation in its original coverage.

“Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said the operation follows a direct order from the Prime Minister, mandating a nationwide crackdown on unauthorised psychoactive drugs such as Rohypnol and Alprazolam, which are classified as controlled substances under medical regulations, along with precursor substances like kratom and cannabis.” the outlet also reported.

Reported violations from the inspections included ‘failure to properly record transactions and provide product details,’ as well as stores allegedly allowing on-site consumption. The reported violations resulted in some stores being ordered to close for between 10 and 14 days.

The Assistant to Thailand’s Public Health Minister, the Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, and the nation’s Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration all participated in the inspections.

Separately, officials in Phuket recently met with members of the local business community to discuss their complaints about cannabis shops in the area. Phuket is home to an estimated 1,500 specialty cannabis stores.

“The Phuket Tourist Association said tour agents in many countries have told its members that Thailand is now associated with high use of cannabis, which is not desired by family travellers.” reported Bangkok Post in its local coverage. “The private sector proposed that authorities improve control of the plant by limiting the number of spots for using cannabis.”

“In May, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin said cannabis users in Thailand would be required to have medical certificates, ensuring its use for medical purposes only, if the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s version of the law is passed.” the outlet reported.

State-Owned Company Seeks Volunteer Cannabis Product Testers In Argentina

Written by Johnny Green on June 21, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis research, while still hindered in many ways, has increased in size and scope in recent years thanks to public policy modernization efforts around the world, as well as growing demand for research driven by the emerging legal cannabis industry.

To quantify the increased research in recent decades, one only has to look at search results on PubMed.gov for the term ‘marijuana’, which now yields over 51k results for research conducted between 1950 and today:

With that being said, there is still a lot to be learned about the cannabis plant, its uses, and its potential effects. Argentina’s state-owned cannabis company is conducting research focusing on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is reportedly looking for local volunteers.

“Cannava SE, the Jujuy state-owned company created to develop cannabis for scientific and therapeutic purposes, began the first Argentine clinical trial studying the effectiveness of THC in the treatment of chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain.” reported El Planteo in its original coverage (translated from Spanish to English).

“The trial is exclusively aimed at residents of the province of Jujuy who suffer from chronic pain , especially neuropathic pain. Participation is part of a formal clinical protocol, with professional monitoring and controlled application of treatment through sublingual drops with a THC-rich formulation.” the outlet also reported.

Argentina’s modern medical cannabis industry got its start in 2017, although it was initially hindered by political issues. Starting in 2019, Argentina has made a big push to boost its domestic cannabis industry, particularly as it pertains to science and research. Back then, Argentina’s Ministry of Science and Technology signed an agreement with a local government, the National University, and other entities.

That was followed by a Presidential decree issued in 2020, which provided a way for medical cannabis patients to, in theory, sign up for a government program to be able to cultivate their own medicine.

In May 2022, lawmakers in Argentina passed a measure that created the framework for a more robust medical cannabis industry in the South American nation, including provisions for boosting exports around the world. Later in 2022, the government established a public company to provide seeds, testing, and training to the nation’s emerging medical cannabis industry.

Harmonizing Global Cannabis Regulations Could Unlock Billion-Dollar Markets

Written by Johnny Green on June 20, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

The emerging legal cannabis industry is governed by a layered patchwork of local, regional, and international laws and regulations. At best, the situation is chaotic and confusing, and at worst, it sets entrepreneurs and investors up for failure with many public policies at one level of government directly conflicting with public policies at other levels.

As many advances as the legal cannabis industry has made in recent decades, and how large the industry has become, it still has a long way to go to reach its full potential. In fact, no legal market has reached its full potential anywhere on the planet, and it will stay that way until global cannabis industry regulations are harmonized.

To a large degree, the cannabis industry is still comprised of siloed local markets. There are exceptions, of course, with more countries allowing medical cannabis product exports and imports. However, many markets still prohibit all cannabis commerce, and many others only permit domestic commerce.

Even in markets that are legal and permit cannabis imports and exports in addition to domestic commerce, such as in Canada, the market is still hindered by international agreements. Technically, non-medical cannabis legalization “contravenes the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs” according to the United Nations, and that alone creates significant hurdles for operators in all legalized markets.

Harmonizing global cannabis regulations was at the center of an insightful panel presentation at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. The panel, moderated by Benjamin Patock, International Relations at Boveda, discussed how modernized international regulations could unlock billion-dollar markets. Mr. Patock was joined on the panel by:

Götz Schneider-Rothhaar, Partner at SKW Schwarz
Jonathan Havens, Co-chair of Saul Ewing’s Cannabis Law and Food and Beverage Practices and the firm’s Baltimore Office Managing Partner
Atiyyah Ferouz, Founder and CEO of AGCann
Sebastien Beguerie, founder of Alpha-Cat, Kanavape, and Golden Buds
Frederik Bockslaff, Founder and Partner at NIMROD Rechtsanwälte

You can watch the panel discussion at this link here.

Tips And Strategies For Establishing International Cannabis Brands

Written by Johnny Green on June 14, 2025. Posted in Business.

Establishing a cannabis brand that resonates with consumers and patients is not for the faint of heart, and that is true in any market. However, it is particularly true for cannabis companies trying to establish their brands at an international level.

From seed companies to smart shops to controlled environment agriculture businesses, cannabis brands are strategically expanding into the global market at an increasing rate, and branding strategies continue to evolve to ensure that companies are effective in their pursuits.

At the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Ricardo Baca, Founder and CEO of international PR agency Grasslands and three-time ‘Marketer of the Year,’ moderated a panel focused on establishing international cannabis brands. Mr. Baca was joined on the panel by:

Nick Avé, General Manager of Zamnesia
Jürgen Bickel, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Storz and Bickel
Lance Lambert, CMO of Grove Bags
Barry Laxer, CEO and Founder of Cielo Verde

This session brought together pioneering executives from leading cannabis brands who have successfully navigated the complex journey from national to international markets. Drawing from their firsthand experience, the industry leaders shared practical insights on market entry strategies, regulatory compliance, and building brand presence in North America, Europe, and beyond.

Panelists provided tips and best practices for leveraging strategic partnerships and distribution networks, among other things. Whether you’re actively planning international expansion or exploring future possibilities, this session delivered actionable intelligence from those who have successfully transitioned. You can watch the panel discussion via this link here.

South African Authority Warns Against Fraudulent Service Providers

Written by Johnny Green on June 13, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

As South Africa’s emerging legal cannabis industry continues to increase in size and scope, the nation’s regulators are warning against fraudulent service providers. People and entities are reportedly falsely claiming to be accredited by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

“The watchdog says it has learned about a troubling trend of individuals and businesses using falsified licences to deceive the public and carry out unregulated operations, putting lives at risk. The warning comes amid the booming popularity of cannabis-infused products in South Africa, from beverages and snacks to baked goods.” reported Health E-News.

“SAHPRA CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela says in a statement that the rapid spread of cannabis dispensaries in shopping malls, many of which are openly displaying copies of alleged SAHPRA licences, is concerning.” the outlet also reported.

South Africa is on a short list of countries that have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. South Africa is joined on the list by Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany. The Czech Republic also recently announced plans to adopt a national measure.

Additionally, two dozen states in the U.S. have adopted recreational cannabis legalization measures, and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in both the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The legal cannabis industry in South Africa is still in its infancy by many measures. However, it has the potential to become a continental and international leader, as discussed in a recent article authored by Johann Slabber, CEO of South Africa-based Nexus Pharma.

“Our unique combination of favourable climate conditions, low-cost agricultural production, and access to skilled labour positions us as a highly competitive player. However, what’s still largely missing is a coherent and visible national narrative.” Mr. Slabber recently wrote for CannaBiz Africa after attending the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, Germany.

“With the right frameworks, storytelling, and international engagement, we have the potential to become a powerhouse in the global cannabis economy.” he also wrote.

Approved German Cannabis Cultivation Association Total Increases To 234

Written by Johnny Green on June 13, 2025. Posted in Business.

Starting on July 1, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a member-based cannabis cultivation association. Cultivation associations are one of the main legal channels from which German adults can legally source recreational cannabis, along with home cultivation.

According to the most recent statistics from the Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations (BCAv), there are now 234 cultivation associations in Germany that have received approval out of 658 applications submitted.

The updated statistic was included in the organization’s most recent newsletter as part of the table below, which provides a breakdown of associations approved by region:

As you can see from the data listed in the table, North Rhine-Westphalia has issued the most approvals, while Lower Saxony has issued the most rejections. Unfortunately, cultivation association approvals in Bavaria have proven to be a persistent challenge.

“In Bavaria, the licensing process for cannabis clubs remains restrictive. Although more than 200 cultivation associations have already been approved nationwide, the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety has only issued three licenses – including the “CSC Inntal Raubling”, “Exotic Kingdom CSC Fulda” and “The Marihuana Club Kirchdorf”, according to the FAZ .” BCAv stated.

“The majority of Bavarian applications, however, are still being processed, which is putting financial strain on numerous initiatives or forcing them to abandon them.” BCAv also wrote in its recent newsletter. “Critics accuse the state government of political obstruction. While the number of cannabis offenses in Bavaria has declined significantly, the black market continues to benefit from the lack of legal access.”

Pakistan Is Allocating Funds For Medical Cannabis And Hemp Production

Written by Johnny Green on June 11, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy.

Over a year ago, Pakistan’s government approved the creation of a cannabis regulatory agency to oversee the nation’s emerging legal industry. The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2024 resulted in the creation of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority, which reportedly involves a 13-member board of governors, chaired by Pakistan’s Secretary of the Defense Division.

Pakistan’s emerging legal medical cannabis and hemp industries received a boost recently with the announcement that the nation’s government will be allocating a significant amount of public funding, Rs. 1.95 billion, toward medical cannabis and hemp production.

“The project, approved by the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in December 2021, aims to lay the foundation for a regulated and science-driven cannabis industry in Pakistan.” reported Propakistani in its local coverage.

“It includes the development of advanced greenhouses for medical cannabis cultivation, the establishment of a national analytical laboratory to ensure quality and compliance, and the formation of a central authority to oversee industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis activities.” the outlet also reported.

Cannabis industry licenses in Pakistan are expected to be valid for five-year periods, and a maximum harvest threshold of .3% THC will be enforced. Pakistan first approved hemp farming and related industrial processing back in September 2020.

Pakistan’s main exports are currently textiles, cotton, yarn, rice, and leather products. An industry projection from August 2022 estimated that a thriving hemp industry in Pakistan could be worth multiple billions of dollars annually. Many kush cannabis strains originated in the Pakistan region.