Skip to main content
canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag

Canada’s Cannabis Industry Lobbies For Economic Aid Due To Virus Fallout

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

The coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the global economy, and the cannabis industry is no exception. Some states in the U.S. have designated the cannabis industry to be ‘essential’ however, that is more of the exception than it is the rule.

Economic stimulus packages are being proposed all over the world, including in Canada, to help industries weather the storm. Members of the cannabis industry in Canada are lobbying to be part of any national aid package. Per Bloomberg:

Canada’s cannabis industry is lobbying the government to be included in Ottawa’s $82-billion economic aid package for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 70 cannabis industry professionals, ranging from producers to retailers to consultants, signed a letter sent to Industry Minister Navdeep Bains and Finance Minister Bill Morneau requesting the government provide the legal pot sector “immediate measures to receive economic stimulus.”

“Canada’s cannabis industry has weathered several shocks in the past six months, including the loss of over 2,000 well-paying jobs in the sector. Our access to capital, including credit, is challenging,” according to the letter obtained by BNN Bloomberg.

Access to capital is particularly problematic for cannabis businesses, and not just in Canada. Investment money was flooding into the industry for a time, however, that has changed recently. Reliable access to credit has always been an issue for the cannabis industry. If the cannabis industry is to survive in Canada, it will likely need some help in doing so.

A similar effort is underway in the United States where members of the cannabis industry are lobbying lawmakers to include the cannabis industry in any future stimulus packages.

Some cannabis companies continue to do well in the U.S. despite the economic issues caused by the virus response, however, there are plenty of others that are struggling, and even those that are continuing to succeed may be unable to continue to do so because of all of the uncertainty surrounding the larger economy.

Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa

U.S. Cannabis Advocates Call For Continued Safe Access To Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

We are living in the midst of truly difficult times. It’s no secret that the coronavirus has turned most of the world upside down, and as of right now, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive answer as to when we can expect things to return to normal.

As the confirmed case numbers for the coronavirus continue to rise around the globe, more and more countries are taking steps to temporarily shut down industries so that people can adhere to social distancing strategies that health officials are calling for. We sincerely hope that it all proves to be effective and that it works out as quickly as possible.

One industry that is being deemed ‘essential’ in a growing number of jurisdictions is the cannabis industry. Lawmakers and regulators in various areas have already made the designation, which allows cannabis operators to continue to conduct business, albeit in a limited fashion in most cases.

Cannabis dispensaries, for instance, are being allowed to conduct delivery services in areas that were previously off-limits, and some dispensaries are allowed to perform curbside service for their customers, many of which are patients that rely on medical cannabis. With that being said, many other jurisdictions have yet to designate the cannabis industry as ‘essential.’

A coalition of cannabis advocates is calling on governments across the United States to deem that the cannabis industry is an essential industry and to ensure continued safe access to cannabis. Below is a press release from the Marijuana Policy Project that provides further details:

In response to escalating efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 by social distancing, the Marijuana Policy Project and other organizations have released an open letter urging governors and legislative leaders to take necessary actions to ensure continued safe access to cannabis in a way that is consistent with public health.

In states with legal medical cannabis, the letter recommends state leaders declare medical cannabis businesses “essential,” allow medical cannabis delivery, online ordering, and curbside delivery, ensure individuals are allowed to consult with physicians by telemedicine, and extend the expiration date of medical cannabis cards until after the crisis has abated, among other recommended actions. The letter sent to leaders of states with medical cannabis or cannabidiol laws can be found here.

In a separate letter, the Marijuana Policy Project and other organizations recommend that similar measures should be implemented in states that also have adult-use cannabis laws. The letter notes the importance of declaring all cannabis businesses “essential,” as most adult-use consumers are using cannabis for therapeutic purposes.This includes many veterans due to a Veterans Affairs policy against VA physicians providing medical cannabis certifications. The letter sent to leaders of states with both medical cannabis and adult-use laws can be found here.

In addition to the Marijuana Policy Project, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Veterans for Natural Rights, and Veterans Cannabis Project signed onto both letters. The Epilepsy Foundation signed onto the medical letter.

States and jurisdictions have already taken some of these important actions. Coupled with  orders for all non-essential businesses to close, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco affirmed medical cannabis dispensaries are “essential” businesses and can remain open, while also practicing self-distancing. Other states, such as Illinois, Louisiana, and Michigan, have implemented measures that allow for curbside pick-up and/or expanded delivery options. The Marijuana Policy Project is tracking state measures to preserve access in light of COVID-19 here.

Statement from Steve Hawkins, Executive Director at the Marijuana Policy Project:
“Throughout the course of this pandemic, it remains vital for state leaders to ensure patients can safely access medical cannabis. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have adopted cannabis into their treatment regimens. Many of those same people have compromised immune systems or a serious medical condition. During this crisis, patients should not have to fear the prospect of losing access to a treatment option that is essential to their wellbeing.”

Statement from Laura Weidner, Esq., Vice President of Government Relations & Advocacy at the Epilepsy Foundation:
“For individuals living with epilepsy, timely and continued access to all treatment options, including medical cannabis, that work to control or reduce their seizures is critical. To change, limit, or deny access to a treatment option that works for an individual can be dangerous and lead to breakthrough seizures and related complications including accidents, injuries, and avoidable hospitalizations that further burden the health care system in this critical time.

“In some cases, a sudden loss of access to a successful treatment option could lead to an untimely death. While not everyone with epilepsy would or should consider medical cannabis as a treatment option, those who successfully do so in consultation with their healthcare providers must not lose access.”

Statement from Doug Distaso, Executive Director at the Veterans Cannabis Project:
“It’s critical that the men and women who bravely served their country can continue to count on receiving the life-saving medical treatments used for PTSD, chronic pain, and the other wounds of war. Like any patient who relies on widely available medical treatment options, veteran patients need assurance their access to cannabis is not unnecessarily and unfairly limited during this crisis.”

cannabis dispensary employee budtender cannabis dispensary employee budtender cannabis dispensary employee budtender cannabis dispensary employee budtender cannabis dispensary employee budtender cannabis dispensary employee budtender

Dutch Officials Reversed A Decision To Force Cannabis Coffee Shops To Close

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

Dutch coffee shops are famous for serving cannabis. People have traveled from all over the world for multiple decades to Dutch coffee shops in order to purchase cannabis and enjoy the local culture. As with virtually everything right now, Dutch coffee shops are being affected by the spread of the coronavirus.

Initially, Dutch coffee shops were instructed to close out of caution, which led to the hoards of consumers lining up outside of the coffee shops to make one last purchase. Media coverage from around the world showed long lines of people waiting out in front of the shops.

That initial decision was reversed this week, with Dutch officials stating that the shops could remain open, albeit in a limited capacity. Per NOS:

Mayors already urged the cabinet today that the coffee shops should be allowed to open their counters again. They feared that the illegal drug street trade would flourish again due to the forced closure. So they hear their call.

Customers of takeaways and coffee shops are advised to avoid crowds. Also, the purchased items may not be consumed on the spot.

The decision comes in the same week that officials in San Francisco and New York in the United States deemed the cannabis industry to be ‘essential’ and dispensaries were allowed to remain open despite many other types of businesses being ordered to close.

While many people use cannabis for recreational purposes, many also use cannabis for purely medical purposes. For some of those patients, their only safe access to cannabis is via Dutch coffee shops, and from that standpoint, it’s great to see that people will continue to have that access.

cannabis plant in jamaica cannabis plant in jamaica cannabis plant in jamaica cannabis plant in jamaica

Does Germany Actually Know How Much Cannabis It Is Consuming?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Business.

There has been a growing awareness, including among policymakers, that something is not working with the current German cannabis laws and that starts with understanding who is doing what. With a lack of clarity around all private patients, the numbers being reported are those who have made it through the “statutory” health system to approvals. This kind of insurance covers the vast amount of Germans (90%).

However private patients are in another kettle of fish. They may have an easier time finding doctors willing to prescribe, but the prices they face at the pharmacy are eye-watering. This is one of the biggest problems the German government itself now faces. Estimating the amount needed accurately, while trying to get a grip on what is legit and what is not coming in over the border.

With a relaxation of CBD rules now in the offing, this puts another wrinkle into the game. Drug interdiction in such an environment – and determining which is legit and which is not – is becoming even more of a losing game. Does any policeman want to arrest a patient for CBD flower?

Upping Domestic Production

The country is now in the grips of an extended leadership discussion that has been going on for several years. Issues across the map, including cannabis reform, are catching the traditional party unawares. There are many reasons that Germans want to see cannabis cultivation expanded here – including of course capitalizing on a national theme – namely exports. But there are many other compelling reasons slowing the industry down. Acceptance is one thing. Finding a way to bring this unwieldy, strange plant, into regulated rules is another.

That said, with a clarification on at least CBD, there is another subtext in the room. If hemp as a plant is not “novel,” much less cannabinoids extracted from the same, what does this mean about the THC discussion? Especially as medicine and already in the room?

These are all issues now on the table as the country faces the reality that medical cannabis works, and for a range of conditions. But who should get priority? Who should pay for it? And is there actually enough certified product to even go around now?

All of these questions from a policy perspective are in the air right now, as Germany again faces a leadership challenge within the CDU, and political alliances are again shifting. Cannabis and legalization policies are very much in the front and center of German life. And likely to be so for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin – now moved to new summer dates for the latest and greatest updates on an industry that is finally starting to come into its own.

cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil

Is CBD Coming Back Into Focus In Germany?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Business.

With the news that the German government has woken up to biology and declared that CBD is not necessarily a novel food (big victory for the European Industrial Hemp Association if not a high five of success), the market is certainly changing.

If 2018 was the year of the CBD cannabuzz and last year the Anti Hempire Strikes Back (all over Europe), this new decision by the German government will finally begin to clarify things.

In reality, this discussion is about two issues – the source of the plant and how cannabinoids are extracted. If the plant genus is from Europe and regulated extraction processes are followed (as in EU Bio), the entire conversation shifts.

However what it also does, as is clearly the case, is beginning to open the decks for investment capital now hungrily looking again at cannabis options (see the big raise this week in the UK). With the British about to go the same route as the Germans, this means, for the first time, there will be a regulated path for CBD products across the continent. Expect other governments to follow suit.

What Does This Mean For The German Hemp Industry?

This is unbelievably good news for a German-based hemp market that has struggled for respect. First, the medical market blew it away with all the attention and the money. Then governments stepped in. With the dust clearing on the ground on the CBD discussion at least when it comes to novel food, the next step will be what regulatory mandate does this industry fall under?

And there the path is very clear. 

As a result, German hemp farmers will finally be allowed to go into more or less unrestricted business, although don’t expect fast steps. With the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) facing off vs the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) don’t expect overnight change. There are lots of big discussions right now about disagreeing German departments when it comes to cannabis. Welcome to the club.

However, in the shorter term, this is good news overall for the industry. There are many hurdles to overcome yet, but in sum? The clouds appear to be clearing a bit on the cannabis storm auf Deutschland.

Make sure you book your tickets for the now rescheduled summer International Cannabis Business Conference! Hemp and CBD policies, as well as regulatory oversight of the industry, is a big topic this year.

europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe europe

More Canadian LPs Obtain EU GMP Licenses

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Business.

Several more Canadian firms have obtained EU-GMP licenses over the last month, with Aphria obtaining its license at the end of January, about a year later than expected.

Indeed, GMP certification proved to be a major, expensive and time-consuming hurdle for many Canadian firms, and it has taken a great deal longer to obtain the same than most anticipated. Clearly other issues, including the continued delays on the cultivation bid, have added to the discussion.

However, EU GMP is not the only license required to enter the European market as Aurora learned last fall. 

Regardless, what this clearly shows is that Canadian firms are not shying away from the challenge and there will be more floss heading this way soon.

What Is EU GMP?

EU GMP certification is the medical certification required of all medical cannabis entering the market in Germany and across Europe. There is a range of requirements, including labeling that goes along with this.

The certification is not unique to the cannabis industry but rather a pharmaceutical standard that is used globally.

Do Any US Firms Have EU GMP?

GMP certification has not taken root, yet, widely in the United States because of the lack of federal reform and still state-level industry regulations. That said, it is unlikely that this development will skip the United States as the industry finally goes federal, presumably sometime after the next presidential election.

How Do You Start To Get Certified?

The most important step in becoming certified for this kind of market is starting correctly. That means everything from growing organic to construction facilities.

How Do You Justify This Expense To Your Investors?

So far, the idea of raising capital to build facilities to GMP standards has not been a priority in the U.S. However, as the market matures and evolves, this standard will increasingly be in the room. Indeed investors will increasingly ask to see proof or at least plans to get this kind of certification in business plans and prospectuses.

To learn more about certification and other required regulations in the German market, be sure to attend the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin this July!

Alex with Congressmen Alex with Congressmen

Alex Rogers – The Cannabis Edutainer

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

International Cannabis Business Conference is one of the biggest events worldwide regarding professional networking in cannabis. Attracting visitors from over 70 countries worldwide, the International Cannabis Business Conference is expecting over 2.500 visitors for the International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin event this year. krautinvest.de got to talk with Alex Rogers, founder of International Cannabis Business Conference, about his experience in the cannabis industry, his venture and what visitors can expect for this year’s Berlin show at the InterContinental Hotel Berlin.

krautinvest.de: Alex, this is the fourth International Cannabis Business Conference taking place in Berlin. You set-up events in five locations worldwide since you started. Can you tell us how you feel about this development? What did you expect when you started in comparison to where you stand now having grown one of the biggest cannabis industry events worldwide?

Alex Rogers: I really was not sure what to expect. About 6 years ago, I had an idea that cannabis reform would spread across the globe, therefore opening up the industry in multiple worldwide markets. It does not seem like an astonishing idea now, but 6 years ago, it was quite novel. Many of my friends and colleagues were skeptical, as cannabis was still a very underground industry in Europe. I booked the venue for our first International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin in May of 2016, to be held in April 2017. When I booked the venue, Germany had about 1000 medical cannabis patients and it did not look like that number was going to drastically change anytime soon. The famous court decision came soon after that, which set a court precedent for patients to be able to grow their own cannabis at home. This, in turn, prompted the German Health Ministry to finally put some more sensible regulations and rules together regarding cannabis patients’ access to medicine. The rest is history, as the new regulations came into play just a few months before our first Berlin event. I believe this set of circumstances really helped catapult us right out of the gate. Since then, we have seen Germany and most of Europe begin to liberalize their cannabis laws at a rapid rate, comparatively speaking.

krautinvest.de: What topic excites you most about the industry at the moment? How do you think Europe is different from other international markets? Where do you think global cannabis markets are heading?

Alex Rogers: I love seeing the industry boom in general, whether it’s the advances in tech, biotech, finance or lifestyle products. With these advancements, invariably, public and administrative policy follows. Implementation is 90% of the law. What excites me the most is the notion of freedom and liberty. From a US Constitutional perspective, It could clearly be argued that a state has the right to create a law against a drug, however, there is no constitutional allowance for federal drug laws, as it pertains to personal consumption. In other words, there is no true legal framework that justifies national legislators to be in the business of creating federal laws that control what we do in the privacy of our own homes. Cannabis is the perfect example and analog and the more the cannabis industry grows, the more this aforementioned postulation comes into question.

krautinvest.de: The International Cannabis Business Conference has built up a solid and massive industry-related online news channel. How important do you believe is a good mix of online and offline engagement with the people? Why did you put emphasis on that and how do you think does the content help shape opinion?

Alex Rogers: This is a good question. We decided at our inception that we wanted to create germane and relevant content and editorial that described what was happening in and around the international cannabis industry ecosystem. Again, when we started out, many of our articles were not so popular. Now, we have become one of the top sources for intl cannabis news. It has been astonishing. We get to help shape narratives and opinions. It is an immensely beneficial and powerful tool for us. Especially the mixture of online and offline brings a lot of people to our site and to the local events, which makes the topic even more tangible. It is a great tool to keep people informed and engaged so that they get the same quality of content between events and so they can read up and keep up-to-date on the developments that we are discussing offline and in real life on stage.

krautinvest.de: An important element of your event is entertainment. Why do you think this is such an important factor in the creation of the cannabis conversation? Which VIPs could you win for this year’s International Cannabis Business Conference on the 1st to 3rd of April?

Alex Rogers: In my previous life, before becoming a serial entrepreneur in cannabis, I was in the music business, as well as a performer. It is important for me to attach some deeper meaning to what we all do in our regular day to day lives. Music and art have always provided humanity with this great catharsis. After a long day at the conference, networking and learning, which, however productive, can be quite a cerebral and tedious affair. It is nice to unwind in a different atmosphere that can also be conducive to a more intimate type of networking.

I am excited to have Jim Belushi coming to Berlin. I have a few more dignitaries that will be announced in the weeks to come. I also have a very big name I am about to announce for the after-party performance.

krautinvest.de: The International Cannabis Business Conference always manages a well-balanced and well-curated programme. What are the main topics this year? What topics get you the most excited from a personal perspective?

Alex Rogers: All of International Cannabis Business Conference’s events are very individual and matched to the location. Germany, in comparison to other of our events, has a stronger focus on medical cannabis since this is the main focus of the industry in Europe at the moment. On the first day of this year’s International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin the programme will focus more on the medical cannabis and market development, whereas the second day’s programme will focus more on hemp, global drug policy and market innovation. I think the thing that gets me the most excited is the dynamic and the traction the topic has gained in the meanwhile. At International Cannabis Business Conference, we bring together the makers and shakers of this industry, so I am almost more excited about the impact of the discussion that takes place at and after the event. On stage, we are not only discussing single markets anymore, but we are heading in the direction of a global cannabis industry. This is going to be an exciting year for cannabis worldwide.

krautinvest.de: We believe so, too. Thank you for the interview.

About Alex Rogers:

Visionary entrepreneur and political activist, Alex Rogers, is the founder and CEO of three thriving ancillary cannabis businesses. Cutting his teeth as an activist in the early nineties under the tutelage of Jack Herer, Alex has a deep proprietary knowledge of the industry. He has played a key role in professionalizing and mainstreaming the cannabis industry, building one of Oregon’s most popular medical marijuana clinics in a matter of a few years, and the first-ever to advertise medical marijuana on network TV in America. He also founded and runs the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference (OMBC), the state’s biggest and longest-running cannabis business conference. Living in five different countries throughout his life, and able to communicate in all respective languages, Alex considers himself an international citizen, thusly spawning his latest creation, the International Cannabis Business Conference. A Magna Cum Laude graduate in Political Science, he has used his knowledge of law and politics to push cannabis policy forward all over the world.

***

This interview was first published at: https://krautinvest.de/alex-rogers-der-cannabis-edutainer – syndicated with special permission

cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil cbd oil

Tax On Cannabis Is Repealed In Switzerland

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

The cannabis industry is booming in Switzerland, where low-THC cannabis products have increased in popularity and availability in recent years. Since 2011, low-THC cannabis products have been legal in Switzerland for adults. ‘Low-THC’ is defined in Switzerland as having less than 1% THC. High-THC products are still prohibited in Switzerland.

Switzerland is at the forefront of a floral hemp industry that is growing in size at an exponential rate. Often billed as a ‘tobacco alternative,’ low-THC products have generated quite a bit of revenue for the government of Switzerland, however, a recent court ruling will send at least some of that back to certain companies, as well as potentially prevent future types of taxation. Per Swiss Info:

The Swiss Federal Court has ruled that cannabis – the legal, low-THC version – should not be subject to the tobacco tax.

Responding to the complaints of three cannabis production companies, the court found that there was no legal basis for a 25% tobacco tax on the sales price of cannabis. The tax will be dropped immediately.

In Switzerland, cannabis with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of less than 1% is legal. It is sold as oil, tea or directly in its flower form. Cannabis blossoms are not explicitly mentioned in tobacco tax legislation, the Federal Court stated in its ruling, which was announced on Tuesday.

A lack of tax will help the industry thrive even more than it already was in Switzerland. Without the tax, products can be sold for cheaper to consumers, and that will presumably make products more enticing for customers.

The downside of the court decision is that it will obviously lower government revenues generated by the cannabis industry. It will be interesting to see if legislation is passed to impose a cannabis-specific tax to replace the incorrectly applied tobacco tax.

Cannabis is not the same as tobacco. Studies have found cannabis, especially low-THC forms of cannabis, to be much safer than tobacco. Also, as noted in the court’s decision, not all forms of low-THC cannabis are meant to be smoked. Many products in Switzerland are topical rubs, among other smokeless options.

canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag canada flag

Ontario Officials Accepting Public Comments On Cannabis Consumption Venue Licensing

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business.

The Ministry of the Attorney General in Ontario, Canada recently announced that it is seeking public input regarding licensing social cannabis use venues and events. Social cannabis use venues such as cannabis lounges and cafes are currently prohibited in Ontario. Consumption at public events is also currently prohibited.

“Ontario continues to take a responsible approach to cannabis retail sales across Ontario, allowing private sector businesses to build a safe and convenient retail system to combat the illegal market while keeping our kids and communities safe,” said Attorney General Doug Downey in a press release. “We are asking Ontarians to share their feedback as we explore certain expanded cannabis-related business opportunities as part of our responsible approach to protecting families and communities. What we hear from the public and expert groups will help to inform possible next steps.”

Social cannabis use reform provides a number of benefits. The most obvious one is that it will create new types of businesses that cater specifically to providing spaces for people to consume cannabis. Just as people frequent clubs, bars, taverns, and pubs for the purpose of consuming alcohol in a social environment, so too will cannabis consumers be able to do the same in Ontario sooner rather than later.

Another benefit of social cannabis use reform is that it will help mitigate public consumption, which can be considered to be a nuisance by some members of the public, similar to many people’s desires to avoid tobacco smoke. Public consumption would likely not be eliminated entirely in Ontario if/when social use reform is implemented, but it will help address the issue to some extent.

An interesting benefit being touted by regulators in Ontario is that legalizing social cannabis venues and event licensing will help further combat the unregulated cannabis industry in Ontario. Consumers may be able to make legal purchases, however, not all of them have a place to safely consume the cannabis that they purchase. It’s an issue that affects tourists, individuals in low-income housing, as well as patients in care facilities.

Presumably, some portion of people in those situations prefer to purchase cannabis from unregulated sources simply because the individual that they are making the purchase from will let them consume cannabis where they are located. Social consumption reform would provide regulated alternatives, which is a good policy move for Ontario as long as it is implemented properly.

Ontario is one of many jurisdictions in North America that is seeking to allow regulated social cannabis consumption at establishments and at events. Valid concerns exist regarding social cannabis use reform, not the least of which is mitigating impaired driving and keeping cannabis out of the hands of children. However, those concerns can be properly addressed with sensible policies and regulations.

If venues can serve alcohol in a responsible manner, the same can be achieved with serving cannabis and/or allowing people to bring their own cannabis for consumption. The same is true for concerts, plays, and other events. Some jurisdictions, such as Denver, Colorado and the Bay Area of California, have already successfully implemented social use reforms, which is something that regulators in Ontario can no doubt learn from.