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Ready, Steady, Rec Market Europe?

Written by ICBC Staff on . Posted in Cultural, Politics.

By Marguerite Arnold

There is a decided trend in Europe this year, driven in large part by frustration if not a political necessity. Recreational cannabis trials are starting to place pins in the map. They may not be large, and in some ways easy to sneeze at. However, the recreational bug has landed in the EU. The dominoes are starting to fall here too.

Is this the end of the fight? Certainly not. Plus of course, recreational market start almost inevitably pushes medical issues and the patients who face them, plus the financial hit of buying uncovered medicine, to the backroom once again.

Regardless, steps forward are definitely markers for victory. Below is a handy guide for recreational trials springing up like mushrooms in a European market near you.

Switzerland

The Swiss put the issue on the map in a big way when they announced that they are creating recreational trials based out of pharmacies basically. Depending on where you are, you will be able to buy recreational products from Swiss apothekes in near future if not already. Plus of course, your medicine.

Luxembourg

Like the Swiss in their approach to the issue but within the actual EU, Luxembourg has been a strategic chess piece in the European puzzle ever since last year. Right as the German Deutsche Börse was about to pull the plug on German investing in the public markets, Luxembourg stepped in and saved the day by changing its own medical law to allow equity markets to clear stock purchases three weeks after the German ban, thus putting the entire issue back in play. The country’s new Green government has put full country recreational on the legislative map within the next five years and are moving to implement the law within two.

Denmark

Long the home of a hippie commune and fairly open cannabis market that is world-famous (although recently wracked by violence and black market disruption), the Danish are taking to cannabis pretty much like, well, bacon. With a countrywide medical trial (that allows producers to ship into the German market), the first Danish city has just announced a rec trial. Berlin is almost certainly “green” with envy at this point. Next stop Kreuzburg anyone? It is unlikely but clearly a priority for German activists, for starters.

Holland

However easy it is to laugh off news of any recreational trial in the home of the coffee shop, yes indeed, Holland is now stepping up to the plate with a “recreational” trial of its own. Basically this will be a further institutionalization of the legalizing market here over the last five years. However, it is also clear that the Dutch do not want to be considered a backwater on this now the subject is finally moving. If not globally hip.

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Canadian Cannabis Company to Open Retail Herb House in Jamaica

Written by Anthony Johnson on . Posted in Business, Cultural, Vancouver.

The international cannabis industry is getting more interconnected than ever before and Canadians are still leading the way while other nation’s policies are still trying to catch up. Canada’s progressive national policies, while still needing some fine-tuning, have allowed its cannabis companies to make moves around the globe that others simply cannot make.

Canadian companies have become major exporters to Europe and are actively seeking expansion in new, burgeoning markets around the globe. One major deal has just been announced in Jamaica as Aphria has just announced the licensure of the Sensi Medical Cannabis House through its subsidiary Marigold Projects, that will, very fittingly, be located in Peter Tosh Square, overlooking the Peter Tosh Museum in New Kingston. Excitingly, the retail herb house, licensed by the Jamaican Cannabis Licensing Authority will also have an on-site consumption lounge, in addition to selling cannabis strains, infused products, and accessories.

“The approval of Marigold’s first Herb House signals an exciting time for Aphria. We believe that there is tremendous opportunity in Jamaica from a domestic and international perspective and we look forward to bringing Sensi products to the market,” stated Aphria’s Irwin D. Simon in a company press release. ”Receiving this licence is testament to our team’s hard work and dedication in growing our Caribbean and LATAM business as we provide high-quality cannabis products in regions. Aphria will continue to execute on our business plan to create long-term value, sales growth, and profitably in Canada and internationally.”

Aphria and Marigold plan to have a grand opening for the Sensi Medical Cannabis House in August and is seeking to open locations in Portmore, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Negril. What an exciting time for the Jamaican and international cannabis community that travel to beautiful nation. Jamaican reggae legend Peter Tosh recorded his anthem “Legalize It” back in 1975. It’s good to see that the world is finally listening.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the best industry event to learn the latest and to network with top investors and entrepreneurs. Next up: Vancouver, Canada, this September 15-16, featuring top experts in the field, PLUS a performance on a luxury yacht by Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs at the after party. Don’t delay, purchase early bird tickets before prices go up on August 21st. 

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International Cannabis Business Conference Vancouver Features a Yacht After Party Headlined by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill!

Written by Anthony Johnson on . Posted in Business, Cultural, Entertainment, Politics, Social, Vancouver.

The International Cannabis Business Conference returns to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, this September 15-16, with our trademark blend of business, politics, and culture. If you want the latest information on rules and regulations in Canada and around the world and to network with top investors, entrepreneurs, and advocates, the International Cannabis Business Conference is THE industry event for you. But the International Cannabis Business Conference doesn’t just educate, we also ensure that you are engaged and entertained, and our networking events, including our after parties, have become legendary around the world. This year in Vancouver, the after party will be taken to another level as Cypress Hills’ DJ Muggs will be performing on a yacht!

A VIP reception on the 15th will kick off the networking at International Cannabis Business Conference in Vancouver, as speakers, sponsors, and attendees gather at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. On the 16th, attendees will hear from industry experts on a host of important topics including: local Vancouver and B.C. regulations; regulations regarding edibles, topicals, concentrates, and extracts; mergers and acquisitions; domestic investments; going public; succeeding as a craft cannabis company; exporting internationally; extraction science and technology; and how to best develop strategic partnerships.

Following the conference curriculum, the exclusive after party, sponsored by Bhang and Indiva, will take place on a Pacific Yachts 105-foot, three-level luxury vessel. The yacht will be docked at the Westin Bayshore Hotel for an amazing party experience that will also be extremely convenient.

DJ Muggs, along with all of Cypress Hill, has been a long-time supporter of cannabis legalization, making music for the community, way before it was easy and popular. The group even lit up on Saturday Night Live, earning a lifetime ban from NBC! Today, Muggs and Cypress Hill are members of the cannabis industry, with an understanding of the ups and downs facing the community.

Join us this September 15-16 for an industry event like no other. Get your discounted early bird tickets by August 21st to secure your spot and to save $$$.

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Exclusive Interview with Ben Arn of CannaTrade, the International Cannabis Business Conference’s Partner in Zurich

Written by Anthony Johnson on . Posted in Business, Cultural, international cannabis business conference zurich, Politics.

Switzerland’s cannabis scene has flown somewhat under the radar internationally, but that is about to change. The innovative nation actually has rich cannabis culture. From the late 1990s until 2004, a “grey market” flourished as the cannabis community utilized a loophole in the federal narcotics law to engage in cannabis commerce. After the Swiss government closed the loophole, a new market emerged in 2016 when the country legalized the cultivation and sale of cannabis that contained no more than 1% THC as a tobacco substitute.

Swiss cannabis flowers and other products are now cultivated, processed, and sold by more than 600 companies, who export all over the world. Switzerland also has a limited medical program and is making some political strides toward full legalization. Someone that is at the forefront of all things Swiss cannabis related is Ben Arn, CEO of CannaTrade, Europe’s oldest hemp trade fair. The International Cannabis Business Conference is teaming up with CannaTrade as the International Cannabis Business Conference in Zurich will be held from May 15-16, with CannaTrade’s organizing its festivities from the 17th through the 19th. Ben found some time to answer a few questions for us:

Anthony Johnson, for International Cannabis Business Conference: How did CannaTrade first come about?

Ben Arn: CannaTrade was born out of the CannaSwissCup and the Swiss Hemp Days in 1999 and 2000. The first official edition with the name CannaTrade was in 2001 in Bern. It’s the oldest still existing cannabis trade show in Europe. And since beginning, it’s a b2b and b2c fair.
What are your feelings about the current status of Swiss cannabis/hemp laws?
Better than the last 10 years! Now we’re looking forward to get a simplified access for patients in the next 2 years and as well a new regulation for THC for everybody in the next 2-5 years. At the same time there is as well a lot to do concerning CBD and foodstuff, regarding the Novel Food laws like everywhere else in Europe. 
Do you have any ideas for how future cannabis laws should move forward in Switzerland? For instance, the highly regulatory model like Canada and Germany, or the more permissive situations occurring in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and what once existed in the “grey areas” in Switzerland? Do you view any nation as a model or should Switzerland form their own unique path?
I wish that Switzerland will form its own path adapted to the regulations of alcohol in Switzerland. But probably, Switzerland will go into the direction as Canada did. Hopefully there will be some place for homegrowers too – it’s what many people in Switzerland are asking for.  
Do you have any concerns about Switzerland falling behind other nations’ cannabis industry or are you confident that the Swiss will be able to catch up?
We are on a good position right now – but the politic has to move fast! I see many countries going on with cannabis as medicine way faster than we are doing actually. But fortunately the media is finally bringing the chance of a new cannabis law to the public discussions. It may be possible that we will be able to grow and export THC weed even faster as Swiss patients will get the simplified access to their medicine. 
What are your goals for this year’s CannaTrade?
We will break the 1000 business visitors number, we will have the nicest business lounge we ever did, we’re having a nice and interesting program for business- and private people, a great afterparty and we’re looking forward to welcome the International Cannabis Business Conference at our side on Thursday at the Atlantis and from Friday-Sunday at CannaTrade. So we’re looking forward to 4 great cannabis days in Zurich! 
What are some highlights for those in the industry?
As already mentioned the BusinessLounge powered by CarbonActive, as well the big Chillout-Area powered by hanfhof, and new – for the first time – the big b2b afterwork-apero on Friday, where all exhibitors and all business visitors are invited – so more than 2000 business people will celebrate 2 hours of b2b-apero and party-time together! 
Thanks so much, Ben!
See you in Zurich!
To learn more about CannaTrade, visit: www.CannaTrade.ch.
Ben Arn
Ben Arn, CEO of CannaTrade, partner for International Cannabis Business Conference Zurich.