Skip to main content
cannabis gummy gummies

South Africa Department Of Health Bans Cannabis Edibles

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

South Africa is on a short list of countries that have adopted national adult-use cannabis legalization measures. The African nation is joined by Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany.

The Department of Health in South Africa recently announced a complete ban on cannabis edibles. Cannabis edibles are popular with medical cannabis patients and recreational consumers for various reasons, not the least of which is that they are a smokeless form of consumption.

“In a shocking move, the Department of Health has quietly banned the production and selling of cannabis and hemp-derived foodstuffs in South Africa.” reported ION in its local coverage. “This unexpected turn of events contradicts the government’s decriminalisation of cannabis by the Constitutional Court in recent years.”

“In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government aims for South Africa to spearhead the commercial production of hemp and cannabis.” the outlet also reported.

South Africa’s President signed a limited adult-use cannabis legalization measure into law back in May 2024.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act (“CfPPA”). The CfPPA regulates the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis by adults in a private setting.” The President’s office stated in a press release at the time.

“The consequent regulatory reform enabled by the CfPPA will, amongst others, entirely remove cannabis from the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. This will further enable amendment of the Schedules to the Medicines and Related Substances Act and provide for targeted regulatory reform of the Plant Breeders Rights Act and the Plant Improvement Act, as well as other pieces of legislation that require amendment to allow for the industrialisation of the cannabis sector.” the press release also stated.

Back in 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling that deemed cannabis prohibition as it pertained to adult individuals to be unconstitutional. The 2018 decision stemmed from a lower court decision in Western Cape in March 2017 which determined that a ban on cannabis use by adults at home was unconstitutional.

The 2018 decision in South Africa left many unknowns, including how much cannabis a person could cultivate and possess in a private setting. The Court largely punted many policy decisions to lawmakers, who then proceeded to drag their feet for several years.

Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower

Cannabis Pilot Trials In The Netherlands And Switzerland

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

Europe is home to a unique form of cannabis public policy experimentation. Multiple jurisdictions, the Netherlands and Switzerland, permit regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials.

The trials allow recreational cannabis commerce to occur at a local level for research purposes. The data and information collected via the trials, in theory, help policymakers and regulators when crafting national laws and regulations.

Updates from both jurisdictions have surfaced recently in media coverage, and by many measures the pilot trials are going well, particularly in Switzerland according to a new government report.

“Switzerland’s adult-use marijuana legalization pilot program is “running smoothly,” with “no indication of any disturbances to public order,” a government-commissioned report finds as lawmakers are considering legislation to broadly end cannabis prohibition across the country.” reported Marijuana Moment in its original coverage.

“About two years after the pilot program launched in seven municipalities across the country, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) study—carried out by the University of Lausanne and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland—generally determined that the initiative has been a success.” the outlet also reported.

Things are a bit more mixed in the Netherlands. Not due to public safety or health concerns, but rather, due to concerns over an upcoming supply change to the nation’s program that participants are indicating could cause issues.

“The regulated cannabis cultivation experiment is supposed to enter its next phase on April 7. From then on, the coffeeshops in the participating municipalities are only allowed to sell cannabis from regulated growers. But the experiment is not ready to move on.” reported NL Times in its local coverage.

“There is too little supply from the regulated growers, and the quality is sometimes insufficient, coffeeshop owners said in a letter to the mayors of the participating municipalities. They worry that the experiment will fail if the deadline isn’t postponed.” NL Times also stated.

Another country that has given preliminary approval to regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials is Germany, although the nation’s pilot program launch has experienced delays.

Current European Union agreements prohibit nationwide recreational cannabis commerce such as what is found in countries like Uruguay and Canada. However, EU agreements do permit local recreational cannabis commerce activity for research purposes, so for now, that is what EU-member nations have to work with in addition to permitting home cultivation and cultivation associations.

bank banking financial institution savings checking account money

Cannabis Legalization In Australia Would Generate $700 Million In Annual Revenue

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A recent estimate from Australia’s Parliamentary Budget Office projects that the enactment of adult-use cannabis legalization in Australia could generate as much as $700 in annual revenue.

“The $700 million in annual revenue would come from a mix of sales tax, corporate taxes and a 15-percent special tax on cannabis.” reported Marijuana Moment in its original coverage. The government estimate is part of a renewed legalization effort recently announced by Australia’s Greens Party.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. 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 the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Medical cannabis sales in Australia have quadrupled during the last two years, with Australians estimated to have spent an estimated $1 billion on medical cannabis in 2024. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Australia in 2016.

“The Pennington Institute’s Cannabis in Australia report has revealed spending has skyrocketed from $230 million two years ago to a predicted $1 billion by the end of this year.” 9News stated in its local coverage at the end of last year.

“The spending correlates with usage, which jumped from just 3.9 per cent of survey respondents in 2019 to almost 30 per cent admitting they use prescription marijuana.” the outlet also reported.

france france france france france france france france france france

France Expected To Take Key Step Towards Authorizing Medical Cannabis

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Policymakers in France are reportedly expected to make a meaningful step towards authorizing cannabis production and dispersal for medical use, beyond the current limited medical cannabis pilot trial.

“According to our information, the two decrees governing the specifications of cannabis-based medicinal products for medical use and the safety of their production are in the process of being notified to the European Commission (EC). This notification, via the TRIS procedure, constitutes an essential regulatory step before the integration of medical cannabis into common law.” reported Newsweed in its local coverage.

“Following this notification, a three-month standstill period begins, allowing the Commission and other Member States to examine the texts and issue observations.” excerpts from Newsweed’s report stated. “In the absence of any major objections, medical cannabis regulations in France could therefore be validated by Europe after this period. The decrees will then have to be signed by the executive to come into force.”

As of 2022, the European Union Drugs Agency estimated that France had the greatest cannabis consumption rate of any of its member nations, with a reported 10.6% of France’s population having consumed cannabis at least once within the last year.

Health authorities in France announced late last year that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement was welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

The French medical cannabis experiment received initial approval from the federal Senate back in 2019, however, the launch of the trial was delayed until the spring of 2021 due to various reasons. Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024 before receiving the latest extension pushing the estimated end of the trial to the summer of 2025.

According to a recent newsletter sent out by international cannabis economist Beau Whitney of Whitney Economics, France is home to the largest total addressable cannabis market in the European Union with a value of $11.3 billion (midpoint).

A previous study by an economic advisory board within the nation’s prime minister’s office determined that the French government spends roughly €570m annually on cannabis prohibition enforcement. The study recommended that France adopt adult-use cannabis legalization and launch a regulated recreational industry.

Emmanuelle Auriol, a professor at the Toulouse School of Economics who authored the study’s report and findings, estimated that such a policy change could create as many as 80,000 new jobs, and generate €2.8bn in taxes annually.

doctor medical hospital clinic doctor medical hospital clinic

84% Of Polled UK Doctors ‘Open To Prescribing Cannabis For Chronic Pain’

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

According to the results of a recent survey commissioned by medical cannabis clinic Alternaleaf, 84% of polled UK doctors indicated that they would be open to prescribing cannabis for chronic pain if it was part of the NHS toolkit.

“The survey of 250 practicing doctors in the UK, commissioned by the medical cannabis clinic Alternaleaf, found that eight in 10 (78%) believe opioids are prescribed too frequently for pain relief, while one in three say the NHS is not prepared for the dramatic increase in patients predicted.” reported Cannabis Health News in its original coverage.

“An early economic analysis published last year found that prescribing cannabis-based medicines for chronic pain could save the NHS almost £4 billion annually (based on current prevalence rates).” the outlet also reported.

A separate report recently published by the advocacy group Transform Drug Policy Foundation found that adult-use cannabis legalization could generate as much as £1.5 billion in revenue and savings.

The report, which was posted on the organization’s social media account, determined that over £1.2 billion would be generated from taxes and fees annually, and an additional £284 million would be saved annually by the nation’s criminal justice system no longer enforcing cannabis prohibition policies.

“There would be costs incurred for Govt by regulatory infrastructure – inspection, monitoring, compliance, trading standards etc – but largely covered by licensing/other fees.” the organization stated on social media.

Cannabis flower bud prerolls joints

Majority Of Germans Are Against Repeal Of Cannabis Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

According to the results of a Forsa survey commissioned by the KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse, 55% of surveyed Germans do not want to repeal the nation’s CanG adult-use legalization law. Only 36% of survey respondents want to repeal legalization, with the rest being undecided.

The Forsa survey comes shortly after the results of a poll conducted by the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) found that 63.83% consider a complete reversal to be ‘very unlikely’ or ‘rather unlikely.’

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can legally cultivate, possess, and consume a personal amount of cannabis. Also, starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a cultivation association from which adult consumers can source cannabis products legally.

Another major component of Germany’s legalization law was the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List. The removal of cannabis from the Narcotics List has resulted in a major boom for Germany’s medical cannabis industry, with medical cannabis prescriptions increasing by an estimated 1,000% in the 9 months following the CanG law’s adoption.

As we previously reported, the New Association of Judges (NRV) in Germany recently expressed a positive conclusion regarding legalization and warned newly elected German lawmakers against reversing the CanG law.

“Rolling back the law would mean that the judiciary would have to pursue small consumers on a large scale again. This would mean there would be no time to take action against organized crime.” reported Deutschlandfunk in its local coverage.

“In addition, according to the NRV, the state faces high compensation payments in the event of withdrawal. If the cultivation and consumption of cannabis were to be completely banned again, this would amount to expropriation of the cannabis clubs, it was said. This would enable the clubs to make claims for compensation against the state. The investment in cannabis cultivation is high and the licenses are valid for seven years according to the law.” the outlet also stated.

The Institute for Competition Economics at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf previously conducted an analysis which found that adult-use legalization could yield as much as 1.3 billion euros per year in savings for Germany’s police and judicial system.

Scotland Flag Scotland Flag

Record Number In Scotland Buy Legal Medical Cannabis Privately

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

Scotland’s legal medical cannabis industry has struggled to reach its full potential in recent years, however, the industry has passed a meaningful milestone with a record number of Scots making legal purchases of medical cannabis products from private industry sources.

“Record numbers of Scots are paying for medical cannabis as NHS waiting lists leave them struggling to get conventional treatment.” reported Daily Mail. “An unprecedented 3,440 Scots now have private prescriptions for the drug – mostly patients suffering from common conditions such as depression, anxiety, or chronic pain.”

“Scotland’s first medical cannabis clinic was set up in 2019 and its roster of clients has grown monthly.” the outlet also reported.

Nearly five dozen nations around the world have legalized cannabis for medical use to some degree. Israel was the first country to legalize cannabis for medical use back in 1999.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Recreational cannabis legalization has also been adopted by two dozen states in the U.S., and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Bundestag Germany Parliament

Poll: 63.83% Consider Complete CanG Reversal To Be Unlikely

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

In the aftermath of a recent federal election in Germany, a majority of the nation’s cannabis industry members consider a complete reversal of the CanG law to be ‘unlikely’ according to a recent poll conducted by the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW).

BvCW, in its recent poll, asked, “After the federal election: How likely do you think it is that the CanG will be completely reversed?”

The results of the survey found that a combined 63.83% consider a complete reversal to be ‘very unlikely’ or ‘rather unlikely,’ 19.15% consider a partial reversal to be likely, 6.38% responded with ‘rather likely,’ and 8.51% consider it to be ‘very likely.’

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate and possess a personal amount of cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, people in Germany can apply to start a cultivation association. Also, cannabis was removed from Germany’s Narcotics List as part of the enactment of the CanG law.

Another major component of the CanG law, which would permit regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, has yet to launch. Pilot trials were expected to launch late last year. However, after the recent federal election, the launch date for pilot trials is in question.

Leading up to the federal election in Germany, the International Cannabis Business Conference reached out to Germany-based international cannabis policy expert Peter Homberg of gunnercooke for his thoughts.

Peter Homberg predicted that the election would yield a coalition government, which time has proven to be true. Homberg also made another prediction at the time.

“Many statements being made right now from cannabis opponents are being made in an ‘election mode’ and will not necessarily become reality. I expect extreme positions to level out after the election.” Homberg stated at the time regarding candidates campaigning on reversing the CanG law.

As we previously reported, the New Association of Judges (NRV) in Germany recently expressed a positive conclusion regarding legalization and warned newly elected German lawmakers against reversing the CanG law.

“Rolling back the law would mean that the judiciary would have to pursue small consumers on a large scale again. This would mean there would be no time to take action against organized crime.” reported Deutschlandfunk in its local coverage.

“In addition, according to the NRV, the state faces high compensation payments in the event of withdrawal. If the cultivation and consumption of cannabis were to be completely banned again, this would amount to expropriation of the cannabis clubs, it was said. This would enable the clubs to make claims for compensation against the state. The investment in cannabis cultivation is high and the licenses are valid for seven years according to the law.” the outlet also stated.

The Institute for Competition Economics at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf previously conducted an analysis which found that adult-use legalization could yield as much as 1.3 billion euros per year in savings for Germany’s police and judicial system.

cannabis plant

Czech Cannabis Legalization Effort Continues To Evolve

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

A push has been underway in the Czech Republic to legalize cannabis for adult use for several years now, with the cannabis policy modernization effort gaining steam in recent years after multiple European nations have adopted some form of recreational legalization. Cannabis is now legal for adults in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany.

Cannabis advocates inside and outside of Czechia had hoped that legalization in the country would include regulated sales, however, it appears that will not occur in the near future, except for low-THC products. According to a recent interview by KrautInvest with leading cannabis advocate Lukáš Hurt, what is currently being considered in the Czech Republic is limited to home cultivation.

“At the moment, home growing decriminalization is the only proposal on the table, about eight months before the general election. And this is only thanks to the Minister of Justice, who included it as part of his broader criminal code reform. The original three-pillar plan – home growing, cannabis clubs, and a regulated market –, which we discussed last year and for which I lobbied, is essentially off the table.” Hurt stated in his recent interview with KrautInvest.

Another topic discussed in the interview was Czechia’s announcement earlier this year that low-THC products will be regulated later this year. Hurt pointed out that “the 1% THC limit was adopted about three years ago,” but that related products were not originally regulated for human consumption.

The Czech Republic’s cabinet previously approved a plan late last year that would permit adults in the European nation to cultivate multiple plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis. That plan appears to still be on track, while the wider policy modernization reforms will have to wait. In the meantime, cannabis advocates will continue to push for sensible laws and regulations.

Medical cannabis is legal in the Czech Republic. Doctors in the Czech Republic prescribed 318.7 kilograms of medicinal cannabis in 2024 to an average of roughly 3,300 patients per month. Those figures are set to expand in April 2025 when Czech GPs will be permitted to prescribe cannabis for chronic pain.