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Czech Cabinet Moves To Allow Cannabis Possession And Cultivation

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

The Czech Republic’s cabinet recently approved a plan that would permit adults in the European nation to cultivate multiple plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis.

The plan, which would legalize the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants and set a maximum possession limit of 50 grams of cannabis, was originally introduced by the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Justice back in September 2024. The plan does not go far enough according to members of the Czech Pirate Party.

“Instead of legalization and money in the budget, today the government presents pasquil. You can grow cannabis, but you can’t harvest it. To be able to grow three cannabis plants and at the same time have a limit of 50 grams that you can have at home is absurd. It’s like you could raise three hens, but they could lay a maximum of one egg, otherwise you’ll be fined or go to jail,” said former Deputy Prime Minister and former head of the Pirates Ivan Bartoš according to local reporting by Echo24.

Personal cannabis possession without intent to distribute was first decriminalized in the Czech Republic in 2010 and medical cannabis was legalized in 2013. Adult-use cannabis reform in the Czech Republic is part of an increasing trend in Europe where multiple countries have now adopted legalization measures to boost public health strategies.

What is being proposed in Czechia is similar to what was implemented in Germany earlier this year from cultivation plant limit and possession limit standpoints, however, the proposed legal age of 21 years old would differ from what Germany adopted and is similar to what is in place in two dozens states in the U.S.

Currently, cannabis is legal for adult use at a national level in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Additionally, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Czech government “believes it will manage to push through the changes by the end of its term in October 2025” per local reporting by TVP World.

According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), nearly 30% of Czech adults have consumed cannabis at least once in their lifetimes and 11.1% report having consumed cannabis within the last year. The average rate for once-a-year consumption across Europe is 8% according to EMCDDA data.

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French Parliamentary Group Pushes For Cannabis Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

An escalation of violence linked to organized crime in France is leading to calls by a parliamentary group for the European nation to legalize cannabis for adult use. La France Insoumise (LFI) has criticized the government’s current approach to cannabis policy.

“According to the unveiled “fight plan,” the government’s repressive response is not only insufficient, but it fuels insecurity, pushing citizens and officials into a cycle of violence.” stated Newsweed in its local reporting. “LFI advocates for a comprehensive, community-based approach to combating organized crime in France, including the legalization of cannabis.”

LFI’s reported position is that cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy and that leaving the nation’s cannabis market to be controlled by organized crime empowers such entities by giving them a source of revenue from which to fund their activities.

The parliamentary group points out that cannabis prohibition has not reduced cannabis consumption in France, nor has it reduced violence associated with organized crime.

Currently, cannabis is prohibited at the federal level in France, although the nation does have a limited operational medical cannabis experimental program. In March 2021, France launched a limited medical cannabis experiment involving between 2,000 and 3,000 suffering patients to gain insight into crafting national medical cannabis policies and regulations.

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. Cannabis producer LaFleur was eventually selected as the cultivator for the program and has supplied participating patients since the launch of the experiment.

Initially slated for two years, France’s medical cannabis experiment was eventually granted a one-year extension and was set to end in 2024. The program is now expected to end in 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).

“The French government has estimated the number of potential medical patients, if the program expands it could be 320k – 400k patients, whereas the Whitney Economics estimation is 125k – 208k patients.” Whitney stated in his newsletter.

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Polish Legislative Committee Takes Step Toward Decriminalizing Cannabis

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

A legislative committee in Poland recently sent a cannabis reform proposal to Prime Minister Donald Tusk for his consideration. Members of the Polish Parliamentary Committee on Petitions moved forward with the proposal which would decriminalize up to 15 grams of cannabis for personal use by adults in addition to decriminalizing home cultivation of one plant.

“Tusk has 30 days to respond to the petition, which is not legally binding as it would be for a formal bill. The petition, or “dezyderat,” is more of a request from the legislative body for action on the issue.” stated Marijuana Moment in its initial coverage.

“The prime minister will be required to provide a written response with details about any steps the administration will take, an explanation if they don’t intend to act on it or a referral to another agency.” the outlet also stated.

“The committee has just finished considering the petition I submitted to the Sejm, together with a bill assuming the decriminalization of possession of up to 15 g and the cultivation of 1 plant for one’s own needs.” stated Polish activist Przemysław Zawadzki about the proposal in a social media post (translated from Polish to English). Zawadzki  is the CEO & co-founder of Freedom Farms SA.

“Everything went basically according to plan and with the support of MP Marcin Józefaciuk – Your MP who, contrary to the suggestion contained in the absurd opinion of the Sejm Expertise Office to reject my project, requested that a desideratum be sent to Prime Minister Donald Tusk in this matter and the Commission agreed to this. Thanks also to Łukasz Rydzik for his support on the Commission.” Zawadzki said.

“We are therefore waiting for the position of the Prime Minister, who has recently spoken publicly several times that it is worth ending the punishment for a joint and will not interfere with this, and at the same time we are working on other fronts. This path is one of many because we want to clearly indicate that cannabis users exist and their problem related to the penalization of possession of herb is real and serious.” Zawadzki also stated.

Cannabis is currently legal for adult use in Malta, Luxembourg, and Germany, as well as in Uruguay, Canada, and South Africa. Cannabis is also legal for adult use in roughly half of the states in the U.S. and regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are operating in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

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Advocates Urge German Government To Prioritize Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the firing of Finance Minister Christian Lindner, effectively ending the ruling government’s coalition of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lindner’s Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens. The coalition was often referred to as the ‘traffic light coalition.’

Chancellor Scholz also announced that Germany’s Parliament will hold a confidence vote in January which could move the next Bundestag elections to March 2025. The collapse of the traffic light coalition is resulting in industrial hemp industry advocates urging the nation’s lawmakers to ensure that the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act is prioritized.

“Following the upheaval in the federal government, important legislative projects are to be brought through the parliamentary process by the end of the year so that they can come into force before the early elections. The Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) is calling on the federal government and the parties represented in the Bundestag to put the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act (NLG) on the priority list.” stated BvCW in a press release.

The Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act was previously approved by German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir last month and includes the removal of the ‘intoxication clause,’ although the law is not yet finalized and still needs to be approved via the parliamentary process. The measure would also legalize the cultivation of industrial hemp indoors.

“Germany is lagging far behind in Europe and the world in the cultivation, research and use of industrial hemp. We cannot wait another few years . The Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act must therefore be passed by the Bundestag as soon as possible in order to finally give farmers and the industry legal certainty and to make Germany competitive again,” warns Dirk Heitepriem, President of the Cannabis Industry Association.

“We ask the legislator to give this law priority. For many agricultural businesses, processing companies and traders, it is essential that the removal of the intoxication clause is finally finalized and thus the considerable – in some cases livelihood-threatening – economic damage is put to an end. This will quickly strengthen the industrial hemp industry and at the same time reduce bureaucracy, costs and risks,” said Michael Greif, interim managing director of the BvCW.

The push for industrial hemp policy and regulatory modernization in Germany comes at a time when much of Europe is doing the same. Market analysts associated with Research and Markets project that the global industrial hemp market will reach $25.33 billion in value by 2032.

“Industrial hemp has enormous potential for the German economy. From renewable, climate-friendly building materials, in vehicle construction or as a regional alternative protein source for humans and animals. At the same time, it offers agriculture great potential, for example in the regeneration of weak and contaminated soils. That is why we need the law now to simplify the cultivation of industrial hemp, create legal clarifications and thus growth impulses for our economy,” explains Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte, Vice President and Department Coordinator for Industrial Hemp.

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Parliamentary Report: Cannabis Reform In NSW Is “Only Rational Course”

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A new parliamentary report issued in New South Wales calls for cannabis reform in the Australian state. The 148-page report, which was tabled by the premier and finance committee, called cannabis reform the “only rational course of action.”

“The committee strongly believes that this must not deter the government from pursuing a rational, staged and evidence-based policy that addresses the growing need for legal and regulated cannabis markets,” Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham stated after the report was tabled according to local reporting by Cannabiz.

“The majority of committee members are persuaded that at least initial reforms should be considered by government.” Buckingham also stated.

Currently in New South Wales, cannabis possession without intent to distribute is punishable by up to two years in prison, and ‘gifting’ cannabis is treated as distribution. The tabled parliamentary report recommended that the penalty for possession be reduced to a maximum of three months, or to penalize such activity with only a fine.

Additionally, the report recommended that ‘gifting’ cannabis without consideration should be treated as possession, and that medical cannabis patients should be afforded an affirmative defense when they test positive for THC but do not exhibit signs of intoxication when operating a motor vehicle on public roadways.

In the Australian Capital Territory, where the country’s capital is located, cannabis is already decriminalized and has been since January 2020. Driving while under the influence of cannabis is still prohibited in the territory, as is cannabis commerce and public cannabis consumption.

Cannabis remains prohibited at the federal level in Australia, although medical cannabis is legal in some instances.

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UK Government Announces Reforms To Hemp License Regulations

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

Government officials in the United Kingdom announced this week that regulators are changing hemp licensing regulations in the country. Starting in 2025, hemp license holders in the UK will no longer have to identify a specific area on a farm property where they intend to cultivate hemp. Rather, the farmers can produce hemp anywhere on the licensed farm.

Furthermore, starting in 2026, the maximum period for a hemp production license will be increased from the current 3 years to 6 years. Hemp producers in the UK will also be able to defer the start date of cultivation by up to one year.

“These reforms will bring an important boost to this industry and cut down the unnecessary burdens that have been placed on businesses.” Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Crime and Policing, said. “This government will always listen and engage with industry experts, and we want to make it easier for licence holders to capitalise on the economic potential of legally growing hemp.”

“These improvements to the licensing regime for industrial hemp are a positive step for farmers.” Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said. “Recognising that industrial hemp is a field-grown agricultural crop, these reforms will simplify the license application process and provide greater flexibility within the crop rotation, enabling farmers to fully realise the economic and environmental benefits of the crop.”

In other recent hemp industry news in the United Kingdom, a government-appointed advisory panel, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), recommended that the UK increase the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) allowed in hemp from 0.2% to 0.3%.

“The ACMD is supportive of the proposed change to increase the maximum THC content of industrial hemp grown outdoors for seed production or in order to use the non-controlled parts of the plant to produce fibre for use in the construction and textile industries from 0.2% to 0.3%, as the potential benefits outweigh an increased risk of harms.” the panel stated.

“The ACMD recommends the Home Office to conduct an assessment of the impact of the legislative change after 2 years. The ACMD foresees no issues with applying the lower fee of £580 to a raised level of THC not exceeding 0.3%, to align with other international examples.” the panel also stated.

According to the United Kingdom government, the number of hemp licenses in the UK increased from six licenses in 2013 to 136 in 2023. A first-time hemp license in the United Kingdom costs £580. Hemp producers who apply for subsequent licenses pay £326, or less than £109 per year.

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Brazil Approves Medical Cannabis For Animals

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy, Science.

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency recently decided to amend Ordinance SVS/MS 344/1998 to allow the regulation of medical cannabis products for animals by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Veterinarians who are approved by the nation’s Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine may prescribe registered cannabis-based medications to animals.

“Veterinarians may only prescribe these products through special prescriptions from pharmacies, as is already the case with other controlled medications and products, in accordance with current legislation, guaranteeing their strictly therapeutic use.” stated Feedstuffs about the policy change.

A study from December 2022 conducted by researchers in Brazil found that, at the macro level, cannabis appears to be safe for pets, especially cannabidiol, as long as it’s administered in the right dosage level.

“The review was systematically performed in Medline (via Pubmed®) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) databases, with period restriction (between 1990 and 2021). The qualified articles (n=19), which met the previously established inclusion criteria, were critically evaluated.” stated the researchers about their study.

“Based on the literature review, it is possible to infer safety in the administration of cannabis-based products for the treatment of dogs, especially products rich in cannabidiol (CBD), free or with low concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, under the conditions evaluated. In addition, CBD products potentially promote improved quality of life and reduce pain perception in animals affected by canine osteoarthritis.” the researchers also stated.

“Finally, owing to the lack of large-scale and robust clinical research studies, the performance of clinical trials, considering the individual characteristics of each cannabis-based product (composition, concentration, nature of adjuvants, dosage form, route of administration), is strongly encouraged.” the researchers concluded.

According to a recent market analysis by Global Market Insights, the global cannabidiol (CBD) pet market was worth an estimated $693.4 million in 2023. The CBD pet product market is projected to grow at an estimated 18.2% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.

Market growth will be driven by “growing pet ownership coupled with increasing awareness and acceptance of the potential therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived CBD for pets” the researchers stated.

“The dogs segment is set to lead the market, accounting for the largest revenue of USD 416.1 million in 2023, anticipating its dominance throughout the forecast period with a significant growth rate.” Global Market Insights reported.

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European Union Reportedly Ready To Supply Medical Cannabis To Ukraine

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

According to Ukraine Deputy Health Minister Maryna Slobodnichenko, the European Union is ready to supply medical cannabis to Ukraine. The nation’s Deputy Health Minister made the announcement in a recent interview with the Ukrainian News Agency.

“They (the European Union) are very happy about our progress in this area. They say – show the consumers, because they have warehouses of medical cannabis that they are ready to supply to us. But we are talking about medicine, and therefore the consumer is not every person, but patients who suffer from clearly defined diseases,” the official of the Ministry of Health said (translated from Ukrainian to English).

Earlier this year, in August 2024, Ukraine’s medical cannabis program officially launched. Ukraine’s Parliament first approved medical cannabis reform in December 2023, with President Volodymyr Zelensky signing the measure on February 15th, 2024.

Cannabis resin, extracts, and tinctures are excluded from the list of ‘dangerous substances’ in Ukraine under the new policy. The production of medical cannabis, development of medical cannabis therapies, and distribution of medical cannabis products are to be tightly regulated in the European nation.

“In order to implement the Law, the Ministry of Health team, together with the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the State Medical Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police and other executive authorities, have developed by-laws that regulate all processes in detail and will allow the patient to receive medicine from medical cannabis.” Ukraine’s Ministry of Health stated in a news release announcing medical cannabis legalization’s implementation (translated from Ukrainian to English).

“In order to ensure the cultivation of medical cannabis in Ukraine, Licensing conditions have been developed, which will soon be considered by the Cabinet of Ministers.” the Ministry of Health also stated. “Also, the entire chain of circulation of medical cannabis, from import or cultivation to dispensing to a patient in a pharmacy, will be subject to license control.”

Ukrainian medical cannabis cultivation facilities are required to be operated in ‘closed soil conditions’ with ’round-the-clock video surveillance.’ Additionally, national police must have ‘free access’ to all facilities under the new regulations.

“For cultivation, there is a procedure for purchasing plant seeds – they must have a quality certificate and be registered in the State Register of plant varieties suitable for distribution in Ukraine.” the Ministry of Health stated in its news release in August 2024.

“Medicines from medical cannabis will be made in a pharmacy setting and prescribed by prescription to patients for whom conventional medicines do not have a therapeutic effect or cause adverse reactions that are poorly tolerated.” according to the Ministry of Health. “It will be possible to buy such medicines in Ukraine only with an electronic prescription, which will indicate the dosage form and dosage, the names of the active substances included in their composition. It is expected that medicinal products from medical cannabis will be available to patients in the form of oral drops, hard capsules, and dental pastes.”

“The law allows people entering or leaving Ukraine or transiting through its territory to carry medicinal products based on medical cannabis for their own use in an amount that does not exceed the amount prescribed by a doctor’s prescription.” the Ministry of Health also stated at the time.

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Turkey Sets Hemp Quota For Medical Products

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

In 2016, hemp cultivation became legal in 19 provinces in Turkey for industrial purposes. Aspiring hemp producers must obtain the country’s Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock permission before beginning operations. Hemp product permits are valid for a maximum of three years in Turkey.

Regulators in Turkey recently announced that annual hemp cultivation in the country will be limited to 5,000 square meters and 120,000 plants ‘for the production of pharmaceutical active ingredients.’ Many medical cannabis products around the globe incorporate cannabidiol derived from hemp plants.

“Exempt from these restrictions are universities, research institutes within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and organizations with research permits, which may conduct scientific and R&D projects without being subject to the quota. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will oversee the allocation of the quota.” stated Daily Sabah in its local reporting.

The modern push to boost Turkey’s emerging hemp industry came in 2019 when Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced that the country would take steps to increase production. Turkey was experiencing an economic crisis, and increased hemp production for the purpose of medical cannabis product exports was established to try to address the problem.

Turkey has a long history of cannabis and hashish production going back many centuries, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that the country outlawed production due to pressure from the United States.

According to a recent market analysis by Spherical Insights LLP, the global industrial hemp market is projected to be worth an estimated $24.30 billion by 2033.

“The Global Industrial Hemp Market Size is to Grow from USD 5.38 Billion in 2023 to USD 24.30 Billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.27% during the projected period.” the researchers stated in a press release.