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European Parliament

Medical Cannabis Access Continues To Be Hindered In Greece

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A Member of the European Parliament from Greece is urging the European Commission (EC) to adopt legislation that would bring some long-needed uniformity to medical cannabis access on the continent. Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou recently appealed to the EC.

It is not the first time that MEP Kouloglou has sought clarity on this subject. Back in January 2022, MEP Kouloglou submitted a “Question for written answer” to the European Parliament which included the following language:

Many Member States have now legalised the medical use of cannabis and the circulation of EMA-approved and other prescription drugs. At the same time, the EP has adopted a resolution highlighting their therapeutic effects, possibly even in the case of COVID-19.

Since 2017, the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and the licensing and manufacture of finished products with a TCH (sic) content exceeding 2% have all been officially regulated in Greece.

On 2 December 2021, the Government banned the import of medical cannabis products in their final state for domestic consumption, making it impossible for Greek patients to obtain such products with a tetrahydrocannabinol content exceeding 2%, since they have not been licensed for domestic production and few companies will meet the necessary conditions any time soon. As a result, patients are resorting to illegally distributed preparations from unreliable sources.

In view of this:

1. Will the Commission seek to establish whether the principles of fair competition, which is essential for the free movement of goods, and the provisions of the European Medicines Regulatory System are being infringed?
2. How can it help Greek patients gain legal access to the treatment they need?

Earlier this month MEP Kouloglou submitted another question, the language of which is below:

The use of cannabis for medical purposes is accepted worldwide. The WHO recommends the use of prescriptions for a wide range of conditions, while the European Parliament has called on European and national authorities to address regulatory barriers, provide funding for research and innovation and inform healthcare professionals.

Greece legalised medical cannabis in 2017, allowing its cultivation and the production of cannabis products containing more than 0.3% THC. However, patients do not have access to these medical products and the little national investment in medical cannabis that exists, is slow.

In November 2021, the Greek Government banned the import of medical cannabis products, violating Article 28 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and creating a market situation in which supply was controlled by a few who influenced prices, leading to unfair competition. As a result, for the past two years patients have been forced to turn to the black market to get treatment for a range of conditions.

In view of this:

1. How does the Commission plan to address the shortage in medicines for patients, caused by national measures that violate the fundamental principle of the free movement of goods and create a breeding ground for unfair competition within the Single Market?
2. Does it plan to introduce an EU legal framework that comprehensively regulates the issue as a whole, preventing the existence of a black market, regulating quality and labelling accuracy and ensuring legal and safe access to cannabis products for medical purposes?

MEP Kouloglou’s questions are all valid, as Greece is not the only country in Europe struggling to navigate a patchwork of laws, rules, and regulations, with many of them seeming to conflict with each other at times.

If Europe’s cannabis industry is ever going to reach its full potential, both at the individual nation level as well as the continental level, there needs to be sensible uniformity to some degree. Suffering patients across Europe, including in Greece, are depending on it.

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Argentinian Cannabis Veterinarians Surveyed About Phytocannabinoid Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Policy.

When most people think about cannabis consumption, they tend to think of humans, and rightfully so. After all, humans have a very long history with the cannabis plant. However, humans are not the only creatures on Earth that have endocannabinoid systems.

Two creatures that possess endocannabinoid systems are cats and dogs. Feasibly, just as phytocannabinoids can provide wellness benefits to humans, so too can they do the same for cats and dogs. That theory was at the heart of a recent study in Argentina.

Cannabis research parameters were expanded in Argentina in recent years via “laws 27350 and 27669” as the researchers point out, and that “animals respond to preparations containing phytocannabinoids for treating several conditions.”

“We conducted a web-based survey of Argentinian Cannabis Veterinarians to make a situational diagnosis on the number of veterinary medicine professionals currently developing treatments with cannabinoids focusing on dogs and cats.” the researchers stated about their methodology in the study.

It is estimated that there are as many as 900 million dogs globally, with more than 471 million of them being pets. Germany alone has an estimated 10.3 million pet dogs. It is also estimated that the world has between 600 million and 1 billion cats.

“Among the species treated, 77% corresponded to dogs, while 21% were cats. Pain, seizures, and behavior disorders are the most prevalent conditions in dogs. Seven conditions and combinations were treated in cats. Full-spectrum cannabis extract derived from three different chemotypes was administered alone or with standard medication.” the researchers in Argentina stated regarding the results of their recent study.

“Response to cannabis treatment was characterized based on improvement categorized according to clinical assessment. Both dogs and cats showed different improvement grades in clinical signs.” they also stated.

“This analysis provides promising results regarding the medicinal use of cannabis in dogs and cats. Based on this analysis, we propose to expand the training of professionals, obtain quality preparations, and initiate controlled trials to reinforce knowledge of the use of cannabinoids in veterinary medicine.” the researchers concluded.

Cannabis and animal science is an emerging field of study. With many historical restrictions to research being lifted in various parts of the world, interest and focus on this area will likely increase. The global pet industry is projected to be worth $500 billion by 2030.

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Another Missed Opportunity In Germany

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

The biggest asset that cannabis opponents have where cannabis is prohibited is the ongoing benefit of the status quo. The most recent and prominent example of that can be found in Germany, where lawmakers have officially failed to pass a much-needed and long-awaited adult-use legalization measure.

After multiple delays, Dirk Heidenblut, a key member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced on social media that the Bundestag will not be voting on an adult-use legalization measure (CanG) this year. According to domestic reporting, the SPD parliamentary group is to blame for the short-term veto on the vote.

“It also remains unclear whether the SPD parliamentary group leadership has a problem with the content of the law or whether the timing of its adoption just before Christmas seems inappropriate to them in times of budget crisis. And the SPD press spokeswoman’s “confidence” or not: it doesn’t seem impossible that the law might even be stopped completely “on the home stretch.” stated Legal Tribune Online in its reporting.

Last week it was reported that members of the governing coalition reached an agreement to update certain provisions of the measure. Bundestag member Kirsten Kappert-Gonther detailed the changes in a social media post at the time:

Translated from German to English, Kirsten Kappert-Gonther stated at the time, “The #Cannabis law is coming! Finally: Finally we end this failed ban policy! After intensive negotiations, there is now a law that focuses on youth and #Gesundheitsschutz, which has ended #Kriminalisierung and is practicable.”

The social media thread went on to state, “I am very pleased about the changes achieved in the parliamentary procedure: Reduction of consumption bans to 100M; Allowed amount for home cultivation: 50 g of dried cannabis; Change to the driving license regulation with an appropriate limit through @BMDV by spring 2024. No gaps between cannabis clubs; No criminal penalties (only administrative offenses) with small amounts of 25-30 G in public and 50-60 G in private spaces. Easier #Cannabis cultivation to med. purposes. These changes made now make the law even better!”

“Communal consumption in cannabis clubs and edibles is not (yet) implemented. But what we were able to agree on together is a big step forward. Thank you to everyone who has campaigned for this law for decades! Next step: Decision in #Bundestag and then continue working together on Pillar 2.” Kirsten Kappert-Gonther also stated in the thread.

Cannabis advocates inside and outside of Germany are hopeful that a vote will occur as early as possible in 2024 and that the measure is truly in the “home stretch.” One thing is for sure – 2023 did not go as planned for cannabis policy modernization efforts in Germany. Hopefully next year proves to be the year that legalization finally gets over the finish line in one of the planet’s most influential nations.

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Japan Lifts Ban On Cannabis-Derived Medications

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Japan’s parliament approved a reform measure on Wednesday that legalizes cannabis-derived medical products. The newly approved public policy measure also imposes stiff penalties for the use of non-approved cannabis products.

Last month lawmakers in the lower chamber of Japan’s parliament approved the measure, which seeks to permit the importation, prescription, and use of products like Epidiolex. Epidiolex is a cannabis-derived medical cannabis product that is currently available in pharmacies in several countries.

The medication is prescribed to treat severe cases of epilepsy. Many patients around the world report taking the medicine and experiencing significant relief. A study conducted in 2019 found that “6.9 per 1000 individuals have epilepsy in the general Japanese population, and that the prevalence of epilepsy increases with age, probably because of elderly onset cerebrovascular diseases.”

Lawmakers in the upper chamber of Japan’s parliament, the House of Councillors, approved the measure today. The other major component of the measure was explicitly codifying the prohibition of the use of non-approved cannabis products.

Once the measure goes into effect, someone caught consuming illegal cannabis products of any kind will face a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Possession of non-industrial hemp cannabis is already prohibited in Japan, and it is unclear how the new consumption law will be enforced.

A somewhat comparator law can be found in the United States in the State of Idaho, where “public intoxication” from cannabis is prohibited and punished by up to six months imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine.

The way the law is enforced in that jurisdiction is based on ‘reasonable suspicion’ by the officer, meaning that if an officer has a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that someone has consumed cannabis and is now out in public, they can have them tested, even if it is determined that no actual cannabis was being possessed at the time of the interaction.

It’s a subjective standard that many cannabis advocates around the world try to prevent from being implemented, with advocates pointing out that subjective enforcement is nearly impossible to prevent when such a policy is in place.

The harsher consumer law in Japan is coming after concerns were expressed by lawmakers regarding a ‘spike’ in consumption rates in Japan and a rising rate of arrest for people caught possessing cannabis, particularly young adults.

In the most recent year for which data is available, Japan experienced a 21.5% increase in measured cannabis consumption compared to the previous year. While that may sound alarming to some lawmakers inside and outside of Japan, consider the fact that less than 2% of people in Japan report having consumed cannabis during their entire lives.

By comparison, 41.5% in Canada report having consumed cannabis during their lifetime, and 44.2% in the United States. The double-digit increase in the consumption rate in Japan is more indicative of how low the overall baseline consumption rate was to begin with than it is indicative of a cannabis use epidemic.

Uruguay Secretary Provides Update On Nation’s Cannabis Policy Approach

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Uruguay will always hold the distinct title of being the first nation on the planet to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Since Uruguay passed its measure in 2013, three other nations have also passed measures, with Malta and Luxembourg having more restrictive models and Canada having a less restrictive model.

Canada’s legalization model allows all adults, regardless of residency status, to make legal purchases from regulated outlets, whereas Uruguay limits legal sales to adult residents only. Still, Uruguay’s cannabis policy modernization effort has yielded tremendous insight.

Daniel Radio, Secretary General of Uruguay’s National Drug Authority, recently spoke about his nation’s pursuits at an academic forum organized by the Drug Authority titled “IV Academic Forum: The regulation of cannabis in Uruguay and the region: progress and challenges”.

Kraut Invest translated the Secretary’s speech from Spanish to English, a transcript of which can be found on their website. Secretary Radio describes cannabis use as “innate to humanity” and suggests that prohibition policies are to blame for issues of the past, not the substance itself.

“And under the pretext of some damage to the health of some users, our societies have shifted the problem and tried to solve it through criminal law. And as a result, they have given the bulk of the resources that might be useful to research and address some of these unfortunate circumstances of problematic use to the institutions responsible for maintaining public safety in a useless, impossible fight to lead that is demoralizing for those who lead it.” Secretary Radio stated.

“The Uruguayan experience had a peculiarity. Unlike other states where the regulation of cannabis was discussed in the context of its medical use, in Uruguay, throughout the period before the adoption of the regulatory law, the focus of the discussion was always on the regulation of adult (or recreational) use.” he also stated. Secretary Radio’s speech can be found in the embedded video below:

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Grenada Expected To Pass Cannabis Decriminalization Measure In 2024

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Grenada may not be the first nation that you think of when contemplating cannabis policy modernization efforts, however, the Caribbean nation is expected to pass a cannabis decriminalization measure next year.

While the measure is being described domestically as ‘decriminalization,’ perhaps a more proper way to describe the measure is that Grenada is seeking to legalize the production of limited forms of medical cannabis products, in addition to decriminalizing personal possession and cultivation in some cases. Per Telesure English:

According to official reports, with this initiative, the Caribbean country seeks to diversify its economic base and create new engines to drive growth.

This should result in the elaboration and commercialization of products made with cannabis (as it is also known), but also allow the possession of only five plants or 24 grams, especially for members of the Rastafarian movement.

In many countries around the world, governments have launched robust medical cannabis programs that permit most or all forms of cannabis to be produced and sold via various means such as through dispensaries and/or pharmacies.

What is being proposed in Grenada on the medical side appears to be the legalization of pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products involving isolated cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol. If that is the case, there are many nations around the world already doing that.

The personal possession and cultivation provisions, if implemented, would be more significant from a public policy standpoint. The cultivation of five plants and the permitted possession of 24 grams is more than what is currently in place in Luxembourg where adults are permitted to cultivate up to four plants and possess up to three grams.

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Vote On Updated German Legalization Measure Expected This Week

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Over the course of the last week, lawmakers in Germany reportedly reached an agreement to make changes to an adult-use legalization measure that is working its way through the Bundestag process.

According to comments made by members of the Bundestag, the SPD, Greens, and FDP factions of the governing coalition have agreed with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health to change various aspects of the measure that was first introduced by German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach earlier this year.

Minister Lauterbach’s measure was introduced earlier this year after a lengthy drafting process that incorporated several meetings with members of the European Union. Minister Lauterbach was abundantly clear throughout his discussions that European Union approval would be needed before a measure could be submitted for consideration by domestic lawmakers in Germany.

Some of the provisions of Minister Lautebach’s initial measure were not well-received by domestic lawmakers due to the limitations that appeared to be imposed by the discussions with the European Union, not the least of which is the continued prohibition of national, regulated adult-use sales.

What was included in the initial measure were provisions that, if implemented, would legalize personal cannabis cultivation, possession, and use by adults in Germany, as well as permit the licensing of noncommercial cannabis clubs.

While the overall concept of national adult-use sales remains off the table for now, there are reported changes to certain provisions, as well as an expected vote on the updated measure to take place next week. Bundestag member Kirsten Kappert-Gonther detailed the changes in a social media post:

Translated from German to English, Kirsten Kappert-Gonther stated, “The #Cannabis law is coming! Finally: Finally we end this failed ban policy! After intensive negotiations, there is now a law that focuses on youth and #Gesundheitsschutz , which has ended #Kriminalisierung and is practicable.”

The social media thread went on to state, “I am very pleased about the changes achieved in the parliamentary procedure: Reduction of consumption bans to 100M; Allowed amount for home cultivation: 50 g of dried cannabis; Change to the driving license regulation with an appropriate limit through @BMDV by spring 2024. No gaps between cannabis clubs; No criminal penalties (only administrative offenses) with small amounts of 25-30 G in public and 50-60 G in private spaces. Easier #Cannabis cultivation to med. purposes. These changes made now make the law even better!”

“Communal consumption in cannabis clubs and edibles is not (yet) implemented. But what we were able to agree on together is a big step forward. Thank you to everyone who has campaigned for this law for decades! Next step: Decision in #Bundestag and then continue working together on Pillar 2.” Kirsten Kappert-Gonther also stated in the thread.

“…the law is to be discussed in the lead health committee in the week of the meeting in mid-December (calendar week 50) and then finally passed in the Bundestag in the same week. The regulations on decriminalization should apply from April 1, 2024, but the regulations on the new cultivation associations in which members can purchase cannabis will only apply from July 2024.” Legal Tribune Online stated about expected implementation dates.

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EMCDDA And Europol Release 2023 EU Cannabis Market Analysis

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) recently published an analysis, ‘EU Drug Market: Cannabis.’ The analysis details consumption rates, production, seizures by law enforcement, how Europe’s cannabis market compares to other regions, and other key findings. The analysis was produced in conjunction with Europol.

EMCDDA is an agency of the European Union located in Lisbon, Portugal, and was established in 1993. Europol, officially the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, is the law enforcement agency of the European Union.

The analysis reports that “about 84 million adults (aged 15-64)” have consumed cannabis at some point in their lives and “22.6 million have used it in the last year.” For context, Worldmeter estimates that there are roughly 742 million people in Europe.

“The illicit cannabis retail market remains the largest drug market in the EU and most of the herbal cannabis detected in the EU appears to be cultivated in the EU.” the report’s authors stated.

“The minimum estimated annual value of this market in the EU is EUR 11.4 billion. Herbal cannabis represents roughly 77 % of the market value (with an estimated value of at least EUR 8.8 billion, equivalent to about 1 028 tonnes), while cannabis resin accounts for close to 23 % (with an estimated value of at least EUR 2.6 billion, equivalent to about 362 tonnes).” the authors also stated.

Europe’s legal cannabis market is still developing, with the legal industry currently being based on medical cannabis product sales and low-THC cannabis product sales. Low-THC products are often referred to as ‘cannabis light’ in Europe.

As of the publishing of the EU Drug Market: Cannabis report, only two nations in Europe have passed a national adult-use legalization measure, neither of which permits nationwide commercial sales, such as what is found in Canada and Uruguay.

Malta passed a national measure in late 2021 that legalized personal cultivation, possession, and consumption, in addition to permitting the operation of noncommercial cannabis clubs. Luxembourg passed an adult-use measure earlier this year, however, only cultivation, possession, and consumption are permitted, and even possession can still result in a fine in certain instances.

“Spain is among the key EU countries where cannabis is illicitly produced, accounting for 75 % of the total number of cannabis plants seized in 2021.” the report stated. “Spain is also the key EU entry point for cannabis resin coming from Morocco, as seen in the large quantity of resin seized annually, amounting to more than 650 tonnes in 2021.

“In 2021, seized quantities of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin in the EU reached their highest levels in a decade, at 256 tonnes and 816 tonnes respectively. In addition, over 4.3 million cannabis plants were seized in the EU in 2021.” the report also stated.

The report touched on the environmental impact of the unregulated cannabis industry in Europe, largely due to indoor cultivation facilities trying to avoid detection by authorities. The report’s authors estimate that “the carbon footprint of indoor cultivation has been estimated to be 16 to 100 times higher than outdoor cultivation.”

“A large share of the cases involving violence between criminals in recent years has been connected to the cannabis market. The diversity and the profitability of the business has led to violent confrontations between groups.” the EU Drug Market: Cannabis report stated.

The EU report indicated that “heterogeneity” in approaches to cannabis policy modernization in Europe could lead to larger issues for law enforcement. However, a study in 2021 involving data from legal markets in the United States found that heterogeneity in policy approaches resulted in an “underestimated” effect of reform’s impact on crime.

“We estimate significant reductions in violent crime rates in states that legalize medicinal marijuana. Moreover, we find evidence that ending marijuana prohibition results in larger reductions in violent crime rates in states that border Mexico and in urban counties. We also find evidence that medical marijuana legalization reduces property crimes, with larger reductions in states that border Mexico.” the 2021 study’s authors stated.

Furthermore, data from Canada’s legal market (2022 Canadian Cannabis Survey) indicates that consumers transitioned away from unregulated sources, with “legal storefronts being the most common source since 2019.”

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Parliamentary Assembly Of Bosnia And Herzegovina Host Medical Cannabis Meeting

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Medical cannabis reform has swept the European continent, with many countries already having medical cannabis programs up and running in some form. European medical cannabis programs fall on a spectrum ranging from limited access to CBD pharmaceutical products all the way up to robust high-THC options via various safe access points.

One region that has been slower to modernize its medical cannabis policies is the Balkan region. However, that is changing as lawmakers in the region are seemingly making a more concerted effort to catch up to some of their European counterparts.

Lawmakers in Bosnia And Herzegovina recently held a meeting dedicated to exploring medical cannabis policy modernization efforts, as well as the efficacy of cannabis as a medical treatment strategy. Per excerpts from Sarajevo Times:

The conference “Legalization of cannabis for medical purposes – how to speed up the process?” for the first time on this topic in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina brought together representatives of numerous institutions in the country.

Saša Magazinović, a member of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly and the strongest proponent of this initiative in that institution, said that all sick people who use cannabis oil expect to be able to use it in a legal way.

“They expect to be treated by doctors instead of dealers and to buy cannabis oil in pharmacies instead of in dark parks. If it is not clear to anyone, we are talking, and it is important to emphasize this, about a large number of people who suffer from great pain, who suffer from autoimmune diseases diseases, malignant diseases, neurological disorders… we are talking about people whose quality of life is significantly impaired. We are all here because of these people,” said Magazinović.

Cannabis opponents have spent a great deal of time and effort over the course of several decades convincing voters that cannabis reform is bad and that cannabis does not possess any meaningful medical value. That harmful rhetoric has prevented suffering patients from obtaining products that could very well help treat their condition(s).

Hopefully the meeting in Bosnia and Herzegovina that was hosted by the nation’s Parliamentary Assembly was productive and yields meaningful action sooner rather than later.