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5 Reasons To Attend An International Cannabis Business Conference Event In Europe

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

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the world’s leading cannabis industry and policy event series. Below is a list of reasons why you should attend an upcoming event, including our B2B event in Barcelona in March, and our series’ flagship event in Berlin in June.

1. A Truly Global Following

The legal cannabis industry is spreading across the world which is creating unique business opportunities at the continental and global levels. It also creates many additional hurdles, not the least of which is effectively networking with people that are often located on the other side of the planet. The International Cannabis Business Conference makes effective networking significantly easier for attendees, with entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers from over 80 different countries having attended past events.

2. Timely Information

The emerging cannabis industry is evolving at a faster pace and in more significant ways than any other large industry on earth. Just as laws are being reformed on a seemingly rolling basis in many parts of the world, so too are the regulations that govern the legal cannabis industry. Knowing the right information, and equally important knowing it in a timely fashion, can literally be the difference between a company succeeding or failing in the cannabis space. The International Cannabis Business Conference gathers true experts and leaders from around the globe so that attendees can learn the best and latest information straight from the individuals and entities that are on the frontlines of cannabis policy and industry.

3. Emerging Technologies

The International Cannabis Business Conference has debuted a number of emerging cannabis technologies, including technology related to cultivation and consumption. Every event for several years has featured exhibitors and speakers that are innovating the cannabis world for consumers, patients, and businesses. Being that the International Cannabis Business Conference has a truly global following, inventors and researchers from around the planet know that the best way to get their idea, concept, and/or findings on the world stage is to bring it to an International Cannabis Business Conference event.

4. Amazing Venues

Part of what makes the International Cannabis Business Conference events so special is where they are held. With people traveling to the events from the far reaches of the planet, International Cannabis Business Conference events double as a world class travel experience for many attendees, with the conference locations being recognized internationally as some of the top venues on earth. It’s one of the many reasons why the International Cannabis Business Conference experience is unparalleled.

5. Entertainment in Addition to Education

Anyone that has ever attended an International Cannabis Business Conference event will likely be quick to tell you how amazing the conference after-parties are. In addition to bringing in world class speakers and exhibitors, the International Cannabis Business Conference events also provide attendees with an opportunity to be entertained by renowned international musicians. Attendees can use the opportunity to unwind after listening to presentations and networking all day, or they can continue their conversations in a more relaxed setting. No other cannabis conference series provides the same level of entertainment value as the International Cannabis Business Conference.

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Legalization Delays Are Causing Confusion In Luxembourg

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

At one point in time, towards the end of the last decade, Luxembourg seemed to be a sure bet to become the first country in Europe to pass a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. After all, a coalition agreement included the reform.

Unfortunately, time has proven that agreement’s legalization provision to be essentially worthless, as it’s now the year 2023 and Luxembourg doesn’t appear to be trending towards legalization any time soon. While other countries on the continent are moving in the right direction, particularly Germany, Luxembourg’s reform efforts seem to be frozen in time.

Being that the government previously touted its legalization plans to such a significant degree, delays in legalization actually happening is resulting in confusion among the nation’s citizens, and recently the nation’s Minister of Health expressed doubts that legalization would happen at all under the current legislature. Per L’Essentiel (translated to English):

On Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Paulette Lenert, admitted that everything may not be voted on under this legislature . Three stages are planned: personal cultivation (four plants authorized), professional production and finally sale of recreational cannabis. “For now, I see this legislation as a total failure. It’s legal, no it’s not… People are all confused,” says Flo, who points out that four plants, depending on the THC level (with psychoactive effects) or the size of the pot used, “that means everything and nothing”.

That is far from an encouraging tone from Luxembourg’s Health Minister. There appears to be no timetable for consideration for any of the three stages mentioned, let alone implementation. Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s neighbor Germany is expected to see a legalization measure formally introduced this year, with sales possibly beginning in 2024.

Malta has already passed an adult-use legalization measure, and applications for non-profit cannabis clubs are expected to start rolling in next month. As legalization continues to spread across the continent, the pressure will continue to build around Luxembourg’s lawmakers, and it’s a safe assumption that their continued foot-dragging will becoming increasingly scrutinized by the citizenry.

Madrid Spain Madrid Spain

What’s Really Going On With Cannabis In Spain?

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

Cannabis consumers and patients live in some truly amazing times in many parts of the world thanks to the tireless efforts of cannabis activists in those jurisdictions. The hard work and sacrifice of activists has helped topple cannabis prohibition policies in many areas across the globe, and consumers and patients are benefitting from freedoms that should have never been taken away in the first place.

When it comes to the consumer experience in particular, Spain likely tops the list of ‘best places on earth to consume cannabis.’ Part of that is due to the quality of cannabis that can be fairly easy to obtain in many cities in Spain, particularly in Barcelona. The Moroccan hash that is for sale at nearly every reputable club in Barcelona is as good or better than anything you will find anywhere else on earth, other than in Morocco, obviously.

The other major factor contributing to Spain’s unparalleled consumer experience is the nation’s clubs. When most people outside of Spain think of the nation’s cannabis scene, clubs are likely the first thing that comes to mind, and rightfully so. Whereas cannabis communities in many other countries are just starting to explore the concept of social cannabis use, Spain seems to have already largely perfected it.

Very few things yield as much of a ‘fear of missing out’ reaction from cannabis enthusiasts as seeing images and videos from a Spanish club on a busy day. To say that it looks like everyone is having a good time is a major understatement.

With all of that being said, Spain still has a lot of roadblocks and hurdles to overcome on the public policy side of the equation, as there’s a fairly substantial disconnect between the nation’s cannabis policies and the reality of what is actually occurring on the ground.

That disconnect can make it tough to know what is really going on in Spain right now, and equally important, where things are likely headed in the near future. To get the real scoop we reached out to Bernardo Soriano Guzmán of S & F Abogados. S & F Abogados is Spain’s leading law firm specializing in cannabis.

Bernardo explained that there are three fronts in the effort to reform the nation’s cannabis laws in ways that will help ensure that the nation’s industry will thrive – adult-use cannabis, medicinal cannabis, and industrial cannabis.

“During this legislative term, four laws have been presented in the Congress and Senate to regulate adult-use cannabis. One of them has been drafted by S&F Lawyers along with other collaborators. A law that fully regulates the production and distribution cycle of cannabis and non-psychoactive cannabis.” Bernardo Soriano Guzmán explained.

“Despite this intense legislative activity, none of the laws currently have the necessary majority for approval. So, without a doubt, this electoral year that we begin, the regulation of cannabis will be an important point in the political programs and possible electoral alliances for the formation of the next government of Spain, as has happened in Germany in 2021 with the coalition of the traffic light.” he went on to say.

” Last year 2021, a resolution in the form of a report of conclusions was approved in the Congress of Spain to give access to patients of medicinal cannabis. This report is pending to be implemented once the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency (AEMPS) proposes how to do it. The regulation proposed is quite restricted to strictly pharmaceutical channels, with flowers of cannabis not having a predominant role, rather finished products and magistral formulas.” Bernardo stated in regards to medical cannabis in Spain.

“Self-cultivation for medicinal use is also not allowed. Additionally in Spain for years licenses for research and production of medicinal cannabis have been granted, a total of 21 licenses having been granted to date December 2022.” he concluded about current medical cannabis policy and regulations in Spain.

“The position of the Spanish authorities is very restrictive beyond the classic industrial uses of hemp (production of fiber and seeds). The use of hemp flowers is prohibited, even for the extraction of unregulated cannabinoids (Cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannabidiol…).” Guzmán stated about industrial cannabis in Spain.

“This situation has generated a multitude of proceedings in the courts that have made the Supreme Court recently confirm in a ruling the restrictive vision of the Spanish authorities. This situation clashes quite with the wave of positive changes regarding hemp that are taking place in Europe, especially as a result of the position of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Countries such as France which recently, in a completely contrary line to that of the Spanish authorities, has finally authorized the use of hemp flowers for all uses.” he concluded.

Bernardo Soriano Guzmán will serve as the moderator for the ‘Squaring The Circle Of Industrial Hemp In Spain’ panel at the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference in Barcelona, taking place on March 9th as part of a super-event collaboration with Spannabis.

Early bird ticket pricing expires on February 15th.

Canadian currency money

Legal Outlets Are The Most Common Source For Cannabis In Canada Since 2019

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

Canada still serves as the largest legal, national cannabis adult-use market, with sales originally launching in late 2018. The nation serves as the largest national cannabis public policy experiment, and industry and policy observers around the globe are keeping a close eye on any and all data coming out of Canada.

Every year Canada conducts a survey to gauge, among other things, the rate at which consumers purchase their cannabis from legal outlets versus the unregulated market. One of the most important stated goals of governments that pass legalization measures, including Canada, is to transition cannabis sales away from the unregulated market into the regulated system.

According to the most recent survey out of Canada, more and more people are making their purchases via regulated sources, a growing trend that has occurred for multiple years now. Per Toronto Sun:

The results of the 2022 Canadian Cannabis Survey were released last month. It found that a greater proportion of respondents reported a legal source as their usual source of cannabis compared to 2021, with legal storefronts being the most common source since 2019. A smaller proportion reported illegal storefronts and illegal online sources in 2022 compared to 2019.

The proportion of those who purchased cannabis in the past 12 months from a legal storefront did so 61% of the time, according to the survey, up from 53% in 2021. Only 2% said they purchased products from an illegal website, 1% from an illegal dispensary and 1% from a cannabis dealer.

The unregulated cannabis market will never be 100% eliminated in Canada or any other jurisdiction that is home to large populations. Just as there are still people selling unregulated alcohol and tobacco products in Canada, so too will the same occur with cannabis.

The name of the game is to mitigate unregulated sales as much as possible, and Canada is doing a great job of that so far. Transferring a decades old unregulated market into a regulated one is not an easy task, and takes time to fully materialize.

Vancouver British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia

British Columbia Publishes Results Of Cannabis Consumption Spaces Public Engagement

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Back in the spring (April 6 to May 9, 2022) British Columbia’s government launched a public engagement effort in an attempt to gain insight into the public’s feelings towards non-medical cannabis consumption spaces, often referred to as social use reform.

Social use reform involves allowing people to consume cannabis for adult-use purposes in a semi-public setting such as at a lounge, club, other type of business, and/or event. It’s a concept that is obviously very common with alcohol consumption, but due to stigma, is not currently common with cannabis.

A summary of the public’s feedback is now available online via a government “what we heard” report.

“Health and safety are our utmost priorities as we consider how provincial cannabis policies could evolve,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a press release. “This report provides valuable insights into people in B.C.’s perspectives on cannabis and will help guide our work to support a strong, diverse and safe legal cannabis sector across the Province.”

“Exploring the feasibility of cannabis-consumption spaces is another way B.C. is working to support the success of the industry,” said Brittny Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism. “With the recent introduction of a licence for farm-gate sales, understanding public opinion on cannabis-related hospitality and agri-tourism activities is a practical next step. The feedback in this report will play an important role in the development of provincial policies.”

Seven hundred and thirty people submitted feedback via a telephone survey, 15,362 respondents completed an online survey, and 66 people/entities submitted feedback in written form.

“Overall, 61% of telephone survey respondents and 34% of online survey respondents supported cannabis consumption spaces. Differences between results from the telephone and online surveys may be partly due to the research methods used, with the online survey at greater risk of self-selection bias (i.e., participation from people who feel strongly either for or against cannabis consumption spaces) whereas telephone survey respondents were selected via random sampling.” the “what we heard” report stated.

“Moreover, among those who use cannabis, those aged 19 to 44 were also more interested in visiting consumption spaces (81% online, 62% telephone) than those aged 45 to 64 (72% online, 41% telephone) and those aged 65+ (59% online, 38% telephone).” the report went on to say.

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Lithuania’s President Should Not Be Afraid Of Cannabis Reform

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda recently participated in an interview for LRT Radio during which he was asked about efforts to decriminalize cannabis in his country. Unfortunately, the response was not favorable. President Nausėda made it clear that he does not support cannabis reform, and offered up a handful of classic anti-cannabis talking points in his comments. Like something out of a reefer madness script, Lithuania’s top leader indicated that he was fearful of what would happen to youth consumption rates if/when the country decriminalized cannabis possession.

According to what President Nausėda stated to LRT Radio, he feels that the government must ‘first educate’ the nation prior to even considering cannabis reform measures. He did not appear to go into detail as to what an education effort would look like, and most importantly, how education would make prohibition any more effective than it currently is (or isn’t). The lack of any details speaks volumes about whether or not Lithuania’s top leader is actually sincere, or merely just trying to delay the process in order to maintain the status quo.

What Would Decriminalization Look Like In Lithuania?

In June 2022, lawmakers in Lithuania’s Parliament voted in favor of a cannabis decriminalization measure, sending it off for further debate in the Seimas committees. In December 2022 Lithuania’s Parliament took an unusual step of approving a cannabis decriminalization measure, making the offense of cannabis possession part of Lithuania’s Code of Administrative Offences, yet, lawmakers also kept cannabis as part of the nation’s Criminal Code. The measure still appears to face additional steps before taking effect, with LRT Radio reporting that lawmakers referred the draft “back to the Committee on Law and Legislation for further improvement.”

The measure from late last year provides for warnings for cannabis possession, or fines of between 50 and 300 euros for first offenses. Fines for subsequent offenses could be as much as 300 to 1,000 euros. The Ministry of Health would be tasked with defining what constitutes personal possession. Anyone caught three times in one year for personal possession would be “obliged to go to a centre for addiction diseases and to follow a treatment programme designed by a psychiatrist.” Considering all of those provisions, what is being proposed in Lithuania is very strict compared to cannabis policies found in many other countries. That, in itself, begs the question, how have youth consumption rates fared in jurisdictions that have already reformed their cannabis laws?

What Does The Data Indicate?

I reside in the State of Oregon in the U.S., which holds the distinction of being the first state in the nation to pass a cannabis decriminalization measure (one ounce) all the way back in 1973. Oregon was also one of the first states to pass an adult-use legalization measure (2014), with only Washington and Colorado having passed a similar measure before Oregon (2012). Legal sales began in Oregon in late 2015, and leading up to every one of those milestones cannabis opponents clung to talking points that are nearly identical to those currently being made by Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda.

Per government data from the Oregon Health Authority, not only was there no spike in youth consumption following the launch of legal adult-use sales and outright possession legalization in 2015; youth consumption rates actually went down from 2012 to 2018 in Oregon. A broader study conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, which involved consumption survey data from over 800,000 respondents in states where cannabis sales were permitted, also found no spike in youth cannabis usage rates.

A study in 2021 conducted by researchers in Canada found ‘no significant differences’ in cannabis consumption rates before and after cannabis legalization in Canada. As of May 2022, data out of Uruguay also demonstrated no sustained changes in youth consumption rates post-legalization. Cannabis reform in all of those jurisdictions is far greater than what is being proposed in Lithuania, and just as there was no spike in youth rates in those jurisdictions, the same will presumably prove to be true in Lithuania if/when lawmakers get on the right side of history, including and especially Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.

Is Uruguay’s Cannabis Industry About To Evolve?

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Over nine years ago Uruguay made history after passing the world’s first-ever national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. In December 2013 Uruguay’s President José Mujica signed a measure that permitted residents of Uruguay to cultivate their own cannabis, to join a private cannabis clubs, and eventually to purchase cannabis from pharmacies.

Being that Uruguay serves as the oldest national adult-use cannabis policy experiment, many cannabis observers from around the world have watched everything that has happened in Uruguay with a very close eye. By virtually every measure legalization has succeeded.

Since it’s initial passage Uruguay’s legalization model has evolved at a slow pace. As an example of that, legal sales at pharmacies began in Uruguay in the summer of 2017, with consumers being able to choose from two different strains. Late last year, Uruguay finally permitted a third option with higher levels of THC to be purchased from pharmacies.

As the nation approaches the ten year anniversary of the passage of the historic legalization measure, leadership is indicating that the nation’s legalization model could further evolve. Per La Diaria Politica:

Round anniversaries have an unconscious effect on people that leads them to take stock and review some things. In 2023, for example, it will be ten years since the approval of Law 19,172, which at the time put Uruguay at the center of the international debate on drug policies, and Juan Ignacio Tastás, executive director of the Institute for Regulation and Control of Cannabis (Ircca), believes that it is a good opportunity for the political system to propose to rediscuss the law, remove some fears and make access more flexible.

All this would also take place in a pre-electoral year, with previous questioning of the law within the same government coalition, chiaroscuro in police action with some self-cultivators, more and more pharmacies and a bill that intends to sell to tourists. After ten years and a long way to go, is it time to change the regulations?

The excerpts are from an interview with Juan Ignacio Tastás, executive director of IRCCA. IRCCA is the regulatory body that oversees Uruguay’s emerging cannabis industry. In the interview Tastás talked favorably about legalization, pointing out that many of the fears leading up to legalization have since proven to be unfounded.

Arguably the biggest change that Uruguay could make to its legalization model to help the domestic industry reach its full potential would be to open up legal sales to non-residents. Currently, only residents of Uruguay can make legal purchases.

Whether or not that will happen soon, and what access to legal cannabis for tourists will ultimately look if/when it happens is unclear. In theory, tourists could make purchases at pharmacies fairly quickly if the law changes, as pharmacies are already heavily regulated.

Clubs are another option, however, they are not regulated in the same manner as pharmacies, so setting up access via that route could take longer to implement. A fourth option at pharmacies is expected to occur later this year, and hopefully tourists will be able to partake in the new option by the time it goes live.

barcelona spain

Will Barcelona’s Cannabis Industry Reach Its Full Potential?

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

Barcelona, Spain is the social cannabis use capital of the world. Home to hundreds of cannabis lounges and clubs, Barcelona’s cannabis community and consumer experience is unique in every way. Unfortunately, the public policies in Spain pertaining to such establishments do not currently align with reality, with many lawmakers and regulators choosing to stick their heads in the sand and act as if Barcelona’s emerging industry doesn’t exist.

That approach by many lawmakers and regulators does a huge disservice to not only people involved in the cannabis trade, but also the rest of society which would benefit from a regulated industry. Just as the adult-use cannabis industry is generating a significant economic impact in Canada, so too could it do the same in Spain, particularly in Barcelona.

Generating Jobs and Tax Revenue

Every member of a society benefits from a boost in the economy to some degree, particularly when that boost comes from afar. When cannabis enthusiasts travel to an area to partake in cannabis commerce, they need rides to and from lounges, they eat and shop in the area, and they pay for lodging, among many other things. The larger the tourist population, the more local people benefit from the increased commerce.

In Barcelona, all the cannabis consumption at clubs and lounges occurs in private settings, so the mere activity of consuming cannabis is not a nuisance, and thus, the economic boost is clearly a net gain to the region. Cannabis tourism generates jobs, and if the industry is regulated, it also generates taxes and fees that go to public coffers, which is one of the many reasons why Spain should be embracing Barcelona’s clubs and lounges instead of making them operate in limbo. Additionally, society benefits from no longer having public revenue earmarked for enforcing failed public policy (cannabis prohibition).

How to Address the Issue?

Ultimately, it is up to lawmakers in Spain to pass comprehensive cannabis reform at the national level in order to get Barcelona’s emerging cannabis industry built on a solid legal foundation. Local leaders in Barcelona previously adopted a limited regulatory model for cannabis clubs just to see the policy later thrown out by the nation’s top Court, so there’s likely nothing meaningful that can be done at the local level.

Public pressure must reach a critical mass to hold lawmakers accountable when they drag their feet on cannabis reform, and if they will still refrain from taking meaningful action, they need to be replaced with people that will act. Any pressure campaign must involve a heavy dose of public education to combat any misinformation being spread by opponents, and to help convince people that are on the fence about the issue to get on the right side of history.

Leaders Coming Together

Barcelona’s rich cannabis history and culture makes it once again the perfect backdrop to the International Cannabis Business Conference trade show, taking place March 9, 2023. Cannabis policymakers and industry leaders from all over the globe will be in attendance, and one of the major focuses of the conference will be how to move Spain’s industry forward.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis business to business (B2B) event series on the planet, with previous conferences occurring in several countries on multiple continents. The event series is owned and operated by cannabis advocates that believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

The International Cannabis Business Conference has once again partnered with Spannabis, Europe’s top cannabis expo, to form another super-event that is a must-attend for anyone that is serious about succeeding in the emerging cannabis industry. Spannabis originally teamed up with the International Cannabis Business Conference in 2019, and the collaboration was a tremendous success. The 2023 super-event will be bigger and better than ever, with the collaboration event being the largest of its kind. Participating speakers and an event schedule will be announced soon.

Could Malta Help Move the Needle?

One thing that will be interesting to observe is what is currently unfolding in Malta. Malta passed a national adult-use legalization measure late last year, making it the first country in Europe to do so.

The measure was largely built on the premise of consumers obtaining their cannabis from non-profit cannabis clubs. The only other way for adults to obtain cannabis is to cultivate it themselves or to be gifted it.

It is unclear right now how long it will be after applications are initially collected before the first regulated club is opened, however, things do seem to be moving along. Once Malta officially rolls out its cannabis club licenses and sets up all the processes and regulations pertaining to it, it will have created a blueprint for other countries to mimic, including and especially Spain.

spain flag spain flag

New Medical Cannabis Industry Regulations Delayed In Spain

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

Back in June 2022 Spain’s Health and Consumption Commission of the Congress of Deputies approved an opinion of the Medical Cannabis Subcommittee which called for medical cannabis industry regulations.

Part of that approved opinion involved tasking the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aims) to come up with a regulatory plan within 6 months regarding how it would implement the recommendations of the approved opinion.

That six-month deadline expired in December 2022, and here we are in 2023 and it’s still unclear when the plan will be released. Per El Espanol (translated to English):

The agency dependent on the Ministry of Health coordinated by Carolina Darias had a period of 6 months to prepare a document with recommendations so that the regulations have legal requirements and are “viable”. The problem? That document has not arrived. And we are already in 2023.

This means that Health has not met the deadlines and that the great project of Podemos -which the PSOE later embraced- to make medical marijuana a reality before the May elections is complicated.

The government in Spain failing to meet a mandated, cannabis-based deadline is not entirely unique. In October 2018 Mexico’s Supreme Court rendered a decision that deemed cannabis prohibition to be unconstitutional, and tasked lawmakers with passing a legalization measure within a year.

Clearly, lawmakers in Mexico did not meet that original deadline, and have also failed in meeting subsequent deadlines. What is going on in Spain is not an apples to apples comparison to what is going on in Mexico, however, it does highlight that when deadlines are not met it leaves cannabis advocates inside and outside of government scrambling to try to find ways to move the needle in the country where delays are occurring.

We will make sure to continue to keep a very close eye and to monitor the situation in Spain for signs of movement.