Policy – Page 83 – International Cannabis Business Conference

Japan Considers Very Limited Medical Cannabis Reform

Written by Johnny Green on May 30, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Japan’s Health Ministry is considering reforming the nation’s cannabis laws to provide for the legal use of medical cannabis. A panel comprised of Japan Health Ministry experts met last week to continue discussions regarding revisions to Japan’s 1948 Cannabis Control Law. It’s the latest step in what will likely be a very lengthy process to explore legalizing medical cannabis in Japan.

What is being proposed in Japan, if enacted, would only legalize medical cannabis in very limited forms and situations. Only cannabidiol (CBD) would be legalized, whereas tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) would remain prohibited. Even the limited CBD reforms that are being proposed in Japan are being met with some skepticism among health experts in the country for whatever reason.

June 2021 Report

The discussions currently underway in Japan are the result of a report that was released nearly a year ago in June 2021. The report, which was compiled by Japan’s Health Ministry, recommended that CBD be allowed to treat refractory epilepsy. CBD has been found to effectively treat refractory epilepsy, and it is commonly prescribed to help treat the condition in a growing list of countries.

Japan’s current cannabis laws are largely built on the concept of banning parts of the cannabis plant, versus focusing on cannabinoids and limits of cannabinoid content. Banning parts of the cannabis plant seems to be a common concept in the region when it comes to cannabis policy, whereas in Western countries hemp, which is what CBD is largely sourced from, has a THC percentage limit for both harvests and finished products.

Unfortunately, the ministry panel is also recommending that a new law be created that would harshly punish people for simply using cannabis for non-medical purposes, which is a particularly harsh policy. It’s unclear how such a cannabis policy would be enforced, however, it’s a safe assumption that people suspected of having cannabis in their system would likely be automatically tested, which would be a massive invasion of privacy and is a policy that is ripe for selective enforcement.

Why Is Japan So Scared Of Cannabis?

People all over the planet, including in Japan, have used the cannabis plant for medical and/or recreational purposes for centuries. By historical standards, the cannabis plant was only prohibited recently, and even then, the enactment of prohibition was based on harmful political ideology and not on sound science.

Cannabis prohibition is one of the most harmful public policies on earth, and that is particularly true in Japan where cannabis prohibition is being used to ruin many lives. Over the course of the last 8 years, the number of people being arrested for cannabis in Japan has increased, even though cannabis arrests have decreased in many other countries during the same time period. The rise in cannabis arrests culminated in a record being set in 2021, with a reported 5,482 people being arrested for cannabis offenses in Japan during the last full calendar year. Roughly 70 percent of the arrests involved suspects that were teenagers or in their 20s.

The rise in arrests is an indication of heightened cannabis prohibition enforcement by Japan in recent years, although Japan’s government is portraying the rise of arrests as being the result of increased consumption rates. In reality, Japan has one of the lowest cannabis consumption rates on the planet. Consider the fact that only 1.8% of people in Japan report having consumed cannabis during their entire life. Japan doesn’t have a cannabis use problem. It has a cannabis prohibition problem, and that problem will only get worse if Japan enacts a new anti-cannabis consumption law.

The Cannabis Industry Moves Forward In Argentina

Written by Johnny Green on May 30, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

Back in 2017, lawmakers in Argentina passed a medical cannabis legalization measure. Unfortunately, that legislation proved to be more symbolic than anything, at least in the three years following the bill’s passage.

The lack of meaningful implementation of medical cannabis reform was largely due to former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri who seemed to do everything in his power at the time to hinder the nation’s medical cannabis program.

The current President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, later issued a decree in 2020 that increased safe access in the South American country. The decree legalized home cultivation, and also set the stage for Argentina’s legal cannabis industry to emerge.

The decree allowed pharmacies to sell cannabis-derived oils, topicals, and other products, and it directed insurance systems to cover medical cannabis treatments for patients who obtained a prescription.

Earlier this month lawmakers in Argentina passed a measure that would create the framework for a more robust medical cannabis industry in Argentina, including provisions for boosting exports around the world. That bill was signed into law this week. Per La Prensa:

The move, backed by president Alberto Fernández, aims to ensure the safety, quality, control and traceability of the production chain as well as create new jobs, increase productivity and generate new exports for the South American country that is facing a deep economic crisis.

Fernández’s government says the industry could create up to 10,000 new jobs by 2025, boost the domestic market by $500 million and increase export revenues to over $50 million.

Cannabis will be used for medicinal purposes while hemp, which is also derived from the cannabis plant, has multiple uses.

Argentina has now become the latest country to embark on a mission to try to gain as much of a footprint in the emerging global cannabis industry as possible.

The President of Argentina’s predictions may seem bold to some people, however, the job creation and revenue goals are entirely possible if the country proceeds methodically and effectively. Only time will tell if that proves to be the case or not.

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Attend The Cannabis Normal! Conference In Berlin Next Month

Written by Johnny Green on May 27, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy, Science.

Germany will never become the first country to legalize cannabis for adult use. That designation will forever go to Uruguay. However, legalization in Germany will ultimately prove to be the biggest cannabis prohibition domino to fall when historians look back on the global cannabis reform movement years from now.

Legalization in Germany is going to usher in a new era for cannabis in Europe and the rest of the planet. Germany’s economy is larger than any other economy on earth with the exception of the United States, China, and Japan. The United States is not nearly as close as Germany when it comes to implementing legalization, and China and Japan remain two of the worst places on earth for cannabis policy.

With news recently surfacing that adult-use legalization will be sped up in Germany according to the nation’s Health Minister, and potential budgetary ramifications if that doesn’t happen, reform is closer than ever. When legalization inevitably happens in Germany, it will be truly historic and will speed up reform efforts everywhere else around the globe.

It is extremely important for cannabis advocates and members of the industry to recognize the efforts of those that have helped bring cannabis reform efforts to this point in Germany, and no organization deserves more recognition than the German Cannabis Association.

The German Cannabis Association (DHV) is a professional cannabis advocacy group led by private legalization activists. Their tireless efforts over the course of many years have made a tremendous impact in Germany and have directly contributed to Germany’s current reform momentum.

DHV was originally founded in May 2002, and per its website, DHV “does not serve personal enrichment, but to make progress in hemp politics.” As DHV also points out on its website, it serves as “a counterbalance to corporate interests and fundamentally opposing forces, such as the police unions.” The DHV team does outstanding work, is extremely knowledgeable, and they are on the frontlines of cannabis reform efforts in Germany on a daily basis.

The German Cannabis Association (DHV) is organizing the third edition of the Cannabis Normal! Conference from June 17th to 19th, 2022 in the Alte Münze in Berlin. The conference’s program will largely involve exploring and discussing the intimate details of the upcoming cannabis legalization measure that is expected to be unveiled in Germany as early as this summer.

In addition to discussing the nuanced details of cannabis policy reform in Germany, hemp will also be a major topic at the event with discussions led by well-known guests from science and politics including drug policy spokesman Carmen Wegge (SPD), Dr. Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (Greens), Kristina Lütke (FDP) and Ates Gürpinar (Left).

It is vital that consumers have a voice in the legalization process in Germany, and fortunately, DHV has developed eleven sessions to cover every important facet of what Germany’s cannabis legalization model should include. It’s a great way to get educated about German legalization efforts and what to expect in the coming months. The information presented will be extremely timely, with upcoming hearings in the Bundestag expected to begin in the near future.

Below are sessions taking place at the upcoming Cannabis Normal! Conference:

More information about the schedule and program of the Cannabis Normal! Go to: cannabisnormal.de.

For press inquiries and accreditations please contact Simon.Kraushaar@hanfverband.de

MPs Introduce Cannabis Decriminalization Measure In Lithuania

Written by Johnny Green on May 27, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Lithuania may not be the first place that you think of when it comes to cannabis policy reform, however, efforts to reform the nation’s cannabis laws are underway in the European country, which is located in the Baltic region of the continent.

Last November, lawmakers in Lithuania voted on a measure that would have decriminalized small amounts of all controlled substances. The measure failed to pass.

Lithuania’s Committee on Legal Affairs was tasked at that time with coming up with a more narrowly tailored measure, and what they came up with was a cannabis decriminalization measure that would apply to small amounts of cannabis. Per excerpts from LRT:

The Lithuanian parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (TTK) has proposed to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis.

The new amendments propose to introduce fines, instead of criminal liability, for the possession of small quantities of cannabis.

“I see it as a political compromise. The task of TTK was to improve [the draft] and look for an option for which we would have a majority of votes,” said Morgana Danielė of the Freedom Party.

Lithuania originally passed a medical cannabis measure in 2017, however, cannabis remains criminalized for non-medical purposes.

Adult-use legalization is sweeping the European continent, with momentum picking up after Malta became the first country to legalize cannabis for recreational use late last year.

With that in mind, Lithuania’s reform measure is timid compared to what is being proposed in other parts of Europe, although the chances of this specific measure passing in Lithuania seem to be strong.

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Researchers Identify Two Main Motivating Factors Behind Unregulated Cannabis Purchases

Written by Johnny Green on May 27, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

Legal cannabis is spreading across the planet, and with it, purchasing freedoms for some consumers. Yet, the unregulated market still exists even where cannabis can be purchased legally. Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario recently examined the factors that motivate a consumer or patient to purchase unregulated cannabis versus regulated cannabis in North America in an attempt to understand why the unregulated market still exists in Canada despite legalization, and to a lesser extent, the United States.

By human history standards, cannabis prohibition is a relatively new thing. After all, cannabis is not a new plant and humans have used it for medical and recreational purposes for centuries. It wasn’t until the last century that political forces prohibited it. Fortunately, three countries have now legalized cannabis for adult use – Uruguay, Canada, and Malta. Cannabis can be legally acquired in some form in Uruguay and Canada, and soon, Malta.

Out of the three countries, Canada has the most robust industry model. Cannabis consumers of legal age from anywhere around the planet can come to Canada and make a legal purchase through a storefront dispensary, through the mail, and/or through delivery services. Similar options have existed in the U.S. at the state level for many years. Researchers have kept a close eye on North America as the ‘cannabis experiment’ has continued to roll out, including researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

Motivating Factors

The average cannabis consumer is more sophisticated now than arguably any other time in human history, and that is largely due to the options available to them, particularly in Canada. Some consumers want to smoke cannabis flower, some want to vaporize it, and still, many others prefer smokeless forms of cannabis such as edibles and topicals.

Regulated industries boost the options for patients and consumers. I live in a legal jurisdiction, and the different types of cannabis products and consumption methods are exponentially greater now compared to when there was no regulated market With that being said, the unregulated market still exists where I live, albeit at a much lower level than before legalization.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario looked at consumer data from 2019 and 2020. The data was compiled as part of the annual International Cannabis Policy Study. Survey data asked consumers about their purchasing habits over the past 12 months, and when they indicated that they purchased cannabis from an unregulated source they were provided a list of reasons to select from regarding what motivated the unregulated purchase.

“‘Legal sources had higher prices’ was the number-one answer in Canada in both years (35.9% in 2019, 34.6% in 2020) as well as in the United States (27.3% in 2019, 26.7% in 2020). Convenience (both ‘legal sources were less convenient’ and ‘legal stores were too far away/there are none where I live’) was high on the list as well, with the percentage of respondents who named these as reasons ranging from 10.6% to 19.8%.” researchers stated in their press release.

Sensible Regulations To Help Boost Legal Sales

On average, the cost of legal cannabis will always be greater than unregulated cannabis. A legal cannabis company has to pay ongoing licensing and compliance fees, rent on their commercial facilities, and a number of other operational costs that do not exist in the unregulated market. All of those added layers contribute to the overall cost of legal cannabis.

Speaking anecdotally, I am willing to pay extra for legal cannabis being that it is tested and regulated. However, there is a point to how much more I am willing to pay, and I assume many consumers are the same as me in that regard. Paying 10% more is reasonable, however, if legal cannabis costs 2-4 times as much as unregulated cannabis, clearly many people will choose to go the unregulated route.

The second motivating factor identified by the researchers, convenience, is much easier to address from a public policy standpoint. Boosting the ways in which consumers and patients can legally acquire cannabis helps a considerable amount. Conversely, the fewer ways people can legally acquire cannabis the more it creates opportunities for unregulated sources to fill the void and meet the demand. Jurisdictions that choose to cling to prohibition or hinder safe access do so at their own peril.

Lawmakers around the world need to do everything that they can to strike the right balance between regulating cannabis, generating public revenue, and implementing sensible regulations that help keep the cost of legal cannabis down as much as reasonably possible. Everyone needs to temper their expectations when it comes to getting rid of the unregulated market. Just as there will always be a market for unregulated alcohol, so too will there always be an unregulated market for cannabis, at least to some degree.

Jamaica Medical Cannabis Development Task Force Report Is Complete

Written by Johnny Green on May 27, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

Historically, Jamaica is one of the top countries associated with cannabis on the planet, and a very strong argument could be made that it is the country most associated with cannabis.

The Caribbean island nation is home to a large population of people that use cannabis for sacramental purposes, and it is no secret that the cannabis plant grows naturally all over Jamaica and that it is sought after by people all over the world.

As the emerging cannabis industry continues to spread across the globe and increase in size at an exponential rate it is no surprise that Jamaica is trying to take its rightful place as an international cannabis powerhouse.

Jamaica inched closer to that goal when it was announced earlier this month that the country’s cannabis task force has completed a report that it will present to lawmakers in the near future. Per Jamaica Observer:

The cannabis development task force, set up by the Government, has completed a comprehensive action plan with key initiatives to support the medical marijuana industry, to include small and traditional ganja farmers.

State minister for industry, investment and commerce, Dr Norman Dunn, stressed in his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives Tuesday that “the industry is demanding that we aggressively implement the action plan in the 2022/23 financial year, and we are responding decisively”.

Small farmers have complained over the years that although laws were passed to decriminalise possession of a small quantity of marijuana and make way for the growth of a medical marijuana industry, the requirements of the legal framework places them at a severe disadvantage.

It’s not clear at this time exactly what is included in the report, however, as the previously cited media coverage touched on, it’s expected to have a focus on helping small farmers.

Meanwhile, the Westmoreland Hemp and Ganja Farmers Association is promoting its own proposal to help small farmers and entrepreneurs via a cannabis ‘free zone.’

Essentially, the zone would somewhat mimic that of Amsterdam to some degree, where cannabis commerce could be freely conducted within the zone similar to how coffee shops have historically operated in Amsterdam. Only time will tell if the proposal gets adopted.

Luxembourg’s Home Grow Legislation In Progress

Written by Johnny Green on May 24, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

The long-delayed legislation appears to be moving – perhaps in response to the dramatic announcement that the German government will legalize recreational use this year

During a Parliamentary “Question Time” last week, a Pirate Party representative, Sven Clement asked about the status of legalization of cannabis.

He was informed by Justice Minister Sam Tanson that work on this bill has been delayed due to the involvement of several ministries in the process. This includes the Ministry of Health whose priorities for the last two years have been the pandemic.

The good news? The first step – the long-delayed legislation permitting the cultivation of up to four plants at home, is about to be submitted to the Governing Council (consisting of the Prime Minister and a number of Ministers – similar to a British or American cabinet).

Luxembourg Cannot Ignore Its Neighbour – Much Less Its Electoral Promise

It was almost inevitable that Luxembourg would accelerate its long-promised and now delayed legalization plans after Germany announced that it would pass legislation authorizing a recreational cannabis market by the end of this year.

Apart from geographical proximity, Luxembourg has been poised at this point for the last several years – since the new government came to power in 2018. The ruling coalition however has never issued any more of a timetable than sometime before 2023.

Given, however, that the pandemic is receding, and cannabis reform has clearly continued to progress across the region (see Switzerland) there was little chance that the Luxembourgian government could fence sit indefinitely.

The Importance of Luxembourg on German Reform – And Vice Versa

Both countries seem, at this point, to be influencing each other. The new schedule in Luxembourg is undoubtedly being influenced by the recent German announcement. Luxembourg previously announced that its first foray into the entire discussion would be home grow. This in turn, however, has clearly ensured that home grow would also be on the menu on the German side of the border.

Home grow is going to be a tricky discussion just about everywhere. Namely, how will it be regulated, will patients be allowed a higher plant count than others, and will patient non-profits now be allowed to operate, serving multiple patients?

There is no way to determine these details yet. But they are clearly on the drawing board.

In the meantime, it is clear that Luxembourg is moving ahead on reform actively now. This means that by 2023, four European countries including not only Switzerland, but Malta, Germany and now Luxembourg, will have moved into the federal legalization camp.

Legalize Cannabis Australia Party Obtains Record Results In Queensland Elections

Written by Johnny Green on May 24, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

The single-issue party is poised to gain its first senate seat in Queensland. Is recreational reform on the cards nationally?

Elections in Australia’s third most populous state, accounting for 22% of its landmass, may indicate which way the tide is running when it comes to legalization Down Under. Legalise Cannabis Australia is now running 7th in a six-seat senate race according to Australia’s ABC News.

According to The Guardian, the party has also done well nationally – picking up between 2 and 7% of the vote in most states.

This year, they have also received a record number of votes.

With 34% of the votes now counted, LCA has so far received 74,972 votes – an increase of 5% of the votes they received in 2019. Regardless of whether they win one of the seats, they will get government funding for exceeding 4% of the votes in Queensland.

Party president Michael Balderstone is a long-time advocate. He has been involved with the party since its founding in the 1990s – in New South Wales.

Pain Relief & Cost of Cannabis Are Pillar of Campaign

One of the main planks of the party is the efficacy of the drug – and the still prohibitive cost of the same for patients. They are advocating for patient home grow.

There have been 130,000 applications for medical cannabis in Queensland. More than double any other state. One of the reasons for this is that this is a popular state for retirees.

And despite the criticism that the increased vote for the party is just a protest vote, one thing is clear. Cannabis legalization is not static in Australia.

Home Grow – The Revolution

As more and more countries recognize the medical efficacy of cannabis, there is a decided trend toward home grow – even as the first step to legalization. This trend is being seen very clearly in Europe right now. Malta and shortly, Luxembourg will allow home grow. Germany is now probably going to include the same in its recreational plans to be announced by this summer.

There is an obvious logic to this. Medical cannabis is still far too expensive for most patients – no matter who pays for it. Allowing home grow will do two things. It will allow patients to offset the costs of their medicine. And it will spare governments the cost of covering it.

Regulating that infrastructure, however, may prove to be tricky. In Canada, where patient collectives created the basis for the legal recreational market, there is a perennial debate about reigning this in because of its impact on recreational sales.

Regardless, the genie is out of the bottle. And that revolution is now clearly global.

Italian Ministry Of Défense Publishes Pre-Bid Call For New Cannabis Cultivation Companies

Written by Johnny Green on May 24, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

The Ministry is trying to identify qualified cultivators to cultivate in Florence

The Ministry of Defense has just published an “expression of interest” to identify companies that are able and qualified to grow medical cannabis plants. The call was designed to increase production for domestic use with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency from a medical perspective.

A technical department has been set up to begin this definitive start to call for new tenders for medical cultivation. The direct link can be found here.

Qualifications are broken into four sections – with the first qualification being GMP certification.

Qualitative selection of candidates
Technical inspection
Confirmation of expression of interest
Invitations to apply (which is restricted)

Both existing farms and freelancers registered with the Chamber of Commerce, or the competent professional associations will be considered, providing that they have the right experience as well as an in-depth understanding of the current legislation. A valid insurance policy of at least 10 million euros will also be required.

The due date is June 27.

The Domestic Security Argument

The Italian decision to increase the domestic production of cannabis (by highly limited tender bid) certainly comes at an interesting time, particularly given pending recreational reform just across the border with Germany. While ostensibly just for domestic consumption, it is unclear if Italy wants to also position itself as a major exporter as other markets come online – particularly those like Luxembourg where for now, the only cannabis cultivation that is going to be allowed in the short term is home grow.

Beyond this, the moves seem to be the first in Europe where authorities consider cannabis so valuable that they are specifically setting up cultivation to meet so far unmet domestic supply – and further as a self-identity national security issue.

Just across the border in Germany, the three cultivators who won the first bid were deliberately instructed to grow far less than would be obviously needed. This is why the ex-im market aus Deutschland is so dynamic, not to mention important.

That said, this may mark a turning point for the discussion, not just in Italy, but across Europe. Supply chain security for both food and medicine has become a much hotter topic post Pandemic, with convoluted supply chains and a re-examination of national policies in shoring up as much domestic production as possible.

It is also, of course, a tacit admission of the huge job creation potential of the sector.

The Italians, in other words, are not just releasing a domestic agricultural tender. They might well be on the edge of a coming, new, and much overdue green flood that seems poised to take over Europe.