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“Trivializing The Joint?” German Police Unions Speak Out Against More Legalization

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Head of Police Union speaks out against recreational reform as coalition talks for new government continue with parties in favour of forward progress on cannabis issues

In a clear clash of values as well as a sign that German politics are changing, the head of the country’s police union, GdP, Oliver Malchow, spoke out against the further legalization of cannabis. The police are mostly concerned with road accidents and are comparing recreational cannabis’ intoxication impact to that of alcohol.

Such remarks come at a time when the Social Democrats (SDP), the Greens and the Free Democrats (FDP) are caucusing in discussions about ruling the country in a coalition government – and further all parties are clear that they want more cannabis reform.

The FDP for example is very excited about the tax revenue the legal cannabis industry could create. The Greens want to eliminate the black market and reduce organized crime. The least pro-cannabis reform group, the SPD has at least called for a recreational trial.

Something green is going down in Deutschland. The question is when and in what form.

A National Recreational Trial

There are several theories that are highly popular in the cannabis industry. One is that the new coalition, when it finally forms, will at least agree on decriminalization. Beyond this, however, the roadmap is not so clear, even with recreational reform now on the docket in Europe.

Several countries – including Portugal and Luxembourg, are now discussing how to legally implement recreational markets in an environment, regionally, where cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug (even if its component cannabinoids are slowly being defined otherwise). Indeed, some of the opposition in Luxembourg against the implementation of a recreational market is the fear of “unrest” on the country’s borders with the rest of Europe. Namely, cannatourists from other places, starting with Deutschland.

Whatever happens in Germany, however, will clearly affect the discussion across such countries if not others in the EU region.

What Is Possible Beyond Decriminalization?

There are several options. The world is not where it was on cannabis issues even four years ago – the year of the German bid. Countries all over Europe (see Malta and Italy for starters) are beginning to accept home grow legislatively.

The most likely options -  beyond decrim for that reason, are recreational trials in major cities and some kind of amended home grow option.

One thing is also for sure. The German police will be on the hunt for state-of-the-art cannabis breathalysers used in legalizing US states. 

To keep up to date on emerging market cannabis news and events, be sure to stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog.

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U.S. Cannabis Arrests Reduced More Than 30 Percent In 2020

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Politics.

Cannabis prohibition is one of the most harmful public policies in human history. Prohibition negatively impacts lives wherever it exists, including and especially within the criminal justice system.

Thankfully, cannabis prohibition is dwindling across the globe, including in the United States. All but two states have some type of legal cannabis on the books now, whether it’s medical or adult-use.

Cannabis still remains illegal at the federal level in the United States, and people are still getting arrested for cannabis, however, it’s at a decreasing rate.

That is good news for cannabis consumers and taxpayers. Below is more information about it from our friends at NORML via a news release:

The estimated number of persons arrested in the United States for violating marijuana laws declined precipitously in 2020, according to data released this week by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, police made an estimated 350,150 arrests for marijuana-related violations in 2020. This total is a 36 percent decrease from 2019, when police made an estimated 545,602 marijuana-related arrests. Not since the early 1990s has the FBI reported so few marijuana-related arrests in a single year.

Marijuana arrests are down more than 50 percent from their peak in 2008, when police made over 800,000 marijuana-related arrests. Since 2012, 18 states and Washington, DC have enacted laws legalizing the possession of small amounts of cannabis by adults.

“As more states move toward the sensible policy of legalizing and regulating cannabis, we are seeing a decline in the arrest of non-violent marijuana consumers nationwide,” NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri said.

He added: “The fight for legalization is a fight for justice. While these numbers represent a historic decline in arrests, even one person being put into handcuffs for the simple possession of marijuana is too many.”

Of those arrested for cannabis-related activities, some 91 percent (317,793) were arrested for marijuana possession offenses only. Marijuana-related arrests represented 30.3 percent of all drug-related arrests in the United States in 2020.

Marijuana-related arrests were least likely to occur in western states — most of which have legalized the possession of the substance — and were most prevalent in the northeast, where they constituted an estimated 50 percent of all drug arrests. This will likely change going forward, as several northeastern states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York have all legalized their marijuana markets in recent months.

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‘Overwhelming Majority’ Of Feedback For Legalization Bill In Malta Is Positive

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Politics.

When it comes to the next country to legalize cannabis for adult use, Malta is probably not the first country that comes to mind. However, momentum for cannabis legalization is extremely strong in Malta right now.

A cannabis legalization measure has been introduced in Malta, and the government is seeking feedback from the public. According to at least one government official, the feedback has been very favorable towards the measure. Per Lovin Malta:

Feedback to the recently proposed bill to legalise the personal use of cannabis up to 7g has been received positively across the island.

Published by Reforms Minister Owen Bonnici, Bill No. 241 has been welcomed by criminal justice activists calling for a better and more appropriate approach to cannabis use on the island. The island has been known to be notoriously harsh on cannabis users, with people being sent to prison for nearly a decade over the plant.

This is certainly welcome news. Any time a government official speaks favorably about cannabis reform it’s a good thing, and that’s especially true when it is happening in a country that has historically cracked down hard on cannabis.

With that being said, the words are just that – words. Those words have to be backed up by action, otherwise, it’s just governing officials gaslighting the public like they often do when it comes to cannabis policy.

The fact that a bill has already been introduced is helpful, and the limited legalization model will hopefully boost its chances of being completely passed and implemented sooner rather than later.

Legalizing the personal possession of up to 7 grams of cannabis is something that everyone in Malta should be on board with. After all, why would anyone want to waste limited public resources going after personal amounts of cannabis? (or any amount of cannabis, but I digress).

If/when Malta passes their legalization bill, it will be a far cry compared to Uruguay and Canada. However, the limited reform is clearly better than Malta’s current complete prohibition law.

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Which Way Are The Winds Of Recreational Cannabis Blowing In Europe?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Several countries have decided to delay their plans for recreational markets – apparently in response to the German national elections

In a strange response apparently to the results of the German elections, both Portugal and Luxembourg have just announced delays and review of their decisions and legislation to move to recreational markets. 

In Portugal, the pending adult market legislation has now been put on hold for at least the next sixty days. In Luxembourg, the ruling government, which promised as part of its mandate to create a recreational market in the country by 2023 is now sending signals that it wishes to delay the same because of potential clashes with European law. Note: this has not stopped the Dutch from proceeding with the region’s first nationally regulated adult-use market – which is another reason for believing that the excuse just given in Luxembourg is nothing more than a political cover story to give the new ruling German coalition a chance to think about their position. Even the decriminalization of cannabis here will make it impossible for anyone at the EU level to object to recreational markets on a country-by-country basis. Indeed, the last decision about the scheduling of cannabis at the UN level was specifically to allow individual countries to come to their own decisions about the same.

No matter what, however, recreational reform has suddenly become a hot topic in Europe. 

As Goes Holland?

One of the more interesting issues raised by the Luxembourgian decision is that while the official recreational market may be delayed, citizens may well gain the right of home grow. This would create its own ripple across the cannabis landscape in a way that might also begin to change the discussion (a la Italy) and further in a way that would be good for patients and adult users even if it does not directly create a formal industry.

Beyond this, of course, any discussions of European objections to expanding on a country-by-country basis, adult use markets, will have to overcome the problem of Holland. There is clearly no going back, although the steps forward may be stranger if not even sideways than anyone can yet foresee.

Regardless, the topic of adult-use is now clearly in the air – and the odour of Europe is absolutely getting danker.

Stay tuned for more news and information from the International Cannabis Business Conference.

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Scotland Decriminalizes Drug Possession

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Scotland’s new policy covers all ‘illegal drugs” including cannabis in a surprise turn of events.

In a surprise announcement, Class A substances have been effectively decriminalized in Scotland. This includes cannabis. According to the lord advocate, Dorothy Bain QC. this is a “diversion from prosecution” policy that came as a surprise to the Scottish Parliament (or Holyrood).

Officers can already issue formal warnings for possession of lower category drugs; however, this policy comes at a time when the entire cannabis discussion is being actively discussed in just about every European capital post-German election.

Scotland logged a record 1,339 drug-related deaths in 2020 which is the highest rate in Europe. As a result, the Scottish government has pledged to make it a “national mission” to cut fatalities.

Per Ms Bain, “There is no one size fits all response to an individual found in possession of a controlled substance, or an individual dependent on drugs.”

While there are those who criticize the step for not going far enough, even this development is controversial. The Scottish Conservatives criticized the plan for merely being a cannabis decriminalization plan by another name. However, since that is in essence exactly what this move represents, the fact that other parties are supporting the idea is a positive development in a part of the world notoriously conservative about all “illicit” drug use.

Could Scotland Be a Tipping Point for the UK?

There are many forces driving a renewed interest in at least decriminalizing the use of cannabis in the UK. The CBD market is clearly up and running and more and more GMP-certified cultivation and extraction facilities are getting licensed (see most recently the movement on the island of Guernsey).

Beyond this, of course, European countries which are increasingly putting Covid in their rear-view mirror if not having national elections (see Germany last weekend) are also increasingly at least musing changing national drug policies. Sending in the fuzz to bust CBD stores or locking up legitimate cannabis patients is, increasingly, a political third rail. 

There are many reasons, in other words, to herald this new Scottish liberalization of drug policy – both directly south of Hadrian’s Wall and across the Channel.

And even if “all” that is achieved is that cannabis is decriminalized that is an important step.

Stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog as autumn clearly blows in a new wind for cannabis reform across Europe.

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The German National Elections Will Forward Cannabis Reform – But How Much?

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Germans went to the polls last Sunday, returning a not-so-surprising result. What will this new government mean for cannabis reform?

There is a new day in Germany. For the first time in 16 years, Angela Merkel is no longer the Chancellor of the largest and most powerful country in Europe. Beyond this, Sunday’s election means a defeat, at least by the number of seats held, for the CDU – the centre-right party that has held power since 1949 (at least on the Western side of the country).

What this shifting alliance means for cannabis reform is now a topic that has spread across at least the German if not European industry. What is certain, no matter what is that there will be some kind of change – although of course, any specifics must wait for the ruling government alliance to be formed.

Who that could be is still up in the air – but the SPD has already indicated that they are interested in entering an alliance with the Green Party – and both are far more friendly to at least basic cannabis reform than the CDU has ever been.

Here are the basic issues on the table.

  1. The entire cannabis debate must be re-examined and redefined. This includes both of the low hanging fruit at this juncture including removing CBD from the federal Narcotics Act as well as decriminalization of all cannabis possession. The patient count in Germany has continued to climb despite a lot of resistance and patient hurdles which have still not been solved.
  2. If the SPD forms an alliance with either or the Greens and FDP, one thing is certain. Recreational cannabis trials are going to be on the agenda here in a matter of 18-24 months, particularly as both Switzerland and Luxembourg are now hurtling towards the same – although in the case of Luxembourg, there appears to be a new impetus to slowing down that trial based on concerns in some quarters about “chaos” ensuing at the Luxembourgian borders with their European neighbours. If Germany changes its cannabis policy, this will be less of a legitimate excuse (not that this carries any weight now).

Regardless of the particulars and the timeline, this is still unbelievably good news. The biggest possible roadblock might be that the SPD might bring the CDU into the governing coalition. The CDU have been glacial so far in their acceptance of the entire issue.

Even in this scenario however, with so many of the other parties in favour of at least basic and logical steps forward, the next steps of cannabis reform are likely to unfold now far more easily – and with it carry the seeds of change across Europe and the EU.

Big changes are on the way in the German cannabis industry. Be sure to stay tuned to the International Cannabis Business Conference blog for more updates.

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Zurich Officials Release Cannabis Legalization Pilot Program Details

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Politics.

Switzerland is at the forefront of cannabis policy in many ways, not the least of which is the widespread availability of low-THC cannabis products.

Starting in 2017 cannabis consumers have been able to legally purchase cannabis products that contain less than 1% THC. In 2019 a Swiss Federal Administrative Court ruled that the taxation of such products was legal, further paving the way for a booming industry.

The low-THC products may not be as strong as cannabis available in some other countries, however, they are still extremely popular with consumers and even some patients, and stronger products are on their way to some markets in Switzerland.

Back in May amendments to Switzerland’s Narcotics Act took effect. The amendments provided for legal adult-use cannabis pilot programs in Switzerland. Zurich is one of the cities that is taking part in the pilot research programs and its pilot will begin next year.

The pilot program in Zurich will run for three and a half years as part of a greater research program to help lawmakers craft federal policies and industry regulations. Basel, Bern, Lucerne, and Geneva are also launching their own related pilot programs.

For Zurich specifically, the City of Zurich is partnering with the Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich and the Zurich Pharmacy Network, with study participants acquiring their cannabis from pharmacies and ‘social clubs.’

As part of the study, cannabis producers will be required to obtain a production permit from the Switzerland Federal Office of Public Health. Below is more information via a press release from the City of Zurich (translated to English):

Regulated Cannabis Sales: The Zurich Study

Once the legal basis is in place, the City of Zurich is launching the “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” pilot project together with the Zurich University Psychiatric Clinic. The effects of regulated cannabis use are being researched in a three-and-a-half year study. The cannabis study is intended to provide the basis for appropriate cannabis legislation at the federal level.

For years, the City of Zurich and the Psychiatric University Clinic in Zurich have been committed to an objective and low-risk approach to cannabis use. In mid-May 2021, amendments to the Narcotics Act came into force, which enable pilot tests for regulated cannabis sales. On this legal basis, the Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich, in cooperation with the City of Zurich, wants to research models of the regulated procurement of cannabis and its effects on the health and consumption behavior of the consumer. The aim of the Zurich study is to provide relevant knowledge on the best possible use of cannabis. The study is intended to promote public health, maintain public safety and support the protection of minors.

Responsibility for production, prevention and consumption

The Zurich cannabis study “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility” is intended to show what effects the sale of standardized and tested cannabis products at approved outlets with health and prevention concepts has on cannabis users. The study creates framework conditions that promote the responsible use of cannabis at all levels – production, prevention and consumption.

Reference points with a focus on health promotion

The study participants will be able to obtain their study cannabis from pharmacies and social clubs. Variously designed purchase options allow valuable conclusions to be drawn about the different consumer groups. The points of reference should be given a great deal of leeway so that the most realistic forms of regulated access to cannabis can be researched. The Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich is investigating which sales outlets can be used to achieve the long-term goal of promoting public and individual health and safety. At all purchase points, value is placed on personal and health-promoting advice and on responding to individual needs. The aim is always to keep the health risks for consumers as low as possible.

Tested products for responsible consumers

The producers of the study cannabis must have a production permit from the Federal Office of Public Health. Only cannabis that meets high quality standards is produced. The aim is organic quality and local production. Various cannabis products are offered in the study, each with a different THC / CBD content. This makes it possible to switch to lower-risk products during the study period. The participants can consume cannabis more health-consciously and responsibly, because the ingredients of the products are of impeccable quality and are shown transparently. In order to record the health and social situation and its developments, the participants are questioned at regular intervals.

Looking for pharmacies and social clubs

The study management is now looking for interested pharmacies and interested parties who would like to found and operate a social club. They can contact the head of studies by the end of the year and apply for participation as a reference point (stadt-zuerich.ch/cannabisprojekt). Cannabis is expected to be available to study participants from autumn 2022.

(Joint media release by the City of Zurich, the Psychiatric University Clinic Zurich and the Zurich Pharmacy Network)

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Leading German Politician Erwin Rüddel On Cannabis: “Attitude Is More Open”

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Politics.

Until now, the CDU seemed to be quite isolated with its position on a possible new regulation. While the SPD, the Greens, the FDP and the Left all call for legalization, or at least model projects, in their election campaign programs, the CDU does not mention a possible new regulation of cannabis in a single syllable. Also to an inquiry of krautinvest.de the press office of the CDU answers only with short reference to the current government program.

A few weeks before the election, the CDU member of parliament Erwin Rüddel, who is also the chairman of the health committee of the German Bundestag, sits on a panel with Dirk Heidenblut (SPD), Werner Graf (Greens), Dr. Wieland Schinnenburg (FDP) and Niema Movassat (Left) at the International Cannabis Business Conference – in a rather lost position, one would think.

Far from it. In the interview with krautinvest.de Rüddel makes possible coalition partners hope for compromises, suggests at least model projects as solution. Especially when the CDU would have to negotiate with two other parties, the CDU politician does not seem to believe in maintaining the status quo. And: Even the great challenges of our time – such as Corona, Afghanistan or Corona – he does not let pass as an excuse to put off a possible cannabis re-regulation: “We are a parliament based on the division of labor and accordingly there are also the necessary capacities.”

It will be interesting to see whether possible coalition partners agree to model projects (or push for fundamental legalization) and what these would look like in detail. Should it come to that, a first small market for recreational cannabis is likely to develop in Germany under state control. After all, flowers have to be cultivated or imported, stored and distributed.

krautinvest.de: Five parties are currently being considered for a new government. In all conceivable coalitions, the CDU is the only party that is against any form of legalization. Is legalization completely out of the question if the CDU is in government?

Erwin Rüddel: The CDU/CSU is somewhat isolated in its stance on this issue. That’s why I’d be surprised if the issue didn’t come up in the coalition negotiations after the upcoming federal elections, especially if the CDU/CSU were to negotiate with two other parties. In my view, model projects would be a conceivable compromise.

krautinvest.de: You personally have already hinted at such model projects recently. Can you briefly specify the conditions?

Erwin Rüddel: In any case, such a project would have to be implemented in a well-selected region with a defined group of people entitled to access it, and the dispensing would have to be linked to addiction prevention and counseling. This is done in a similar way in Uruguay, for example. It is important that the THC content of the cannabis distributed is controlled. The biggest problem I see is the involvement of 15- to 18-year-olds. Of course, they should not be able to legally purchase cannabis for consumption, but this group is exactly the one where prevention work is most important and should therefore be taken into account in the evaluation.

krautinvest.de: Could you imagine further new regulations beyond the model projects?

Erwin Rüddel: For me, such a model project would be an open-ended introduction to the topic: Either we get confirmation of the reservations about cannabis or we learn that things should be approached somewhat differently than is the case today. After an appropriate evaluation, further steps can then follow.

krautinvest.de: Hand on heart: How strongly do opinions differ on this topic within the CDU?

Erwin Rüddel: There are certainly very different opinions in our group. In general, however, I have the feeling that the attitude to this issue is more open than it was a few years ago.

krautinvest.de: In addition, the challenges are currently great: climate change, Corona, Afghanistan – does a new regulation of cannabis fall completely under the table, because the concerns are much greater elsewhere and the parties prioritize other areas?

Erwin Rüddel: The fact that we are facing very great challenges does not mean that we cannot tackle other issues. We are a parliament based on the division of labor, and the necessary capacities exist accordingly.

This interview has been first published on krautinvest.de and syndicated with special permission.

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Cannabis Reform Moves Forward In UK’s Islands

Written by Marguerite Arnold on . Posted in Politics.

Support for cannabis reform if not actual cultivation is moving ahead on the many islands ringing the mainland

From Guernsey, where cultivation is finally proceeding officially, to the Isle of Man’s upcoming election where candidates are talking openly if not enthusiastically for the need for cannabis reform, the entire discussion is proceeding in the UK, even if slowly, and even if, for the moment, mostly off its mainland.

There are of course, several reasons for this, starting with the dire need for economic development if not effectively treating residents with medicines that can be made easily and economically, locally.

On Guernsey, seven applications for cultivation have been filed by companies intending to cultivate and or process high THC cannabis for medical use.

On the Isle Man, only one of the five candidates in the running for the House of Keys election has categorized reform as a “slippery slope.” The other four are all in favour of at least decriminalization.

Regardless, both the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are moving the conversation forward and, in a way, likely to rebound on the larger debate in the UK.

The Status of Cannabis Reform in the UK

Despite being the largest exporter of cannabis products in the world for the last twenty years (albeit with one company holding an exclusive monopoly on the same), reformers have struggled to move the entire cannabis legalization discussion forward in a manner similar to Germany. 

Currently there are several new cultivation projects afoot in the UK proper, but these are focussed on low THC. These days, much of the medical cannabis legally consumed in the UK comes from abroad (including Canada, Holland, and Germany). 

Beyond this, medical authorities have refused to consider including chronic pain as one of the medical reasons for obtaining a cannabis prescription via the NHS (in other words at a discounted cost which most patients can easily afford).

Beyond the actual supply chain discussion however, there is one area in which the UK promises to be a major boon to the conversation across the continent – namely the more liberal financial markets in the UK – which are lining up to be one of the best sources of public equity across Europe.

In the meantime, however, green shoots and leaves are certainly appearing now on the islands dotting the British coastline. And this may, in turn, make all the difference in finally moving the conversation forward faster on the mainland.

The International Cannabis Business Conference has returned to Europe. Follow us for news and other developments.