Science – Page 2 – International Cannabis Business Conference

Evaluating Germany’s Cannabis Legalization Law

Written by Johnny Green on July 13, 2025. Posted in Business, Policy, Science.

Germany remains the largest country, as measured by population size, to ever adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Given Germany’s position as a continental and global political and economic leader, it is easy to make an argument that German legalization is the most significant cannabis policy modernization effort of its kind in history.

While there are various ongoing evaluations of Germany’s CanG law, the Evaluation of the Consumer Cannabis Act (EKOCAN) is a very prominent one that domestic lawmakers are following as they continue to consider potential updates to German cannabis public policy.

The project manager for the EKOCAN research effort is Dr. Jakob Manthey, and according to the Federal Ministry of Health’s website, the goals of the evaluation project are threefold. They include “investigating the impact of the Cannabis Act on”:

Child and youth protection
General health protection
Cannabis-related crime

“To this end, a wide variety of data will be compiled (e.g., from ongoing studies on the topic or from public administration), our own surveys will be conducted (e.g., with public organizations directly involved in the topic, as well as consumers and cultivation associations), and the data will finally be evaluated with regard to the aforementioned overarching objectives.” states the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) on its website (translated from German to English).

“The evaluation will make an important contribution to answering the question of how the law is being implemented in everyday life and whether the intended effects of the law are being achieved. Furthermore, the evaluation should provide reliable evidence for potentially necessary legislative adjustments.” BMG also states.

With that in mind, the initial findings of the EKOCAN project have surfaced via original reporting by krautinvest. I encourage everyone to read krautinvest’s article, which is very informative and insightful.

One of the major takeaways from the initial findings is that reported cannabis consumption rates were already on the rise in Germany leading up to the enactment of the CanG law, and Dr. Manthy determined that the rise was due to older individuals reporting cannabis use.

Regarding younger consumers, which is a demographic often focused on by cannabis opponents in their talking points, Dr. Manthy “sees no anomalies since the Cannabis Act came into force,” according to krautinvest’s reporting, and that Dr. Manthy doesn’t assume “that any changes can be attributed to the Cannabis Act.”

Other high-level takeaways from the initial evaluation findings are that there aren’t enough cannabis cultivation associations in Germany, that there are no “short-term changes” regarding public roadway safety, legalization has not increased reported mental illnesses, and that the CanG law has significantly lowered cannabis-related criminal offenses in Germany.

Unlocking The Hidden Potential Of Cannabis Genetics

Written by Johnny Green on July 12, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis and hemp genetics are the most foundational component of the entire cannabis industry. Everything else in the entire emerging cannabis and hemp industry flows from genetics, and nothing else is possible without it.

With that in mind, unlocking as much knowledge about cannabis and hemp genetics is paramount for the future of the industry. At a genetic level, cannabis and hemp are the same thing. I only refer to them as being separate in articles because there are two distinct global industries due to how hemp and non-hemp cannabis are regulated.

A panel of experts discussed some of the latest developments in the field of cannabis genetics at the recent International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin, from the science of breeding to the role of genetics in IP and branding. Biomolecular compounds and other characteristics sought after in new strains were also examined.

The panel was moderated by procurement and market specialist Bubba Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was joined on the panel by:

Clinton Younge, Founder of Charlie’s Cannabis Co.
Alexandre Gauthier, Vice President of R&D at Origine Nature
Dave Auger, Commissioner of Big League Genetics
Matthew Don-Carolis, VP of sales at Segra International

You can view the panel discussion at this link here.

Study Finds Hemp Flour May Be Good For Gluten-Free Baking

Written by Johnny Green on July 11, 2025. Posted in Science.

Multiple conditions can contribute to a person being gluten intolerant, with a common one being celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity and wheat intolerance are two other contributing health factors resulting in a person needing to avoid consuming gluten.

Celiac disease is a serious digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine of people who suffer from it. International researchers estimate that as much as 1% of the world’s population has been diagnosed with celiac disease, although it often goes untreated around the globe, particularly in developing countries.

Gluten intolerance has given rise to an international industry for gluten-free foods, particularly baked goods. Grand View Research estimates that “the global gluten-free products market size was estimated at USD 7.75 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 13.67 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2025 to 2030.”

Hemp flour is naturally gluten-free, and according to the results of a recent study, it may be a great ingredient for baked goods. Italian researchers affiliated with the University of Calabria examined hemp flour in baked goods, and their findings were published in the academic journal Molecules.

“This study focused on optimizing CBD oil extraction from hemp inflorescences and its incorporation into a gluten-free bakery product for functionalization. Dynamic maceration (DME), assisted by ultrasound and microwave irradiation, was used.” the researchers wrote.

“Our study explored the impact of varying sonication times (three distinct durations) and microwave powers (three levels, applied for two different irradiation times) on the resulting extracts. HPLC analysis was performed on these extracts. Subsequently, we used hemp flour and hemp oil to bake gluten-free cupcakes, which were fortified with the extracted CBD oil.” the researchers also wrote.

“The most effective extraction parameters identified were 30 s of microwave irradiation at 700 W, yielding 45.2 ± 2.0 g of CBD extract, and 15 min of sonication, which resulted in 53.2 ± 2.5 g. Subsequent rheological characterization indicated that the product exhibited mechanical properties and a temperature profile comparable to a benchmark, evidenced by a height of 4.1 ± 0.2 cm and a hardness of 1.9 ± 0.2 N.” the researchers found.

“These promising values demonstrate that hemp oil and hemp flour are viable ingredients for traditional cakes and desserts, notably contributing increased nutritional value through the CBD-enriched hemp oil and the beneficial profile of hemp flour.” the researchers concluded.

Study Determines Best Practices For Cannabis Oil Production

Written by Johnny Green on July 6, 2025. Posted in Business, Science.

Cannabis products and consumption methods come in many forms these days, with cannabis oil being a particularly popular one. Cannabis oil is versatile in several ways, not the least of which is its versatility from the perspective of international transportation.

Oil typically has a longer shelf life compared to raw flower and takes up much less space when being transported. At the most basic level, cannabis in oil form allows companies to ship far more cannabinoids to far-off destinations than if they were to ship raw flower to be processed at their final destination. That is an important factor for an industry that continues to go global.

Additionally, many governments seem to prefer cannabis oil products over other medical cannabis products for various reasons, as reflected by the rules and regulations currently in place in many legal medical cannabis markets. Patient testimonials highlight that cannabis oil is an effective form of consumption.

Earlier this week, SOMAÍ, a leading EU-GMP-certified vertically integrated Multi-Country Operator (MCO) specializing in cannabinoid-based medicines, in collaboration with Lusófona University, the largest Portuguese private university and the main institution of Grupo Lusófona, published a groundbreaking peer-reviewed paper titled “Process Development for GMP-Grade Full Extract Cannabis Oil: Towards Standardized Medicinal Use.”

Key findings from the collaborative study, which showcases the best practices for cannabis oil production, include:

Deep-cooled ethanol extraction and purification preserve the native cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant throughout the production process
Improvements in taste, color, and overall appearance make these preparations more tolerable and effective for patients
Terpene fingerprint from the flower is remarkably preserved and can be controlled for reintroduction, emphasizing that terpene formulation is a science, not guesswork

“This paper underscores SOMAÍ’s scientific leadership in the cannabis pharmaceutical industry,” said Michael Sassano, Founder and Interim CEO of SOMAÍ. “Our study demonstrates that full-spectrum cannabis formulations can be scientifically structured, reproducible, and pharmaceutically precise—dispelling the misconception that full-spectrum must mean uncontrolled or inconsistent.”

“This research is a step forward in establishing scientific rigor within the medical cannabis field,” said Professor Maria do Céu Costa of Lusófona University. “Our findings show that with the right methodology, it is possible to preserve the integrity of the plant while achieving consistency, safety, and improved patient acceptance. It’s a meaningful contribution to both science and therapeutic innovation.”

“Unlike unrefined crude extracts or formulations created without standardized methodology, SOMAÍ’s approach is rooted in pharmaceutical science and controlled processes. This ensures a consistent cannabinoid and terpene profile that meets rigorous regulatory requirements while enhancing both the therapeutic efficacy and patient experience.” the company stated in a press release about their cannabis oil production.

A recent market analysis conducted by DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP found that the “global hemp extracts market reached US$ 3.81 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 6.75 billion by 2032, growing with a CAGR of 7.41% during the forecast period 2025-2032.”

Poland Study Finds That Hemp Seed Oil Mitigates Eczema Symptoms

Written by Johnny Green on July 5, 2025. Posted in Science.

According to international health researchers, atopic dermatitis, often referred to as eczema, affects roughly 20% of children and 10% of adults worldwide. Full disclosure – I am one of those adults, and know firsthand how difficult eczema is to deal with when it flares up.

Eczema is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition, and while that may not sound like a serious condition, it can be in extreme cases. The skin condition is often associated with sleep disruption, decreased work productivity, and the development of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

A recent case study led by researchers based in Poland, in conjunction with a researcher affiliated with De Montfort University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, focused on the use of hemp seed oil as a treatment for eczema. The study’s findings were published in the journal Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences.

“Epidemiological studies conducted over the past 35 years indicate a 2-fold rise in incidence, linked to environmental factors, among others, growing atmospheric pollution, rising socioeconomic status and increasing popularity of the so called western lifestyle.” the researchers wrote. “Emollient therapy is the mainstay of proper skincare and treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) patients.”

“The subject of the study was transdermal delivery of an emulsion compounded with cholesterol ointment, Cannabis Sativa L. (hemp) seed oil, white petroleum jelly, purified water and urea to the skin of hands of a 23-year old male patient suffering atopic dermatitis (eczema) since infancy.” the researchers wrote about their methodology. “The emulsion was applied to the skin once daily before sleep and covered with cotton gloves for the night for the occlusion effect for a period of 3 months.”

“In our observational study, regular, 3-month application of the emulsion based on Cannabis Sativa L. oil considerably reduced inflammation, erythema, pruritus, xerosis and scaling of the skin, soothing excoriations and lichenification.” the researchers concluded.

A recent market analysis by Future Market Insights estimates that the global hemp seed oil market is “valued at USD 147.8 million in 2025, is expected to climb to USD 855.7 million by 2035, showcasing a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.2% during the forecast period.”

Data Suggests CBD Mitigates Age-Related Cognitive Decline

Written by Johnny Green on July 4, 2025. Posted in Science.

Cognitive decline, in which a person experiences a gradual decrease in their thinking abilities, is a natural and unfortunate part of the human aging process. It impacts people’s ability to make decisions by slowing down their mental processing speed and working memory as they get older.

Some people experience cognitive decline earlier in life than other people, and/or at a more rapid pace compared to others. Mitigating age-related cognitive decline is a growing area of scientific research around the globe, including in Canada where a team of researchers analyzed preclinical data focusing on cognitive decline and cannabidiol (CBD).

Canadian scientists affiliated with the University of Lethbridge and McGill University examined preclinical data involving the use of CBD and aging mice. Their findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.

“Aging is associated with cognitive decline, and currently, there are no approved medications that can prevent these impairments. Recently, cannabinoids derived from Cannabis sativa have emerged as promising therapeutic compounds with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing properties.” the researchers wrote about their investigation. “This study investigates the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on memory impairment and brain inflammation in aging mice.”

“Fourteen-month-old C57 mice were administered CBD orally for 7 months and subsequently evaluated between 19 and 21 months of age using behavioral tasks that are sensitive to dysfunction of the perirhinal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and various brain regions that are crucial for motor control and coordination.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“The findings of this study indicate that CBD reduces inflammatory response in the brain and improves cognitive decline associated with aging.” the scientists concluded.

As with all scientific studies focusing on cannabinoids, the results of this study need to be kept in proper context. Further research, particularly research involving human subjects, needs to be conducted until a final determination can be made regarding CBD’s effectiveness at mitigating age-related cognitive decline. With that being said, the results of this study are encouraging.

French Survey Examines Medical Cannabis And Parkinson’s Disease

Written by Johnny Green on July 2, 2025. Posted in Science.

A team of researchers affiliated with various academic and health institutions in France recently examined results from a survey that asked French patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) about their medical cannabis use and how it impacts their quality of life. The analysis results were published in the journal Parkinson’s Disease.

“In the context of suboptimal symptom management, or due to the appeal of more natural treatments, PD patients may seek alternative approaches to care, including consuming cannabis-based products. In line with findings from subsequent reviews, Urbi et al.’s 2021 meta-analysis concluded that in terms of cannabis use in PD patients, “a potential benefit was identified with respect to alleviation of PD–related tremor, anxiety, pain, improvement of sleep quality, and quality of life”.” the researchers wrote.

“Regression analyses helped identify factors associated with current cannabis and CBD use (regardless of their form). Patterns of use and self-reported effects were also documented.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“The study sample comprised 1136 participants, with a median age of 68 years. Six percent (5.9%) and 17.9% reported using cannabis and CBD, respectively. Both substances were associated with better knowledge of cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. The most common routes of cannabis administration were oral ingestion (44.8%) and smoking (41.4%); for CBD, they were oral ingestion (82.8%) and smoking (6.4%). Users reported that cannabis and CBD were very effective for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps. The satisfaction level for both substances was also high.” the researchers stated about their findings.

“Cannabis and CBD use among people with PD was associated with better knowledge about cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. Furthermore, users reported high levels of satisfaction for both substances. An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe cannabis/CBD products are needed in France to enable people with PD to maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.” the researchers concluded.

According to international researchers, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled in the past 25 years, with an estimated 8.5 million individuals living with the serious health condition.

“Parkinson’s disease resulted in 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years, an increase of 81% since 2000, and caused 329,000 deaths, an increase of over 100% since 2000.” states the World Health Organization.

New Zealand Clinical Trial Recruiting Dogs For Cannabis Research

Written by Johnny Green on June 25, 2025. Posted in Science.

More countries are now home to medical cannabis legalization, to some degree, than countries that still prohibit medical cannabis. Laws in legal medical cannabis countries range from being very limited to permitting robust commerce and home cultivation options for suffering patients.

An emerging area of medical cannabis policy, regulation, and research goes beyond humans and extends to medical cannabis therapies for pets and other animals. A recent example of this can be found in New Zealand, where researchers are recruiting dogs for a clinical trial examining medical cannabis and its potential to treat pain.

“More than 100 dogs are being recruited for a world-first cannabis clinical trial to help canines suffering from osteoarthritis.” reported The New Zealand Herald in its local coverage. “A New Zealand veterinary pharmaceutical company behind the “groundbreaking” medicine is seeking dogs across Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch for the six-week experiment.”

Medical cannabis for animals is an underrated sector of the emerging legal cannabis industry and possesses tremendous profit potential for innovative entrepreneurs and savvy cannabis industry investors.

Industry analysts at Research and Markets recently projected that the CBD pet market size alone is expected to reach $1.72 billion by 2030 and increase at a compound annual growth rate of 32.47% between now and then. This, of course, does not take into account other cannabinoids and non-pet animals like farm livestock.

Researchers estimate that there are over 900 million pet dogs globally, and another 370 million pet cats. In the United States alone, pet owners spend an estimated $136 billion on pet products annually. Add to the mix tens of billions of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and other livestock around the world, and the potential market for medical cannabis wellness products for animals is off the charts.

In separate dog and medical cannabis research news, the results of a study focusing on medical cannabis therapies and dogs with osteoarthritis and conducted by the Federal University for Latin American Integration in partnership with the Santa Cannabis Association, will reportedly be featured in the scientific journal Frontiers in Pharmacology soon.

“The research showed that the plant extract relieves pain, improves mobility and the quality of life of animals — and most importantly, without serious side effects.” reported Sechat about the research effort (translated from Portuguese to English).

Epilepsy Patients Report Seizure Freedom After Medical Cannabis Treatment

Written by Johnny Green on June 22, 2025. Posted in Science.

Medical cannabis has helped countless patients treat their health conditions, which, combined with an increasing amount of peer-reviewed cannabis research, demonstrates that cannabis is a truly effective medicine for many people.

One area of medical cannabis therapeutic application and research that is particularly clear on this point is epilepsy. Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that results in patients experiencing recurrent seizures.

The frequency and severity of the seizures sufferers experience can vary from patient to patient. Medical cannabis has proven to be very effective at helping epilepsy patients reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

A team of researchers based in Canada and affiliated with various health and academic institutions recently conducted a case series review involving epilepsy patients and medical cannabis therapies. The review’s findings were published in the academic journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

“Seizure freedom (SF) is the primary goal of epilepsy treatment. More treatments that produce SF in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are needed. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) containing cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), administered as oils, have been shown to induce SF in DRE. However, there remains a paucity of published real-world evidence in both pediatrics and adults on SF resulting from CBPM therapy.” the health investigators stated about the purpose of their research.

International public health experts estimate that as many as 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy and its symptoms, and that “nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries.”

“This is a retrospective case series at an outpatient neurology clinic in Toronto, Canada, on patients with DRE who experienced significant SF during CBPM treatment. All patients were treated via the clinic’s stepwise treatment protocol with CBPM oils only. The study describes clinical features of patients and their CBPM-related SF.” the researchers stated about their methodology.

“We report 19 DRE cases that experienced SF; 15 pediatric, 4 adults. The median cumulative SF duration was 245 days, split between continuous SF periods lasting at least 90 days.” they wrote about their findings. “Five patients had continuous SF periods lasting ≥ 1 year. Most patients used CBD+THC regimens. Three patients weaned all concomitant ASMs. Adverse events (AEs) were reported by half of the patients.”

“The results of the study support prioritizing CBPMs in cases of DRE. It also supports research into identifying clinical and biological biomarkers for DRE cases that may achieve SF under CBPM treatment. Lastly, the study supports improving the accessibility of CBPMs, using SF as a primary outcome in future CBPM epilepsy trials, and assessing the role of THC in reducing seizures.” the researchers concluded.