Skip to main content
Hemp Leaf Hemp Plant Cannabis Sativa

Canadian Patients Report Significant Reductions In Pain Following Cannabis Use

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Canada was at the forefront of medical cannabis policy modernization, having adopted national medical cannabis reform in 2001. Canada remains an international leader in the emerging legal global medical cannabis industry, an industry that continues to experience tremendous growth.

According to a recent market analysis by The Business Research Company, the legal global medical cannabis industry “is projected to rise from $27.5 billion in 2023 to $33.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%” and “is expected to reach $72.9 billion by 2028.”

A major driver of the expanding legal medical cannabis industry is patients using medical cannabis to treat chronic pain. A recent study conducted in Canada found that suffering patients report significant reductions in pain following medical cannabis use. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

Hamilton, Canada: Cannabis products provide short-term relief for patients suffering from chronic muscle, joint, or nerve pain, according to data published in the journal Cannabis.

Canadian investigators assessed the short-term effects of cannabis on chronic pain in a cohort of 741 individuals over a 3+ year period. Study participants self-administered cannabis products at home and reported symptom changes in real time on a mobile software application (Strainprint). Most participants inhaled botanical cannabis. Twenty-one percent ingested cannabis oil extracts. Changes in participants’ pain scores were assessed using a 10-point scale.

On average, subjects reported a three-point reduction in their pain scores following cannabis use. Male participants were more likely than females to experience greater pain relief. Greater efficacy was associated with products either dominant or balanced in THC content as compared to CBD-dominant products.

“Our analysis of observational data from chronic pain patients who use medical cannabis found large reductions in pain, and that men were more likely to experience greater pain relief than women,” the study’s authors concluded. “Our findings require confirmation in rigorously conducted randomized trials that include a placebo control to account for non-specific effects.”

Separate data published in 2023 in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as an analgesic agent and many of those who do substitute it in place of opioids.

Full text of the study, “Predictors of response to medical cannabis for chronic pain: A retrospective review of real-time observational data,” appears in Cannabis. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

cannabidiol cbd oil tincture

CBD “Significantly Reduces” Pain, Other Symptoms In Nail-Patella Syndrome Patients

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The global market for cannabidiol (CBD) is booming. Several market analysis reports and sector projections demonstrate the buffet of opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the CBD sector.

For example, a recent analysis by researchers with Research and Markets found that “the global hemp-derived cannabidiol market size was estimated to be USD 8.28 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 46.25 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 16.93% during the forecast period 2024-2034.”

A separate analysis by Wiseguy Research Consultants estimated that the cannabidiol extract market was worth “5.06 billion USD in 2023” and that the market is projected to be worth “from 6.16 billion USD in 2024 to 29.8 billion USD by 2032.”

A growing number of studies are finding that CBD helps suffering patients. One such study was recently conducted in France which found that orally administered CBD significantly reduces pain and other symptoms among patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome. Below is more information about the study and its findings via a news release from NORML:

Paris, France: Patients suffering from nail-patella syndrome-induced pain report significant improvements in their health-related quality of life following CBD therapy, according to data published in the journal Nature: Scientific Reports. Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by skeletal malformation and chronic pain.

French researchers assessed the safety and efficacy of CBD treatment in a cohort of 28 patients diagnosed with NPS. Study participants ingested pharmaceutical-grade synthetic CBD for three months.

Investigators reported: “Treatment (median dose of 900 mg/day) was associated with a significant reduction in pain intensity (mean score of 7.04 at initiation versus 4.04 at three months. … Health-related quality of life and other NPS-associated symptoms also improved in most patients. CBD treatment was well-tolerated and no elevations in liver enzyme levels were reported.”

The study’s authors concluded: “Oral treatment with synthetic CBD was associated with a significant reduction in pain in most of the patients with NPS included in our study and led to improvements in most of the NPS-associated symptoms analyzed. Hence, synthetic oral CBD appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for NPS-associated pain and may be an alternative to conventional analgesics for managing chronic pain in this pathology.”

Full text of the study, “Evidence for therapeutic use of cannabidiol for nail-patella syndrome-induced pain in a real-world pilot study,” appears in Nature: Scientific Reports. Additional information on cannabis and pain management is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

driving-driver-car-dui-road-duii-intoxicated

Spanish Researchers Find CBD Does Not Impair Driving Performance

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

The use of cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming more common around the world as more CBD-focused research is conducted and more becomes known about the popular cannabinoid. That is paralleled by innovative entrepreneurs developing CBD products for consumers and patients at an increasing rate.

One question that has lingered in recent years is whether or not CBD products are associated with changes in driving performance. The ‘terror on the roadways’ talking point is used early and often by cannabis opponents wherever cannabis policy modernization efforts are proposed.

A team of researchers in Spain recently conducted a study in which they examined the use of CBD and observed whether or not it induced driving impairment in subjects who consumed CBD. Below is information about the findings of the study via a news release from NORML:

Granada, Spain: Subjects exhibit no significant changes in their driving performance following the use of CBD, according to clinical trial data published in the journal Addiction.

A team of Spanish investigators assessed participants’ simulated driving performance after inhaling CBD or a placebo.

Subjects displayed “no statistically significant changes in overall driving performance score” after vaporizing products containing either 15 percent or 30 percent CBD. Further, researchers identified “no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes, such as the standard deviation of lateral lane position, distance travelled outside the lane, reaction time, or collisions.” Subjects’ visual functions were also largely unaffected following CBD administration.

The study’s authors concluded: “The results of this study suggest that vaporized CBD seems to be a safe substance for visual function and vision-dependent tasks such as driving. Further studies are needed to ascertain if higher doses of CBD could pose a risk.”

A 2022 Swiss study similarly reported that the oral administration of up to 1500 mg of CBD does not induce changes in simulated driving performance. Another study also reported that subjects who inhale high-CBD/low-THC botanical cannabis do not experience any decrease in their driving abilities.

Full text of the study, “Visual function and vehicle driving performance under the effects of cannabidiol: A randomized cross-over experiment,” appears in Addiction. Additional information on cannabis and driving is available from the NORML Fact Sheet, ‘Marijuana and Psychomotor Performance.’

Peter Homberg International Cannabis Business Conference Berlin 2023

Legal Cannabis Expert Peter Homberg Moves to gunnercooke

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

Renowned international cannabis policy and industry expert Peter Homberg recently announced that after 12 years at Dentons, he is joining international law firm gunnercooke.

“I’m excited to offer my clients truly exceptional service, leveraging gunnercooke’s flexibility, innovation, and collaborative culture to support them closely through their legal challenges, while also shaping and expanding my practice in a direction I’m passionate about.” Peter Homberg stated in a LinkedIn post over the weekend.

Mr. Homberg specializes in life sciences, IP and corporate law, and M&A transactions. Few people on the planet, if any, possess the extensive experience in advising on medical cannabis compliance as Peter Homberg.

gunnercooke is one of the fastest growing international law firms and has offices in the United States, Germany, CEE, Austria, Scotland, and England. The firm is a team of more than 500 professionals and has a client roster that includes Nike, Mercedes, Lidl, Santander and DHL.

Peter Homberg’s awards and recognitions are numerous, and rightfully so. Peter Homberg was already highlighted by Chambers Europe in 2014 as “a brilliant negotiator” who “has huge experience with biotech companies and is really goal driven.”

JUVE Handbook German Commercial Law Firms, mentioned Peter Homberg in 2015/2016 as a highly recommended practitioner. The international directory Best Lawyers ranked him among the best lawyers for Health Care Law and Pharmaceuticals Law in Germany. Global Law Experts (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Legal 100 (2021, 2022, 2023), and Leaders in Law (2020,2021) honored Peter Homberg as “Life Sciences Lawyer of the Year in Germany.”

He is a prolific speaker at cannabis industry and policy seminars and conferences, including being a long-time presenter at International Cannabis Business Conference events, and is the author of numerous articles and other publications on corporate and IP law in the areas of life sciences and medical cannabis.

Peter’s new position at gunnercooke will afford him more freedom and flexibility to focus on cannabis policy, industry, and education, as well as to further pursue his passion for life sciences. Medical cannabis and life sciences involve considerable overlap, but also have their own unique facets separate from each other.

I reached out to Peter Homberg this week to discuss his new endeavor and to pick his brain about what to expect in 2025 for German cannabis and the wider European cannabis industry.

“I am very excited about the recent career change.” Peter Homberg told me about his transition to gunnercooke. “I will be able to continue my work in the fields of cannabis and life sciences, and for cannabis specifically, I will be better suited to focus more on it as the industry continues to expand in Germany and in Europe.”

Peter Homberg is a tremendous resource and figure in the cannabis world, helping educate lawmakers and industry members from around the world about important cannabis matters. The significance of his advocacy is beyond measure in my opinion, and I was very happy to learn that not only will he continue his work in this area now that he is a part of gunnercooke, but he will also have more flexibility than ever to do so, including contributing more to Cannabis Law Journal.

“In my new position, I will continue to be an advocate for medical cannabis policy modernization and industry regulation, and for sensible adult-use cannabis reform.” Homberg stated to me in our discussion.

Homberg pointed out that prohibition does not bring humanity further along, and that it is a failed public policy that does not properly prioritize public health outcomes. He indicated that licensed and regulated cannabis shops are needed in Germany and throughout Europe to sufficiently combat the unregulated market.

“Pilot projects are the logical next step in Germany and in Europe and are needed as a steppingstone towards something more comprehensive. It is important that we gather the right data and use it to go to the European Commission to prove that wider regulated cannabis sales are the best way forward.” Homberg stated.

A topic that was prominent in our discussion was Germany’s Pillar 2 of its cannabis model, and with it, how the shifting political landscape in Germany will presumably be impacted by the upcoming election.

“I am confident that the upcoming election will yield a coalition government, and I am moderately optimistic that while recreational legalization’s progress will likely be slowed, it will not be completely reversed.” Homberg explained to me.

“A lot is still unclear. Many statements being made right now from cannabis opponents are being made in an ‘election mode’ and will not necessarily become reality. I expect extreme positions to level out after the election.” Homberg went on to say.

When I asked Peter Homberg to weigh in on what it will take for EU-level agreements to be modernised to permit wider recreational cannabis reform, he was very adamant that data gathering is key.

“Gathering more data from commerce pilot trials demonstrating that regulation works is vital to convincing the European Commission and skeptical member nations that regulation is better than prohibition. Probably 2-4 years’ worth of data from markets like Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and others.” Peter Homberg explained.

“Medical cannabis is here to stay in Europe, and in my opinion, possesses the most potential for entrepreneurs and investors,” Homberg told me. “Medical cannabis has proven that it has its place in the pharmaceutical arena as time has gone on. There used to be a reluctance to accept that cannabis is medicine, however, it is now widely accepted that cannabis is medicine and truly helps suffering patients.”

“It is much more difficult to anticipate what will happen with the future of the recreational cannabis market due to several factors, both in Germany and throughout Europe. It will further develop, but at what rate and in which way is extremely difficult to predict.” Homberg said.

On behalf of the International Cannabis Business Conference team, I want to congratulate Peter Homberg on his new endeavor, and we look forward to what he does next in his career. You can see Peter Homberg present at upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference events and find out more about when and where he will appear at Internationalcbc.com.

Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower Joints cannabis flower

Health Canada To Publish Cannabis Sampling Program Results In 2025

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Canada became the first G-7 country to adopt a national adult-use cannabis legalization measure in 2018. Since that time, Canada has served as the top cannabis commerce public policy experiment on the planet.

Health Canada announced in 2023 that it would launch a program to test regulated and unregulated cannabis samples and publish the results of the cannabis sampling testing program. The first round of results is expected to be published this year.

“Health Canada intends to publish the results of this project on the Cannabis Laboratory page “in the coming months,” confirms a senior media relations advisor with the agency’s communications and public affairs branch via email.” stated StratCann in its local coverage.

“When it was announced, the agency said the new cannabis data-gathering program would allow it to “proactively collect information on the legal and illicit cannabis markets in Canada,” focusing on providing Canadians with more accurate info about cannabis health and safety risks.” StratCann also reported.

Every year since 2017, Health Canada has conducted its ‘Canadian Cannabis Survey,’ in which the government agency poses various cannabis-related questions to members of Canadian society. Canada adopted recreational cannabis legalization in 2018, and the survey helps lawmakers and regulators gain insight into how legalization has affected Canada.

Health Canada recently released the results of the 2024 survey, with data being collected from April 4th to July 2nd, 2024. The 2024 survey involved 11,666 respondents aged 16 years and older across all provinces and territories.

One of the main findings of this year’s survey is that only 3% of consumers “reported accessing cannabis through illegal sources,” which is a decrease from a reported 16% back in 2019. Many consumers reported cultivating their own cannabis and/or being gifted cannabis from friends and family. The Health Canada survey also found the following.

  • The number of respondents who reported getting cannabis from a legal source in 2024 was 72% – an increase from 37% in 2019 to 72% in 2024, with legal storefronts being the most common source since 2019.
  • There was no change in rates of cannabis use among youth (age 16-19) over the past year. Past 12-month cannabis use among youth aged 16-19 was 41%, similar to several previous years (44%, 44%, and 43% in 2019, 2020 and 2023 respectively).
  • Overall, the proportion of respondents who said they used cannabis and reported daily, or almost daily use has been stable since 2018 (approx. 25%), including among youth (approx. 20%).

“Since 2017, Health Canada has conducted the annual Canadian Cannabis Survey to better understand attitudes and knowledge regarding cannabis, as well as patterns of cannabis use in Canada. Through the information gathered, Health Canada can better understand where support is needed the most and develop program initiatives that will help educate and raise awareness around the use of cannabis.” Health Canada stated about its annual survey.

pain pain pain pain

UK Study Finds Cannabis Helps Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

International health researchers estimate that as many as 4.9 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. The highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease are found in China and the United States.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a wider health term used to describe a group of health conditions that cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the sufferer’s digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are examples of inflammatory bowel disease.

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study involving the use of medical cannabis by patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Below is more information about the study and its results via a news release from NORML:

London, United Kingdom: Patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following their use of cannabis, according to observational data published in the journal Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

British researchers assessed the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) consisting of either botanicals or oil extracts in 116 IBD patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. (British specialists are permitted to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products to patients unresponsive to conventional medications.) Researchers assessed changes in patient-reported outcomes at 18 months.

Consistent with prior research, investigators reported, “CBMP treatment was associated with improvement in IBD-specific outcomes in patients and general HRQoL [health-related quality of life] over 18-months.”

According to a literature review published in October in the scientific journal Cureus, “Many IBD patients use cannabis to control disease symptoms, and there is emerging evidence that it may play a role in disease management.”

Other observational studies assessing the use of cannabis products in patients enrolled in the UK Cannabis Registry have reported them to be effective for those suffering from anxiety, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress, depression, migraine, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis, among other conditions.

Full text of the study, “UK medical cannabis registry: An updated analysis of clinical outcomes of cannabis-based medicinal products for inflammatory bowel disease,” appears in Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Additional information on cannabis and inflammatory bowel disease is available from NORML’s publication, Clinical Applications for Cannabis & Cannabinoids.

beer alcohol

German Trial Finds That CBD Reduces Alcohol Cravings

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

International researchers estimate that as many as 400 million people worldwide, roughly 7% of the world’s adult population, suffer from alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic health condition characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol.

Globally, researchers estimate that around 2.6 million deaths were caused by alcohol consumption in 2019, and of those, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 were from injuries, and 300,000 were the result of communicable diseases.

A team of researchers in Germany, and one from Sweden, recently conducted a clinical trial in which they explored the use of cannabidiol (CBD) by patients who suffer from alcohol use disorder. The clinical trial findings were recently published in the journal Nature: Molecular Psychiatry.

“Here we report data from the double-blind randomized controlled ICONIC trial that compared the effects of a single dose of 800 mg cannabidiol against placebo (PLC) in N = 28 individuals with AUD.” the researchers stated about their trial.

“Cue-induced nucleus accumbens (NAc) activation, alcohol craving during a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session, as well as craving during an fMRI alcohol cue-reactivity task and CBD plasma levels served as outcomes.” the researchers stated about the trial’s methodology.

“Individuals receiving CBD showed lower bilateral cue-induced NAc activation (tleft_NAc(23) = 4.906, p < 0.001, d = 1.15; tright_NAc (23) = 4.873, p < 0.001, d = 1.13) and reported significantly lower alcohol craving after a combined stress- and alcohol cue exposure session (Fgroup(1,26) = 4.516, p = 0.043, eta2 = 0.15) and during the fMRI cue-reactivity task (Fgroup(1,24) = 6.665, p = 0.015, eta2 = 0.23). CBD levels were significantly higher in the CBD group (t(25) = 3.808, p < 0.001, d = 1.47) and showed a significant negative association with alcohol craving during the cue exposure experiment (r = -0.394, pFDR = 0.030) and during fMRI (r = -0.389, pFDR = 0.030), and with left and right NAc activation (rleft_NAc = -0.459, pFDR = 0.030; rright_NAc = -0.405, pFDR = 0.030).” the researchers also stated.

“CBD’s capacity to reduce stress- and cue-induced alcohol craving and to normalize NAc activation – a region critical to the pathophysiology of AUD – contribute to understanding the neurobiological basis of its clinical effects and support its potential as a treatment option for AUD. Clinical Trials Registry: DRKS00029993.” the researchers concluded.

Separate studies have also suggested that CBD dosing can reduce cravings for tobacco, methamphetamine, and heroin, among other substances, according to a news release recently published by the cannabis advocacy organization NORML.

2024

The Top International Cannabis Stories From 2024

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

This year was one of the biggest years in the history of the cannabis movement for both policy and industry. Below are the best international cannabis stories from 2024 (in no particular order):

German Adult-Use Legalization Enacted

The top international cannabis story from 2024 is the enactment of adult-use cannabis legalization in Germany. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate a personal amount of cannabis plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, people can apply to launch a member-based cultivation association in Germany.

Historic Cannabis Votes In Slovenia

In conjunction with the European elections on June 9th, 2024, Slovenia voted on two consultative cannabis referendums. 66.71% of Slovenian voters approved a measure for the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes, and 51.57% voted for the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use.

South Africa Legalizes Recreational Cannabis

Back in 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling that deemed cannabis prohibition as it pertained to adult individuals to be unconstitutional. This year, after a long delay, South Africa’s president signed a measure to codify the Court’s 2018 decision. Another major news story out of South Africa this year was the certification of the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management. The cannabis education program is the first on the African continent to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education.

Australian Medical Cannabis Sales Quadruple

Medical cannabis sales in Australia have quadrupled during the last two years, with Australians expected to spend an estimated $1 billion on medical cannabis in 2024. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Australia in 2016. Another major news story from Australia this year, albeit for less favorable reasons, was the failed vote on adult-use cannabis legalization.

Uruguay Adds A High-THC Strain To Legal Pharmacy Sales

Legal sales at pharmacies began in Uruguay in the summer of 2017, and consumers could initially choose from two different strains. The two strains are named ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’, each with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels equal to or less than 9%, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels equal to or less than 3%. Then, in 2022, Uruguay permitted a third option, ‘Gamma,’ which has a THC level of equal to or less than 15%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%. Regulators in Uruguay approved a fourth option in 2024 that contains a higher level of THC than the other three options.

Spain Ministry Of Health Publishes Medical Cannabis Royal Decree

The effort to bring Spain’s medical cannabis policies into the modern age passed a major milestone in 2024 with the nation’s Ministry of Health publishing a draft royal decree focused on medical cannabis. Spain is home to one of the largest cannabis communities in Europe and is in desperate need of updated cannabis laws.

Czechia Ministry Of Justice Proposes Legalization

The Ministry of Justice in the Czech Republic issued a proposal in 2024 to allow all adults to be able to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences, in addition to possessing up to 25 grams when away from their residences and up to 50 grams in their homes. Another major story from Czechia was a landmark court decision that found that a cannabis educator, Robert Veverka, was previously wrongly prosecuted for publishing cannabis education content.

Mexico Authorizes Low-THC Hemp Cultivation

Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks authorized the cultivation of low-THC hemp plants (less than 1% THC content) earlier this year. The announcement came in the form of a letter from the regulatory entity to Semillas Endemicas Mexicanna SA de CV.

Japan’s Cannabis Market Expanded Six-Fold

A new cannabis law took effect in Japan in 2024, and market researchers announced this year that Japan’s legal cannabis industry has increased six-fold in recent years. Japan’s new law that took effect in 2024 allows for the importation of certain medical cannabis products, which should further increase the size of Japan’s legal cannabis industry going forward.

Legalization Is Crushing The Unregulated Market In Canada

Health Canada released the results of its 2024 cannabis survey, and one of the main findings of this year’s survey is that only 3% of consumers “reported accessing cannabis through illegal sources,” which is a decrease from a reported 16% back in 2019.

France’s Medical Cannabis Trial Receives Another Extension

Health authorities in France announced this month that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.

microscope lab labratory research

Published Scientific Papers About Cannabis Tops 35,000 In Past Decade

Written by Frank Schuler on . Posted in Science.

Since the beginning of when cannabis prohibition policies were first implemented around the globe, there has never been a better time for cannabis research. Cannabis research efforts have greatly benefitted from policy modernization efforts worldwide in recent years. The increase in cannabis research findings is reflected in a recent analysis published by NORML.

“For the fourth consecutive year, researchers worldwide published over 4,000 scientific papers specific to cannabis, its active constituents, and their effects, according to the results of a keyword search of the National Library of Medicine/PubMed.gov website.” NORML stated in a recent article posted on its website.

“Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in scientific inquiries about the cannabis plant — with researchers publishing more than 35,000 scientific papers about cannabis since the beginning of 2014. Much of this uptick is a result of researchers’ newfound focus on marijuana’s therapeutic activities as well investigations into the real-world effects of legalization laws.” NORML also stated.

For many decades, cannabis was prohibited around the world, and that greatly hindered cannabis research efforts. However, cannabis is now legal for medical use in nearly five dozen nations and legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, Germany, and South Africa. Those policy modernization efforts are boosting worldwide knowledge of the cannabis plant.

A number of other jurisdictions are expected to modernize their cannabis policies in 2025, which will further add to the momentum of global cannabis research efforts. That is in addition to countries that are already conducting a considerable amount of cannabis research.