20 cannabis companies send an open letter to the European Commission

Last month, 20 cannabis companies from several countries sent an open letter to the European Commission.

The letter was signed, among others, by the Hanfverband, one of Germany's pro-legalization associations, as well as by companies active in the medical cannabis market in the UK, Germany, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. No French or Dutch companies have signed the letter.

The translation of the letter, spotted by CannabisIndustrie, can be read below.

Letter to the European Commission

Towards a «new European drugs market» - Supporting Member States' reform efforts to develop effective drugs policies.

Dear members of the European Commission,

We, representatives of the European cannabis industry and associations, take note of the fact that internationally, a progressive approach to adult-use cannabis has prevailed for several years. In the European Union, a growing number of member states, including Malta, the Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and Netherlands, As a result, a new policy framework for Cannabis has been put in place, covering all situations of use.

More recently, the Federal Republic of Germany presented a document on the key points by which it intends to transform the previously illegal adult-use cannabis market into a regulated framework. These reforms in no way contradict the global objectives of improving health protection. We would therefore like the European Commission to carry out a thorough and timely assessment of the capabilities of European drug policy within the framework of the global drug control conventions. By sharing the German interpretation of these conventions, the Commission will enable member states to pursue forward-looking drug policies to realize the intentions of our global drug control conventions far more effectively than previous attempts at blanket prohibition.

For a long time, the cultivation, distribution and consumption of cannabis have sought to be curbed by prohibitive and repressive drug policies. As a result, the consumption, availability and THC content of cannabis on the unregulated illicit market have increased, while various contaminations continue to pose an unpredictable threat to the health of EU citizens. Finally, the failure of anti-drug policies over recent decades has enabled organized crime to generate billions of dollars in revenue year after year.

Germany's proposal aims to effectively protect young people and health, and addresses the immediate weaknesses of the old prohibition paradigm, such as the expansion of the illicit market and the spread of contaminated substances. The aim of this approach is therefore in line with the objective of the 1961 and 1988 UN Conventions against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, and with the objectives of the EU Drugs Strategy for 2021-2025.

Protecting health and strengthening the health culture are central concerns of the European Union and its member states. We therefore see the current German approach as an important signal for progress towards an urgent reform of European drug policy. In the perspective of such a «European New Drug Deal», the balance between public health, law enforcement and the market economy is crucial if we are to play a leading role at international level.

In this global effort to build a new consensus, the Commission can count on the support of all stakeholders. We, the various European cannabis associations and industries, are constantly working to increase research and knowledge sharing within the epistemic community. We see ourselves as a resource for evidence-based policy-making, and we are an ideal partner for consultation and subject evaluation. We are convinced that the European Commission will support all efforts to reinforce a paradigm shift in drug policy.

Yours sincerely,

• Tom Broockmann (Managing Director), ADREXpharma GmbH, Germany
• Tej Virk (Managing Director and CEO), Akanda Corp, United Kingdom
• Lars Erik Råen (CEO), Balancial AS, Denmark
• Dr rer. dr. David Surjo (CCDO), Canify AG, Germany
• Stefan Jacker (COO), CanPharma GmbH, Germany
• loana Freise (Head of Regulatory and Public Affairs), Cansativa GmbH, Germany
• Jan Simon (CEO), CZ Pharma s.r.o, Czech Republic, Germany
• Dr Constantin von der Groeben (Managing Director), DEMECAN GmbH, Germany
• Thomas Schatton (CEO), Four 20 Pharma GmbH, Germany
• Oliver Schultz (CCO), Grünhorn, Germany
• Šárka Betke (Managing Director) High Five Group s.r.o., Czech Republic
• Richard Balla (CEO), IMC adjupharm GmbH, Germany
• Michal Drdák (Sales Manager), Lagom Pharmatech s.r.o., Czech Republic
• Jonathan Lubosch-Haenisch (CEO), iuvo Therapeutics GmbH, Germany
• Georg Wurth (CEO), Deutsche Hanfverband, Germany
• dr. med. Jaschar Kermany (CEO), Kineo Medical GmbH, Germany
• Nick Pateras (General Manager), Materia Global, United Kingdom
• Antonia Menzel (Public Affairs Director and Corporate Spokesperson) Sanity Group GmbH, Germany
• Luc Richner (co-founder and CEO), Vigia AG, Switzerland
• Börge Diessel (Managing Director), WEECO Pharma GmbH, Germany