Germany's «drug czar» to speak at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin

Germany is probably preparing one of the most robust and complex reforms of its cannabis policy and industry.

Given the size of the German economy and its geographical position at the heart of the European continent, Germany's adult-use cannabis industry will instantly become the biggest on the planet once it's up and running. At present, only Canada has a national cannabis industry for adult use, open to anyone over 18 and offering products that are not just low-THC varieties.

Legislators and German regulators want to legalize cannabis in the most sensible, effective and efficient way possible - no easy task in a nation of over 83 million people that shares 9 borders with other countries.

Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert

Germany is a key player in these developments, with a drugs commissioner overseeing the legalization process, Mr. Burkhard Blienert. He will be speaking at the forthcoming International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC). to be held in Berlin on July 19-20, 2022.

Commissioner Blienert's curriculum vitae is extensive, having worked intensively on drug and addiction policy issues for around ten years. During the 18th parliamentary term (2013-2017), he was a member of the German Bundestag, representing his parliamentary group as a full member of the Health Committee, the Culture and Media Committee and the Budget Committee. Mr Blienert was his group's rapporteur on drugs and addiction issues during this period.

Mr Blienert has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) since 1990. He has worked for the SPD party's executive committee, and was a member of the SPD group in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, responsible for schools and education, sports and petitions.

Mr. Burkhard Blienert studied politics, modern history and sociology (master's degree) and passed the first state examination for lower secondary education in social sciences, history and pedagogy. As a member of the German Bundestag, Mr. Blienert served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB), the Board of Directors of the German National Library and the Board of Hörfunkrat Deutschlandradio, as well as the Board of Directors of the Federal Film Board (FFA).

He is currently a member of the supervisory board of the Federal Cultural Federation, the National Society for Workers« Welfare (AWO), the United Services Union (ver.di), the »Against Oblivion - For Democracy" association of the German Thomas Mann Society, and the Paderborn district council.

History in the making

The «drug czar» Blienert is no newcomer to ICBC. Last year, he took part in a panel where, for the first time, representatives of all the major German political parties took part in a discussion on cannabis policy. This discussion took place just a few weeks before the 2021 elections, the results of which we now know.

Much of what was discussed at the 2021 panel became part of the political conversation about cannabis in Germany. The conversation will continue at this year's B2B event in July, where a number of policymakers directly involved in the effort to legalize cannabis in Germany are expected to attend. Attendees will literally be able to get the latest information on what's happening in Germany directly from those involved in the process, including Germany's current drugs commissioner.

In addition to the Berlin B2B event, the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) will also feature a one-day Global Investment Forum (GIF) on July 18, 2022. ICBC's Global Investment Forum in Berlin will feature hand-picked cannabis companies taking part in a pitch session in front of leading investors on ICBC's main stage. This is a fantastic opportunity for companies in the emerging cannabis sector to showcase their products/services in front of seasoned industry investors. The pitching session is also open to service providers looking for reliable, high-end clients.

Following the B2B event, participants can then enjoy one of the International Cannabis Business Conference's famous after-parties. This year's after-party at the B2B event in Berlin will feature Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage.

Over 5,000 attendees and 350 corporate sponsors and exhibitors are expected at ICBC Berlin, with over 85 countries represented at previous events. This series of events is the best way for innovators and inventors to present their products or services to key influencers and decision-makers in the cannabis space, as well as for investors to network with budding entrepreneurs.

Buy your tickets now before they sell out!