Quick Hit August 2024: what we've missed in recent weeks

As regular Newsweed consumers will have noticed, we've been on hiatus for the past few weeks. But since news doesn't wait for us, here's a recap of what's been happening in the meantime on Planet Cannabis.

France

The settling of scores is continuing, and the resigning government and certain prosecutors are taking it upon themselves to «disrupt trafficking» with a vengeance. The mayor of Grenoble, Éric Piolle, asked France Bleu Isère for a debate on the legalization of cannabis to combat drug trafficking.

If it's just for acknowledge the failure of French public drug policies, it's too late, everyone knows. Maybe set up a fact-finding mission? There must be some wobbly piece of furniture left somewhere in the Assembly that could use a chock.

Europe

In Germany, applications to set up Cannabis Social Clubs are multiplying, but licensing problems continue. To date, 226 applications have been submitted in the various Länder. Despite the increase in the number of applications, only eight licenses have been granted in a single Lander, due to the level of bureaucracy and the lack of a clear framework. starting to frustrate potential associations.

The Demecan Group, one of Germany's largest cannabis producers, recently completed its latest financing round, raising its valuation to almost 100 million euros.

Khalifa Kush, the cannabis brand founded by Wiz Khalifa, to enter the German medical cannabis market through a strategic partnership with the Sanity group, based in Berlin, and its leading medical cannabis brand, avaay Medical. avaay will introduce two exclusive flower varieties for German patients, with further varieties to be launched throughout the year.

German medical cannabis imports have soared since the legalization of cannabis. According to the latest data from the regulatory body BfArM, Germany imported 11,706 kg of dried cannabis flowers into the country for «medical or scientific purposes». This represents an increase of 44% on the first quarter (8,134 kg) and an increase of 38% on the fourth quarter of 2023, which previously represented the highest level of imports in a single quarter since the legalization of medical cannabis in 2017. Year-on-year, this also represents growth of 51% on the 7,758 kg imported into the country in Q2 2023.

The medical cannabis program in Ukraine came into force last Friday, as the country continues to defend itself against Russian aggression. Under the new policy, military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer patients are allowed access to medical cannabis products. All commercial operations (import, transport, distribution) involving cannabis, its resin, extracts and tinctures will be subject to licensing.

Joey Reno, President of CURA, Malta's cannabis regulatory authority, believes that «Malta's approach to cannabis harm reduction is working». Malta now has eight associations spread across the island, with around 2,000 registered members. He added in his interview that Malta had no plans to go further in the commercialization of cannabis, the authority being comfortable with the non-profit harm reduction model.

A British Airways flight from London City Airport to Amsterdam was grounded by armed police after concerns were raised about the presence of medical cannabis on board. Five prescribed cannabis patients were on board the flight when airline staff detected the smell of cannabis and called the police, as pilots feared they would be affected by a «possible high of contact». After several hours of negotiation and the intervention of a medical professional who was on board the plane, their medication was confiscated and placed in the baggage hold, then deposited on the baggage carousel to be retrieved, in an act that was described as «both dangerous and immoral».

At the same time, cannabis production on British soil explodes, organized crime groups targeting empty inner-city stores and pubs to grow cannabis on an industrial scale, according to police officials.

80 experts committed to drug policy reform called the Czech Gvt to maintain the course set by outgoing national coordinator Jindřich Vobořil, forced to resign in early July.

United States

The Tyson brand had to change the shape of its gummies in Colorado. The state bans edible cannabis products in shapes that might appeal to children. Animals, people or fruit are therefore prohibited. The brand was rejected its ear-shaped candies, a nod to Tyson's punch on Evander Holyfield. The new candies are shaped like boxing gloves.

Big American companies shake up their top management. Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. has appointed a new CEO, the New York-based cannabis company said Thursday. Curaleaf Holdings, whose CEO, Matt Darin, retired in August, is following suit and stepping down to Boris Jordan. Canopy Growth announced on August 16 that its CEO, David Klein, planned to retire after the end of the company's fiscal year on March 31.

In a survey compiled by U.S. cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD, 77 % of those surveyed said they get «all» or «most» of their cannabis-related products from licensed retailers.

This November, North Dakotans will vote for the third time on the legalization of cannabis in the state.

Canada

Canada's wholesale cannabis market is shifting from a buyer-driven to a seller-driven model as oversupply problems diminish. This explains in part by the growing demand from the export market, but also by the number of cannabis growers going out of business. The result is an increase in the price not only of the flowers high-grade, But also small flowers and trim, which are not usually sold on international markets.

Rest of the world

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned nearly 5,000 people convicted or wanted on charges relating to the illegal cultivation of cannabis. His aim is to encourage farmers «to engage in the legal process of cannabis cultivation in order to improve their income and living conditions».

Nigeria is looking to cannabis cultivation and distribution as part of its economic recovery, in particular to break away from its dependence on oil revenues. the Rwanda way, Zimbabwe, of South Africa or the Malawi.

The Federation of Cannabis Clubs of Argentina (FECCA) is preparing a bill that it will present to the Buenos Aires Legislative Assembly. The aim is to create a local register of medical cannabis consumers, similar to REPROCANN, which is currently called «ReproCABA», and to give it a tourist scope in order to allow international visitors to temporarily register with ReproCABA and access medical cannabis during their stay.

In China, CBD now has a clear classification that allows it to be legally produced and marketed throughout the country, instead of only in Yunnan and Heilongjiang as is currently the case.

Pakistan will have to create a government agency responsible for regulate the cultivation of Cannabis plants, to extract, refine, manufacture and sell derivatives of the plant for medical and industrial purposes, in order to comply with the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

Search

A new study, based on the experience of endometriosis patients in Europe, revealed that cannabis had a significant impact on well-being and quality of life, leading to «substantial improvements» in symptoms. The researchers questioned over 900 patients based in Germany, Switzerland and Austria about their use of self-management strategies to live with endometriosis to reach their conclusion.

Epidiolex, an oral solution for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy in children, «did not achieve its primary objective of significantly reducing the frequency of seizures» at the time of the study. phase 3 trial in Japan, according to Jazz Pharmaceuticals parent company of GW Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures the drug.

Events

In terms of events, the European autumn is shaping up to be a busy one. Let's start with Product Earth, taking place in London on September 7 and 8. We we talked about it here Product Earth is an event that is still very underground despite its recent popularity. And gives you the chance to meet many of the people who make up the European cannabis industry.

-10% on tickets for Product Earth

Enjoy 10% off tickets to Product Earth, the UK's leading cannabis event taking place in London on September 7 and 8.

Until 09/09/2024

Take advantage of the deal

From September 19 to 21, CB Expo will be held in Dortmund in conjunction with InterTabac, the world's largest B2B trade fair for tobacco, smoking accessories and vape. As always, an interesting conference program and knowledgeable guests. All info on their website.

On September 20, 21 and 22, Bilbao (Spain) will host the pre-autumn version of Spannabis. On the program: the same recipes that have made Spannabis such a success, but this time in the Basque country. More info on the dedicated website.