Quick Hit August 2025: 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

While French patients are still waiting for their signature on the «legalization» of medical cannabis, the authors of the latest report from Augur Associates and Newsweed believe that the proposed model could alleviate the implementation difficulties observed elsewhere, and intelligently position France in European cannabis policy.

«Overall, the system is serious, pharmaceutical and designed to reduce stigma and improve access. It may not be the quickest to implement, but it is likely to provide a sustainable and exportable framework for other countries to follow. It fully integrates cannabis into the healthcare system, avoiding future arbitrary decisions that would isolate regulatory processes or medical uses of the plant,» they told Business Of Cannabis.

Europe

The HHC has been banned in Ireland due to escalating public health risks, particularly among young people.

Half of Guernsey's MPs are in favour of decriminalising cannabis, according to a BBC study.

The European Commission (EC) consider a major overhaul of hemp regulations in the EU. If the proposals are adopted, from 2027 the whole hemp plant, including the flowers, will be recognized as an agricultural product, not just the seeds and stalks, and THC limits could be raised to 0.5%.

The Committee for Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published on July 9 a draft opinion, open for consultation between August 1 and October 31, 2025, which concludes that no European monograph can currently be created for Cannabis sativa L. flowers due to a lack of evidence.

The Social and Health Commission of the National Council (SGK-N) has officially submitted its draft law on the full legalization of cannabis for consultation:

• Legal access to cannabis for adults
• Growing, processing and commercial sale permitted
• Strict marketing bans and youth protection
• Sales only through non-profit outlets approved by the cantons (including a federal license for online sales).
• A tax based on THC content to limit consumption and promote safer products
• Possession: up to 5 g THC in public, max. 75 g THC at home
• Home growing: 3 plants per adult
• THC limits: flowers max. 20%, extracts max. 60%; no sugar, flavouring, nicotine or alcohol

Events

It's a busy autumn in Europe:

• On September 11 and 12, Bordeaux will host the «Science in the City» conference organized by the Medical Resource Association, an American association that aims to shake things up in France. You'll find us there 😉
• From September 18 to 20, CB Expo will be held in Dortmund, alongside InterTabac. CB Expo is usually a great opportunity to network with the people who really make the industry tick.
• On September 25 and 26, the 7th edition of Portugal Medical Cannabis will be held in Lisbon. Organized by CannaReporter, the small-scale event focuses on the most pressing issues facing the international industry, as well as the main challenges and opportunities facing the medical cannabis sector.
• The Icelandic Hemp Association is organizing the «Hemp for the future» conference on October 2 and 3, focusing on hemp and the challenges of medical cannabis, which the country has yet to adopt.

United States

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) validated a bill paving the way for the social consumption of cannabis in state-approved establishments. Planned from the time cannabis was legalized for adult use in 2016, this measure required legislative adjustments. The text is now subject to public consultation.

At a recent fundraising dinner, President Trump privately told donors that he was considering removing cannabis from Schedule I of federal law. A statement as stable as its emissary. Major US cannabis companies in any case Trump's game - aka donating to Trump's supporters - in the hope of lining his pocket. The share prices of American cannabis companies have, in parallel never been so high a long time ago.

Ohio sold 700 million worth of adult-use cannabis in its first year of legal sales. Colorado authorities collected more than $3 billion in taxes on adult-use cannabis purchases since the state market was launched in 2014.

Canada

Nearly 80 % Canadians source now exclusively in cannabis on the legal market, marking a clear decline compared to the illicit market, seven years after legalization. A report to push to all those who say legalization doesn't reduce illegal sales.

The legalization of cannabis generates economic growth of $76.5 billion in the overall Canadian economy in 6 years.

Rest of the world

Colombia is considering authorizing the dispensing of cannabis flowers to patients. Until now, only pharmaceutical forms were available, although patients could grow their own plants. A recent decree proposes to allow access to cannabis flowers in pharmacies, on presentation of a medical prescription.

Brazilian legislators discussed of a bill that would authorize medical cannabis associations to provide help to thousands of patients suffering from disabilities and chronic illnesses, such as intractable epilepsy, autism, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's and neuropathic pain.

In early August, the Mexico City government officially announced the opening of several tolerated cannabis consumption points on the public highway, and the relocation of old ones that were disturbing public order.

Sri Lanka has, for the first time, authorized seven foreign investors to legally cultivate cannabis under closely regulated conditions.

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Medical cannabis is associated improved health-related quality of life and reduced opioid use in UK patients with substance use disorders.

A study funded by the US federal government reveals that cannabis helps military veterans reduce their post-traumatic stress symptoms on the days they use it.

The Moroccan «Beldiya» cannabis variety» present superior stability.

A study shows that cannabis seed oil is more effective than antibiotics for wound healing.

Business and products

The Cookies brand of cannabis a ouvert its first retail store in Jamaica on August 5, 2025, on the iconic Hip Strip in the heart of Montego Bay.

Pax has released a new flower vaporizer, the Flow, which retains the key features of the Pax 3, with an oven located on the side rather than on the top of the device, and a heating system that now mixes conduction and convection.

Google has launched a pilot program enabling licensed cannabis businesses in Canada to run online ads via Google Ads. The program will run for up to 20 weeks.

Psychedelics

The international market for psychedelic drugs, estimated at $7.4 billion worldwide in 2025, is set to reach $22.6 billion by 2033, according to a report by recent report to be taken with a grain of salt.