Quick Hit Mars 2023: what we've missed in recent weeks

Regular Newsweed users will have noticed that we've been on hiatus for the past 2 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

Nothing.

Europe

Germany, which seeks Europe's non-agreement has received «very good feedback» from the European Commission on its plans to legalize cannabis, according to German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. Speaking to the German press and stated that a revised legalization proposal would be put to the vote «in the coming weeks».

At the same time, the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced that there would be no change to the current medical cannabis insurance scheme. The G-BA's initial proposal was to tighten certain essential rules (prescription only by a specialist doctor, for example), which would have had the effect of reducing patient access to medical cannabis.

In the UK, a 2016 report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the government's expert advisory body, suggested non-criminal penalties for drug possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - aligning penalties with the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The report was ignored, then suppressed, we learn. in The Times.

United States

The Delaware House of Representatives voted a project to legalize cannabis. The state Senate has also tilted in favor of legalization, urging Congress to end cannabis prohibition.

As a proposal to decriminalize cannabis moves forward in Texas, The majority of Texas voters want less stringent cannabis laws according to a recent survey.

The slow roll-out of legalization in New York State could cost the state up to $2.6 billion over the next 8 years. A report suggests that '900 retail outlets are needed statewide to ensure sufficient market access». New York plans to open 36 this year.

Delta-8 THC generated 2 billion in revenue over the last two years in the United States, particularly in states that have not yet legalized THC.

Canada

With Canada's cannabis behemoths struggling to turn a profit, and small producers demanding lower taxes on their products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recognized that the government needed to «catch up» with the cannabis industry's concerns, particularly with regard to high taxes. Banking access also remains a problem.

Some’edibles in Canada were trying to get around the 10mg THC per serving limit by selling «extracts» (edibles), a product category with a higher THC limit. Health Canada did not stand idly by in the face of this attempt at a small bridge. called to order various confectioners.

Rest of the world

Antigua and Barbuda has become the the first Caribbean country to grant the Rastafari community official sacramental authorization to grow cannabis.

Jamaica will accompany 16 communities and around 128 small-scale traditional cannabis growers over the next three to four years as part of a program to eliminate illicit cannabis cultivation by allowing growers to enter the legally regulated industry.

UN

The United Nations' International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has criticized the cannabis legalization efforts worldwide, We're also concerned by the fact that the reforms are leading to «higher consumption, negative health effects and psychotic disorders».

He even suggested that the US federal government force states to repeal the legalization of cannabis in order to comply with international conventions, notably the 1961 Convention.

The INCB points out that the 1961 treaty stipulates that member states must «give effect to and apply the provisions of this Convention within their own territory», whether or not they have a constitutionally federalist system, as in the USA.

The convention states that «unless a different intention appears from the treaty or is otherwise established, a treaty binds each of the parties for the whole of its territory».

The INCB regularly opposes countries that adopt a progressive approach to drug regulation, without in any case having the means to force them to apply strict prohibition. international conventions do not require.

Canna-industrie

Sensi Seeds launches 10 new varieties grouped under the «Breeding Grounds» banner in partnership with Fat Beans and Humboldt Seed Company.

Exotic Genetix's Red Runtz won 2 awards at Spannabis in the Indica category (Jury Prize and Popular Jury Prize). Expect to see it soon at your favorite plug - no guarantee that's what it is.

Search

A recent study conducted on 10 mice claimed that vaporized CBD was more harmful than vaporized nicotine, and while several news outlets reported on it, they all failed to mention the many flaws in the methodology. According to various experts, There is no way of proving that the adverse effects observed are due to CBD and not to one of the many other products contained in the products (MCT, PG or VG), if indeed they were.