Everything we missed about cannabis last week

Regular Newsweed consumers will have noticed that we took a break last week. An opportunity for us to recharge our batteries. But since there's no news to wait for us, here's a recap of everything that happened last week on Planet Cannabis.

France

France still hasn't legalized cannabis or cancelled the’fine Poulliat, but is making progress on the subject of medical cannabis. The ANSM's CSST, which was working since last October on the subject has submitted its conclusions, which differ little from the previously published Only the conditions of dispensing have changed, and can now be carried out in a local pharmacy only, with the agreement of the prescriber.

Patient associations have unanimously welcomed the decision of the CSST and called on the President of the Republic to get to grips with the subject and set up the experiment as quickly as possible.

On the Mission d'Information sur le chanvre bien-être to be held in September, its contours seem to be evolving and now include all uses of cannabis, including recreational. We can't help but see this as a reaction to the release of the CAE report and Nouvel Obs’ front page’, even though the government was quick to say that he would not legalize cannabis.

The Syndicat Professionnel du Chanvre, of which Newsweed is a member, is organizing a symposium at the French National Assembly on July 11, on hemp wellness and the emergence of a new industry. Anyone can register via the following link.

United States

Illinois has become the 11th US state to legalize cannabis, via a legislative process (as opposed to the popular initiative referendums that have been behind the vast majority of cannabis legalizations in US states). Legalization will take effect on January 1, 2020, and means that the criminal records of people previously convicted of using less than 30g of cannabis will have to be expunged. are automatically deleted. The taxation system is also interesting: excluding excise taxes or local taxes, products up to 35% THC will be taxed at 10%, and above at 25%. Infused items will be taxed at 20%.

Oregon attempts to authorize exports of cannabis between US states where it is legal. The biggest challenge to this proposal is the federal ban on cannabis. But the ambition is more to mobilize several states to force the Department of Justice either to authorize these exports, or to tolerate them through a memo that would prohibit the DEA from intervening, as is already the case for state-by-state cannabis legalization. In any case, the Governor of Oregon has signed the bill.

New York failed to legalize cannabis this year, but decriminalized it, with a fine of 50$ for less than 28g (1 ounce) of cannabis and 200$ between 28 and 56g (2 ounces). The law will also wipe out the records of people previously convicted of these offenses.

Maine has finally signed its cannabis regulation bill, almost 3 years after passing it. Legal sales should begin in 2020, and adults can possess 70g of cannabis on their person (2.5 ounces) without being in violation.

International

The Global Commission on Drug Policy calls for a reclassification of drugs based on scientific data rather than ethical bias. The main points of the report which you can read here, The Commission, which includes 14 former heads of state from countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Portugal and New Zealand, declares that the international classification system underpinning drug control is «biased and inconsistent», and that the war on drugs has caused more harm than a pragmatic approach would have done.

Malaysia, which is generally not soft on drug use, should decriminalize the use of all drugs for small quantities, in particular to better treat addicts who until now have faced the death penalty for their consumption.

Malta to start exporting medical cannabis starting next year. A boon for companies with one foot in France and a license there?