World

LOS ANGELES- Japan has recently implemented stringent measures against cannabis use, introducing penalties of up to seven years in prison for consumption. Previously, while possession and cultivation were illegal, personal use was not explicitly prohibited. This legal adjustment aims to address rising concerns about cannabis misuse, particularly among the youth. Concurrently, the revised laws permit ...

LOS ANGELES- In 2023, several countries made significant strides in cannabis legalization, reflecting a global shift in drug policy. Germany's Legislative Progress Germany advanced toward legalizing cannabis for adult use, aiming to become the European Union's largest economy to do so. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach unveiled an updated legalization plan in April, with legislative texts ...

LOS ANGELES- Germany's recent legalization of cannabis has encountered significant criticism from various stakeholders, highlighting challenges in its implementation and effectiveness. Criticism from Berlin's Justice Senator Felor Badenberg, Berlin's Justice Senator, has expressed concerns that the new cannabis laws have hindered efforts to combat the black market and organized crime. She points out that police ...

LOS ANGELES- Italy's "cannabis light" sector, which has experienced significant growth since the legalization of hemp in 2016, faces potential disruption due to proposed legislation aimed at banning products derived from hemp flowers. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government contends that the existing law is overly permissive and seeks to eliminate the sale of hemp flower ...

LOS ANGELES- Fianna Fáil has clarified its stance on drug decriminalization, specifying that its proposal to decriminalize possession for personal use applies exclusively to cannabis and excludes substances such as cocaine and heroin. This clarification follows the party's general election manifesto commitment to adopt a health-led approach to drug addiction, emphasizing treatment and education over ...

LOS ANGELES- Germany's cannabis legalization efforts have reached a significant milestone with the first legal distribution of cannabis by a social club. The Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee, located in Lower Saxony, has commenced providing cannabis to its members, marking a pivotal moment in the country's regulated cannabis framework. This development follows the German government's approval ...

PARIS — Encouraged by the advances of Germany, the investment climate in France's medical cannabis industry is evolving on a promising trajectory, marked by a transition from a history of strict prohibition and stigma to a transparent, albeit stringent, regulatory framework aimed at promoting therapeutic use. As the country gears up for the legalization of ...

EUROPE — While global attitudes toward cannabis shift from skepticism to acceptance, Poland, as a member of the European family, stands as a beacon of centuried cultivation, traditions, resilience, innovation, and economic growth. With its strategic location, robust economy, and forward-thinking regulatory approach, the country is cultivating more than just cannabis – it is creating ...

BERLIN- Germany's medical cannabis market is poised for substantial growth in 2024, with sales projected to surpass €420 million ($455 million), according to a report by Prohibition Partners. The country, which has led Europe in medical cannabis since legalizing it in 2017, continues to expand patient access, with over 200,000 registered users and public healthcare ...

LOS ANGELES- The Czech Senate has approved new legislation regulating the sale of kratom and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a move aimed at safeguarding public health, especially for minors. These changes follow a high-profile incident in January 2024 in Karlovy Vary, where primary school children were hospitalized after consuming HHC-infused sweets. The legislation introduces stricter controls on ...

GERMANY- Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse, Germany, has officially applied to participate in a pilot project for cannabis sales through pharmacies. The initiative aims to study the impact of a regulated cannabis market on reducing illegal trade and improving public health protections. Milena Löbcke, Wiesbaden’s health advisor, signed the declaration of intent to join the ...

LOS ANGELES- Pakistan is set to join the global hemp market by allowing commercial cultivation of hemp beginning in January 2025. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the country’s economy through increased foreign exchange earnings and the creation of new economic opportunities. The Pakistani government sees immense potential in the hemp industry, which has ...

LOS ANGELES- Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned nearly 5,000 individuals previously convicted or wanted for illegal cannabis cultivation, a move aimed at facilitating the transition to the legal cannabis market. The royal pardon is intended to incentivize farmers in Morocco’s traditional cannabis-growing regions to engage in licensed cultivation, which has been legal for medical ...

LOS ANGELES- Critics have strongly opposed the Thai government's plan to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, arguing that it will harm businesses involved in cannabis-based products and undermine investor confidence in the country. On July 5, a health committee responsible for controlling illegal drugs voted by majority to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics, effective ...

BANGKOK — Two years after cannabis was decriminalized in Thailand, nearly a hundred advocates marched to the prime minister’s office on Monday to protest a possible ban on general use. This comes after the health ministry's drug control committee approved a proposal on Friday to relist cannabis as a narcotic, limiting its use to medical ...

BANGKOK — Nearly a hundred cannabis advocates marched to the Thai prime minister's office on Monday to protest a potential ban on general cannabis use, two years after its decriminalization. The protest followed a decision by the health ministry's drug control committee on Friday to relist cannabis as a narcotic, limiting its use to medical ...

LOS ANGELES- The landscape of medical cannabis in Poland has experienced significant transformations in recent years. Surveys indicate strong public support for decriminalization, and the number of medical cannabis prescriptions has surged dramatically. However, challenges remain as policymakers debate further legalization. Public acceptance of cannabis decriminalization has been steadily increasing. Recent data from the Polish ...

LOS ANGELES- Brazil's Supreme Court has voted to decriminalize the possession of cannabis for personal use, marking a significant change in the country's drug policy. This decision, reached after deliberations that began in 2015, reflects a shift towards addressing inequities in Brazil's criminal justice system. While the sale of cannabis remains illegal, the ruling focuses ...