World

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 ...

WORLD- In a significant shift, Slovenian voters have endorsed key cannabis reforms, including the cultivation of medical cannabis and limited personal use, reflecting evolving societal attitudes. One of the key questions put to voters was whether Slovenia should permit the cultivation and processing of cannabis specifically for medical purposes. Although medical cannabis is already legal, ...

WORLD- The Japanese government announced on May 30 that it will begin accepting public comments on its cannabis reform bill, which includes potential measures to loosen restrictions on processing CBD in food products. This move follows a proposal from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) in February to establish a maximum residue ...

LOS ANGELES- South Africa has become the first country in Africa to legalize cannabis for personal use. The Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 28, just days before the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in Congress on May 29. The new legislation removes cannabis ...

WORLD- Victoria, the first Australian state to legalize medical cannabis in 2016, is set to initiate a groundbreaking medical cannabis driving trial. As part of the Victorian Budget 2024/25, the Labor Government has allocated $4.9 million to this initiative. State Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne announced the collaboration ...

LOS ANGELES - Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on social media his intention to recriminalize cannabis, permitting its use solely for medicinal purposes. This move aligns with earlier suggestions from the country’s health minister and marks a significant shift from the existing laws that decriminalized the plant in 2022. The decriminalization made Thailand the ...

LOS ANGELES- The cannabis market in Japan has shown remarkable growth from $26.3 million in 2019 to $173.8 million in 2023. This growth, detailed in a report by Euromonitor International, reflects a burgeoning demand for products that enhance relaxation, improve sleep, and offer stress relief. The Japanese market's expansion was somewhat restrained initially due to ...

NEW YORK- The Canadian cannabis industry is facing significant operational hurdles as evidenced by the sharp increase in business license cancellations. According to data from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), at least 123 federal cannabis business licenses were either canceled or pending cancellation in 2023, nearly triple the number from the previous year. This escalation ...

KYIV--In the heart of Ukraine, amidst the bustling streets of its vibrant cities and the tranquil beauty of its countryside, a new era is dawning—one marked by the legalization of medical cannabis. Having immersed myself in the fabric of Ukrainian life, I've witnessed firsthand the multifaceted impact of this legislative milestone on Ukraine's collective consciousness. ...

BERLIN- As the clock struck midnight in Germany, transitioning from March 31st to April 1st, the nation embraced a historic shift in its drug policy landscape. Germany’s new adult-use cannabis legalization law, known as the CanG law, officially came into effect, marking the country as the latest to join a growing list of nations reevaluating ...

LOS ANGELES- In a firm rebuff to external pressures, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador declared last week that Mexico will not engage in combative actions against drug cartels at the behest of the United States. Emphasizing national sovereignty, López Obrador's stance highlights a broader strategy of non-aggression in dealing with the cartels, underscoring a ...

LOS ANGELES- In a landmark decision, lawmakers in Germany's Bundesrat have voted to approve the CanG measure, paving the way for the national legalization of adult-use cannabis. The Bundesrat's approval follows the previous endorsement by the Bundestag in February, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to cannabis regulation. Despite facing substantial opposition within ...

LOS ANGELES- In a historic development for Morocco and its agricultural sector, the nation's first legal cannabis harvest has culminated in a substantial yield of 294 metric tons in 2023. This milestone follows the country's legislative reforms allowing the cultivation and export of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, a move overseen by the Moroccan ...