World

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 ...

LOS ANGELES- Thailand's journey with cannabis policy has taken a significant turn as the nation's health minister, Cholnan Srikaew, announced plans to reinstate a ban on recreational cannabis use by the end of the year. This move aims to curb non-medical usage while maintaining the legality of cannabis for medicinal purposes, marking a pivot from ...

NEW YORK- On February 15th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy inked his signature on a bill that legalized the medical use of cannabis, as revealed by a parliamentary database on Thursday. This pivotal move followed advocacy from lawmakers and medical experts, who highlighted the urgent need for cannabis-based medication, particularly for more than 6 million individuals, ...

NEW YORK- In a significant development within the global cannabis sector, Israel has initiated an investigation into the importation of Canadian medical cannabis. This move comes against a backdrop of allegations suggesting that Canadian firms are engaging in "dumping" practices, where goods are sold in foreign markets at prices lower than those in the domestic ...

KYIV— In a historic move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially signed into law legislation that legalizes the use of medical cannabis, marking a significant policy shift in the country. This legislation comes as a response to the urgent health needs arising from the protracted conflict with Russia, targeting conditions prevalent among the affected populations, ...

In a significant move that could reshape the cannabis landscape in Thailand, the government is preparing to introduce a draft law aimed at curbing the sale of cannabis for adult use and refocusing the burgeoning industry towards medicinal purposes. This pivot comes after a period of rapid growth in the recreational cannabis sector, sparked by ...

BERLIN- Germany is on the cusp of a historic shift in its cannabis policy, with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announcing plans for cannabis legalization this spring. This move places Germany alongside a growing list of countries in Europe and globally that are reforming their cannabis laws. Currently, cannabis possession and consumption are illegal in Germany, ...

BRUSSELS- Belgium is currently considering significant reforms in its drug policy, a move inspired by Portugal’s successful decriminalization model. Ine Van Wymersch, Belgium’s National Drug Commissioner and a former prosecutor, is advocating for the decriminalization of the possession and use of illegal drugs. This approach marks a shift from punitive to curative strategies in dealing with ...

PRAGUE— The Czech government recently released its anticipated draft regulations for cannabis cultivation and consumption on January 10, marking a significant, albeit tentative, step in cannabis policy reform. This draft, described as a "compromise version" by the Czech Pirate Party, a liberal faction instrumental in its formulation, suggests ongoing negotiations for more comprehensive regulations. As ...

WORLD- Thailand's journey with cannabis legalization has taken a sharp turn as the government proposes new regulations to curb what it perceives as unintended recreational use. A draft bill, introduced on January 9, aims to impose stringent restrictions and penalties on the recreational consumption and sale of cannabis, marking a significant shift in the country's ...

BERLIN — Germany's recent announcement to legalize recreational cannabis use for adults has set the stage for what is expected to be a multi-billion dollar market, sparking significant interest from investors, companies, and countries worldwide, including the United States. Investor Enthusiasm Peaks A survey conducted by Bloomwell Group, a leading European cannabis market player, revealed ...

WORLD- Ghana has recently taken a significant step in cannabis reform by legalizing its cultivation for medical and industrial purposes. This decision, made by the Parliament earlier this month, positions Ghana in line with a global trend that is reshaping cannabis laws and could potentially unlock vast economic and employment opportunities within the nation. The ...

KIEV- In a landmark decision, Ukrainian lawmakers have passed a bill to legalize medical cannabis, marking a significant step in providing relief for patients suffering from cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill, which is now awaiting the signature of President Volodymyr Zelensky, is seen as a major advancement in the country's healthcare policy. ...

ROME — In an unprecedented surge of public support, a campaign for cannabis reform in Italy has achieved nearly half the required signatures in just one week to bring the issue before the Parliament. This development signals a growing momentum in Europe for cannabis legislation, following Germany's anticipated legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2024. The ...