World

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 ...

WORLD- In a historic move, Japan has taken significant steps toward reshaping its stance on cannabis, reflecting a nuanced approach to the burgeoning global interest in cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals and industrial hemp. The latest amendment to Japan's Cannabis Control Law, passed by a majority vote in the House of Councillors, marks a departure from some of ...

WORLD- In a significant move for South Africa's burgeoning hemp sector, the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has awarded 664 licenses for the cultivation, storage, and transportation of industrial hemp, as reported by The South African. This decision, announced in October, marks a pivotal moment in the region's agricultural and economic landscape. KZN's Department of Agriculture ...

BERLIN- Germany's anticipated vote on legalizing cannabis, a significant step in the country's journey towards legalization, has been deferred to next year. This postponement, influenced by the Social Democratic Party (SPD)'s concerns, represents the latest in a series of delays for the legalization process. Implementation Plans Should the bill receive approval, its initial phases, including ...

  BERLIN- German lawmakers have significantly revised the country's cannabis legalization bill, incorporating feedback from cannabis reform advocates and aiming for the bill's enactment in the upcoming spring. This development, as reported by Marijuana Moment, marks a pivotal moment in the country's approach to cannabis regulation. The revised bill, emerging from intensive negotiations, includes key ...

LOS ANGELES— In a landmark move that signifies a significant departure from traditional European cannabis policies, Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health has given its nod to the establishment of the continent's first legal adult-use cannabis dispensaries. This progressive venture, dubbed the "Grashaus Projects" pilot study, is set to kick off in Basel-Landschaft later this ...

  TEL AVIV — InterCure Ltd., operating as Canndoc, a medical cannabis firm in Israel and globally outside North America, today addressed the recent security situation in Israel and its repercussions on the company's operations and employees. On October 7, 2023, Israel's southern border witnessed a breach by Hamas terrorists who launched a series of ...

BERLIN — The German federal parliament is set to weigh in on a pivotal cannabis reform bill, marking a potential tectonic shift in the nation's stance on the plant. Championed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, this proposed legislation could metamorphose Germany's drug policy, wherein recreational cannabis is currently proscribed. Central to this bill is the aspiration ...

LOS ANGELES- In a bold move reflecting the changing landscape of the worldwide narcotics struggle, Colombia has introduced a fresh drug policy, signaling a significant departure from traditional enforcement-centered methods. President Gustavo Petro accentuated the evolving global attitude towards drug enforcement, highlighting the notable shift in U.S. drug policies. In the official proclamation, Petro clarified ...

SEOUL — In a significant move to digitize its currency infrastructure, The Bank of Korea (BOK), in collaboration with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), is rolling out a pilot program to investigate the potential adoption of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This initiative will scrutinize the viability of ...

AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands has designated December 15 as the inception date for its highly anticipated cannabis pilot program, set to commence in the cities of Breda and Tilburg. This experiment, previously slated to begin in 2020 but experiencing multiple postponements, will involve the legal cultivation and distribution of cannabis in select cities. The initial ...

COPENHAGEN- Reporting from MJBizDaily shows tat Denmark destroyed 100 tonnes of cannabis, the article went on to describe how Denmark has a cannabis industry, recent data released by the Danish Parliament’s Health Committee has brought to light a noticeable trend in Denmark’s burgeoning medical cannabis sector, revealing that a significant portion of legal cannabis produced ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a significant shift, Amsterdam, which has long been a hub for cannabis tourism, is recalibrating its stance on the industry amid rising concerns over crime and public disorder. This change is not only reshaping the city's approach but also potentially altering the global cannabis tourism landscape, paving the way for new destinations ...

LOS ANGELES-- In a proactive move to integrate psychedelic therapy into the European healthcare landscape, the European Psychedelic Access Research and European Alliance (PAREA) is advocating for the establishment of a multidisciplinary advisory body. This body, as envisioned, would comprise individuals with substantial experience in the field of psychedelics, offering invaluable insights to regulators and ...

ZURICH — In an innovative exploration of the cannabis market, Switzerland has launched a pilot program named “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility.” The program, which began on August 22, will be a three-year study concluding in 2026, aiming to gauge the impacts and feasibility of regulated cannabis sales. The study, reported by Swissinfo, permits ...