Marijuana Politics

08/05/2023

At long last, it appears that Minister Lauterbach has finally introduced a measure, albeit a scaled-back, multi-faceted version of what was initially touted back in 2021.

At long last, it appears that Minister Lauterbach has finally introduced a measure. According to domestic reporting, the draft measure was submitted and 'has now been sent to the other ministries for inspection and examination.'

04/05/2023

This move makes no sense, and only benefits the unregulated market.

Editor’s note: This article was contributed by Johnny Green, Media and Content Director for the International Cannabis Business Conference. Policymakers in the Czech Republic recently expressed a strong desire to legalize cannabis for adult use, building on the momentum occurring across the borde

03/05/2023

A legalization initiative in Finland crossed the 50,000 signatures mark and will now be considered by lawmakers.

Back in October, an initiative was launched in Finland which seeks to legalize cannabis for adult use in the European country. Recently, the initiative crossed the 50,000 signatures mark and will now be considered by lawmakers.

27/04/2023

If Germany truly wants to legalize cannabis in a manner that boosts public health outcomes, edibles have to be a part of the legalization model.

25/04/2023

National cannabis reform is taking shape in Germany. How will the nation's legalization model compare to other legal jurisdictions around the world?

Adult-use cannabis policy is taking shape in Germany. How does Germany's proposed legalization model compare to other legal jurisdictions?

21/04/2023

Legalization efforts in Guernsey are likely to experience the same fate as similar efforts did in Bermuda last year, which is truly unfortunate.

It appears that adult-use legalization efforts in Guernsey may experience the same fate as similar efforts did in Bermuda last year.

20/04/2023

Frankfurt and Offenbach are ready for regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot programs.

While much is yet to be determined regarding what regulations will eventually look like, there are some components that are out to the public now after the April 12th press conference, and at least two jurisdictions in Germany are already declaring their intent to pursue pilot projects.

18/04/2023

These industry opportunities will receive a boost thanks to Phase 1 of Germany's legalization plan.

The personal freedoms afforded to consumers under the first phase of Germany’s legalization plan will create various opportunities for entrepreneurs. Here are some noteworthy examples.

17/04/2023

South Africa's government is seeking public input about a new cannabis proposal.

Lawmakers in South Africa continue to work toward the goal of launching a legal, regulated adult-use industry and are seeking public input about a new proposal.

17/04/2023

Is an adult-use government database registry coming to the Czech Republic?

As we previously reported, Czechia's top drug policy expert indicated that his country would follow Germany's lead on adult-use reform, and this last week demonstrated that to some degree.

15/04/2023

Unfortunate news from Canada, where the nation's Supreme Court has upheld a home cultivation ban in Quebec (unanimous decision).

Under Quebec law, adult households can still be fined between $250 and $750 for home cultivation violations. According to Canada's top Court, Quebec's continued prohibition on home cultivation is constitutional, and the vote was not even close.

13/04/2023

A bold plan introduced in Australia

At least one political party in Australia is seeking to make cannabis legal for adult use nationwide, and with a home cultivation provision that is significantly greater than what is already in place in the Australian Capital Territory.

12/04/2023

A historic moment and milestone for Argentina's emerging industry.

Recently members of Argentina's government participated in the nation's first legal h**p harvests in half a century, marking another milestone for the nation.

12/04/2023

Read, watch, and learn about what was included in today's press conference in Germany.

Today in Germany federal ministers from the nation's government held a press conference in which they announced components for what will serve as the 'first phase' of adult-use cannabis legalization in the European Union's most populous country.

11/04/2023

Germany's Health Minister is scheduled to make a presentation tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. CET

No one should be subjected to the criminal justice system due to being an individual cannabis consumer, and that includes no one being subjected to a fine which can also have a negative impact on an individual long after the fine is paid.

10/04/2023

Why is Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador so upset at the 's new reported cannabis policy?

If Mexico's President truly cared about addressing the fentanyl issue then he would be encouraging governments, sports leagues, and other powerful entities to embrace the cannabis plant rather than demonize it.

07/04/2023

Legalization efforts in Colombia are gaining momentum.

A cannabis legalization measure in Colombia has cleared five of the required eight steps for approval. Lawmakers are hopeful the remaining steps will be completed soon.

06/04/2023

A new parliamentary report is recommending an overhaul of cannabis policies.

A West Australian parliamentary report is recommending changes to the nation's medical cannabis program and cannabis DUI laws.

04/04/2023

Big news out of Germany

The announcement of the pending formal introduction of the legalization measure comes after several months of Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach lobbying the European Union for permission to proceed.

03/04/2023

Passing and implementing sensible laws and regulations pertaining to social use reform should not be this difficult.

If lawmakers truly care about mitigating any nuisances related to cannabis, then they should logically support public policy solutions that directly address their concerns. That obviously includes permitting social cannabis use in some meaningful way.

02/04/2023

A sensible recommendation.

If Labour leader Ivana Bacik has their way, cannabis will be legally bought and sold at festivals in addition to other reform components.

31/03/2023

Low-THC cannabis is often referred to as ‘cannabis light’ and is very popular in many European nations. Perhaps someday Spain will join those nations in regulating such products.

Cannabis products containing all types of THC percentages, including concentrates that contain large amounts of THC, are being consumed every day in Spain. It's a reality that lawmakers and regulators ignore at a cost to public health.

29/03/2023

Whether Premier Doug Ford realizes it or not, contained in his recent comments is an argument for regulating social cannabis use and allowing venues to be licensed.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford made it clear that he is not a fan of regulating cannabis clubs after reportedly hearing a pitch from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

28/03/2023

France has the second highest cannabis consumption rate in Europe.

With adult-use cannabis legalization looming across the border in Germany, when can French consumers expect their country to legalize?

27/03/2023

More encouraging news for patients diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome patients report improvements in their quality of life and reductions in their use of prescription medications following cannabis therapy, according to data published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

27/03/2023

A favorable legal outcome in Brazil.

Brazil is a nation that seems to have quite a bit of cannabis policy being set by its courts, with a recent example of that coming via a case involving an NGO that wants to cultivate medical cannabis.

26/03/2023

Slowly but surely.

Switzerland's experiment with adult-use cannabis pilot programs is reportedly expanding, with Zurich's city government and the Zurich University Hospital indicating today that the Federal Office of Public Health has given the 'greenlight' for the local pilot program to proceed later this year.

25/03/2023

A glimpse of what is ahead or just empty rhetoric? 🤔

Hopefully Prime Minster Trudeau puts actions behind his recent words and does everything in his power to help his nation's emerging cannabis industry reach its full potential.

23/03/2023

Often replacing hard science and a rational approach for mitigating cannabis impairment on public roadways is outright political scare tactics, which is truly unfortunate.

22/03/2023

The existence of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or not, the reality of the situation is that more countries are going to legalize cannabis for adult use, and no amount of United Nations PR is going to stop it.