In the UK, a woman who suffers from chronic pain due to a rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has shared her experience of using cannabis oil to dull her pain. She says that cannabis oil has allowed her to stand up again, but it costs her a lot of money and leaves her nauseous. She also criticizes the NHS for not prescribing cannabis oil to patients who need it1

In Thailand, the tourism industry has welcomed the new prime minister’s move to end confusion over the country’s cannabis laws. The new leader, Srettha Thavisin, has vowed to reform the legislation and promote cannabis as a new source of income and innovation for the country. Thailand has a long history of using cannabis for medicinal and culinary purposes, and has recently legalized medical cannabis and hemp production2

In Australia, a cannabis company called ECS Botanics has secured a major deal to supply medicinal cannabis dried flower to MediCann Health, a leading distributor of medical cannabis products in Australia and New Zealand. The deal is worth up to $42 million over three years, and will help ECS Botanics expand its production and market share in the growing medical cannabis sector3

In the UK, a new study has found that cannabis use among young people has increased by 25% since 2018, despite the drug being illegal. The researchers from University College London and King’s College London attributed the rise to the availability of high-potency cannabis products, such as skunk and concentrates, and the lack of effective prevention and education programmes1.

In Germany, a draft bill to legalise cannabis for recreational use has been submitted to the parliament by the Green Party, which is part of the ruling coalition. The bill proposes to allow adults over 18 to buy up to 30 grams of cannabis per month from licensed shops, and to grow up to three plants at home for personal use. The bill also aims to create a regulated cannabis market that would generate tax revenue and reduce criminal activity2.

In Thailand, the government has announced plans to distribute one million bottles of cannabis oil to public health volunteers across the country, as part of its efforts to promote the medical use of the plant. The government has also launched a website and a mobile app to provide information and guidance on how to access cannabis-based products for various health conditions3.

In Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalise cannabis in 2013, a new study has revealed that the policy has had positive impacts on public health and safety. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of the Republic and the Inter-American Development Bank, found that cannabis legalisation has reduced illicit drug trafficking, increased access to treatment for problematic users, and decreased arrests and incarceration for drug-related offences4.

Learn more:

1. newsnow.co.uk

2. marijuanamoment.net

3. news.sky.com

4. leafly.com

5. hightimes.com

• NCAA Panel Formally Recommends Removing Marijuana From Banned Substances List For College Athletes. The NCAA’s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) has voted unanimously to recommend that marijuana be removed from the NCAA’s list of banned substances. The recommendation will now go to the NCAA’s Division I Council, which is expected to vote on it in November. If the council approves the recommendation, it would be a major step forward for cannabis reform in college sports.
• Schumer Pledges To Bring Committee-Passed Marijuana Banking Bill To Floor ‘Very Soon’ As GOP Senators Vow To Kill It. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to bring the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow cannabis businesses to access traditional banking services, to the Senate floor “very soon.” However, Republican senators have vowed to kill the bill, arguing that it would help the cannabis industry expand. The SAFE Banking Act has already passed the House of Representatives and has been supported by a number of Senate Republicans, so it is possible that Schumer could overcome the GOP opposition and get the bill passed.
• USDA Says Genetically Modified Hemp Plant ‘May Be Safely Grown And Bred’ In The United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a genetically modified hemp plant for cultivation in the United States. The plant was developed by the company C2 Cannabinoids and is engineered to produce lower levels of the cannabinoids THC and cannabichromene (CBC). This makes the plant more desirable for industrial and medicinal uses. The USDA’s approval of the plant is a sign that the U.S. government is becoming more supportive of the hemp industry.
• People ‘blocked’ from accessing medicinal cannabis – despite it being legalised three years ago. A report by the UK’s National Cannabis Patient Association (NCPA) has found that many people are still struggling to access medicinal cannabis in the UK, despite it being legalized three years ago. The report found that patients are facing long waiting times, high costs, and a lack of awareness among healthcare professionals. The NCPA is calling on the UK government to do more to support the medicinal cannabis industry and make it easier for patients to access the treatment they need.

The German Cabinet’s approval of a bill to legalize cannabis for adult use is a landmark moment for cannabis policy in Europe. Germany is the largest country in the European Union, and its legalization of cannabis is likely to have a ripple effect on other countries in the region.

The bill would allow adults to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis and grow up to three plants for personal use. It would also establish a regulated system for the sale of cannabis through licensed retailers.

The bill is expected to be passed by Parliament in the coming months, and could take effect as early as 2024. Once the bill is passed, Germany will become the first major European country to legalize cannabis for adult use.

The legalization of cannabis in Germany is expected to have a number of benefits. It would reduce crime associated with the black market, generate tax revenue for the government, and create jobs in the cannabis industry. It would also allow adults to use cannabis legally and safely.

Of course, there are also some potential risks associated with the legalization of cannabis. For example, there is some concern that legalization could lead to increased use of cannabis among young people. However, the German government has said that it will take steps to mitigate these risks, such as by imposing strict age restrictions on sales and consumption.

Overall, the legalization of cannabis in Germany is a positive development. It is a sign that the German government is willing to adopt a more progressive approach to cannabis policy. It is also a sign that public opinion on cannabis is changing in Europe.

Here are some additional details about the German government’s cannabis legalization plan:

• Adults will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis and grow up to three plants for personal use.
• Cannabis will be sold through licensed retailers, which will be subject to strict regulations.
• The government will establish a new agency to oversee the cannabis industry.
• The government will also launch a public education campaign to educate adults about the risks and benefits of cannabis use.

The legalization of cannabis in Germany is a significant step forward for cannabis policy in Europe. It is likely to have a ripple effect on other countries in the region, and could lead to more widespread legalization of cannabis in the coming years.

– Positive Outlook For Weed Legalization In Germany’s Legislature & More Global Marijuana Updates¹: This article reports that prospects for a measure that seeks to legalize marijuana in Germany are good as it advances to the country’s legislature. The cannabis legalization measure, approved by Germany’s cabinet in mid-August, was brought up in the Bundesrat (or Federal Council) on Friday. The article also covers other global marijuana updates, such as the launch of a cannabis-infused beverage line in Canada and the approval of a medical cannabis bill in Cyprus.

– Germany: 99,000 Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Filled In Q1 For $55.6 Million In Insurance Reimbursements²: This article reveals that insurance reimbursements for medical cannabinoid products in Germany continued to grow in the first quarter of 2023, illustrating the ongoing gradual expansion of the country’s cannabis industry, which now ranks among the largest globally. The article also provides data on the types and quantities of medical cannabis products prescribed and reimbursed in Germany, as well as the main suppliers and importers of the products.

– 3 Cannabis Stocks Looking Hot Heading Into 2024³: This article analyzes three cannabis stocks that are looking hot heading into 2024, based on their financial performance, growth prospects, and market position. The three stocks are: Canopy Growth Corporation, a Canadian cannabis giant that has a strong presence in Europe, especially in Germany; Tilray, Inc., a Canadian-American cannabis company that has recently merged with Aphria and expanded its operations in Germany; and Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a US-based cannabis company that has acquired EMMAC Life Sciences Group, a leading European cannabis company with a distribution network in Germany.

– Germany plans to legalise recreational cannabis⁴: This article announces that Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a plan to legalise recreational cannabis use among adults. Possession of up to 30g (1oz) for personal use would be allowed. Licensed shops and pharmacies would sell it. The plan has yet to be approved in parliament – but also receive the green light by the European Commission. The article also explains the rationale and details of the plan, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of legalising cannabis in Germany.

– Germany scales back plans to allow cannabis sale in shops and pharmacies⁵: This article explains that Germany has scaled back its plans to allow cannabis sale in shops and pharmacies nationwide, and instead opted for a two-phase approach to legalising cannabis. The initial phase foresees the establishment of “cannabis social clubs”, which are each limited to 500 members and are exclusive to those living in Germany. The second phase will allow a number of cities and municipalities across Germany to license “specialist shops” to sell recreational cannabis as part of a pilot programme. The article also discusses the reasons and implications of this change of strategy.

(1) Positive Outlook For Weed Legalization In Germany’s Legislature & More Global Marijuana Updates. https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/10/35092668/positive-outlook-for-weed-legalization-in-germanys-legislature-more-global-marijuana-updates.

(2) Germany: 99,000 Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Filled In Q1 For $55.6 Million In Insurance Reimbursements. https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/09/34098214/germany-99-000-medical-cannabis-prescriptions-filled-in-q1-for-55-6-million-in-insurance-reimbur.

(3) 3 Cannabis Stocks Looking Hot Heading Into 2024. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/3-cannabis-stocks-looking-hot-heading-into-2024-1032682658.

(4) Germany plans to legalise recreational cannabis – BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63404181.

(5) Germany scales back plans to allow cannabis sale in shops and …. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/12/germany-scales-back-plans-to-allow-cannabis-sale-in-shops-and-pharmacies.