International Cannabis Weekly: 203

NEW YORK: THE NEW CAPITAL OF CANNABIS?

Business of Cannabis: New York is an exclusive, brand new summit that will bring together the most influential voices in policy, business, law and finance for a day-long programme of top-level talks, discussions and networking. The event will be delivered in partnership between Prohibition Partners and Business of Cannabis.

The North American cannabis industry will gather in a truly iconic NYC venue on 29 September to develop a roadmap for the sector in New York, creating a dynamic plan of action for this brand new market to reach its undoubted immense potential.

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NUMBER OF SWISS MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS COULD RISE TO 100,000 BY 2023

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BRAZILIAN PATIENT WINS LANDMARK LEGAL BATTLE OVER CBD PRODUCT IMPORTATION

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• Lithuania indicates intention to legalise hemp industry with proposed amendments to hemp laws.
• Scottish Always Pure Organics’ rapid growth continues with Belgian £3 million acquisitions.
• Prohibitive patent laws leave Germany lagging on medical cannabis research.
• Germany grants first distribution licence for inhalable medical cannabis products.
• Three self-governing UK islands tap into the growing European hemp and cannabis market, despite mainland regulations.
• Symtomax receives cultivation approval from Portuguese authorities for imports and exports.
• Italy considers cannabis restrictions which would violate current European law.

SEASONAL LABOUR IN SHORT SUPPLY FOR UK CANNABIS CULTIVATION POST-BREXIT

Changes to immigration policy post-Brexit have resulted in a shortage of seasonal labour at UK-based medicinal cannabis cultivation sites. Peter Watson, agricultural director of British Sugar, has blamed the problem on the Seasonal Workers’ Pilot scheme.

Originally launched in 2019 to deal with the end of free movement with the EU, up to 30,000 overseas workers will be permitted to travel to the UK this year for up to six months to help reap the 2021 harvest. But the pilot scheme only covers farming businesses growing food – shutting out cannabis cultivators.

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• Governor of Connecticut signs bill making it the 19th state to legalise adult-use cannabis.
• US farmers shift focus, sourcing European hemp varieties for comestible and industrial purposes.
• Lawmakers in California support struggling cannabis businesses with US$100 million package.
• Nearly 50% drop in registrations jeopardises hemp farming industry in Wisconsin.
• Leafly raises US$23 million due to growth of cannabis market boosted by legalisation.
• Licensed cannabis businesses now able to produce and sell Delta-8 THC products in Ohio.
• First-time cannabis vote to legalise adult-use cannabis in Rhode Island passes in the senate.
• Hydrofarm gains valuable manufacturing presence from US$161 million acquisition.

• Hexo declares ambitious goal of all employees becoming 100% carbon neutral by September.
• Canadian cannabis sales increase 74% despite a retail sales slump throughout lockdowns.
• Cronos Group eyes future US opportunities with option to invest in PharmaCann.
• Cannara Biotech expands premium-grade cannabis production capacity with C$27 million acquisition.
• Heritage Cannabis’ partnership with Great White North Growers expedites Quebec market entry.
• Pure Extracts expands customer base for cannabis products with Canada House supply agreement.

Survey data included in a recent report by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) indicates that, of the European countries included in the survey, past-year cannabis use was highest amongst inhabitants in France (11%), Spain (10.5%) and Italy (10.2%).

Cannabis use was least prevalent in Malta (0.9%), Turkey (1.1%) and Hungary (1.3%). The combined average for past-year cannabis use among inhabitants of the European countries analysed in the survey was 5.8%.

Amongst other things, the EMCDDA’s report also highlights a significant increase in THC content of cannabis in Europe, and an increase in home cultivation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Argentina seeks to define standards for medical cannabis with dried flower study.
• Colombian cannabis associations push for export authorisation after government delays approval.
• Clever Leaves prepares for impending cannabis legalisation in Mexico with local partnership.
• Significant number of Brazilian congressmen are attempting to obstruct medicinal cannabis legalisation.
• Reforms in Ecuador open door for companies to switch to cannabis farming.
• Argentina expects to pass law promoting the development of medical cannabis production by year’s end.
• Despite legalisation, cannabis growers are reportedly being abused by police in Uruguay.
• Uruguay approves new high-THC cannabis variant for sale in pharmacies.

• Little Green Pharma continues expansion into Europe with acquisition of former Canopy Growth medical cannabis facility.
• Thailand seeks to promote research into use of four cannabis strains.
• Hemp Time targets huge opportunities presented by Chinese market with launch of product range.
• Western Australia’s emerging hemp industry commences crop production.
• Medleaf and Northern Green Canada complete first medical cannabis flower shipment to New Zealand.
• Signs Asia is warming to cannabis as Hong Kong’s first CBD restaurant opens.
• Convoluted regulations make Australia’s burgeoning cannabis market hard for many to access.
• Emyria files new patents in support of its cannabis-based IBS treatment.

• Israel’s medical cannabis market generates around NIS 250 million in taxes per year.
• Recent cannabis legalisation in Morocco sees interest from overseas investors increase.
• Israel’s IM Cannabis publishes survey data showing wide benefits of medical cannabis.
• South Africa stalls vote to legalise private cannabis clubs until late next year.