International Cannabis Weekly: 240

HOW EXISTING GLOBAL DRUG CONVENTIONS PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO END CANNABIS PROHIBITION

With increasing numbers of countries looking to end prohibition and introduce regulated cannabis markets, a new paper identifies ways of doing so without contravening international drug laws. In enacting its recreational cannabis market in 2018, the Canadian Government was deemed to have contravened the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (SCND).

Likewise Uruguay, the first country to follow this path, cited the protection of human rights to enable its perceived breach of the Convention – and it has subsequently been threatened with sanctions by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). However, respected cannabis researcher and author Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli believes there is wriggle room in the Convention to allow countries to pursue a compliant path.

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THE DHSC SAY IT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPLY EPILEPSY CANNABIS MEDICATION

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CRESCO LABS WILL ACQUIRE COLUMBIA CARE FOR US$2 BILLION

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• Project Twenty21’s planned price increase has been halted as discussions continue with programme partners.
• A joint political initiative for an adult-use cannabis pilot scheme has been presented to the Danish Parliament.
• The price of Dutch cannabis remained the same in 2021, whilst the cost of imported flowers increased.
• Data on samples collected in wastewater indicates that Lisbon has the highest traces of cannabis detected in Europe.
• GW Pharmaceuticals are set to build a US$100 million medical cannabis site in Kent.
• Charlotte’s Web has signed an exclusive product distribution agreement in the UK with Savage Cabbage.
• The export of cannabis in Portugal increased by 566% in 2021 and is set to increase again this year.
• Elected French officials and activists demand the legalisation of cannabis in Marseille.
• The DHSC says that large-scale clinical trials of medical cannabis will soon begin in the UK.
• Cannaport and HAPA pharm sign an exclusive agreement for supplying the DACH market with cannabis.
• Expert research shows Zagreb ranks fourth in Europe in terms of daily cannabis consumption.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THE EUROPEAN CANNABIS REPORT: EDITION 7

The European Cannabis Report: Edition 7 will give readers all the latest information and analysis on the development of the embryonic cannabis markets across Europe. Included in the report are deep dives into all key sectors and geographic regions in the cannabis markets, with many data sources which have been exclusively obtained by Prohibition Partners or else remain un-reported to date.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY »

• Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the opening of a portal to obtain an adult-use cultivator’s licence.
• A Californian senator has introduced a bill to carry forward tax credit for licensed cannabis dispensaries.
• UC Asset announces the launch of its programme to form investor-grower partnerships.
• A South Dakota governor signs six new cannabis bills to create the US’s ‘most patient-focused programme’.
• The FFAR announces it has committed up to US$2.5 million to establish the Hemp Research Consortium.
• Agrify announces a record fourth quarter, as revenue increased year-on-year by US$25.3 million.
• Cresco Labs reports a Q4 revenue increase and a 73% year-on-year revenue growth.
• Cannabis stocks soar after congress is expected to vote on federal legalisation next week.

• InterCure and Clever Leaves partner to cultivate, market and distribute pharma-grade medical cannabis.
• BioHarvest has produced cannabis biomass in industrial bioreactors, completing its R&D programme.
• Demand Brands has entered into an agreement with Sun Supply LLC to distribute 180,000 lbs of cannabis a year.
• Flora Growth has recently acquired the JustCBD brand and will open four new physical stores in Germany in 2022.
• MediPharm announces that it has acquired the intellectual property portfolio of Shelter Cannabis.
• Juva Life has announced the completion of its 30,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility in California.
• Hexo makes progress on strengthening its balance sheet, despite a Q2 operating loss.
• A new study suggests that the pandemic is likely not associated with the increase in cannabis sales in Canada.

• A cannabis council, made up of scientists and officials, has been created in Tigre to advise on the medical use of cannabis.
• The Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine wants Anvisa to regulate the prescription of medical cannabis.
• Flora Growth has presented 23 food products and beverages infused with cannabinoids before INVIMA.
• The Colombian cannabis industry welcomes the government’s plans to open up the industrial cannabis industry.
• Members of the Puerto Rican medical cannabis industry await bill 1191, which would legalise adult-use cannabis.
• Incannex Healthcare’s shares jumped after they announce plans to buy cannabis firm APIRx.

KRISTINE LUTKE MdB ANNOUNCED AS LATEST SPEAKER FOR CANNABIS EUROPA

Kristine Lütke MdB has been a member of the FDP since 2017. In 2018 she was chairwoman of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschlands. She is treasurer of the FDP Bavaria and district councilor in the district of Nürnberger Land. Lütke ran in the 2021 federal election as a direct candidate in the Bundestag constituency of Roth and came 12th on the FDP state list.

Since the FDP Bavaria won 14 seats, Lütke is a member of the 20th German Bundestag. In December 2021, Lütke was elected spokeswoman for addiction and drug policy for the FDP parliamentary group. She is also a member of the Health Committee.

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• India’s fourth largest pharmaceutical company, Dr Reddy’s Labs, is set to enter the cannabis market.
• A memorandum on the medical use of cannabis is shortly expected to be handed over to the Malaysian PM.
• AUDACIOUS expands its global footprint by entering the Thai medical cannabis market with a new clinic.
• A merger deal between the Australian Natural Therapeutics Group and Asterion has fallen through.
• The ATGA announces that it will not amend regulations on cannabinoid substances.
• Moetai Brotherson, a French Polynesian MP, has tabled a new bill to legalise cannabis.

• The Zambian army is set to create 3,000 jobs after acquiring land to start growing medical cannabis.
• The Rwandan government has dedicated 134 hectares of land for cannabis production.
• Morocco prepares training courses for cannabis growers on cultivation of the plant.
• IM Cannabis is set to release its fourth quarter and 2021 financial results next Wednesday.