International Cannabis Weekly: 156

• Overcapacity continues to loom over Canadian market despite players slashing costs.
• Medical cannabis prescriptions grow 400% year-on-year in the Czech Republic.
• UK CBD market facing shake up as premium consumer brands start to emerge.
• Deputy ministers submit proposal to legalise adult-use cannabis in Guernsey.

• The European Commission considers classifying CBD as a narcotic.
• New German definition for cannabis extracts may require firms to adjust formulations.
• The Netherlands clarifies application process for adult-use cannabis cultivators.
• UK CBD beauty start-up Kloris secures nationwide retail launch with Boots.

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Over the last two years, the UK CBD market has enjoyed low barriers to entry, a lack of regulatory standards and extremely high premiums for inconsistent high street products. However, consumers are advancing their knowledge of CBD and expecting a higher-grade product in return for their investment.

With the introduction of real consumer brands on one side and budget brands on the other, along with the inevitable shift away from oils and higher standards across the board, is the age of high margins and poor quality products finally behind us?

READ A FULL ANALYSIS OF THE DATA HERE

• Hawaii passes bill allowing medical cannabis edibles to be sold in licensed dispensaries.
• Several Californian contract cannabis farmers face lawsuits over alleged defrauding.
• New Jersey governor says legalising cannabis a ‘no-brainer’ for economic recovery.
• New Mexico’s largest medical cannabis company sues the state over new regulations.
• USDA approves hemp plans for Minnesota, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.

• BC cannabis cultivation sales increased by CA$300 million in 2019.
• Canada’s Northwest Territories slash cannabis prices to combat illicit market.
• Petition launched in Ontario to end government monopoly on online cannabis sales.
• Aphria and Aurora reportedly hold unsuccessful potential merger talks.
• Canopy Growth cuts a further 30 jobs at Smith Falls facility.

• New hemp law with 1.0% THC limit goes into effect in Ecuador.
• Peru edges closer to the commercialisation of hemp-derived CBD medicines.
• Draft bill for cannabis legalisation in the Bahamas is expected ‘in very short order’.
• Jamaica launches cannabis standards for consumption and production.

• New Zealand medical cannabis company secures deal for German distribution.
• Thai Ministry of Public Health signs MOU on medical cannabis project in Saraburi.
• Global help wanted to support New Zealand cannabis campaign.
• Uzbek-French company plans industrial hemp cultivation project in Uzbekistan.
• Cannabis technology is on the rise in Asia.

• Israel overtakes Germany as world’s largest importer of medical cannabis flower.
• Lebanese farmers announce plan to form new cannabis cultivation association.

• Study finds medical cannabis effective and well-tolerated for spinal cord injury.
• Cannabis use is disproportionately common amongst Americans with anxiety.
• THC-CBD oral spray improves spasticity and pain in secondary progressive MS patients.

Prohibition Partners finds that the overall majority of cannabis/CBD/hemp-infused drinks consumers are men. However, in emerging markets where THC-infused products are not available & the market focus is on health and wellbeing, women are more likely to dominate the consumer space.

Learn more about consumer behaviour and purchase profiles surrounding cannabis-based beverages in the latest industry report from Prohibition Partners.

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