France, despite having Europe’s highest cannabis consumption rate, maintains strict prohibition. With crippling public debt, legalization and taxation are increasingly seen as a potential fiscal lifeline, offering billions in revenue and job creation while potentially reducing crime. However, political delays plague the medical cannabis program, highlighting the complexities of reform.
The UK government has announced changes to simplify hemp farming regulations, allowing greater flexibility for licensed growers. While this is a positive step for the industry, the government has yet to address calls to raise the THC limit for industrial hemp or reduce licensing fees. Meanwhile, advocates continue to push for wider access to medical cannabis, highlighting its potential benefits and cost-effectiveness.
The Cannabist Company has launched a donation drive in partnership with the Weed for Warriors Project (WFW), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic care for veterans, including access to medical cannabis. The initiative, running through Veterans Day, allows customers to contribute directly to WFW’s efforts in 12 U.S. markets.
Metrc, a leading provider of cannabis regulatory technology systems, has secured a new contract with the Commonwealth of Virginia to support the regulation of its medical cannabis market. This partnership will see Metrc’s state-of-the-art track-and-trace platform implemented to enhance transparency, combat illicit activity, and ensure patient safety. The platform will enable real-time tracking of cannabis products, from seed to sale, providing vital data for regulators.
Colombia is on the verge of a significant transformation in its medical cannabis market. A new decree will allow the sale of dry cannabis flower locally, creating a booming opportunity for both companies and patients. While initially focusing on smaller producers, the decree prioritizes micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MIPYMES) based on income, opening the door for many businesses, regardless of size, to enter the market. However, new regulatory hurdles, including the requirement for sanitary authorization for dry flower, will add complexities and delay implementation. This article delves into the impact of this decree, exploring the potential for MIPYMES, the regulatory challenges ahead, and the future of Colombia’s medicinal cannabis landscape.
Colombia, a pioneer in medical cannabis legalization in Latin America, is on the cusp of a major shift in its cannabis policy. A new draft decree proposes allowing the sale of dry cannabis flower, a long-awaited change for patients who have been restricted to compounded formulations and other products. This move, however, faces regulatory hurdles and scientific concerns, potentially delaying access to dry flower for patients by at least a year and a half.
Australia-based cannabis grower and producer Little Green Pharma (LPG) saw a significant jump in revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, driven by strong growth in European markets, particularly France, where full legalization is expected in 2025. The company’s oil and flower sales increased significantly, highlighting the growing demand for medical cannabis in Europe.
Cantourage Group SE, a leading cannabis company based in Berlin, has announced record revenue for the third quarter of 2024, highlighting the booming potential of the European medical cannabis market. The company’s CEO, Philip Schetter, emphasizes the profitability and growth potential of medical cannabis, particularly in Germany, and predicts a continued rise in cannabis therapy adoption.
Trulieve Cannabis Corp., a leading cannabis company in the U.S., is opening a new medical cannabis dispensary in Orlando, Florida. The grand opening celebration on Friday, October 25th will feature music, specials, discounts, and opportunities to learn about the #YesOn3 ballot initiative to legalize adult cannabis use in Florida. The dispensary will offer a wide variety of products, including Trulieve’s in-house brands and partner brands, along with convenient services like home delivery, online ordering, and in-store pickup.
Flora Growth Corp. (FLGC) has signed a distribution agreement with Canopy Growth Corp. (CGC) to bring Canopy’s Storz & Bickel medical line of vaporizers to the Australian market. This partnership will see Flora’s subsidiary, Australian Vaporizers, spearhead the distribution of these high-quality medical devices across the country, catering to the growing demand for medical cannabis consumption solutions.
