US Cannabis Rescheduling Pressure Builds on Trump as Price Compression Perseveres

 Trump weighs reclassifying marijuana as less dangerous drug; The president told donors earlier this month that he was interested in reclassifying the drug.

• Rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III risks public health by legitimising high-THC products and prioritising corporate interests over safety.
  • Reclassifying cannabis to Schedule III would boost research opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and better align federal policy with existing state medical cannabis laws.
  • 40 lawmakers reintroduced the MORE Act to legalise cannabis federally, expunge convictions, and support communities impacted by prohibition.
  • Descheduling cannabis is favoured by 69% for eliminating penalties, ensuring legal clarity, and benefiting consumers and small businesses.
  • Trump administration may consider marijuana reform, but descheduling is necessary to end federal criminalisation and prevent arrests.
• MAGA leaders oppose Trump’s marijuana reclassification plans, fearing societal decline, while some support medical research benefits of cannabis.
  • Trump’s administration urged for medical cannabis policy reform, emphasising rescheduling and integration into mainstream healthcare for patient benefits.
  • Joe Gruters elected RNC Chairman, supports marijuana legalisation; Trump endorses him despite opposition from Florida Governor DeSantis.
  • The group of GOP House representatives sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and copied the president.
• Excise taxes evolve to regulate cannabis markets, influence consumer behaviour, and fund public programmes with various taxation models.
  • Los Angeles and San Diego are both raising cannabis fees. The increased costs come as legal pot shops are already going out of business.
• Governor Greg Abbott called the Texas Legislature back into a second special session, focusing on congressional redistricting and hemp regulation.
  • Texas substantially expands medical cannabis compassionate use programme.
• Jushi Holdings Inc. has initiated legal action against 10 hemp companies in Pennsylvania, alleging they sell intoxicating products disguised as legal hemp that violate state laws and erode profits for licensed operators.
• Cannabis testing lab in Massachusetts shuttered by regulators after reporting a fail rate for yeast and mould 90 times lower than state average will reopen.
• Officials in Michigan have recalled more than 26,000 marijuana vape cartridges manufactured by Sky Cannabis because they contain a potentially unsafe ingredient.

 Falling cannabis prices benefit consumers but threaten small growers, leading to industry consolidation and potential quality decline.

• Michigan’s cannabis sales peaked in 2024, then plateaued due to oversupply and price drops, impacting market dynamics significantly.
  • Agrify Corp rebrands to RYTHM Inc after acquiring cannabis brands from Green Thumb Industries for $50 million on August 28, 2025.
• Colorado‘s marijuana tax revenue exceeds $3 billion since 2014, but industry faces downturn with declining sales and lower prices.
• Ohio cannabis dispensaries will soon offer pre-rolls for both medical patients and adult-use customers, expanding product options.
• Cheech and Chong‘s two cannabis companies are on track to make $100 million in revenue this year, up from $50 million last year, with the majority of that money coming from hemp sales.
  • While thousands of cannabis farms go out of business in a bleak market, Leef has invested over $15 million into this ranch, buying 1,900 acres of land and securing the largest single cannabis permit in Santa Barbara County.
• Leafwell offers medical cannabis as an employee benefit, improving access and reducing healthcare costs for organisations.
• Mini Joints gain popularity for their convenience, quality, and lifestyle branding, appealing to modern cannabis consumers.

Myrcene attenuates pain hypersensitivity in preclinical models and is one of the most abundant terpenes found in cannabis.

• Big pharma enters the psychedelic space with **AbbVie** set to acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals‘ bretisilocin for up to $1.2 billion, expanding its psychiatry pipeline for major depressive disorder.
• Aeroponics enhances cannabis growth, outperforming traditional methods in root development, height, and biomass, promoting sustainable cultivation practices.
• Whole genome sequencing linked Cryptococcus neoformans infection to medical cannabis in a patient with refractory multiple myeloma.
• Medical cannabis shows high discontinuation rates for chronic pain treatment, with older patients more likely to stop usage; the origin of pain doesn’t significantly affect continuation patterns.
• Increased VTA-caudate connectivity observed in cannabis users after cue exposure, correlating with self-reported craving levels.
• Countries with easy access to weed have far fewer opioid deaths.

Germany’s Industry Warns Against Telemedicine Restrictions Despite Record 43-Tonne Imports in Q2 2025

The federal government wants to tighten regulations on cannabis prescriptions in telemedicine, an amendment that has generated dissatisfaction in the industry, with both the planned mail-order ban, stricter prescription rules, and review of the benefit coverage obligation that could see a ban of cannabis flowers in German pharmacies

• Federal officials propose moving back with legalisation citing health concerns, despite evidence of their effectiveness and necessity for patient care.
• Medical cannabis prescriptions surged 1,000%, but supply relies on specialised digital pharmacies; many traditional pharmacies lack cannabis stock.
• Germany’s draft bill proposes in-person doctor visits for medical cannabis prescriptions, amid concerns over misuse and telemedicine practices.
  • The ABDA supports Federal Health Minister Nina Warken’s (CDU) plan to significantly restrict cannabis flower sales. In its statement on the draft bill, the professional association calls for explicit clarification that price controls should also apply to medicinal cannabis.
    • Nina Warken faces conflict over cannabis legalisation, aiming to prevent prescription misuse whilst addressing industry concerns and SPD opposition.
    • Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck discusses drug policy, as he criticises the approach of the previous government.
    • Carmen Wegge states Social Democratic Party won’t support current MedCanG draft; emphasises need for reliable, local, and digital patient care.
    • Cannabis prescription conflicts arise; criticism of proposed delivery ban; need for more pharmacies and clubs to meet demand.
    • Health insurance companies plan to stop reimbursing cannabis in flower form due to rising costs and safety concerns.
  • Cansativa advocates for targeted measures that clearly distinguish between unscrupulous business models and legitimate operations, urging non-compliant practices to stop as they threaten both supply security and public acceptance, while opposing the telemedicine ban and proposing a digital risk assessment through mandatory video consultations.
    • Bloomwell‘s founder cautions that proposed cannabis regulations could restrict patient access and force healthcare to revert to outdated practices.
      • Bloomwell Group calculated distances to pharmacies using the midpoint of six-digit postal codes from cannabis patients; Four federal states have no pharmacies specialising in cannabis, whilst other states have only one or two. Patients in rural areas would have to travel over 100 kilometres for medication available through convenient mail-order pharmacies.
    • A survey of almost 10,000 patients by MedCanOneStop shows likely impact of medical cannabis reform: 92.6% fear recriminalisation – 59.2% would switch to the black market without digital access.
    • New cannabis law may ban shipping of cannabis flowers, threatening online pharmacies like Grünhorn Group founded by Stefan Fritsch.
• Cologne Council to discuss urgent motion against cannabis cutting distribution; administration’s actions criticised for legal ambiguity and economic impact.
  • Bavarian authorities are prohibiting cannabis clubs, leading to legal disputes and allegations of circumventing federal cannabis legislation.
  • In 2024, customs officials intercepted 12 tonnes of cannabis and 1078 kg of hashish through effective international cooperation.

According to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, imports of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes totalled 43.3 tonnes in the second quarter, representing a further increase of 5.8 per cent following the record high in the first quarter (37.5 tonnes). Total import volumes in the first half of 2025 totalled 80.8 tonnes.

• Online survey with almost 11,500 respondents shows significant shift in consumption patterns; 81% consume cannabis at least weekly, 39% consume cannabis daily.
• Medical cannabis prescriptions for patients aged 55+ increased by 640% since partial legalisation in April 2024, Grünhorn data reveals, indicating significant demand.
• High Tide Inc. acquires 51% of Remexian for €26.4 million, a move that comes at a time when the company faces growing scrutiny in the German market over regulatory compliance and product quality standards.
  • Remexian Pharma accused by Sanity, Cansativa of distributing different cannabis cultivars under identical marketing authorisation numbers, violating German regulations on irradiated products.
    • German soccer team Union Berlin has chosen Avaay Medical as its new main sponsor, a company aiming to destigmatise cannabis and present it as a tool for community health.
  • ENUA Pharma has scaled from 15 to 55 employees under CEO Albert Schwarzmeier building strong pharmacy partnerships, making it a top-three medical cannabis distributor as it plans expansion into the UK and Poland.
  • Tyson 2.0 partners with Green Success 1.0 to create a global cannabis infrastructure platform for compliant brand-led expansion.
  • Tilray Medical introduces new medical cannabis strains in Germany, expanding patient access in Europe’s largest medical cannabis market.
  • Releaf is poised to launch its medical cannabis offering into new markets across Europe, with the booming German market first on its list.
  • Cannovum Health welcomes Triple Crown Ventures becomes the new majority investor.
• Germany is reviving industrial hemp cultivation for diverse uses, overcoming historical bans and regulatory challenges, with growing farmer interest.
  • 90% of cannabis clubs are overly optimistic about construction costs and timelines due to regulatory complexities and inexperience.
  • Sander Brewery launches Urban Leaf, a non-alcoholic hemp beer targeting urban consumers.

Australia Launches Public Review of Medical Cannabis Regulations

The Therapeutic Goods Administration will be conducting a public consultation to gather information from stakeholders on their knowledge, experiences and observations of the use of unapproved medicinal cannabis products in Australia, highlighting concerns about regulatory oversight and safety risks of unapproved medicinal cannabis products accessed through SAS and AP pathways, particularly those containing THC.

• The Australian Medical Association has welcomed the start of the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) consultation into unapproved medicinal cannabis products.
• The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency doubles its rapid-response unit and issues new cannabis prescribing guidance to better target and act on outlier practitioners.
• Industry bodies MCIA and AMCA have called for donations to fund a co-ordinated approach to the TGA’s consultation on unapproved medicinal cannabis products.
• Montu outlined six reforms in its TGA submission, including prescriber reform, product oversight and evidence-based psychosis safeguards.

SAS-B approvals for medicinal cannabis rose slightly in July 2025 to 18,720, with dried flower remaining the most prescribed format, but pastilles are edging closer to becoming the second dosage form, representing 23% of all SAS-B approvals in August.

• ANTG achieves Morocco’s first legal export of medicinal cannabis to Australia by importing 50kg of local Beldiya variety.
• ECS Botanics reports B2C growth and expanded product range, with a revenue of $19.5 million, down 5% from FY24 ($20.5 million), reflecting ongoing transition to B2C sales.
• Cann Group FY25 results show loss narrowed to $22.3m as flower output rose, Botanitech sales doubled and costs fell 35%
• Bioxyne FY25 results reported a 215% increase in revenue to $30.4 million, with a positive EBITDA of $5.4 million and a net profit after tax of $4.9 million.
• Argent BioPharma has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the core operating assets and IP of AusCann Group Holdings.

Study investigates cannabinol’s (CBN) effects on sleep and next-day function in insomnia through a randomised, double-blind trial.

Canada’s Legal Cannabis Success with C$16B GDP Impact and Illicit Sales Drop to Estimated 20%

 British Columbia cannabis industry calls for label changes to emphasise product qualities beyond THC for better consumer understanding and safety, following a PureSunfarm study published last month highlighting THC variability.

• B.C. cannabis industry fears disruption from BCGEU strike, recalling 2022 impacts on distribution and retailer operations.

 Ontario Cannabis Store report shows legal cannabis contributed $76.5 billion to GDP, created 98,200 jobs, and increased legal purchases from 62% to 80%; while cannabis sales in Newfoundland and Labrador increased 23.5% over last year’s first quarter totalling $29.9M.

• Organigram Global releases landmark report: legal cannabis added $16B to Canada’s GDP in 2024.
• Village Farms posted US$60M in Q2 2025 revenue, with $44.5M from Canadian cannabis operations, generating $6.5M net income after expenses. The company reported record profitability in Q2 25 with a net income of $26.5 million, significant growth in cannabis operations as Pure Sunfarms scales regulated cannabis exports globally.
• Aurora Cannabis reports 37% revenue growth, positive cash flow, and significant EBITDA increase in Q1 fiscal 2026 results.
  • CFO Simona King explains how new markets, technology and patient demand helped Aurora become free cash flow positive for the first time while creating a new pathway for growth.
• Decibel Cannabis Company reported strong Q2 revenue of $29.8 million, a 35% year-over-year increase, driven by AgMedica’s contributions and growing international sales.
• Rubicon Organics Q2 2025 revenue reached $15 million, a 24% increase, with a successful acquisition and new product launches boosting growth.
• Nextleaf Solutions reports fourth consecutive profitable quarter with a net revenue of $2,912,572 and new product launches in Q3 FY25.
• MediPharm reported 14% revenue growth in Q2 2025 of $1.6 million, representing a 6% year-over-year increase and 19% sequential growth versus Q1 2025.
• CannapharmaRX expands cannabis exports, projects $1M+ Q3 revenue, and opens sixth growing room to meet increasing demand.
• Avicanna reported Q2 2025 growth with $6.16 million in revenue, positive adjusted EBITDA, and advancements in clinical studies and product commercialisation strategies.
• Greenway reported net cannabis revenue of $1.6 million in Q2 2025, including higher sales prices, reduced net loss, and a new supply agreement with 4C LABS.
• Google Ads is launching a limited pilot programme in Canada, allowing cannabis-related product types or services to utilise the online advertising platform.
• Entourage Health Corp. expands Starseed* platform to include four new non-cannabis prescription medication categories for patient wellness.
• Surrey’s first cannabis store opens years after other cities in British Columbia

 Self-reported cannabis prices and expenditures from legal and illegal sources five years after legalisation of non-medical cannabis in Canada. On average, consumers report that 78% of all their cannabis came from legal sources in the past year.

• Trends in cannabis adverse reactions reported in Canada since legalisation show increased reporting initially, then a decline over time.

UK Doctors Show Strong Interest in Cannabis Prescribing as Private Clinics Flourish

 Thousands of CBD products reach final approval phase in UK, marking a milestone for regulation of hemp-derived CBD. A consultation on the applications for authorisation of 3 Cannabidiol (CBD) food products as novel foods has been launched, while the government accepts the recommendation to ban HHC and 11 other semi-synthetics

• Half of Guernsey‘s deputies support cannabis decriminalisation; previous work was paused due to resource constraints in Health and Social Care.

A recent survey of NHS doctors reveals a growing demand for alternative treatment options for complex health issues, with 80% indicating they would prescribe medical cannabis.

• Cantourage Clinic introduces new affordable pricing: a £99 onboarding fee, one free check-up, and three check-ups at £29 each—first-year treatment cost of £186.
  • CB1 Medical investigates a data breach affecting patient information, assuring privacy protection and compliance with UK law during ongoing inquiries.
  • Script Assist has launched a major rebuild of its system, introducing a redesigned patient app and upgraded tools for pharmacies and clinics
• Curaleaf has launched the UK’s first CE-certified liquid medical cannabis inhaler, offering precise, discreet dosing for patients on prescription.
  • Glass Pharms has announced a new supply deal set to see a new line of affordable UK-grown products prescribed through CB1 Pharmacy and manufactured by Xeal Pharma.
  • Canadian Craft Cannabis Company launches four new products from Superseed and Mystery Mountain of diverse profiles, hand-packaged in custom glass jars.
• Chill Brands relisted on the London Stock Exchange after the lifting of its suspension on August 11, 2025.

Study demonstrated improvements in subjective sleep quality and other captured PROMs in insomnia patients treated with cannabis-based medicinal products.

• Ariana Howells to research medical cannabis at Oxford, inspired by its impact on her mother’s Crohn’s disease, after working for the last two years at her parents Cannabis Clinic Cardiff.

Brazil’s Cultivation Guidelines Coming Into Focus Next Month

 Government has until September 30th to publish regulation on cannabis cultivation. Deadline set by STJ puts pressure on ministries and ANVISA to conclude pending stages of the action plan.

• Cannabis Parliamentary Front launches R$ 1.25 million tender, demands Anvisa changes, and reviews cannabis distribution in São Paulo health system.
• Public hearing will present a balance of the first year of cannabis in the São Paulo public health system and will encourage projects in science, innovation, and social impact
• Proposal to extend the five-year deadline for clinical cannabis research in Brazil discussed by lawyer Larissa Meneghel on Deusa Cast.

 Brazil is poised to become a major medicinal cannabis producer pending Anvisa’s regulatory framework for cultivation and sales.

• Hemptech Brasil: Embrapa, The Green Hub, and Instituto Ficus sign agreement to boost research and agribusiness of cannabis in Brazil
• USA Hemp Pharmaceuticals recently inaugurated its Latin American headquarters in Goiânia (GO), after a R$5 million investment.

 Cannabinoids, particularly non-CBD formulations, improve sleep quality, justifying further investigation as therapeutic options for insomnia or poor sleep.

• Study by USP and Fiocruz shows that cannabidiol may reverse symptoms associated with autism in an animal model, paving the way for new treatments of ASD.

Poland’s Medical Cannabis Sales Recover in H1 2025 to 2.24 tonnes, a 2.6% increase vs H1 2024

 Establishment of APISF, the Employers’ Association for Manufacturers and Importers of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials, announced on August 12, 2025.

Legal medical cannabis in Poland is cheaper than from dealers, with rising prescriptions despite tightened regulations since 2024. In 2025, 277,500 prescriptions for medical marijuana were issued, and 236,000 were filled, according to data from the e-Health Centre. In the first half of 2024, pharmacies sold 2.18 tonnes of the “herb,” and in the same period in 2025, 2.24 tonnes (a 2.6% increase). For comparison, 4.6 tonnes of raw material were sold in all of 2023.

• Aurora is expanding its offerings with a new strain, Aurora 29 Sourdough, that has just arrived in Polish pharmacies. This strain has the highest THC concentration currently available in Poland.
• THC Pharma received a permit to import 2,750 kg of medical cannabis.
• Cosma S.A introduces Cannabis Extractum Normatum oils (2% THC, ≤ 1% CBD), linked to the acquisition of Canpoland oils along with exclusive sales rights
• Suprobion launches two cannabis strains with 23% THC in Polish pharmacies, enhancing cannabis-based therapy options for patients.

Switzerland’s First Legalisation Draft Bill Has Been Presented: Plans to Allow Regulated Retail Sales From 2028

 Switzerland is preparing to replace cannabis prohibition with a regulated system focused on health and youth protection. The draft Cannabis Products Act (CanPG) is under consultation until Dec 2025. Parliament debates will follow in 2026, and a referendum is likely in 2027, pushing implementation to 2028–2029.

• Main changes; Adults may carry 5 g THC in public and grow 3 plants at home. Retail sales limited to non-profit outlets licensed by cantons; one federal online licence possible. Production can be profit-oriented but must stay separate from retail. Tracking + THC tax included. Criminal penalties up to 10 years for serious trafficking.
• Limitations; Strict ban on ads and sponsorship. Neutral packs, strong warnings, max 5 g per unit. THC capped at 20% flowers / 60% extracts. Night sales banned (22:00–06:00). Youth access strictly prohibited. Zero tolerance for driving remains in force.

 Avicanna, through its majority-owned subsidiary Santa Marta Golden Hemp, has completed the first export of non-psychoactive CBD dominant cannabis flower to Switzerland.

 Dutch Coffeeshops Now Restricted to Selling Only Regulated Hashish

 Project C demands €89 million for exclusion from cannabis trial lottery; appeal heard today by Council of State, ruling expected soon.

• CanAdelaar appeared in court yesterday to address the odour problem in Hellevoetsluis. A comprehensive approach could cost €35 million.

As of September 1, 2025, coffeeshops participating in the cannabis experiment will be permitted to sell only regulated products. The grace period for illegal hashish has now ended.

• Additional concentrate types, such as bubble hash and rosin are available by licensed producers such as Q-Farms in collaboration with Barcelona-based club La Kalada.

 Innexo launches next-gen Acceleration Platform for Innovation, enhancing collaboration and visibility in the cannabis industry for 2026-2027.

South Africa’s Cannabis Master Plan Stalled, Prompting Sector to Grow in the Shadows

Four years on, the National Cannabis Master Plan remains dead in the water and no sight of success in getting an integrated cannabis economy off the ground.

• South African Cannabis Clubs Association launched to unify private cannabis clubs in South Africa, advocating for legal recognition and self-regulation amidst regulatory uncertainty.
  • Cannabis clubs are emerging as vital, community-focused solutions for safe cannabis access amid ongoing government regulation delays.
• Government intervention is crucial to save landrace cannabis strains facing competition from hybrids in a saturated market.
• Around 250 tonnes of cannabis seized in South African prisons; concerns over drug trade and collusion among officials and inmates.

Mike Tyson has created a US$50 million cannabis empire that has made a huge impact on the US industry. Now his products are appearing on shelves in South Africa’s cannabis retail ‘Grey Zone.’ While obviously counterfeit, they’re reportedly selling like hot cakes.

The Thswane University of Technology is advancing cannabis research for health innovation, sustainable farming, and economic development, focusing on medicinal products and community empowerment.

 Thailand’s Health Ministry Rolls Out Limitations On Medical Cannabis

More than 18,000 dispensaries that opened after Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022 are now facing imminent shutdown after the government’s policy reversal. Thailand’s public health minister Somsak Thepsuthin says he eventually wants to relist cannabis as a category five narcotic, which would result in tougher penalties for recreational use and possession, including jail time.

• Thailand’s health ministry limits medical cannabis use to five conditions, requiring prescriptions and licensed dispensaries, effective June 2025.

 Isolated cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa demonstrate significant α-glucosidase inhibition, with 8-hydroxycannabinol being the most potent.

• 10% hemp inflorescence meal in hen diets is safe, improves egg quality, and shows no cannabinoid residues in eggs.

Japan’s CBD Market Troubled over Traceability Concerns

 Suntory’s chairman resigned amid CBD product investigation, highlighting Japan’s strict regulations and societal scrutiny despite legal innocence.

 FairyField terminates exclusive import contract for ENDOCA products, as products that do not go through official distribution channels and do not have traceability guaranteed are being distributed to some research institutions and medical institutions in Japan.

• CBD market faces challenges in testing standards and high-concentration products; eight associations launched a federation to revitalise the industry.

 Cannabivarin and tetrahydrocannabivarin affect pain perception through vanilloid channels and cannabinoid-like receptors in C. elegans.

 Portugal Faces Regulatory Scrutiny Amid Licence Suspensions

Two leading medical cannabis producers in Portugal, Cannprisma and Herdade das Barrocas, have had their licences suspended due to an administrative procedure. Both companies claim their ongoing operations remain unaffected.

• Cannprisma informs that its temporary absence from INFARMED‘s public list is due to a provisional suspension measure in progress, related to irregularities in documentation provided by an external client.
• Portugal’s cannabis industry faces turbulence, with several companies investigated in May for alleged criminal links: The heightened compliance environment now shaping the Portuguese market is causing supply chain turbulence in markets like Germany.

A special support programme is in place for Satalliv, which will allow all patients to access a special price when dispensing their prescription at an ANF-associated pharmacy.

Spain’s Transparency Council Orders Medicine Agency to Disclose Cannabis Licensing Data

The Transparency and Good Governance Council has issued a significant rebuke to the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS). In a recent ruling, the independent body upheld the complaint filed by Mifco Biobrands and directed AEMPS to provide detailed information about its cannabis cultivation and production licences for medicinal and scientific purposes.

• Despite regulatory pressures in Madrid, cannabis clubs survive as community centres.
• Media criticises rising THC concentrations, linking them to increased psychosis rates.

 Medical Plants ships 0.5 tonnes of medical cannabis flowers to partners in Germany.

• Woodna Natural Woods is conducting experimental hemp cultivation in Spain to evaluate its potential for textiles and other sustainable industrial applications. In less than three months, the plants have demonstrated remarkable adaptation and vigour, growing over 2 metres tall with stem diameters reaching up to 1.5 cm.
• N7A, a cannabis club in Madrid, blends history, community, and technology, fostering creativity and collaboration in a historic building.

A new study links cannabis use to self-medicate for anxiety and depression with an increased risk of paranoia. The research highlights that people who use it for this purpose tend to do so excessively, increasing the risks to their mental health.

Israel Faces Medical to Illicit Market Deviation Scandal

Attorney Avi Grossman has been appointed as the new head of the Medical Cannabis Unit.

• In a case that began with cannabis leakage from the Telcann farm, the police have charged the suspects with money laundering offences worth tens of millions.
  • David Vaknin and partners arrested for smuggling cannabis, money laundering, operating criminal organisation under guise of legal companies.
  • Attorney Avi Grossman appointed new head of Israel’s Medical Cannabis Unit, succeeding Yuval Landschaft after 12 years in position.

 IM Cannabis reports Q2 2025 financial results: revenue down 14%, gross profit up 306%, EBITDA profit of $0.1M.

 Italy’s CBD Ban Faces Legal Challenge From Ruling Court

 Italy 2025 CBD ban reclassifies CBD as a narcotic. A June court ruling challenges the ban, as EU pressure and potential job losses mount.

 Tilray Medical partners with Molteni to enhance access to medical cannabis extracts and education for patients in Italy.

 In the 215 patients with recorded Caregiver Global Impression of Change scores, 60% showed “slightly improved” or better outcomes, and 31% demonstrated “much improved” or better results after 14 weeks of CBD treatment.

• Medical cannabis significantly alleviated pain and improved quality of life in a patient with chronic pancreatitis resistant to conventional treatments.

European Medicines Agency Revises GACP Guidelines and Rejects EU Monograph on Cannabis Flower

 The EMA is revising the GACP guidelines for the first time since 2006. Despite stricter requirements mean for the cultivation and processing of medical cannabis, patients stand to benefit.

• The EU is proposing to recognise hemp flower as an agricultural crop, unlocking subsidies, grants and trade opportunities for farmers across Europe.
• The draft public statement on Cannabis sativa L. has been published. The HMPC is currently of the opinion that it is not possible to establish a European Union herbal monograph on Cannabis Flower.

Czechia Prepares for Decriminalisation as Medical Access Faces Bureaucratic Barriers

️ Industry associations note that growing demand for cannabis treatment contrasts with limited prescription availability. Bureaucratic barriers significantly hinder patient access.

• An expected 500 prisoners to be released next year following cannabis decriminalisation.

Czech doctor at St Anne’s University Hospital in Brno prescribes nearly half of all medical cannabis in the country, having treated 130 patients so far this year.

• New Zealand’s RUA Biosciences enters the Czech market in partnership with Motagon.
• Rua Bioscience launched its first medicinal cannabis product, partnering with Motagon for distribution in Eastern Europe.
• Dr. Radovan Hřib discusses cannabis treatment, patient demographics, and challenges in prescribing and preparing cannabis in Czech healthcare.

Slovenian Pharmacies Not Yet Carrying Medical Cannabis Despite Expanded Access

Doctors will now be able to prescribe cannabis for medical purposes, based on their professional judgement, for any indication or condition on a green or white prescription, but for a maximum of one month of treatment per patient each month.

• Health experts from the National Institute of Public Health and the University College of Ljubljana have warned of the negative consequences of cannabis use. Despite these warnings, Svoboda and Levica are continuing to amend the law on cannabis for personal use.
• Employers oppose cannabis legalisation, citing risks to safety, health, and workplace liability; proponents plan to continue legislative process.

Medical cannabis not yet available in Dolenjska pharmacies; regulations regarding permits to commercialise medical cannabis are not expected until February 2026 under new medical law.

Argentina Faces Uncertainty as Cannabis Agency’s Future Hangs

Senate rejected decree dissolving ARICCAME, INASE, INTA; uncertainty persists regarding their future and regulatory framework for cannabis industry.

• ARICCAME states no licence is needed for INASE seed registration, potentially easing cannabis industry registration and renewal processes in Argentina.
  • New extension allows legal cannabis seed sales until October 31, addressing permit renewal issues and access rights for users.
• Salta Senate approved a registry for medicinal cannabis, allowing patients, producers, and research institutions to register and dispense cannabis.
• In the province of Buenos Aires, a new network of cannabis organisations and collectives is emerging to resist political setbacks and articulate common demands in the face of the advance of repressive logic and the defunding of community projects

Colombia Readies Decree to Enable Domestic Flower Market

The Ministry of Health is preparing a decree to allow the sale of cannabis flower under medical prescription. Although it is still in draft form, the possibility is already sparking intense debate.

• Avicanna LATAM SAS partners with Harrington Wellness to launch re+PLAY CBD wellness brand topicals in the U.S. market.
• Flower would be available in compounding pharmacies as a magistral formula.
• Imports would be banned in the first two years of implementation of the decree.

Uruguay Increases Adult-Use Cannabis Prices in Pharmacies

 Prices of adult-use cannabis in pharmacies increased slightly, with Alpha at $480, Beta at $500, Gamma at $560, and Epsilon at $610.

Survey among middle-school students shows 15% used cannabis in 2024, slightly lower than previous years, while problematic consumption remains stable at about 2%.

New Zealand Innovates in Sustainable Solventless Production

 Puro produces solventless cannabis products using innovative methods, preserving unique cannabinoid profiles whilst ensuring ethical and sustainable practices.

• RUA Biosciences announces FY2025 results, with NZ$1.9M revenue and a $3.46M loss.
• HELL rolls out new pizza aimed to spark conversation about cannabis use.

French Decriminalisation Proposals Face Resistance

Parliamentary initiatives for cannabis decriminalisation face government opposition, particularly from President Macron and the Minister of the Interior.

• MILDECA launched a campaign to change perceptions of cannabis among youth, highlighting its risks and promoting prevention strategies online.

Austria’s CBD Sales in Tobacco Shops Start

Mixed reactions to CBD hemp sales launch in Austria.

• A survey showed that 41% of respondents reported sales worse than expected, while 25% found them meeting expectations. Only 8% experienced better-than-expected results. The remaining 26% of respondents don’t carry CBD hemp products at all.

Denmark’s Medical Cannabis Access Remains Constrained

️ Despite the recent scheme generalisation, patient access remains restricted: doctors are reluctant to prescribe, forcing patients like Multiple Sclerosis sufferer Tim Wardman to rely on the illicit market.

 Stenocare reached a break-even for the quarter with an EBITDA of 19,208 DKK. Sales increased by 131% to 1,718,680 DKK compared to the same period in 2024.

North Macedonia Grows Medical Cannabis in Living Soil

 PharmaRolly grows its cannabis in 400-litre fabric pots full of living soil.

Luxembourg’s Illicit Sales Attract Users Despite Decriminalisation

Two years after the partial legalisation of cannabis, people are still turning to illegal dealers, say owners of specialised stores.

Malta to Begin Performing Roadside Drug Tests

ARUC supports random roadside alcohol and drug testing to enhance road safety, addressing concerns about cannabis user penalties and impairment.

 Mexico City Establishes Safe Consumption Areas

 Mexico City has established new safe cannabis consumption zones with police surveillance and rules agreed upon with local government. Activists criticise the lack of market regulation that was ordered by the Supreme Court in a 2021 ruling, allowing the production chain to remain illegal.

β-Caryophyllene’s potential modulation of the renin-angiotensin system: Implications for anosmia and neuroinflammation in the olfactory circuitry.

Peru Opens Draft Hemp Rules for Public Consultation

Peru’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation has launched a 90-day public consultation on draft regulations to implement Law No. 32195, the industrial hemp framework adopted late last year. These draft rules outline the processes for hemp licensing, regulatory oversight, and compliance requirements.

Ecuadorian Civil Society Pushes for Cannabis Regulation

 REDCAN (the Network of Cannabis Organisations and Individuals of Ecuador) submitted approximately 20,000 signatures to the National Assembly as part of a popular normative initiative aimed at regulating cannabis use in Ecuador.

Morocco’s First Shipment of 50kg of Beldiya to Australia

 Morocco‘s emerging legal medical cannabis industry recently completed a 50-kilogram export of the local Baldiya cannabis strain to Australia, imported by ANTG.

South Korea Advances Anti-Cancer Research on CBC

 Cannabichromene (CBC) induces apoptosis and ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer cells, enhancing anti-cancer effects via cannabinoid receptor modulation.

Sri Lanka Authorises Foreign Investment in Cultivation

 Sri Lanka authorises seven foreign investors to cultivate cannabis legally for export under strict regulations and oversight.

Ghana Looks to Morocco for Cannabis Regulation Expertise

Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) recently met with Morocco’s ambassador to Accra, Imane Quaadil, to study Morocco’s regulatory framework for legal cannabis. The meeting aimed to accelerate Ghana’s implementation of its own medical and industrial cannabis licensing programme.

Botswana Tables Cannabis Regulation Bill

The Minister of Lands and Agriculture has tabled Botswana’s Cannabis Bill, aiming to regulate cannabis for medicinal and industrial use, establishing a National Cannabis Control Authority.

Malawi Gold’s CBD Version Unveiled at Trade Fair

 Malawi’s Cannabis Regulatory Authority is showcasing the country’s cannabis industry at this weekend’s Trade Fair in Blantyre by unveiling the CBD version of Malawi Gold.

Uganda’s Hemp Launch Aims to Empower Female Farmers

Uganda’s hemp sector is being launched with an ambitious plan aimed at empowering women farmers. The Uganda Sativa Project, a private sector initiative, has caught the public imagination and is likely to be the core of the East African country’s cannabis policy.

Zambia Exports Struggle to Get Off the Ground

Zambia’s ‘Buffalo Soldiers‘ visited South Africa for cannabis knowledge exchange and to benchmark regional standards for cannabis cultivation.

Namibia High Court to Hear Decriminalisation Challenge

 Windhoek High Court will hear a cannabis decriminalisation challenge by Ganja Users of Namibia with expert witnesses proposed.