US Historic Schedule III Push Reshapes Market Between Federal Medical Recognition And Hemp Crackdowns

Trump Orders Schedule III Reclassification in Most Significant US Policy Shift Since 1970s

Trump signed an executive order directing DOJ/DEA to expedite moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, framing it as a medical research and patient-access measure.

• Sale from cannabis seeds in the US could be restricted due to a last-minute provision in the spending bill by tying legality to THC content of plants, risking genetics underground. Supreme Court declined Canna Provisions appeal, reinforcing federal Schedule I constraints.
  • Vicente LLP provides comprehensive legal framework explaining Schedule III move would mark most significant US federal policy shift in 50 years, reducing research barriers but not federally legalising cannabis or resolving state-federal conflicts.
  • The Washington Post reports moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III would not legalise cannabis, and would likely have limited day-to-day impact on consumers.
    • Trump’s cannabis executive order did not legalise cannabis but aimed to appease both pro-cannabis and conservative factions, impacting stock markets significantly.
      • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans 2027 CBD coverage for oncology and palliative care patients, contradicting November 2026 federal legislation that would make CBD production effectively impossible by prohibiting intermediate materials exceeding 0.3% THC.
        • The US CMS signals a pilot programme to cover up to $500 of CBD for eligible patients, effective by April 2026, as announced by Dr. Oz.
      • Democratic Rep. Dina Titus seeks clarity on Trump DOJ’s cannabis policy after rescinding Biden’s guidance, which advised caution in prosecuting possession cases, now enforced more rigorously since September 2025.
        • Bipartisan senators discussed cannabis banking issues as Trump contemplates rescheduling, highlighting ongoing legislative efforts and potential impacts on the marijuana industry.
          • At a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Warren Davidson pressed federal banking regulators on why state-legal cannabis businesses still struggle to access basic banking, with prospects for SAFER/SAFE Banking legislation remaining unclear.
  • US cannabis industry faces uncertainty post-regulation changes, with significant implications for market stability and growth.
    • American cannabis companies operating legally under state laws remain barred from listing on NYSE and Nasdaq, whilst Canadian cannabis companies trade freely on these exchanges, creating a structural capital market disadvantage.
      • The USDA Rural Development confirmed its final rule making entities deriving income from marijuana operations ineligible for OneRD guarantee loans, citing federal law classifying marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance.
      • America First Agriculture Inc. praises Trump’s marijuana rescheduling, claiming it will eliminate the illicit market and aid veterans, despite ongoing concerns from Republican attorneys general about cannabis classification.
      • Tilray Medical launches Tilray Medical USA Inc. following Trump’s cannabis rescheduling decision, positioning for nationwide medical cannabis market entry with established global expertise.
      • Curaleaf will wind down its hemp-derived THC operations ahead of federal hemp redefinition in November 2026 that would outlaw most intoxicating hemp products, according to chairman Boris Jordan, who said the segment was small and the firm will reduce inventory, staff focus, and close a Florida hemp retail outlet.
        • A Florida lawsuit alleges Curaleaf embedded tracking scripts on its website that allowed ad-tech vendors to capture medical marijuana patients’ browsing and purchase activity, potentially exposing protected health information.
  • New York’s Cannabis Control Board approved 38 additional adult-use licenses (44% to SEE applicants), raised total adult-use licenses to 2,063, and provided seed-to-sale transition updates (Metrc UIDs and adjusted deadlines), alongside market metrics pointing to ~$1.65B in 2025 legal sales and 545 legal dispensaries open.
  • Michigan Cannabis Industry Association planned to appeal a court ruling maintaining a 24% wholesale cannabis tax, projected to generate $420 million annually for road funding. It successfully appealed the ruling, according to Crain’s Detroit Business.
    • Ahead of the tax implementation, C3 Industries filed a WARN notice to permanently close a Webberville cultivation site (62 affected; closure Feb 14, 2026) and Higher Love said it laid off 61 employees on Dec 15, citing tax-driven margin pressure in an already oversupplied market.
  • Florida medical cannabis patients aged 21+ can cultivate up to six flowering plants at home, enhancing personal access to medical cannabis, starting from July 2026.
    • Florida’s GOP senator’s bill proposes waiving registration fees for veterans, extending medical cannabis cards to two years, and increasing supply limits to 10 70-day and 20 35-day supplies.
  • Massachusetts’ Cannabis Control Commission unanimously approved social consumption regulations, creating multiple license types (including one-day event permits) with safeguards like rideshare plans and prohibitions on alcohol service.
    • Smart Approaches to Marijuana claims multi-million-dollar backing for ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts seeking to end adult-use sales whilst preserving medical access, threatening combined $1.8 billion annual market.
  • Ohio‘s S.B. 56 bans intoxicating hemp, alters marijuana laws, reducing THC levels, capping dispensaries at 400, and reallocating 36% of sales revenue, impacting 6,000 businesses and thousands of jobs.
    • SB 56 has also restricted hemp sales, requiring 413,487 signatures for a referendum by April 1, 2026, to challenge the law, affecting marijuana access and industry competition.
  • The Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division issued a recall on 31 December 2025 affecting 295 dispensaries across the state after CC Brands products containing banned pesticides chlorfenapyr and fluopyram were discovered.
  • Oregon regulator recalls smokable hemp pre-rolls due to elevated THC levels, highlighting product safety and compliance concerns.
  • Maine officials approved a 2026 ballot initiative to largely repeal adult-use cannabis law, incorporating medical testing and seed-to-sale tracking.
  • Virginia‘s draft ‘Cannabis Retail Roadmap’ proposes equity-first licensing, a retail cap of 350, and stricter ownership controls, with retail expected to commence in late 2026.
  • Alabama‘s medical cannabis programme nears launch with 60 certified physicians, 12 dispensaries planned, and products like gummies and oils available for conditions including chronic pain and PTSD.
  • Kansas ranks fifth in US hemp production, with over 87% used for nonconsumable goods; new federal regulations threaten the industry, potentially halting growth and impacting 9% of consumable CBD products.

California Sales Fall 9% to $939M as ~27% Equity Drop Fuels $300M+ M&A Consolidation Wave

New York’s cannabis market achieved $1.6 billion in retail sales in 2025, with 519 dispensaries in operation and 55% of licences issued to social equity enterprises, signalling a rapid post‑launch scale‑up that is more inclusive by design than earlier US adult‑use market

• US cannabis equities fell ~27% post-announcement on potential section 280E tax removal, after weeks of upward trend: US cannabis stocks rose after Bloomberg reported potential Medicare coverage for CBD treatments. Tilray gained 3.7%, Curaleaf 2.2%, and IIPR 2.4%, signalling anticipated regulatory-driven revenue expansion.
  • Cannabis stocks, including Canopy Growth and Aurora, surged following Trump’s rescheduling reports, highlighting significant market movements as of December 12, with ongoing developments noted on December 21.
• Medical cannabis patients require dedicated dispensaries with trained staff, clinical environments, diverse product selections, and integration with healthcare, ensuring tailored care and improved therapeutic outcomes for optimal patient support.
• **New Jersey’**s medical marijuana registrations dropped 32% from 146,726 to 100,000 since adult-use sales began, reflecting a national trend of medical program declines post-legalisation of recreational cannabis.
• California recorded $939M in legal cannabis sales in Q3 2025 (down 9% YoY), while major M&A activity reshaped the market.
• Colorado‘s legal marijuana sales reached $1 billion in 2025, contributing to over $3 billion in tax revenue since 2014, despite challenges from competition and market maturation.
• Trulieve closed a private placement of $140 million in 10.5% senior secured notes due 2030, increased from the initially announced $100 million commitment on December 9 due to strong market demand, with proceeds earmarked for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
  • Trulieve has raised $100 million through a private placement of 10.5% senior secured notes, maturing in 2030, as reported on December 9, 2025, by Cannabis Business Times.
• Vireo Growth has acquired Eaze for $47 million, marking its expansion into California and Florida, as reported on December 23, with further details available online.
  • Vireo Growth to acquire PharmaCann’s 17 Colorado dispensaries for approximately $49 million in shares, expecting a total of 41 dispensaries post-close in the first half of 2026.
• The Cannabist Company agreed to sell its Virginia cannabis subsidiary (gLeaf Virginia) to Curaleaf for $110m in cash and a promissory note, as part of a broader strategic review.
  • Curaleaf to acquire Cannabist Company’s Virginia assets for $110 million, including a cultivation facility and five dispensaries, with expected closure in Q1 2026.
• Klutch Cannabis shifted its Ohio strategy, completing 16 harvests in 2025, projecting over 25 annually, with a recent expansion that more than doubled its canopy size.
  • The cannabis industry continues to evolve, with automation playing a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and quality for producers. At the forefront of this transformation is Mobius, a North American manufacturer specializing in precision-engineered post-harvest equipment.
• Texas Original opened a 75,000 sq ft facility in Bastrop, described as Texas’ largest medical cannabis facility, expanding cultivation, manufacturing and testing capacity following program expansion under HB 46.
• GrowGeneration acquired Hoagtech Hydroponics, its 13th acquisition, expanding to 59 stores. The deal adds a 25k square-foot Bellingham facility, eight experts, and targets $15 million annual Washington revenue.
• Simply Wall St notes IM Cannabis shares rose 40% over a month but argues the low 0.2x P/S reflects weak revenue momentum versus industry expectations, not necessarily undervaluation.

Inconsistent “Cannabis User” Definitions Undermine Comparability Across 53,000+ Studies

A JAMA review finds evidence insufficient for most medical cannabis indications, with FDA approval limited to HIV/AIDS anorexia, chemotherapy nausea, and pediatric epilepsy.

• High-potency cannabis (≥10% THC) linked to increased psychotic symptoms (12.4% vs 7.1%) and anxiety disorder (19.1% vs 11.6%), whilst 29% of medical users met cannabis use disorder criteria.
• Daily inhaled use associated with elevated cardiovascular risks: coronary heart disease (2.0% vs 0.9%), myocardial infarction (1.7% vs 1.3%), and stroke (2.6% vs 1.0).
• A Clinical Therapeutics commentary argues that inconsistent definitions of “cannabis user” and weak characterisation of dose, product type, and lifetime patterns undermine comparability across studies and bias risk estimates, as it calls for standard frameworks to support meta-analyses, clinical stratification, and evidence-based policymaking.
  • Over 53,000 cannabis studies exist in the PubMed database, with 4,000 published annually, reflecting a 70% increase in research over the past decade, highlighting therapeutic uses and effects of legalisation laws.
• In 24 US states, 68% of cannabis regulatory agencies reference public health goals in their mission statements, compared to just 35% of alcohol regulators.
  • Agencies in states where cannabis was legalized through legislation show stronger health orientations—88% articulate public health goals. However, a significant collaboration gap exists between cannabis agencies and public health departments.
  • California allocates $30 million for cannabis research over two to four years, focusing on THC beverages, terpenes, tribal markets, and public health, with findings expected by 2027.
• A study reveals THC blood tests misclassify sober drivers as impaired, leading to wrongful convictions; current laws, especially per se limits, fail to accurately measure actual impairment in cannabis users.
• Chronic nicotine pouch exposure exacerbated seizures and impaired glymphatic function in mice, whilst inhaled CBD reversed these neurological effects by normalising neuroinflammatory markers and AQP4 expression.

Germany Tightens Medical Access As €3.7bn Cannabis Industry And 143‑Tonne Imports Keep Growing

Bundestag Restricts Medical Cannabis Access Amid Coalition Divide Over Supply

Bundestag amended medical cannabis law on December 18 enforcing in-person consultations and banning mail-order, amid 400% import surge. Coalition cannabis law allows home growing or clubs; few options drive medical cannabis via online prescriptions; health minister seeks stricter rules requiring doctor visits and banning shipping.

• SPD demands further amendments highlighting 400% increase in reported pain patients, ensuring reliable supply and preventing misuse, especially for rural patients.
  • SPD faces criticism for potentially restricting access, risking millions reverting to the black market, while emphasising patient needs and digital care.
    • Carmen Wegge**: “**The SPD parliamentary group will not approve the draft law in its current form.”
    • Bremen Greens criticise Interior Ministers’ Conference proposals that would tighten or roll back aspects of reform, warning of re-criminalisation and continued black-market supply.
• Conservatives propose stricter rules, including 50g possession limit, fitness-to-drive review for cannabis-alcohol use, and ban on cultivation clubs covering 0.1% of demand.
  • Drug commissioner argues medical cannabis should face stricter controls than some opioids due to observed misuse after partial legalisation, prompting pushback from industry voices citing inconsistent scheduling and access rules.
• Strategic and financial advisor analyses the amendment, highlighting rejection of 2 of 3 Bundesrat demands.
• Sanity Group publishes factsheet refuting allegations that German medical cannabis is widely misused, arguing import-prescription discrepancies reflect re-exports and inventory rather than recreational diversion.
  • Dr. Ansay’s online prescription platform faces preliminary injunction for promoting cannabis and Ozempic, highlighting enforcement and advertising compliance challenges.
• From 2029, legal cannabis products may only be sold in tobacconists. A corresponding amendment to the law was passed in the National Council. It is part of a tax amendment law that includes a total of 17 measures and amendments to more than 20 federal laws. These include the gradual increase of the tobacco tax starting in 2026; from April, the tobacco tax will also apply to nicotine pouches and e-liquids for e-cigarettes.
• Federal Constitutional Court rejected a complaint challenging Bavaria’s ban on cannabis use in beer gardens and at public festival outdoor areas, leaving remaining legal challenges to proceed in administrative court.
• In the Greenhorn campaign**, 9** patients report on medical cannabis and warn of therapy limitations.
• Cannabis Social Clubs face implementation barriers across states. Krautinvest reports CDU-led states raised federal stop to new Social Club licences at interior ministers’ conference, highlighting political risk to rollout.
  • Cannabis Anbauvereinigungen Deutschlands (CAD) condemned Innenministerkonferenz proposals to halt new club approvals and cut possession limits, arguing officials attack legal supply rather than black market; calls for removal of 500-member caps and 200-metre distance rules.
    • Hesse: only 16 of 44 cultivation associations approved, with pilot sales models frozen, reflecting ideological resistance from Interior Minister.
    • Hamburg: Social Club Cannahaus Hamburg e.V. denied approval by Hamburg-Mitte building authority for industrial zone site, arguing odor-controlled setup too “clean” for zone’s high-nuisance uses; club says investments stranded and launched petition.
• Peter Homberg, a pioneering cannabis attorney which significantly influencing Germany’s legal cannabis landscape since medical legalization in March 2017, died on 4 December 2025.
• Dr Christiane Neubaur criticises ‘flowersticks’ marketing, questions HWG enforceability, and urges full implementation of the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) for legal access via pharmacy pilot projects.

German Cannabis Market Faces €2.9bn Ban Cost as 143-Tonne Import Wave Drives Expansion

A proposed ban on telemedicine and mail-order cannabis could cost Germany’s GKV approximately €2.9bn annually, driven by price increases, cost-shifting, and additional physician consultations.

• German cannabis industry generates €3.7 billion in economic impact, supporting thousands of jobs and over 300,000 medical cannabis patients, with significant growth potential amid evolving regulations.
• Cantourage Group SE anticipates 2025 EBITDA to exceed market expectations, projecting between EUR 5.5 million and EUR 6.5 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of EUR 4.8 million.
  • Cantourage’s stock fell over 80% since its 2022 IPO; it reported €74.9m revenue and €3.9m EBITDA, while planning expansion into France, Italy, and Spain amidst regulatory challenges.
• German Cannabis Standards plans to start production in Bitterfeld-Wolfen by late H1 2026, producing 2.4 tonnes annually with phased expansion to 10 tonnes in 2027 and 18 tonnes in 2028.
• HempFlax and C-biotech acquired the Kingspan hemp insulation plant in Nördlingen, expanding their market for biobased building materials as of December 11.
• High Tide opened its first European Canna Cabana store in Berlin post-Remexian acquisition, targeting a broader strategy amid 143 tonnes of German medical cannabis imports in 2025.
  • The Cannabis Future Hub offers workspace for cannabis-related firms, featuring confirmed tenants like Linnaeus Partners and MJ Content, promoting collaboration and visibility in the industry.
• Sanity Group CEO appointed to Federal SME Advisory Board, comprising 32 entrepreneurs and experts, addressing economic development, digitalisation, and regulated markets like cannabis since its inception in 1956.
• Cresco Labs launches flagship flower brand in Germany

Medical Cannabis Cuts Sick Days 58% in 8,831-Patient Survey, Projecting €3.7bn German Economic Gain

A survey of 8,831 patients revealed a 58.2% reduction in sickness absence days from 37.6 to 15.7 annually, estimating an economic benefit of over €3.7 billion for Germany.

• Jazz Pharmaceuticals presents eight abstracts on Epidiolex at AES 2025, highlighting interim EpiCom trial results, reduced polypharmacy in DS, LGS, TSC, and pharmacokinetic interactions with cenobamate.

Canadian Exports Jump 124% As Domestic Sales Plateau And BC Strike Cuts Revenue

Nova Scotia and B.C. Crack Down on Illicit Dispensaries as Shadow Market Undermines Canada’s Legal System

Nova Scotia justice minister directed police agencies to prioritise enforcement against illegal cannabis operations; Mi’kmaq chiefs criticised the move as targeting Indigenous communities and undermining treaty rights/self-determination. The province cited at least 118 illegal dispensaries and 51 legal outlets.

• “Illegal dispensaries pose a real threat to consumers, to youth, and to the integrity of our regulated system,” said Canada’s Minister. “We have already taken steps to confront these risks, but the challenge is evolving, and so must our response. Protecting Nova Scotians means strengthening our efforts, advancing new measures, and shutting down this shadow market before it can cause more harm to public health and safety.”
• Sidney council is evaluating a second cannabis retailer on Beacon Avenue due to high demand, with discussions ongoing as of December 12, following significant interest in cannabis sales.
• Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) announces updates to Alberta’s cannabis promotion and marketing rules, effective December 12, enhancing compliance measures and regulatory frameworks for the industry.
• Ontario recalled cannabis gummies over incorrect labelling, according to the Toronto Star. Details were constrained because the source was blocked (403) at capture time.
  • JC Green (Johnny Chronic) initiated a voluntary recall after discovering certain products were mislabelled with higher THC than actual; third‑party sourced flower (used while recovering from a 2024 facility fire) was represented as just under 30% THC but subsequent testing showed ~15% THC. The article says the recall affected sales across multiple provinces and that Health Canada issued its own recall notice after publication.

Canada’s Legal Cannabis Sales Hit C$451.7m in October but Slip 4.7% Month‑on‑Month

Canada’s October 2025 cannabis sales fell 4.7% sequentially to C$451.7 million, down 0.9% year-over-year, primarily due to British Columbia‘s 55% sales plunge caused by a public sector strike from September 22 to October 27.

• Retail cannabis sales peaked at $503m in August 2025, with 3,800 authorised stores; September sales were $475m, reflecting annual growth despite slowing rates.
  • Statistics Canada data cited show British Columbia cannabis sales fell to ~$69m in September, while Alberta posted ~$81m and Québec ~$66m; B.C. has trailed Alberta across the referenced 12‑month window.
• In early 2025, medical cannabis registrations stabilised at 161,267, while personal production licenses declined by 28% to 11,304, amidst a 124% increase in cannabis exports year-over-year.
• Canopy Growth announced its acquisition of MTL Cannabis for approximately C$125 million in equity value (C$179 million enterprise value). The acquisition is designed to strengthen Canopy’s leadership position in Canada’s medical cannabis market and expand its supply of premium-quality flower for export to Europe, where demand for medical cannabis continues to grow.
  • Canopy Growth acquired MTL Cannabis, valuing at 2.1x sales; aims for $10M cost synergies, 12% share increase, and positive EBITDA sooner, enhancing medical market leadership.
  • Industry analyst Rob McPherson highlighted MTL Cannabis severe liquidity issues and debt servicing problems prior to Canopy Growth’s acquisition announcement, warning that Canopy’s poor acquisition integration history suggests execution risks.
    • He also said Québec vape sales may be stabilising and cited weedcrawler data showing Bleuh leading overall vape share and Boxhot leading distillate vapes.
    • Canopy Growth launched Claybourne Gassers AIO vapes in Canada, featuring 0.95g liquid diamonds with 92-98% THC, alongside Claybourne Frosted Flyers 8-pack pre-rolls at 33-36% THC.
  • Weekly vape sales in Québec Province may be stabilizing based on the 7-day rolling trend from Weedcrawler data. Distillate vapes generate the highest retail sales overall. However, Bleuh, a live resin brand, ****leads all vape brands with an 11.7% market share to date, exceeding that level over the past four days and accounting for over 30% of resin vape sales. Boxhot leads the distillate segment with a 20.3% share. The rosin vape category remains small, with only Nugz and Tremblant participating in a roughly 65/35 split. Long-term outcomes will depend on repeat purchase behavior and customer loyalty.
• Syndicated note says Cronos Group plans to acquire CanAdelaar for $67m upfront (plus contingent consideration) to enter the Netherlands‘ Wietexperiment pilot; it highlights Cronos’ cash balance and margin expansion driven by international mix.
  • Frederick Wittmann argues Cronos Group’s $824M net cash position (from 2019 Altria $1.8B investment) provides unique competitive advantage in commodity cannabis market, enabling positive net income via interest income despite operating losses, with rapidly improving margins justifying premium valuation vs peers.
• SNDL and 1CM amended their acquisition agreement to complete the purchase of 32 cannabis retail stores in two stages: 5 stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan for $5 million (first closing), and 27 Ontario stores for $27.2 million (second closing by May 2026).
• Avant Brands completed full repayment of $9.5 million acquisition-related debenture in November 2025, eliminating its largest monthly debt obligation and releasing key operating assets from security after 32 consecutive payments.
• **Organigram **invests additional US$3 million in Phylos, bringing total loan to US$10 million, securing priority access to 3.0 next-generation autoflower genetics biannually through 2030 and five-year exclusive rights in international markets.
• Dabble Cannabis has launched its Slurmmm hash rosin line in Canada after an exceptionally fast path to market: from site possession on 1 April 2025 to products on shelves by 16 December 2025. The company secured its licence in just over three months (8 August) and completed three simultaneous product launches, showcasing an unusually rapid 8.5‑month turnaround from site control to retail.
• Universal Fabricating delivered approximately 150 acres of greenhouse projects in 2025, with a strong outlook for 2026 supported by a stable order book and healthy project pipeline.
• High Tide said it will open three new Canna Cabana retail locations in Calgary, London and Brampton (both from Ontario), bringing its Canadian store count to 218 (91 in Alberta; 94 in Ontario) according to the article.
• Canadian Craft Cannabis Company said it has received EU GMP certification, enabling direct supply to European pharmacies and distributors from early 2026.
• Sensi Brands acquired Maricann Inc, expanding its diversified portfolio and strengthening its market position in the recreational cannabis sector.
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Australia Tightens Compliance As Pastille Approvals Surge

ODC Fines of A$59,400 Signal a Tougher Compliance Era for Australian Medicinal Licence Holders

The Office of Drug Control (ODC) issued two infringement notices totalling $39,600 to South Australian company MedTEC Services for allegedly failing to maintain licensed premises consistent with approved site plans and conducting activities in unapproved areas.

• The ODC also issued two separate A$19,800 infringement notices: one to Cannoperations for breaching medicinal cannabis licence requirements by failing to maintain security systems as required under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967, and another to Cannatrek for failing to notify share-transaction changes within the prescribed timeframe.
• AMCA and MCIA announced a new merged name for the Australian medicinal cannabis industry body on December 12, with the creation time noted as December 21.
• Tasmania‘s new legislation allows interstate dispensing of Controlled Drugs, enhancing access for ADHD, chronic pain, and palliative care patients, effective early next year, improving patient safety and continuity of care.
• A Legalise Cannabis Victoria motion to decriminalise cannabis possession was voted down in Victoria’s Upper House; proponents argued legalisation would reduce harm and generate revenue for social programmes, while opponents argued it would not dismantle the black market and cited health harms.

Pastilles Overtake Oils as Top SAS‑B Format, Reaching 26.5% of Australian Approvals

Pastilles now account for 26.5% of SAS‑B medicinal cannabis approvals, overtaking oils at 24.7% and consolidating their position as the second‑most prescribed dosage form, signalling a clear 2025 shift in Australian prescribing away from traditional liquid preparations towards solid, discreet, patient‑friendly formats.

• UIC Conference 2025 features an expanded programme and offers Cannabiz readers exclusive discounts, enhancing participation in Australia’s cannabis industry event on December 12.
• New South Wales government invests $13.55 million in New England, funding ANTG‘s $6.93 million expansion in Armidale, creating 20 jobs with $1.38 million government support and $5.55 million from ANTG.
• Y Cannabis‘ Chinese backer moves to full ownership of Tasmanian Botanics in a proposed $31m deal, buying out domestic shareholders. In a filing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Guizhou Yongji said its subsidiary Y Cannabis Holdings would acquire the remaining 52.69% of Pijen, the holding company that owns 96.5% of Tasmanian Botanics.
• Cann Group aims for 50% revenue growth to $17 million in FY26, following a successful debt restructure and the launch of the Mallee Bloom brand for mid-price and premium markets.
• ECS Botanics a women’s-health focused medicinal cannabis range in Jan 2026, citing women as >40% of SAS‑B approvals; the initial range includes THC/CBD pessaries, a 22% THC flower, a 200mg/200mg THC/CBD topical cream, and 5mg THC capsules.
• InhaleRx raises $750k and adds a ketamine oral asset with the firm planning a rebrand to Nexalis Therapeutics.
• Aurora Cannabis announced the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, MedReleaf Australia, has entered into a distribution partnership with Leafio, the wholesale distribution arm of Montu Australia.
• Epsilon Healthcare and its former chairman are mandated to mediate a dispute resolution in Australia, as of December 12, to settle ongoing legal issues.

Avecho Wins CBD Soft‑Gel Patents to 2040, Locking In a Long‑Term Oral Delivery Platform

Avecho‘s CBD TPM soft-gel patent applications approved by United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and European Patent Office (EPO), extending IP protection to 2040, supporting Phase III trials and future regulatory efforts across major markets.

Israel imports 27 tonnes in 2025 as Court Scraps 165% Tariff on Canadian cannabis

Jerusalem Court Rejects 165% Import Tariff, Keeping Canadian Medical Cannabis Flowing to 135,000 Patients

Jerusalem District Court ruled against a 165% cannabis import tariff, benefiting 135,000 patients and allowing 21.4 tonnes of Canadian imports, while rejecting claims of significant harm to Israeli growers.

Market Rebounds to 135,300 Patients as Indoor Hits 59% and 27-Tonne Imports Drive 29% Drop in Active Suppliers

The number of cannabis patients in Israel rose to 135,300 in September 2025, while imports reached a record 27 tons. Indoor cultivation now dominates 59% of demand, with premium products seeing a 122% increase in popularity.

• Indoor cultivation surged to dominance, capturing 59% of demand (up from 42% in early 2024, a 40% relative increase) while greenhouse fell to 27.6% (down 38%).
  • Average indoor prices reached ₪304 by December, widening the indoor-greenhouse price gap to ₪123. Patients demonstrated clear preference for premium quality despite higher costs.
• Market consolidation accelerated brutally: active marketers dropped 17% (52→43) and growers fell 29% (65→46) in two years, while surviving companies increased output.
  • Patient numbers recovered to 135,300 (September 2025) after 2024’s decline, approaching the January 2024 peak of 140,483. Imports hit a record 27 tonnes (up 24%), with domestic production at 74 tonnes.
• Cronos and Trichome dominated across segments: Cronos led overall marketer share (12.8%) and Canadian imports (27%), while Trichome captured indoor cultivation (20.6% grower share) and surged to first place in December after launching a 1+1 promotion.
  • Together ranked second in overall marketer share (11.82%), with intense competition at the top. The top three players controlled approximately 45% of the market through distinct segment strategies.
• Premium products and mini buds reshaped pricing: demand for products above ₪360 jumped 122% while cheap products (<₪160) declined, and the “mini” category (small buds at 30% discount) grew 60% in demand.
  • Together led price increases with 18.7% average hikes on existing products, followed by Rafa (18.2%) and Cronos (16.9%). Patients demonstrated willingness to pay premium prices while simultaneously seeking discounted access to indoor genetics through mini buds.
• New product launches hit record levels (619 new flowers, up 56% from 2024), driven by indoor expansion (343 launches) and continued greenhouse competition (258 launches).
  • Products without disclosed growers rose to 21% of inventory (vs 14% demand), and unbranded products increased. Growers and marketers obscured sourcing to protect exclusivity or disclaim quality risks, indicating transparency concerns.
• Together, chaired by former Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino, will launch three Roxton cannabis strains at record ₪499 per 10g in January 2026, surpassing Canndoc‘s May 2025 record of ₪479 and matching black market prices.
  • The ultra-premium products target subsidised patients and affluent consumers within Israel’s ~135,300-patient market spanning ₪40-500 per 10g across ~800 products.
• Bazelet, facing bankruptcy with debts of ₪153 million, applied to the court for a freeze of proceedings as of December 15.

UK’s Private Cannabis Prescriptions Jump 262% As Novel Foods Bottleneck Distorts Legal Access

UK’s Novel Foods Bottleneck and CBD Lab Chaos Undermine Legal Routes for Cannabinoid Products

The UK’s approval of three isolated CBD Novel Foods dossiers has been severely delayed, even though the products have already passed safety assessment.

• Food Standards Scotland will now run a 12‑week CBD consultation in early 2026 that folds these dossiers (RP007 Chanelle McCoy, RP427 EIHA Consortium, RP350 Cannaray) into a wider review of supplements and nutrition rules.
  • The consultation overlaps with Scottish and Welsh elections and local elections in England, so final sign‑off will fall to a new set of devolved ministers and a UK Minister of State, pushing realistic approval of compliant isolated‑CBD products into autumn/winter 2026.
    • For businesses that have spent up to six years generating safety data and reformulating products, the process still offers no clear regulatory end‑point.
• UK court acquitted CBD defendants after 0,5 tonnes hemp seizure; testing flaws led to legal uncertainty, with no mandated protocols post-Brexit, leaving operators vulnerable amid high compliance costs.

Private Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Surge 262%, With Flower Volumes Jumping to 9.8 Tonnes

• UK private medical cannabis prescriptions surged 262% between 2022 and 2024. Matched flower volumes rose from 2.7 tonnes in 2022 to 5.25 tonnes in 2023 and 9.8 tonnes in 2024, representing back-to-back annual growth of 94% and 87%.
  • This surge reflects both a growing patient population and larger average prescription sizes. Early 2025 data already exceeds 1 tonne of matched flower in just January–February, suggesting the market has not yet peaked.
  • The latest UK prescription data show a highly concentrated private medical flower market dominated by a few products and importers: The top five strains capture ~60% of prescriptions.
    • Adven EMT‑2 accounted for 6.1 tonnes (32.5%) of all dispensed flower across 2022–2025, while Curaleaf’s Lavender Cake represented 3.7 tonnes in 2022-2025 (19.9% of total market).
    • On the supply side, Curaleaf Laboratories handles ~54% of imports and IPS Pharma ~19.5%, meaning over 70% of UK medical flower flows through just two importers who effectively control patient access.
• 113 Botanicals raises £2 million for SpheriCann launch, aiming for 5,000 patients and £8.5 million revenue in the first year, utilising a patent-protected controlled-release cannabis capsule technology.
• Breathe Life Sciences to create 36 jobs initially, aiming for 100 in three years, supported by £350,000 grant and £500,000 loan, amid rising UK medicinal cannabis demand since 2018.
• Glass Pharms secures a supply agreement with Integro Clinic and IPS Pharmacy for five new premium cannabis products, enhancing UK medical cannabis availability and ensuring quality standards at their Wiltshire facility.
• Grow Group UK has relaunched its Grow Access Project, expanding eligibility and offering discounted prescribed cannabis medicines via Petal & Bud Pharmacy and reduced clinic fees with Auravia Medical. The scheme targets lower‑income and priority groups, aiming to reduce cost barriers to prescribed access in the UK.
• Kanabo Group entered administration in November 2025, following a market cap peak of £60M, a £1.3M revenue in 2024, and a 406% YoY revenue surge in January 2025.
  • Savage Cabbage founder awarded £137k for unfair dismissal amid Cannim group’s collapse, impacting distributors, brands, and investors, as reported by Business of Cannabis on December 18.
  • Ananda Pharma exited NHS-funded epilepsy trials, delisting from Aquis by 22 December 2025, focusing on MRX1 for endometriosis and chemotherapy pain, with £1.95m loss reported for H1 2025.
• Jersey; Health Minister proposed a government-controlled cannabis trial for registered adults, with debate scheduled for February 2026, focusing on regulated purchases and harm-reduction measures.
  • Northern Leaf expands exports due to new Jersey regulations and revitalised glasshouses, presenting significant growth opportunities in the agricultural sector as of December 15.
• Margent Form advances hemp-based architectural materials with BastWave and BastBoard products, expanding sustainable building material options.

Middle‑Aged Adults With Lifetime Cannabis Use Show Increased Brain Volume in CB1‑Rich Region

Lifetime cannabis use in adults aged 40-70 is linked to increased brain volume and improved cognition, with positive associations in regions rich in CB1 receptors and better memory performance.

• A study of 63 endometriosis patients using cannabis-based medicinal products showed significant pain relief and improved quality of life, with 25% reporting adverse effects, primarily mild to moderate.
  • Ananda Pharma received ethics approval for a Phase 2 trial on MRX1 for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, targeting 92 participants, with 140,000 UK cases annually and $2.5bn US healthcare costs.

Netherlands’ Logs €57.5m CanAdelaar Deal And Record 60‑Tonne Cannabis Seizures

Record 60‑Tonne Cannabis Seizures Undercut Wietexperiment’s Promise To Displace Illicit Supply

Dutch customs seized a record 60,000 kg of cannabis in 2025, up from 14,500 kg in 2024, with around 52,000 kg intercepted in Rotterdam, 1,000 kg in Vlissingen, nearly 6,000 kg in air freight and 1,500 kg in passenger checks at Schiphol.

• Most shipments came from the US, Canada and Thailand and were routed via Dutch ports and airports to other EU states, where customs authorities in Belgium, Germany and Spain also report sharp rises in seizures.
  • Smugglers now often ship cannabis openly on pallets and in containers rather than hiding it in furniture or machinery, forcing Dutch customs to divert capacity to cannabis enforcement and to deepen cooperation with CBSA.
• The Dutch government addresses €1.5 million fines on CanAdelaar for odour nuisance, with escalating penalties and ongoing evaluations of the Wietexperiment, impacting 72 coffeeshops across ten municipalities.
  • Voorne aan Zee requests closure of CanAdelaar due to ongoing odour nuisance; the grower faced €1.5 million ****in fines and was sold to Cronos Group for €57.5 million.
    • Police arrested a 30 year‑old Amsterdam man for a robbery at experimental grower CanAdelaar, stealing production inventory without injuries. Amid longstanding odour and safety complaints, Voorne aan Zee seeks closure.
      • Voorne aan Zee also filed an objection after the Dutch ministries of Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and Justice rejected its request to adjust experiment rules to better address ongoing odour nuisance from CanAdelaar; the municipality says it will continue enforcement, while residents press for action and the state rejects reimbursement of €460k in enforcement costs.
  • Only 7 Dutch municipalities across 4 provinces still actively enforce the 15 years old EU Court of Justice i-criterium (resident-only access to coffeeshops).
    • The Netherlands’ Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment launched in April 2025, creating a fully legal seed-to-sale supply chain in 10 municipalities to close the grey-market backdoor problem and test whether legal supply can displace illicit markets.
      • Anonymous group ‘Stop de Wietproef’ sent manifest to municipal councils demanding immediate termination of Dutch cannabis experiment, citing increased street crime, concerns about Nederhasj product, and alleged conflicts of interest.

Cronos Buys CanAdelaar for €57.5m, Locking In 20‑Tonne Annual Supply Inside the Dutch Pilot

Cronos Group is acquiring CanAdelaar for €57.5 million, implying a valuation of around 1.4x last‑twelve‑month revenue. CanAdelaar’s sales climbed from US$17.7 million in 2024 to US$47.3 million over the twelve months to September 2025, supported by an annual flower output of roughly 20 tonnes.

• Industry panel featuring Cronos Group CEO Mike Gorenstein and three Dutch pilot licence holders discussing the Netherlands coffee shop experiment, market sizing (€1.5-2.5 billion), and Cronos‘s acquisition of one of 10 licensed producers at 2.5x EBITDA multiple.
• Essence Investment AG‘s €30 million Growery facility in Hellevoetsluis produces ~125 kg/week of cannabis from 40 strains, targeting the grey market with a diverse product range.

Innexo Research Shows Root Scores of 2–3 Maximise Yield in No‑Veg Dutch Grows

Innexo Research by Timo Hoofwijk shows root scores 2-3 maximise yield in no-veg cannabis, while under- and over-rooting reduce efficiency.

• Resurrected ancestral cannabinoid oxidocy classes revealed 96% nucleotide identity in THCAS and CBCAS, confirming CBGA metabolisation’s origin, with engineered hybrids showing 3.1-fold increased CBDA production and 2-3 times higher expression.

Poland’s 537,000 Prescriptions and 5 Tonnes Sold in 2025 Mark Europe’s Fastest‑Formalising Flower Market

High‑THC Imports and Price Cuts Between 240–410 PLN per Pack Define a Highly Competitive Pharmacy Channel

Poland issued 537,000 prescriptions for medical cannabis in 2025, serving 105,000 patients, with sales reaching 5,071 kg, marking significant market growth from 1.1 tonnes in 2022.

• Canopy Growth Polska announces the first delivery of Red Velvet Cake, a 27% THC Sativa strain, to Poland with controlled temperature transport arriving at pharmaceutical wholesalers before Christmas.
  • Canopy Growth delivered Kush Mints (28% THC) strain to Polish wholesalers; expected in pharmacies early following week at same price as other Canopy 5g packs (PLN 240-280) (~$60 to $70).
    • Cosma S.A. delivered Blue Monkey (THC 21%, CBD ≤1%) to Polish pharmacies with new labelling; 10g pack size unchanged.
    • PhytoPur Bio reduces wholesale prices for Frosted Lemon Angel and Big Purple Dragon to approximately 300 PLN (~$83) for 10g, translating to patient prices of 360-410 PLN in pharmacies.

Brazil’s ANVISA Freeze Stalls Oil Market Just As Use Jumps Past 15% And Science Demands A New Framework

ANVISA’s Suspension of RDC 327 Updates Freezes Brazil’s Medical Oil Market at a Critical Growth Point

ANVISA suspended RDC 327 updates on 10 December 2025, allowing 30 days for analysis; changes include 90-day implementation for most updates and 12-month import restrictions for cannabis products.

• Nearly 50 Brazilian scientists submitted a technical note to ANVISA criticising the arbitrary 0.3% THC limit for research and calling for institutional authorisation rather than project-by-project approval, adding evidence and proposals intended to inform Brazil‘s regulatory approach. The item frames the submission as part of an ongoing policy and scientific debate.
  • Brazil‘s Ministry of Agriculture opened a 30-day public consultation to update the official list of domesticated plant species, with Cannabis sativa L. explicitly included as a cultivated species in the country.
    • It also opened a technical consultation to collect scientific studies to inform future industrial hemp cultivation regulation in Brazil, after repeated delays; submissions were accepted until 12 of December and will be compiled into a public technical report underpinning any future rulemaking.
• Alesp Parliamentary Front announces eight winning medical cannabis research projects from third-sector entities, municipal governments, and state agencies, focusing on health and research initiatives.
• ANVISA banned the sale and advertising of an unregistered cannabis oil products in Brazil, effective December 12, to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance in the market.

University of Brasília’s Cannabis Observatory Becomes Brazil’s First National‑Scale Patient Oil Database

Universidade de Brazília (UnB) launches Cannabis Observatory to create unprecedented database analysing patient association oil quality and mapping therapeutic use, legitimising national production and boosting clinical trials in Brazil.

• Cannect and ASPAEC partner to distribute cannabis flowers in Brazil, addressing 72.59% of doctors prescribing for pain, with expectations of market share recovery to 20-30% within a year.

Small Brazilian Pilot Finds CBD‑Rich Oil Eases ASD Symptoms and Cuts Psychotropic Use in Many Children

Pilot retrospective study in Brazil finds that a CBD‑rich oil (14.5:1 CBD:THC) given to 30 children with ASD over 24 weeks was generally well tolerated, enabled substantial reduction of psychotropic medications in many cases and was associated with reported improvements in behaviour and family stress, but small sample size, open-label design and seizure recurrence in two epileptic participants mean findings remain preliminary and require confirmation in controlled trials.

• A randomised controlled trial found CBD-rich cannabis oil ineffective for knee osteoarthritis pain, showing no significant difference compared to placebo, with results published on December 19.
• Lenad 3 study by Unifesp reveals cannabis use in Brazil doubled over 10 years to 15%+ (28 million people), with women’s use tripling from 2.5% to 10.2%; frequent use (last 12 months) doubled to 6% as smoking remains dominant form despite medical regulation favouring oils.

New Zealand’s Hemp Deregulation and a 1% THC Line Reset the Playing Field for Food, Fibre and Wellness

New Zealand’s Hemp Reform Removes Licensing and Sets a Sub‑1% THC Threshold for Food and Fibre Uses

New Zealand’s hemp reforms remove licensing and set a clear sub‑1% THC line for industrial crops, replacing a fragmented framework with simpler, whole‑plant rules that finally match hemp’s low‑carbon, high‑value profile.

• The reforms give growers and processors clearer investment certainty, helping build reliable hemp supply chains and new products across food, fibre, construction, wellness and advanced manufacturing, and positioning hemp as a core “nature‑positive” feedstock that firms like Rubisco are already scaling into textiles and building materials.

Switzerland’s Cautious Pilot Projects and 30% Pharmacy Price Gaps Highlight Uneven Access Despite Legal THC Trials

Evidena Care’s Price Portal Reveals Up to 30% Price Gaps for Identical Products Across Pharmacies

Swiss medical cannabis platform Evidena Care has integrated a comprehensive price comparison portal after patients experienced up to 30% price differences for identical products between pharmacies. The company projects 300% growth in 2026.

• Since August 2022, Swiss insurers reimburse only ~10% of medical cannabis prescriptions, despite removal of special permits, highlighting significant access disparities amidst patient demand and clinician support.
• Grashaus Projects in Basel showcases Switzerland’s research‑based pilot model, where regulated THC sales are allowed in physical establishments, in sharp contrast to Germany, where legal provisions for similar pilots exist on paper but have been stalled by authorities, leaving no equivalent route for supervised recreational retail.
• Curaleaf International’s Que Medical Inhalation Device (QMID), the world’s first CE-certified medical cannabis liquid inhaler, is now available to patients in Switzerland through a partnership with DASCOLI Gmbh for local distribution.
• Wana Brands launches THC gummies in Switzerland’s pilot programme, debuting three varieties in December, marking a significant step in global expansion and cannabis research collaboration.

Researchers Quantify Key Hemp Thiols Down to 97–130 ng/kg, Linking Chemistry to Aroma in Detail

Researchers quantified four key thiols in five hemp cultivars using HPLC-MS/MS, achieving limits of quantification from 97 ng/kg to 130 ng/kg, highlighting thiols’ significance in hemp aroma.

France’s Extended 3,000‑Patient Pilot and €500 Fines Expose the Cost of Delayed Medical Roll‑Out

France Extends Its 3,000‑Patient Cannabis Trial to March 2026 While Reimbursement Decision Slips

French Health Authorities (HAS) to decide on cannabis reimbursement in March 2026, following a trial with 3,209 patients showing significant pain reduction, despite concerns over study design and placebo effects.

• France’s HAS announced on 23 December it cannot evaluate medical cannabis reimbursement in the planned timeframe due to a missing government decree, whilst the experimentation involving 3,000 patients has been extended until March 2026.
  • Fines related to consumption increased from €200 to €500, yet consumer numbers remain high, with 80% of violent crime linked to drug trafficking, highlighting a persistent policy failure despite intensified enforcement.

MediPharm Labs Completes Its First Pharmaceutical‑Grade Medical Cannabis Shipment Into France

MediPharm Labs completed its first pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis shipment to France, marking entry into one of Europe‘s most promising emerging markets and demonstrating compliance with stringent European standards.

• Delled, the Angers-based medical cannabis company founded by Franck Milone, entered judicial restructuring in spring 2025 after failing to raise €4 million and being unable to sell its products due to France‘s delayed medical cannabis generalisation.

Spain’s Pharmacists Take Medical Cannabis Decree To The Supreme Court

Community Pharmacies Challenge Spain’s Medical Cannabis Rules in Court to Secure Dispensing Powers

Andalusian Pharmacy Confederation (CEOFA) filed a Supreme Court appeal against Royal Decree 903/2025, arguing it unlawfully excludes community pharmacies from preparing and dispensing cannabis magistral formulas.

• Spain’s medical cannabis market faces bottlenecks, with potential growth to 10% of Germany‘s market, currently producing 7.5 tonnes and exporting over 22 tonnes annually.

Spain’s CBD Retail Market Reaches €136m and 697 Shops as Hemp Acreage Collapses 91%

Spain’s CBD market reached €136M with 697 shops, while hemp cultivation plummeted 91% to 62 hectares, causing reliance on imports for over 30 tonnes of flower annually.

• The Beemine Lab plans to pivot from OTC CBD products into Spain‘s newly regulated medical cannabis market, targeting distributor authorisation in early 2026 and forecasting a potential doubling of revenue over a year.
• Automated cannabis cloning machine launched by Master Products, with a YouTube link for demonstration.

Portugal’s Raids, Licence Reinstatements and Alleged €1.60/g Dumping Undermine Its Image as a Medical Export Hub

From Operation Weed Raids To Full CannPrisma Reinstatement, Portugal Sends Mixed Signals To Medical Export Hubs

Raids have been reported by Portugal’s Judicial Police and ASAE, supported by DGAV, targeting hemp/CBD producers and shops, including seizures of products labelled “Cannabis sativa” and arrests linked to alleged THC-limit breaches.

• Infarmed has fully reinstated CannPrisma’s medicinal cannabis licences (cultivation, manufacturing, import, export, and distribution), ending a temporary administrative suspension that began in late July 2025. CannPrisma says operations resumed immediately, but the company cites material disruption during the suspension, including client losses and layoffs, while “Operation Weed” remains under judicial secrecy.
• TETCO Europe obtained GMP Part 2 License for medical cannabis on December 13, enhancing its compliance and quality standards in the industry, as reported on LinkedIn.
• Medically certified oil vapouriser systems, including Airo Brands and SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, set to become compliance benchmarks in medical cannabis, requiring 2.5 years for EU-GMP development and stability testing.

Industry Whistleblower Claims Only 2 of 35 Exported Tonnes Are Truly Portuguese Flower

Industry insider alleges most Portuguese “exports” are actually imported low-quality flower processed locally and re-exported at dumping prices (~€1.60/g); plans to file EU complaint under Regulation 2017/1036.

Study of 497 Fibromyalgia Patients Shows Significant Symptom Relief With Cannabis‑Based Medicines

A study of 497 fibromyalgia patients using cannabis-based medicinal products showed significant improvements in pain and quality of life, with 45.67% reporting adverse events, mostly mild to moderate.

Italy’s Hemp Sector Waits On Constitutional Court As Government Balances Flower Bans Against A 40% ‘Cannabis Light’ Model

Constitutional Court Review of Article 18 Puts Industrial Hemp Flower Bans and 40% ‘Light Cannabis’ Tax in Play

Brindisi court referred Article 18 of Italy’s Security Decree banning industrial hemp inflorescences to Constitutional Court for legitimacy review, whilst government prepares backup 40% state monopoly with retail tax if ban falls.

• Brothers of Italy proposed a 40% excise on cannabis light (≤0.5% THC) sales, later withdrew after backlash, clarifying intent was to counter, not legalise, cannabis light products.
  • Italy’s Council of State accepted hemp associations’ appeal and suspended the Lazio Regional Court ruling that favoured the government’s restrictions on CBD and hemp inflorescences, with a merit hearing scheduled for May 2026.
    • It also suspended a TAR Lazio decision related to appeals against including CBD oral preparations among narcotic drugs, with a merits hearing in May 2026.

From Phytotherapy To Clinic: How Integrative Medicine In Italy Deploys Cannabis For Chronic Disease Symptoms

Dr Michele Antonelli, specialist in preventive medicine and cannabis therapy, frames medical cannabis as one tool within a broader integrative medicine strategy rather than a stand‑alone cure.

• He explains that integrative medicine combines conventional treatments with complementary approaches such as phytotherapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, balneotherapy, and mind–body techniques to manage the complex symptom clusters seen in chronic disease.

Morocco’s ANRAC Halves Licences as Cannaflex Turns Historic Hash Heartland into Finished‑Dose Export Platform

ANRAC Revokes Around 30 Cannabis Licences, Halving the Number of Legal Operators in Morocco

ANRAC tightens commercialisation and export rules, withdrawing approximately 30 licences (50% of ~60 holders) for non-compliance with coordination requirements; announces new strategic measures for 2026 including simplified procedures and brand registration.

Cannaflex Ships Beldiya Plus to Johannesburg, Making Morocco’s First Legally Prescribed Cannabis Product Abroad

Moroccan laboratory Cannaflex partnered with South African DRA Pharmaceuticals to launch Beldiya Plus, Morocco‘s first finished medical cannabis product legally prescribed and dispensed in Johannesburg, transitioning from illicit hashish producer to pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Argentina’s provincial Rules and CONICET‑Backed Trials Turn Medicinal Cannabis into a Federally Fractured Lab

Mendoza’s Resolution 709/2025 Creates a Simplified Adaptation Regime for Provincial Medical Cannabis Projects

Mendoza published Resolution 709/2025, implementing the Simplified Adaptation Regime.

• Misiones aims to establish a provincial medical cannabis registry due to Reprocann’s paralysis, impacting cultivators, patients, and regulators, as of December 9, 2025.

New IMBECU–KCBD Preclinical Programme Tests Argentinian Cannabis Oils in Oncology and Pain Models

KCBD corp. signed a collaboration agreement with the National Council of Scientific and Technic Investigations (CONICET) -linked Cuyo’s Biology and Experimental Medicine Institute (IMBECU) to research therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis oils, including oncology and pain lines, starting with preclinical work.

Mexico’s CBD Import Licences and a US$60m Paradise Sale Prefigure Consolidation Before Full Legalisation Arrives

COFEPRIS Grants CBD and CBG Import Licences, Opening Mexico’s Door to Broad Low‑THC Product Lines

HGI Industrial Technologies and Santa Rosa Green Seeds received COFEPRIS import license for CBD, CBG and other cannabinoid products (<1% THC); covers extracts, consumer products, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pre-rolls and smokable hemp.

Paradise Sells for US$60m With 314 Outlets, Signalling Early Consolidation in Mexican Cannabis Retail

ABC Noticias reported that Mexican cannabis-wellness retailer Paradise was sold to a Canadian consortium for US$60m, with former president Vicente Fox exiting as a shareholder. The report cited a network of 314 outlets and framed the deal as consolidation in Mexico‘s CBD/cannabis-wellness retail segment.

EU Puts Hemp At The Centre Of Its Bioeconomy While Drug Strategy Still Privileges Policing Over Regulated Cannabis Access

EU Bioeconomy Strategy Elevates Hemp as a Priority Crop While Drug Policy Still Focuses on Policing

EU‘s Bioeconomy Strategy prioritises hemp, mobilising funding via Horizon Europe, the European Competitiveness Fund, EIB‑backed bioeconomy instruments and CAP to build fibre‑processing plants and biorefineries, bring hemp fully into the EU sustainable‑finance taxonomy, fast‑track approvals and harmonised standards for bio‑based materials, and use public procurement and long‑term offtake schemes to pull demand for hemp in textiles, packaging and construction, with the explicit goal of turning it into a strategically important, high‑volume bio‑based feedstock with more stable markets by decade’s end.

• European Commission‘s new drug strategy prioritises security and enforcement over regulated access despite rising cannabis use (24 million EU adults), with IRPA criticising lack of genuine policy shift toward harm reduction.

South Africa’s 2% THC Hemp, SAPS Permits and ‘Project Indlela’ Struggle to Pull Legacy Growers into the Legal Fold

2% THC Hemp Threshold and SAPS‑Linked Permits Put South African Plant Improvement Reform Under Constitutional Scrutiny

South Africa’s Plant Improvement Act (2018) now formally brings Cannabis sativa L. with up to 2% THC under agricultural law rather than narcotics control, replacing the outdated 1976 framework with modern seed‑certification rules, cultivar registration and inspection powers.

• The regulations, effective 1 December, treat industrial hemp as a standard field crop, tightening quality and traceability requirements for seed and planting material, while giving breeders and farmers a far wider genetic envelope to develop locally adapted, higher‑resin lines for fibre, food and biomaterials supply chains.
  • Amendments to South Africa’s Plant Improvement Act (December 2025) enhance regulations for cannabis, impacting seed production, quality standards, and compliance, supporting a growing legal industry and market development.
• The requirement that SAPS be part of the hemp permit approval process is constitutionally unsound and should not be part of the amended Plant Improvement Act. The Act defines cannabis for non-medical purposes as an agricultural crop under the control of the Department of Agriculture.
• **SACCA’**s ‘Project Indlela’ proposes a regional hub model to integrate legacy growers into a commercialisation framework, addressing regulatory challenges in South Africa’s cannabis industry as of December 2025.

Thailand: From Retail ‘Green Rush’ To Tightly Supervised Medical‑Only Clinic Model

Medical‑Only Decree Forces Thailand’s Cannabis Shops To Upgrade Into Certified Clinics By 2026

Thailand is moving to a strictly medical cannabis model, requiring all licensed cannabis shops to convert into full medical clinics under a new government decree approved 9 December and announced 22 December by Dr Thewan Thaneerat.

• A foreign tourist collapsed in Phuket after consuming cannabis edibles, raising concerns in Thailand‘s ฿43 billion market, following multiple hospitalisations linked to cannabis products and regulatory scrutiny.

India ‘Green to Gold’ Targets ₹1,000-₹2,000 Crore from Regulated Hemp in the Himalayas

‘Green to Gold’ Targets ₹1,000–₹2,000 Crore a Year From Regulated Himalayan Hemp

Himachal Pradesh’s ‘Green to Gold’ initiative aims to generate ₹1,000-₹2,000 crore annually through regulated industrial hemp farming, promoting sustainable growth and benefiting local farmers and the economy.

Philippines’ Pharma‑Only Medical Bills Edge Forward as Lawmakers Reject a Thai‑Style Liberalisation

Philippines Drafts Pharma‑Only Medical Cannabis Bills While Explicitly Rejecting a Thai‑Style Model

The Philippines House Committees on Dangerous Drugs and Health are consolidating seven bills to allow medical cannabis in pharmaceutical form, including creating a Medical Cannabis Office and setting controls and penalties; the committee chair said the country is not ready to follow Thailand, but may study South Korea and Japan models.

UAE’s 0.3% THC Medical Hemp Regime Carves Out Narrow Access Framed By Heavy Penalties At The Edges

UAE’s 0.3% THC Medical Hemp Framework Allows Narrow Access Backed by Fines up to Dh100,000

UAE law permits medical hemp use with 0.3% THC limit, regulating cultivation, manufacturing, and trade, while prohibiting recreational use and imposing penalties for violations, including fines up to Dh100,000.

Czech Republic’s Harsh Legacy Sentences Collide with New Decriminalisation Reforms and Grassroots Clemency Demands

Harsh Legacy Sentences Meet New Decriminalisation as Families Lobby for Clemency in Czechia

Irena Fenyklová, whose son received a twelve-year sentence for cannabis cultivation without evidence of distribution, has written to Czech President Petr Pavel requesting clemency.

• She co-founded Rodiny proti prohibici (Families Against Prohibition) to support families affected by harsh cannabis sentencing and advocates for amnesty following recent criminal code reforms that decriminalise personal cultivation.

Phytocannabinoid R&D Targets IL‑6 and NF‑κB to Recast Cannabis as an Anti‑Inflammatory Food Ingredient

Phytocannabinoids significantly reduced IL-6 by up to 59%, TNF-α by 22%, and NF-κB activation by 42%. This highlights their potential as anti-inflammatory agents in dietary applications.

Austria Folds CBD Into The Tobacco Monopoly And Pushes Low‑THC Cannabis Behind The Counter

CBD Shops Close By 2029 As Austria Moves All Legal Cannabis Sales Into Licensed Tobacconists

From 2029, Austria will phase out standalone CBD and hemp shops, with all legal low‑THC cannabis products brought under the tobacco monopoly and sold exclusively through licensed tobacconists. The reform sits inside a wider tax package that gradually raises the tobacco tax from 2026 and extends it to nicotine pouches and e‑liquids, while giving existing hemp and CBD retailers a transition period until the end of 2028 before their current business model is shut down. The Austrian Cannabis Association (ÖCB) has already signalled it will challenge the CBD‑shop ban before the Constitutional Court, arguing that forcing all legal cannabis products into the tobacco channel is a disproportionate restriction on trade and consumer access.

Denmark’s Tight Medical Programme Quietly Scales As ODI Pharma Posts An 84% Revenue Jump

ODI Pharma’s SEK 11m Quarter and 84% Revenue Jump Signal Steep Growth From a Small Danish Base

ODI Pharma reports Q2 2025/2026 revenues of SEK 11 million, an 84.3% increase from Q1, expecting a positive net result due to higher order volumes; full results on 26 February 2026.

Romania Court Condemns Wiz Khalifa: One Of Europe’s Strictest Anti‑Cannabis Regimes

Constanța Appeal Judges Hand Wiz Khalifa 9‑Month Jail Sentence Over On‑Stage Cannabis Possession

Wiz Khalifa was sentenced to nine months in prison in Romania after prosecutors successfully appealed an initial 3,600 lei criminal fine, with the Constanța Court of Appeal ruling that his on‑stage possession of over 18 grams of cannabis and live smoking of a joint at the Beach Please festival amounted to a custodial‑level offence under Romania’s strict anti‑drug laws.

Bosnia And Herzegovina Moves From Patient Advocacy To A Council Decision To Legalise Medical Cannabis

Years of patient advocacy win legalisation, but timelines, products and access rules are still to be defined

Bosnia and Herzegovina‘s Council of Ministers adopted a decision to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. The decision follows years of advocacy, including testimonies from patients about cannabis oil’s benefits in treating serious illnesses. Implementation details will now be determined.

Malta’s 2 µg/L THC Driving Limit Marks a Pragmatic Middle Ground Between Patient Rights and Road Safety

Malta’s 2 µg/L THC Driving Limit Seeks Balance Between Patient Rights and Road Safety

Malta approved a 2 µg/L THC blood limit for drivers in committee, shifting from a proposed zero-tolerance approach. The bill also keeps zero tolerance for passenger-carrying vehicles and would allow prescribed patients to show a medical prescription if stopped.

San Marino’s Grower Runs a Perpetual 20kg Harvest as a Precision Export Play

Health Farm’s Precision Facility Positions San Marino as a Tiny but High‑Spec Export Niche

San Marino‘s Secretary of State for Industry visited an Acquaviva startup named Health Farm, specialising in certified medical cannabis cultivation under strict international protocols.

Colombia Remains LatAm leading Cannabis Exporter As ‘War On Drugs’ Reshapes Geopolitics

Illicit Demand Outruns Legalisation As Colombia’s High‑Potency Exports Anchor Regional Black Markets

A global consumer base of around 244 million people sustains strong demand for illicit cannabis, making it the world’s most‑used illegal drug and underpinning one of Latin America’s most profitable criminal economies.

Uruguay’s Early Legal Pioneer Weighs Tourist Sales to Revive a Pharmacy Model Serving Just 24 Stores

Uruguay Weighs Tourist Sales to Revive a Pharmacy Model Currently Limited to 24 Stores

IRCCA is evaluating extending legal marijuana sales to tourists in Uruguay as the next step to “increase the coverage of the formal market”, arguing that visitors already consume cannabis but are currently pushed to buy outside the regulated system. Today the programme offers four standardised varieties (Alfa, Beta, Gamma, Épsilon) through just 24 pharmacies, and IRCCA’s director Martín Rodríguez says adding foreign consumers, and potentially creating non‑pharmacy points of sale in a future law reform, is now “at the centre of the discussion” on how to further displace the illegal or irregular market with regulated supply

Costa Rica To Become A New Entry Point For Imported THC Pastilles

THC Pastille Deal Brings A$1m‑Plus Orders and 40,000‑Unit Minimums to Costa Rica

Bioxyne secures a manufacturing agreement with Remidose for THC pastilles, targeting Costa Rica and Panama, with potential annual revenue exceeding A$1 million and a minimum order of 40,000 units, positioning the company as a first mover in Central America’s emerging medical cannabis market and validating its GMP pastille platform as a preferred non‑flower format for future registrations and launches.

Paraguay’s Largest-Ever Seizure Highlights its Role As A Major Trafficking Corridor

Operation UMBRAL: SENAD’s 88,991‑Kg Record Bust Signals Hard‑Line Enforcement On Cross‑Border Trafficking

Paraguay’s National Anti‑Drugs Secretariat (SENAD) seized 88,991 kg of pressed marijuana in the Saltos del Guairá area during Operation UMBRAL, a convoy interception that targeted 19 small, medium and large vehicles moving a bulk load towards the Brazilian border.

• The haul, valued at more than $13.3 million in Brazil, is the largest marijuana‑in‑transit confiscation in the country’s history.
  • The operation followed an armed confrontation that left one alleged trafficker dead and five people arrested, with all vehicles and drugs transferred to SENAD’s regional base for weighing and judicial processing.

Venezuela Turns Record 70‑Tonne Drug Seizure Into Proof Point For Its Home‑Grown ‘War On Trafficking’

Largest Drug Bust Since 2005 Lets Caracas Showcase 70‑Tonne Seizure And A Purge Of Corrupt Police

Venezuela seized ~70 tonnes of drugs in 2025, in what Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described as the largest capture since 2005, when Caracas broke cooperation with US Drug Enforcement Administration.

• He framed the figure as evidence that Venezuela’s “popular, police and military” fusion against trafficking is working, while also using the announcement to signal an internal purge of police officers accused of corruption and improper conduct.

Namibia Admits Cannabis Ban Lacks Scientific Basis While Keeping Reform Power Locked In The Executive

Judges Challenge The Rationale For Prohibition As Government Argues Cannabis Policy Is ‘Not For The Courts’

Namibia’s government has made a ground-breaking admission in court papers that the prohibition of cannabis cannot be justified on scientific, moral or rational grounds.

• The Attorney General has filed a report with the Windhoek High Court opposing the Ganja Users of Namibia’s application to have cannabis prohibition laws overturned saying its not up to the courts to decide cannabis policy, but the executive.

Ghana Turns Hemp Into A High‑Fee Concession Game With The World’s Costliest Licensing Regime

• Hemp Licences Priced At US$45,000 Per Hectare Shut Most Farmers Out Of Ghana’s ‘Legal’ Market

Ghana’s new hemp licensing fees include US$1,000 for community applications, US$5,000 for companies, and an additional US$45,000 per hectare for cultivation, turning each hectare into a high‑priced concession rather than a normal farm plot.

• In practical terms this means that even a modest 10‑hectare project would face nearly 0,5 million dollars a year in state fees alone, far above the low hundreds of dollars per hectare (or no per‑hectare fee at all) seen in most hemp regimes.
  • The combination of steep entry costs and an exceptionally high per‑hectare tariff makes Ghana’s framework effectively accessible only to a handful of well‑capitalised investors and is why observers describe it as the world’s most expensive hemp licensing regime.

Zimbabwe Bets on Value‑Added Cannabis to Industrialise and Capture a US$200bn Global Market

Industrialisation Strategy Prioritises Extraction, Refinement and Finished Products Over Raw Flower Exports

Zimbabwe‘s cannabis sector aims for industrialisation, targeting a global cannabis value chain that could exceed $200 billion by 2033 by positioning itself not as a bulk flower exporter but as a hub for extraction, refinement and finished‑product manufacturing.

• Policy planners prioritise value‑added activities such as oils, isolates and formulated medicines over raw biomass, expecting semi‑processed or finished ingredients for pharmaceutical, wellness and industrial supply chains to yield more foreign exchange, higher‑skilled jobs and stronger fiscal returns.

Antigua and Barbuda Government‑Led Medicinal Industry Prioritises Local Ownership Under Tight Oversight

Antigua and Barbuda Doubles Down on a Government‑Led Medicinal Industry With Strong Local‑Ownership Requirements

Antigua & Barbuda government reaffirms commitment to developing medicinal cannabis industry, prioritising local economic empowerment while maintaining strict regulatory oversight, according to Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin.