Germany begins licensing clubs to be fully operational by 2025, medical market entries explode, brands diversify to home-growing supplies:

Cultivation associations can now apply for cultivation permits: Health Minister Lauterbach claims that cannabis clubs “make dealers unemployed”. However club founders warn that cannabis from the clubs will likely not be available until early next year.

• The Bundestag passed an amendment to the Cannabis Act allowing cannabis clubs to employ paid employees for multiple activities, but prohibiting Grow hubs, however the law provides flexibility for interpretation by individual federal states: 180 applications expected in Bavaria to be examined ‘very carefully’, while other states still need to resolve licensing process.
• Professional associations as well as left-wing parties criticise the introduced limitations in the law which amount to ‘decriminalisation’ rather than full legalisation.
• Contradictory interpretations regarding the legality of the sale of seeds, which is booming since April 1st: Federal Ministry claims seed trading is legal, Bavarian Health Ministry disagrees.
• Concerns about the potential reversal of cannabis legislation in the expected next government of conservative CDU: backtracking requires paying a political and legal price.
• Germany bans the production and sale of HHC, THCP and other semi-synthetic substances, following the large number of intoxications during Mary Jane festival.

Post-legalisation surveys finds similar consumption volumes: despite a boom in home-growing products and a swirl of activity in the medical market most users are still sourcing from illicit sources, showcasing the high market potential. 12% of Germans use cannabis weekly, 17% occasionally and 71% never use it, but up to 54% Gen Zs are weekly or occasional consumers.

• The first Mary Jane trade show since legalisation has almost doubled in size and number of visitors, showcasing the explosion in the German market, with a lot of new market entries and a spirit of optimism driving a market boom:
• Cansativa will distribute Cookies varieties like Apples and Bananas from August 1st in collaboration with Cookies and Portuguese manufacturer Somaí.
• Bloomwell merges its online clinic Algea Care and marketplace Grüne Brise, creating a unified brand under the Bloomwell name. Israeli grower Greenfields has launched through the Bloomwell platform. Criticism over advertising tactics of online clinics has been spreading in the last few weeks.
• Cantourage announced its results, with €24M in revenue in the last fiscal year: revenue in April 2024 was up 160% year-on-year, May 2024 revenue reached €3.5M. Argentinian brand Patagonian Heritage launches in partnership with Canadian producer Lyonleaf.
• Four20 Pharma launches online its new range of cannabis seeds under Four20 Origins range. The company with a majority stake by Curaleaf will also bring Compound Genetic varieties such as Gastro Pop to the German market.
• Sanity Group has received a €14M investment by Canadian LP Organigram, expanding its already existing supply agreement once Organigram receives its EU-GMP.
• Nimbus Health launches its new Botanics range in collaboration with Czech LP SensiQure. Nimbus has also renewed its supply agreement with New Zealander Rua Bioscience.
• Demecan intends to increase production in its Saxony facility, offering more varieties.
• Swiss CBD producer Marry Jane is launching its own seeds brand “187 Sweedz” in collaboration with German ganster rap group 187 Strassenbande, offering 10 high-THC strains.
• Tyson 2.0 strains produced by PhCann in Macedonia will be available to German patients.
• Israeli IMC inks new supply agreement with Ontario-based Glasshouse Botanics.
• Retail giant Aldi Süd begins sales of ornamental hemp in over 1,000 supermarkets in collaboration with Cannovum.

 Avextra and SynQube announce a strategic partnership in drug development with cannabinoids and psychotropic substances. Avextra aims to develop cannabis-based capsules for cancer therapy.

• SpexAI uses multispectral imaging and AI to provide real-time data on cannabinoids, diseases, pests, and more for cannabis growers, as well as esearching the detection of Hop Latent Viroid.
• Erfurt University of Applied Sciences is launching cannabis modules in their horticultural degree.

In the US, Michigan overcomes California as largest volume market by units sold, while MSOs reposition in Florida ahead of referendum:

The rescheduling process continues with call by former DEA administrators to request a hearing to gather additional data, scientific analysis and impact analysis. US Supreme Court struck down the doctrine of Chevron deference, ending 4 decades of judicial deference to federal agency interpretations of ambiguous statues, with an uncertain effect on the ongoing rescheduling process.

• NCAA lifts ban on cannabis use for Division I athletes in championships, treating it like alcohol by removing penalties for athletes testing positive.
• After some MSOs seeked a refund related to Section 280E, the IRS stated that until cannabis remains in Schedule I ordinary business expenses remain non-refundable under federal law.
• Proposed amendments to the Domestic Hemp Production Program would prohibit the commercial production, sale, and distribution of intoxicating hemp derivatives and products.
• Campaing for the referendum to legalise recreational cannabis in Florida is heating up, with legalisation committee raising over $60M compared to only $10k of anti-legalisation fund. DeSantis vetoed bill that would ban Delta-8 and other hemp products.
• Adult-use market in Pennsylvania could rake in $2.1 billion in adult-use sales, generating over 30,000 jobs.
• Launch date of adult-use sales in Ohio approaches, as medical cannabis dispensaries receive the first dual-purpose licenses.
• New York State governor directs operational overhaul of Office of Cannabis Management over failed licensing roll-out and explosion in illegal storefronts.
• Maryland announces mass pardons of 175,000 convictions, bringing total clearance of past cannabis convictions in the US up to 2.5 million americans.
• Massachussets aims to integrate medical cannabis into traditional healthcare for senior citizens.
• Iowa‘s health department has issued new regulations on hemp products after pushback from THC drink brewers: new rules define containers, serving sizes, and labeling requirements.
• Survey in New Hampshire shows 65% in favour of tabled bill to legalise adult cannabis.
• South Dakota, Louisiana, Iowa, and Nebraska have implemented new laws banning intoxicating hemp products, targeting various forms of THC.
• Louisiana decriminalises cannabis paraphernalia: small fines in lieu of jail time.

 Michigan has recently become the largest cannabis market in the US (and the World), surpassing California in units sold, thanks to out-of-state consumers and government incentives.

• According to BDSA data, California still leads in value of sales despite its faltering market due to the recovery of the illicit market, with less taxes and red tape: however, in Santa Barbara county farms appear to be booming. ‘Vapegate’ investigation finds alarming levels of pesticides in cannabis products across the state.
• Colorado market is also crashing from $2.2 billion in 2020 to $1.5 billion in 2023 due to regulatory burdens, oversaturation, and competition from neighboring states.
• Edible sales outpace beverages in dispensary sales, BDSA data shows.
• Oregon prices have dropped by 2/3 since 2016 and it is the most affordable market in the US, with flower selling for $3.6/g and concentrates for $15/g.
• Curaleaf launches a new line of hemp-derived THC products under the Select and Zero Proof brands for nationwide direct-to-consumer distribution through its online storefront.
• Columbia Care exits Florida market to focus on Virginia, New Jersey; while other MSOs like Trulieve (200 stores), Verano (77), and Ayr Wellness (64) double down on the sunshine state.
• Canadian giant Canopy Growth exercised its option to acquire all shares of Acreage Holdings, after completing the acquisition of Jetty and advancing the acquisition of Wana.

Triploid hemp shows reduced fertility, showing potential to reduce seed production and improve floral biomass and cannabinoid yields.

• Genetic differences among cannabis varieties can lead to differences in aroma profiles that are perceptible to untrained panelists and retail consumers.
• Cannabis pangenome analysis reveals high genetic and structural variation, suggesting a novel population structure and hybridization history: gene pool remains under sampled, and Asian germplasm is underrepresented, indicating untapped potential for crop improvement.
• Supplemental greenhouse lighting increased water use efficiency, crop growth, and cutting production in Cannabis sativa.
• Study found potential of Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) technology for the continuous production of Self Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems to improve CBD solubility.
• Arvida Labs is conducting research on isomerisation by-products in cannabinoid production to enhance safety and efficacy.
• A study in collaboration with Real Isolates found that cannabinoid byproducts resulting from the combustion of CBD bind to protein receptors, revealing therapeutic potential.
• Artelo Biosciences presented new pre-clinical data on a solid dosage form of CBD with comparable pharmacokinetics to Epidiolex, and improvements in physicochemical properties.
• Randomised lab study on the effects of cannabis, dronabinol, and placebo in patients with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder showed THC worsening cognitive functioning.
• Cannabis workers exposed to bioaerosols may develop respiratory diseases.
• A genome-wide association studies of lifetime and frequency cannabis use found heritable traits correlated with substance use and other traits.
• One in six patients in primary care reported cannabis use mostly for symptom-management despite identifying as recreational users.
• Prevalence of CBD use among pregnant women found to be 20.4%, mostly for anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, pain, headache, and nausea or vomiting.
• Study suggests that communities located closer to recreational dispensaries have lower rates of prescription opioids per capita, but no evidence that greater access reduces opioid mortality.
• New York study found that medical cannabis availability reduced past-month self-reported poor mental health days by nearly 10%.

UK: Cannabis reform absent of political platforms ahead of election, first Made in Britain products are delivered to patients, clinics compete in price:

  Campaing for the general election is underway with calls to cannabis reform, which could deliver over £1bn in much needed tax revenue. Only the liberal democrats have included legalisation in their manifesto, criticising the war on drugs waged by Labour and Conservatives.

• Industry association publishes policy proposals seeking to streamline prescriptions from the NHS, introduce reimbursement for certain indications, enable electronic prescribing, increase foreign investment, allow the extraction of CBD flower from hemp and establish new regulator.
• Failure of the NHS to adequately address patient needs is driving the uptake of medical cannabis, industry stakeholders says.
•  Isle of Man seeks to attract niche cannabis operators with conducive regulatory framework.

The first “Made in Britain” medical cannabis flower product has been delivered to patients: grown by Glass Pharms in Wiltshare and dispensed by Releaf UK.

• Private cannabis clinics are launching cheaper services for recurring patients: Lyphe Clinic launches subscription program from £17.99/month, as Alternaleaf introduces £15/month membership program allowing for cost-savings, Kanabo plans to open 14 new in-pharmacy clinics, and Script Assist launches SaaS offering allowing clinics and patients to manage appointments, prescriptions and payments.
• MedBud data shows Alternaleaf climbing to the 1st place followed by CB1 Clinic and Mamedica as the top online clinics in the country.
• Lyphe launches low-cost range Noidecs Vital for as low as £3.95/g for large orders, as it signed a new supply contract with Portuguese producer Gro-Vida.
• CBD company British Cannabis launches new medical cannabis range of strain-specific oils.
• Cannaray and its subsidiaries Therismos and Aqualitas rename to Wellford.
• CBD drinks brand Goodrays launches in 328 Sainsbury’s stores and online supermarket Ocado, after landing multiple listings in France and seeing triple digit growth.
• FourFive CBD launches new products nationwide to Holland & Barrett.
• Corporate drama: CBD-vape maker Chill Brands’ ousted CEO is reinstated, former executives transfered $400k to personal bank accounts.

As many as 1.4 million adults (6.38% of the population) in the UK purchase illicit cannabis to self-treat chronic health conditions, cross-sectional survey finds.

• Individuals with spinal cord injury in the UK are using illicit cannabis for pain and spasticity management, highlighting the need for physician awareness.
• Real-world data from Twenty21 shows prescribed cannabis associated with reductions in pain severity, improvements in general health, quality of life, sleep, and mood.
• Benefits of controlled inhalation of THC-dominant cannabis flowers in palliative cancer care were highlighted by a CINV patient who received reimbursement by the NHS.
• Preclinical data by Ananda Developments finds significant cardioprotective effects of CBD-derived MRX1 in treating cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
• Hemp one of the crops awarded £5.9M grant to help UK farmers increase carbon capture.
• Cornwall’s Phytome Life Sciences receives £1.63M government investment for plant science innovation in collaboration with Duchy College Rosewarne and University of Plymouth.

Canada streamlines requirements to its domestic operators but more will be required to stop steady stream of bankruptcies:

  Consultation period to amend cannabis regulations to streamline requirements is underway, with proposed changes including lower security and licensing requirements, more liberal packaging allowing transparent containers, and exemptions for certain license and product types.

• Industry welcomes ‘common sense’ changes, but more needs to be done.
• Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) is implementing new freshness criteria for cannabis products sold in the province, allowing retailers to refuse products not meeting criteria.

Excess inventory remains a concern in Canada, with 53.7 million unsold units remaining unsold as of December 2023 according to Health Canada data which shows a very small decrease.

• Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) plans to provide cannabis producers with store-specific information and SKU-level sales data.
• Pure Sunfarms launches ‘Trials’ program of limited batch varieties, starting by Trial No. 001 (Gas Face x Purple Kush), available from July 2024.
• Cronos Group’s popular Spinach brand is launching SOURZ 10mg THC gummies as well as milled flower option Spinach Grindz™.
• MediPharm Labs has acquired advanced metered dose inhalers and sublingual sprays technology from Remidose Aerosols, in a non-dilutive, royalty-based model.
• Danish company Stenocare is partnering in Canada to launch its “Astrum” oil product.
• Aurora cuts its losses in the 4th quarter to C$20.8M, compared to C$76.2M last year, thanks to robust international business performance.
• Indiva enters creditor protection under the CCAA, seeks transaction with SNDL.
• Retail chain Four20 files under bankruptcy and insolvency act.

 Avicanna obtains US patient for its drug dleivery SEDDS technology offers non-invasive administration of cannabinoids with improved absorption and stability.

• Study finds label inaccuracy of cannabis oil products in the legal Canadian market.
• CBD and exercise showed improvements on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer survivors.
• Mouse studies show CBD and metformin can alleviate behavioural difficulties in Fragile X syndrome and Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

In Australia, private cannabis clinics come under scrutiny, as global corporations eye its lucrative medical market:

 Private cannabis clinics have come under scrutiny in Australia, with concerns about rapid and cheap consultations, payments from suppliers to promote products, and illicit advertisements.

• Up to 40 doctors, including pain specialists, have been spoken to or suspended from prescribing THC in New South Wales over THC prescriptions.
• MDA National will restrict cover for medicinal cannabis prescribers starting from July 1, 2024.
• The Australian Senate rejected a Green party bill to legalise recreational cannabis, warning about increase health risks. Most submissions asked for cannabis to be treated as a health issue.
• Tasmanian hemp law aims to support growth and streamline regulation for hemp producers, after planted land dropped to just 90 hectares in the last season, down from 1490 in 2019-20.

Distributor shares insights on fast-growing market segments: organic-grown flower with differentiated terpene profiles, flavoured oils more palatable for patients, vapes & small-dose edibles are seeing most traction in the market.

• US-Giant Curaleaf sets its eyes on Oceania after its M&A spree in Europe.
• Tilray launches its Broken Coast range of medical cannabis flowers in Australia.
• Wellnex Life launches Wellness Life brand through extensive Chemist Warehouse network.
• Biortica Agrimed purchases equipment from Cann Group to complete two extra glasshouses.
• Hemp fields doubled in the last season to 3,266 hectares, reversing a three-year slide, led by New South Wales with supportive government regulations: investment in the fiber hemp industry is expected to reach AU$195 million over the next two years.

Brazilian court decision on decriminalisation of personal use marks a significant step, but legislative reforms still pending:

  The Federal Supreme Court voted in favour of the decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use, with the differentiation between personal use and drug trafficking discussed with different quantity thresholds.

• The landmark decision could impact cannabis research and facilitate the planting of cannabis for research and medicinal use which is currently not possible for commercial purposes.
• President Lula supports differentiating between users and dealers, and believes decriminalisation should be based on science: in his view the decision should be taken by the National Congress, not the Supreme Court.
• Medicinal cannabis named-patient imports will be exempted from a tax on imported goods of up to US$50.

82% of cannabis cultivation is for medicinal purposes, study finds, led by patient associations under judge authorisation.

• Canadian Thronus Medical launches CBG full-spectrum nano-emulsified products.

Observational study on the use of CBD-dominant full-spectrum extracts in children and adolescents with autism showed significant improvements in social symptoms.

Israeli market is in free fall following failed prescription reforms:

Only about 20% of existing medical cannabis patients are eligible for an unlicensed prescription following the Ministry of Health reforms, with the other 80% still requiring a cumbersome authorisation: private insurers now need to approve prescriptions by bureaucratic process, pain clinics overloaded as patients need an additional visit to specialist to get prescribed.

• Brokers are taking advantage of the situation by promising to help the patients secure a license/prescription and then fleeing with the money.
• Founders arrested over illicit import of CBD in the country, which is still not regulated.

Drop in the number of patients continues for the fourth month in a row, with over 10,000 patients losing their licenses over the failed reform.

• InterCure announced FY2023 results with revenue of NIS 356 million ($96M) and adjusted EBITDA of NIS 61 million ($16M), with 15 straight profitable quarters. Further expansion of its portfolio thanks to the acquisition of Pharmocann, company seeks launch in Germany.
• Danish CS MEDICA completes registration of CANNASEN® CBD-infused medical devices.
• Lawsuit against Panaxia due to mislabelling of extracts seeks NIS 12M ($3M) in damages.
• Bazelet is being prosecuted for withholding wages of employees: conviction could lead to business liquidation.
• CBD company StickIt is closing down its Spanish and Thai operations.

Innocan Pharma conducted a successful preliminary safety evaluation of LPT-CBD in minipigs, further supporting the safety profile of LPT-CBD and its potential in sustained-release therapy.

The recreational experiment in the Netherlands is in full steam, new ventures get ready to take part in both production and retail:

The Transition phase of the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment has begun, allowing regulated cannabis sales in the 10 participating municipalities.

• Mayors of Breda and Tilburg report positive results of the start-up phase in their municipalities, with growing demand for legal products. However in the Hague there is political division.
• Improvement areas detected in the first phase included the increase in allowed stocks to limit bottlenecks, malfunctions in the track & trace system, and clear instructions for transport.
• Amsterdam Tourist shop is closed due to selling too many cannabis products and tourist items without the necessary function designation in the zoning plan.

Experiment grower Q-Farms begins construction of 5,000sqm facility in Vendaam, seeking the rejoin the program next year.

• The Plug is expanding its Coffee Shop chain with a rebranded location in Rotterdam on top of 2 in Amsterdam and another in Amersfoort.
• Neighbours complain about smell of legal grower CanAdelaar, with 112 complaints to date.

Wageningen University studies the role of red and white light in optimising growth and accumulation of plant specialised metabolites in medical cannabis.

In France, snap election leaves medical program generalisation in suspense, CBD market focuses attention:

  Snap elections cast doubts over the future of the French medical cannabis scheme, which was to be included in the 2024 Social Security budget: main political parties do not include cannabis reform in their agendas.

• Medicines regulator ANSM expands the list of hospitals that can prescribe medical cannabis according to the experimentation, currently extended until the end of the year.
• ANSM forbids semi-synthetic molecules such as H4-CBD, but it clarifies that CBNA, THCV, THCVA and THCA are not included in the narcotics list.
•  French Polynesia assembly examines cannabis bill allowing the importation of cannabis medicines from Metropolitan France, as well as cannabis seeds for cultivation.

Orléans-based medical LP Overseed raises €4.7M to produce 100% Made in France oils, seeking to register products in the country from 2025.

• CBD hash producer Rue de la Boulette partners with La Ferme Bio de Pigerolles to develop genetic selection and knowledge sharing in cultivation of 4 hectares, as it plans to plant over 500,000 plants for solventless extraction.
• Nutritional supplement manufacturer Boiron chooses Cosmogen’s Squeeze’n Roll tube for their new CBD roll-on gel, sold as an OTC in French pharmacies.
• Rap star Booba which was previously associated with Silent Seeds is now launching its own line of cannabis strains and CBD products in collaboration with T.H. Seeds.
• UK CBD drinks start-up Goodrays launches in Intermarché, after listing in Carrefour in May.
• CBDoo.fr launches Swiss GMP CBD flowers in the market, ensuring high quality standards.

Bordeaux-based Aelis Farma presents research on new molecule AEF0117 with potential to treat drug addiction.

• Study finds that prenatal CBD exposure affects social behaviours in adult offspring.

In Spain endorsements of cannabis reform multiply, as medicinal production projects make strides:

  Spanish pharmacists demand strict distinction between medicinal and adult uses of cannabis, while arguing for a limited list of patients and indications to benefit from medical cannabis.

• Policemen progressive association supports cannabis legalisation to combat organised crime and benefit public safety, criticises law mandating fines for possession.

 Canamedics becomes first Catalan company to cultivate medicinal cannabis near Barcelona to validate its GMP processes, with the goal of supplying up to 27% THC flower to Germany.

• Cannabis production plant announced in Extremadura with investment of €18.6M: declared Project of Regional Interest by regional government, it will employ some 40 people.
• Athletes sponsor CBD: Olympic Spanish canoist endorses Alivium CBD by the Beemine Lab, while professional surfer becomes Votum World brand ambassador.
• Dutch entrepreneurs begin season in Southern Spain by planting 1,200 CBD and CBG plants.
• CBD brand Gorilla Grillz launches GG+, its new cosmetics range.

In Argentina, it is likely that conditions to access the patient registry will be tightened, as first local LPs eye the export market:

  Inscriptions to the Reprocann are still limited, with up to 90,000 patients waiting for approval as the Health Ministry is auditing the system to restrict patient access through greater controls, which could include requiring municipal authorisation and background checks on producers.

 Botanicanns becomes the first private company to obtain GACP certification for cannabis production, and it will now seek to export cannabis products to Europe and other countries.

• Cirilos, a company from Buenos Aires, launched the first cannabis alfajor (typical Argentinian sweet), deprived of cannabinoids but infused with cannabis terpenes.

Santa Fe scientists study the anti-tumoral properties of high-CBD oil, showing a 50% reduction of cellular proliferation after 1000mg of CBD in an in-vivo study.

• CBD inhibits the BK ionic channel, providing a new therapeutic target for anti-epilepsy medications, researchers from the UNPL found.
• Scientists are designing supercapacitors using waste from the cannabis industry.

In South Africa, recent decriminalisation boosts prospects of exploding grey market, reforms are needed to fulfil commercial potential:

South Africa risks losing out on market opportunities due to unclear regulations for commercial production. Only a small number of entities with medicinal cannabis licenses in South Africa are actually exporting, with many licensed growers deviating supply to the growing local grey market.

 Cilo Cybin becomes first cannabis company to list in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Other news

In the Czech Republic, the first online cannabis clinic is offering treatment for chronic pain:

• CBD producer Annabis is back as a medical cannabis distributor, including distribution of its own range of cannabis produced locally by Elkoplast.
• EcoStem, a collaboration of Czech Hempoint and Ukrainian Hemp, is seeking investors to build the first hemp-processing facility in the country, capable to process over 30,000 tonnes of biomass annually.

In Portugal, California tissue-culture leader Conception Nurseries unveils new facility.

• Contract manufacturer Portocanna partners with radio frequency decontamination equipment provider Ziel, obtaining EU-GMP certification to offer microbial control services.
• Canhamor readies new hemp insulation factory with €19M investment after sowing 250ha.
• Azores begins producing hemp in 3 plantations of 5,000sqm.

In Poland, Canopy Growth launches new strain Jack Haze with 19% THC under its Spectrum brand, substituting the previous Lemon Skunk variety.

• Swedish ODI Pharma announces revenues of over €1M in the last quarter primarily thanks to its collaboration with Polish Synoptis Pharma, with multiple shipments.
• Cannabis Poland seeks to acquire container farm to carry out varietal selection, genetics sales.

 Italian hemp supply chain calls for intervention of the European Commission regarding the ban on cannabis light, as it risks violating regulations on free competition and movement of goods.

• Enecta collaborates with Polish Kombinat Konopny over fibre hemp distribution in Italy, and distribution of CBD Flower/Biomass.
• Project in Basilicata intends to develop hemp supply chain in the region.

 Japanese CBD industry is sounding the alarms after government proposal of strict THC limits.

• CAMYU launches anti-aging serum combining CBD with a tri-mushroom blend.
• Saticine is researching effects of butterbur bud for cosmeceutical applications, showing anti-inflammatory effect when combined with purified CBD.

In Switzerland, swisscann tec has begun cultivation of 5 cultivars of 24-30% THC, destined for the local market as well as Germany’s.

• DSM-firmenich develops CBtru, a patented CBD drug intermediate allowing the development of solid dosage forms, higher CBD API loading and optimised CBD bioavailability.
• Survey of small-scale cultivators finds that Swiss CBD growers tend to be older, more experienced, more focused on commercial production, and less likely to use recreationally.

Expectations for liberal drug policies in Colombia‘s cannabis sector have not been fully met, integration of medicinal cannabis into medical practice has been limited, with flower not being available to Colombian patients.

• Only a small percentage of licensed cultivators and exporters are currently operating: industry association denounces unrealistic standards imposed by the government.

 Uruguayan suppliers shift to Brasil as a key trade partner: 85% of value of exports destined to the Latin American giant this year.

• Presidency will likely not move ahead with plans to reform domestic adult-use market, which included more retail outlets and expanding club membership numbers.

In a consultative referendum during the European election, Slovenian voters supported medical use of cannabis (66%) and limited personal use (51%), highlighting growing support for reform.

• CBD brand and manufacturer PharmaHemp positive about potential of CBD cosmetics in Asia-Pacific despite regulatory hurdles, with China prohibiting CBD use in cosmetics in 2021.

In Thailand, the Public Health Minister still plans to recriminalise cannabis, citing a survey where 80% supported it, and a 10-fold increase in prevalence of use by young adults since 2022.

• Entrepreneurs fear damage of up to 10,000 million baht ($273M) and ask for reasonable laws that prevent misuse while not risking the demise of the sector.

Development agency funds the construction of processing plants in Northern Morocco.

• Long history of hemp use in the country is becoming more accepted. A study approached the protection of Moroccan landraces used for the production of hashish.

In South Korea, poor public perception hinders growth of CBD cosmetics: education and well-being benefits are key, a “star brand” is needed to increase adoption of CBD cosmetics.

• Research to extract functional components on the roots and stems of hemp is underway.

In New Zealand, Ora Pharm introduces new plant processing and export services for other domestic LPs, as it partners with Australian Breathe Life Sciences to list on CanXChange.

In Denmark, CBD-infused medical device manufacturer CS Medica announces partnership with healthcare distributor OneMed.

In Belgium, private hospital of group CHC has partnered with CBD start-up CBX Medical to plant 3 hectares of hemp in a nearby field belonging to the clinic.

In Zimbabwe, three pharmaceutical companies have received manufacturing licenses for cannabis medicines.

A Chinese study showed that Hemp essential oil had anti-tumor and anti-neuropathic pain effects, by reducing inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6.

A study in Chile found some improvement in working memory and attention after 6 months of cannabis use abstinence.

In Barbados, Chief of Police clarifies that possession of small quantities of cannabis will now be met with a small fine, instead of arrest.

Research evaluates the suitability and productivity of hemp cultivation in Lebanon, considering climate and soil conditions: irrigation techniques key to improve hemp yield and biomass.

In India, Bengaluru startup offers online delivery of Ayurvedic cannabis products.

 Mexico health regulator grants additional licenses for hemp production.

 Luxembourg will call a tender to supply medical cannabis, following ongoing supply issues.

Spain’s CBD creams and oils from The Beemine Lab are available in the United Arab Emirates.

Scientists in Costa Rica analyse potential of CBD for post-exercise recovery.