International

LFLY-4.46%+ Free Alerts, a leading online cannabis marketplace and resource for marijuana users, is shifting its focus from journalism about the industry to offering consumer-oriented content, which will include product information. WeedWeek and newsletter Cultivated were the first to report the news. Consumer Education Is The Way Leafly aims to shift its content strategy towards being more focused on products and marketplaces, with the goal of providing consumers with valuable information to help them make better purchasing decisions, a company spokesperson told MJBizDaily. Former Leafly… Read more.

A recent study by the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative found 37% of respondents who use cannabis medically received a legal prescription under Australian law. In 2018, that figure was just 2.5%. The researchers found that those who only used prescription cannabis tended to be older, female, and less likely to be employed. Professor Nicholas Lintzeris, the lead researcher for the third Cannabis as Medicine Survey from the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, said the data… Read more.

Switzerland’s government has approved a trial to legalize the sale and consumption of cannabis and assess the social and economic benefits of regulating cannabis products, CNBC reports. Starting this summer, a test group of 2,100 Zurich residents will be allowed to purchase regulated doses of cannabis for personal use from pharmacies, dispensaries, and social clubs in the city.  As part of the study, participants will be expected to answer a questionnaire every six months on their cannabis consumption habits and health effects. The study is conducted in collaboration… Read more.

Switzerland’s government is one step closer to its yearslong effort to launch a trial program involving the sale and consumption of recreational cannabis. Called “Züri Can – Cannabis with Responsibility,” the study will involve only Zurich and is intended to provide a scientific basis for the development of the country’s cannabis policies. The study was expected to start in autumn 2022 but was delayed because the Federal Office of Public Health and the Cantonal Ethics Committee had yet to give their approval. Only… Read more.

In June last year, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to decriminalize the use of marijuana. It comes after decades of being classified as a Category 5 drug. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has had a long history in Thailand. Traditionally, the plant was used by locals in their food and medicine.  But in 1935, using marijuana — whether as a drug or otherwise — was criminalized. And until last year, anyone using or possessing marijuana could face… Read more.

Germany could be weeks away from introducing a bill to legalize cannabis under sweeping reforms that would greenlight the consumption and sale of the drug in Europe’s largest economy. Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach last week said that the plans had received “very good feedback” from the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, adding that the bill could be announced by the end of March or in early April. “We will soon present a proposal that works, that is, that conforms to… Read more.

Marijuana multistate operator TerrAscend Corp. could become the first U.S. plant-touching company to list on the Toronto Stock Exchange by this summer if the restructuring plan it shared with shareholders and analysts wins TSX approval. And if the company is successful, that potential could trickle down to other U.S. plant-touching cannabis operators, which have been barred from major exchanges because marijuana remains federally illegal in the United States. Massachusetts-based Curaleaf Holdings, for example, has also had discussions with the TSX about the possibility… Read more.

Following years of stalling on the issue of legal cultivation of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes, a Brazilian appeals court is set to rule on allowing businesses and farmers to grow cannabis, reported Reuters. What Happened? The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) made its intentions public to reach a final decision on a case that would set a precedent nationwide. Lawyers familiar with the case said until the court's final ruling on the matter, which is expected within the next year, pending cases filed by companies seeking to plant… Read more.

Potency testing on store-bought cannabis flower by a Canadian laboratory has found THC levels significantly lower than the labeled value, sparking an industrywide conversation about how to address inaccurate THC claims. Rob O’Brien, CEO and chief science officer of Kelowna, British Columbia-based licensed cannabis testing laboratory Supra Research and Development, shared the findings from his Canadian potency tests online. O’Brien tested 46 different cannabis flower products, grown by 21 producers, in a variety of package sizes purchased from several different stores in… Read more.

Cannabis retailer High Tide Inc. (NASDAQ: HITI) (TSXV: HITI) (FSE: 2LYA) released first-quarter results Friday, posting a 64% year-over-year revenue increase. "Our Q1 earnings numbers represent the best quarter ever in High Tide’s history in terms of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and market share growth. Q1 is now our second consecutive quarter of record revenue and adjusted EBITDA and saw a meaningful improvement in our free cash flow position," said CEO Raj Grover. HITI Financial Highlights Revenue increased to $118.1 million in the first… Read more.

Argentina's newly established regulatory body for cannabis is supervising numerous research and development initiatives with the aim of entering the potentially profitable market for cannabis exports. By 2025, the Argentine government aims to generate $500 million in domestic cannabis sales and $50 million in exports. Although the recreational use of cannabis is prohibited, individuals in Argentina can cultivate their plants for medicinal purposes. The government is considering expanding the number of private companies authorized to manufacture cannabis, as this industry has significant… Read more.

Thailand has long been known for its traditional spa treatments that incorporate ancient healing techniques and natural ingredients. But with the legalization of cannabis in June 2022, a new trend is emerging in the world of wellness: cannabis-infused spa treatments. Cannabis-infused spa treatments are quickly becoming a popular way to relax and unwind in Thailand, and for good reason. CBD, one of the primary compounds found in cannabis, may have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation and promoting relaxation. At the… Read more.

Mexico’s government on Thursday granted its first-ever license for cannabis cultivation in the country. The Mexican Health Regulatory Agency awarded the license to Xebra Brands which allows it to import and acquire cannabis seeds, cultivate and harvest cannabis, process and produce cannabis, and sell cannabis products both domestically and through export.    The licensing comes two years after the Mexico Supreme Court ruled cannabis prohibition was unconstitutional which led to the passage of cannabis reforms by federal lawmakers.    In a press release, Jay Garnett, CEO of Xebra Brands,… Read more.

 In the early 1960s, a Bulgarian-born scientist named Raphael Mechoulam was caught carrying five kilograms of, as he called it, “superb, smuggled Lebanese hashish” on a bus from Tel Aviv to Rehovot. But he wasn’t planning on smoking the stuff. Mechoulam was a fledgling researcher keen on exploring the science behind cannabis, a stigmatized plant whose specific medical properties were not yet known. Over the decades he became a pioneer in cannabis research, whose findings about the psychoactive substance helped ease… Read more.

Argentina's new cannabis watchdog is overseeing more than 50 projects related to the research and development of cannabis and is establishing a regulatory framework as it bids to enter the potentially lucrative weed export market. "The industry has incredible potential," said Gabriel Gimenez, director of the ARICCAME cannabis agency created in January this year, last week. He said 51 regulated research and development projects are currently taking place around the country, including Cannava in Jujuy province, Agrogenetica Riojana in La Rioja,… Read more.

Adastra Labs, a Langley-based company known for its cutting-edge cannabis and ethnobotanical products, has recently received approval from Health Canada for an amended license. This license permits the lawful possession, production, distribution, and sale of a highly regulated substance. Following decriminalizing personal amounts of controlled substances in British Columbia, Adastra can now interact with up to 250 grams of cocaine and import coca leaves to create and synthesize the substance. As a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative scientific products, Adastra Labs… Read more.

An increasing amount of cannabis grown by licensed Canadian producers has been lost or stolen over the past five years, new data shared with MJBizDaily shows. Separate data provided by Health Canada, the department responsible for federal health policy, also revealed that thousands of instances of theft have been reported to various levels of police. However, the sum of the missing products – including 2,219 kilograms (4,870 pounds) of dried cannabis – is a small fraction relative to the amount… Read more.

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the world's largest gathering of cannabis decision-makers, founders and investors is returning to Miami Beach, Florida on April 11-12, 2023 and Raj Grover, president and CEO of High Tide, will be there. High Tide Inc.  HITI+1.48%+ Free Alerts is Canada’s largest non-franchised retailer of recreational cannabis so you won't want to miss out on what he's got to say about the industry. Need A Business Strategy? Ask A Transparent Negotiator Since starting his first company at the age of 22, Grover established himself as one of Canada’s foremost… Read more.

Since recreational use of cannabis became legal in Canada in 2018, the federal government of that country has imposed a total duty on cannabis products of over 1 billion Canadian dollars ($740 million). Executives expect that the government would ease the tax and excise regime it imposes on the sector as employment and financial losses rise as the milestone is reached. Around CA$862.3 million in total duty on cannabis products was levied by the federal government between the 2018–19 and 2020–21… Read more.

Adastra Labs, a cannabis company based in Langley, British Columbia, announced that it had received approval from Health Canada to include cocaine as a substance that it can legally process, sell, and distribute. B.C. Premier David Eby said he was “astonished” when he became aware of the news, according to CTV News. “The short answer is I was astonished by this announcement. I understand that this company says Health Canada has given them some sort of authorization. It is not part of our… Read more.

Two young entrepreneurs turned their zeal for fizzy drinks and cannabis into a craft beverage brand, using tasteless full-spectrum cannabis as well as organic and simple ingredients. Canada-based Zèle (pronounced zéll) is helping to transform the cannabis beverage game, led by CEO and Formulator Callum Hanton, and National Brand Manager Jonathan Martin. Both were under the age of 20 when Hanton first developed the company’s proprietary technology, and when they launched the brand. “We have overcome many hurdles to get to where we… Read more.

While nearly every street corner in tourist areas of Thailand is selling cannabis legally now (a recent driver in Samui spotted nine shops in a two-block stretch), not everyone is in favour of it, especially politicians. Politicians believe the rushed legalization and subsequent free-for-all is a strong talking point against the Bhumjaithai Party, who pushed for decriminalization. Now, the Democrat Party has launched its election campaign with a vow to reverse the blanket legalization of cannabis. The hardline anti-cannabis party platform comes despite being a coalition partner of the Bhumjaithai Party in… Read more.

Canada’s cannabis consumers spent 4.52 billion Canadian dollars ($3.35 billion) on regulated adult-use products in 2022, growing 17.9% over 2021’s sales total, according to new retail sales data released Tuesday by Statistics Canada. The year-over-year sales increase came as the number of licensed cannabis stores in Canada increased. In 2021, Canadians bought CA$3.83 billion worth of recreational cannabis from licensed stores. Despite the notable year-over-year increase, the pace of cannabis sales growth in Canada appears to be slowing, said Michael… Read more.

Amsterdam Bans Weed Smoking in the Red Light District Amsterdam's red light district has been a haven for tourists seeking liberation from the rules and regulations of their mundane lives. However, the residents of this vibrant district are keen to tone down the wild atmosphere. The city council recently announced that cannabis use would be prohibited on the streets of the red light district, citing the disruptive and dreary ambiance that often lingers in the area during the night. This new regulation… Read more.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Feb. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DELTA 9 CANNABIS INC.  DNDLTNF ("Delta 9" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed its first shipment of bulk dried cannabis flower to a customer in Australia, marking the Company's first export of dried cannabis flower material to an international market. The Company has also received seven additional export permits from Health Canada and intends to complete multiple shipments of dried cannabis flower and cannabis extracts to the Australian… Read more.

Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for adult use, is now exporting low-THC cannabis, or hemp, to the United States. According to information procured exclusively ahead of an official announcement, CEND, a global provider of customized technological infrastructure and certification platforms for the cannabis industry and other regulated industries, has completed its inaugural large-scale shipment of low-THC legal cannabis (or hemp) from Uruguay to the United States. While smaller exports had been completed before, the market… Read more.

The Australian government has rescheduled the psychedelics psilocybin and MDMA to provide access to people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treat-resistant depression. The substances aren’t being legalized for broad use, but by placing them in Schedule 8 for therapeutic use under the country’s drug code, psychiatrists who meet the required standards will be able to prescribe the psychedelics. The drugs will remain in the stricter Schedule 9 for unauthorized use. “The decision acknowledges the current lack of options for… Read more.

In Switzerland's bustling metropolis, Basel, a rare opportunity has arisen. The city has just launched its pilot cannabis project, granting exclusive access to a privileged few. A select group of several hundred individuals will now be able to indulge in recreational marijuana, easily procured at local pharmacies. Swiss authorities gave the green light for a daring experiment last year - a pilot project exploring uncharted territories. The Federal Office of Public Health eagerly embraced this endeavor, hoping to gain valuable insights into… Read more.

The medical cannabis facility is expected to gradually reach full capacity soon to supply a wide range of cannabis products. Since June 2018, when the legal framework for licensing plants for cultivation and production of finished medicinal cannabis products came into effect, the General Secretariat of Industry of the Ministry of Development and Investment has licensed 134 cannabis crops for medical purposes across Greece. The investment by Tikun Europe, a subsidiary of Israel-based Tikun Olam, was welcomed by Greek Minister… Read more.

Former cartel bosses, drug traffickers and police officers took the stand this week in the trial of Genaro García Luna, Mexico’s former federal security minister and architect of the country’s war on drugs, which he carried out while publicly working with the DEA and secretly working with the world most powerful drug cartel capo, Joaquín “El Chapo" Guzmán.  No, this is not a script for the fourth season of Netflix’s 'El Chapo' series though it would make an intriguing Mexican telenovela as the most trusted… Read more.

Health Canada has begun asking some federally licensed marijuana companies to stop selling certain ingestible cannabis products the regulatory agency says are incorrectly classified and labeled as “extracts” rather than “edibles,” MJBizDaily has learned. The move could cost cannabis businesses millions of dollars, Canadian industry sources say, because the products in question – including some lozenges and chewable extracts – are increasingly popular among consumers. Executives are puzzled over Health Canada’s timing, especially since some of the products in question have been… Read more.

Recently, Pattaya has become a popular destination for cannabis enthusiasts. With its relaxed laws, Pattaya has become a hub for cannabis tourism, offering an array of cannabis-related activities, products, and services. Whether you’re looking to relax with a puff of a joint, enjoy an edible, or explore the science behind cannabis, Pattaya has something for everyone. So, if you’re ready to explore and experience the cannabis culture of Pattaya, read on! Cannabalize PHOTO: Cannabalize Cannabalize is a premier cannabis store dedicated to… Read more.

Bhumjaithai Party MP Suphachai Jaismut believes the legalising of cannabis has led to a decrease in the use of methamphetamine (also known as Yaba) in Bangkok. Suphachai posted on Facebook yesterday that, “Ganja comes, Yaba goes away.” The Bhumjaithai Party MP admitted that he never expected legalising cannabis would decrease the use of methamphetamine. He initially focused on its potential medical benefits and didn’t consider this possible outcome. However, he stated that he had come to believe in the connection between cannabis legalisation and decreased Yaba use based… Read more.

Cannabis in Quebec has been legal since 2018, yet statistics still show that 82% of cannabis users in the state are getting their products from the black market. This has reduced the effectiveness of the regulated cannabis market in the region and led to a loss of revenue. This has made us inquire into the reason why users are preferring the black market over cannabis stores. This article will feature responses from cannabis users within the region. We will also analyze… Read more.

As a result of recent arrests, travellers departing from Los Angeles and heading to London's Heathrow Airport may experience heightened security measures. Nine individuals were apprehended on suspicion of attempting to smuggle cannabis, a substance legal in California but illegal in the UK, where it commands a higher price among UK drug traffickers. Between January 10th and 17th, over 400 kilograms of the drug were seized from passengers at Heathrow Airport. As investigations continue, authorities will closely monitor the LA to… Read more.

Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire and former owner of the English Premier League's Chelsea Football Club, has been discreetly investing in cannabis enterprises for years. According to Forensic News, the news outlet that obtained the secret documents, Roman Abramovich has contributed to funding the two largest shareholders of Curaleaf Holdings. The Russian businessman is also said to have close relations with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. Curaleaf, the alleged cannabis company Roman Abramovich has been secretly investing in, is a renowned recreational… Read more.

ep, it’s true. Italy’s Army is in charge of growing and producing top-grade medical marijuana and is using secret nutrients to cultivate cannabis for those suffering from illnesses like cancer or Parkinson’s disease. This year, the Army plans to produce at least 1,500 pounds of weed to cover nearly half the amount required annually to meet the country’s medical marijuana needs.   “The next step is self-sufficiency — that’s our ambition,” said Nicola Latorre, who leads the Italian Defense Industries Agency, which… Read more.

Russian billionaire and a former owner of the Chelsea Football Club, which plays in the English Premier League, Roman Abramovich, has been secretly investing in cannabis companies for years. According to leaked documents, sourced and shared by Forensic News, a Russian oligarch known for his close ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin has helped fund the two biggest shareholders of multi-state cannabis operator Curaleaf Holdings  CURLF. With a market cap of around $3.08 billion, the Wakefield, Massachusetts-headquartered company is considered one of the largest marijuana businesses in the… Read more.

For decades, debates and political commitments on drug policy at the United Nations have been plagued by the goal of 'achieving a society free of drugs' (or 'drug abuse'). Who could forget the slogan of the big UN drugs event in 1998 - “A Drug-Free World, we can do it!”?. This fantastical notion has underpinned unimaginable harm as governments all over the world have strived to eradicate drugs through draconian measures. Despite these efforts, the global market in illegal drugs… Read more.

The best social reform starts on the frontline. The news that the National Police Chiefs’ Council has decided to effectively decriminalise cannabis and cocaine in England is, for drugs reformers, sensational. It intends to extend nationwide the warning and treatment schemes that have already been piloted in Durham and Thames Valley. Instead of prosecuting users of hard drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy, officers will recommend addiction services (dealers, and those who refuse to cooperate, will still be prosecuted). So far,… Read more.

Following the decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand, people in Bangkok have wasted no time in setting up places where you can buy it. Whether you’re looking for a dispensary, a cafe, a street vendor, or a delivery service, Bangkok is full of great places to buy cannabis. But with so many options, it can be hard to decide which one offers the best quality weed at the best prices. So, to help you with your search, here are some of the… Read more.

Government officials from Indonesia – a country famous for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world – flew to Thailand to learn about the kingdom’s liberal medical cannabis policies this morning. News that old-fashioned Indonesia is considering legalising medical cannabis comes as quite a shock given that lawmakers in the country approved a Draconian law that bans premarital sex yesterday. Indonesian members of parliament visited the Ministry of Public Health to listen to the Director of the Medical Cannabis Institute, Kitti Losuwanarak, talk about the process of legalising cannabis in… Read more.

New DelhiCNN —  Rats in northern India have been accused of eating hundreds of kilograms of cannabis seized from drug dealers and stored in police warehouses. “Rats are small animals, and they aren’t scared of the police,” noted a court in the city of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, after hearing that local police were unable to furnish almost 200 kilograms of confiscated cannabis that was supposed to be used as evidence in a recent case. Court documents said the police had been… Read more.

Thailand has dropped some restrictions on imports of cannabis cultivation seeds, and established limits for THC and CBD in foods as the country continues rapid development of a legal and regulatory framework for cannabis. While more restrictive regarding marijuana, the changes reflect the government’s strategy to open the market for virtually all products derived from industrial hemp. The Thai Department of Agriculture said “cannabis and hemp seeds” can now be imported as long as the importers obtain permits from the… Read more.

A team from a Moroccan cooperative and international experts from the Solar Decathlon have highlighted the beauty of vernacular architecture and building in Morocco by creating a hemp house outfitted with solar panels. The hemp and solar panelled house called Sunimplant, is an off-grid house made as a sustainable, relatable demo home for Moroccan people.  Student creators built it as part of Solar Decathlon organized in part by the IRESEN Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies in Morocco,  Mohammed VI Polytechnic… Read more.

According to Politico, details of Germany’s current cannabis legalization plan were leaked on October 19 by the RND (RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland) newspaper group. The draft currently includes a plan to decriminalize sales and possession of cannabis, as well as allowing cannabis to be sold in licensed shops and pharmacies. This approach to reform has been pending since German officials announced their intentions to approach reform back in June, led by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. According to the current draft, sales of up to 20 grams would… Read more.

Costa Rica just took its biggest step yet toward legalizing weed. President Rodrigo Chaves signed a proposed law this week that could legalize recreational marijuana in the Central American nation. The legalization bill was sent on Wednesday to the country’s legislative assembly where lawmakers will analyze it, along with results of similar laws in other countries, before eventually voting on passing the regulation.  It is unclear how long this process will take, but presidential support means that it has the institutional backing… Read more.

What is the CBD scene like in Sweden and where is the best CBD oil in the country? Cannabis.net sat down with Cbdsverige.com to find out whe the CBD scene is like in Sweden. Is it legal? Is cannabis going to be legalized soon? Let's find out what he Swedes are doing to get ready for the hemp and cannabis Green Rush! What is the CBD/cannabis scene like in Sweden? I can only speak for the CBD scene in Sweden, and… Read more.

The United Kingdom prime minister’s office is distancing itself from a proposal from Conservatives that would reclassify cannabis from a Class B to Class A drug in the country, with a Downing Street spokesperson telling The Guardian that there are “no plans” to make the change.    The plan was pitched last week by Conservative police commissioners in the U.K. It would have put cannabis in the same category as heroin and cocaine and meant harsher penalties for possession and potential life sentences in prison for… Read more.