Cannabis News Catch Up

A lot has happened in cannabis news around the world over the last couple of weeks. Here we catch you up on everything you might have missed, including Germany’s progress with getting its legalization laws approved by the EU, the rollout of legal cannabis in the United States, ongoing industry struggles in Canada, and the latest cannabis research to be misreported in the mainstream media.

A lot has happened in cannabis news around the world over the last couple of weeks. To help catch you up, here’s a quick summary of recent events.

But first, to stay up to date with breaking research and legalization news, along with lifestyle and informational articles, download our free cannabis news app.

Europe

Germany is seeking European agreement on its legalization plan and has reportedly received “very good feedback” from the European Commission on the proposed legalization of cannabis, according to German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. Lauterbach told the German press that a revised legalization proposal would be put to the vote “in the next few weeks.”

At the same time, the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) announced that there would be no change in the current insurance scheme for medical cannabis. The G-BA’s initial proposal was to tighten some key rules (prescription only by a specialist doctor, for example), which would have resulted in reduced patient access to medical cannabis.

Meanwhile, in the U.K., a 2016 report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the government’s expert advisory body, suggested non-criminal penalties for drug possession under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – aligning penalties with the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The report was ignored and then suppressed, The Times reports.

United States

Delaware’s House of Representatives has passed a cannabis legalization bill. The state Senate also leaned toward legalization, urging Congress to end cannabis prohibition.

While a proposal to decriminalize cannabis is moving forward in Texas, the majority of Texas voters want less stringent cannabis laws, according to a recent poll.

The slow rollout of legalization in New York State could cost the state up to $2.6 billion over the next eight years. One report suggests that “900 retail locations are needed statewide to ensure sufficient market access.” New York plans to open 36 this year.

Delta-8 THC has generated $2 billion in revenue over the past two years in the U.S., including in states that have not yet legalized THC…

Canada

With Canada’s cannabis behemoths struggling to turn a profit, and smaller producers demanding lower taxes on their products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that the government needs to “catch up” with the cannabis industry’s concerns, particularly regarding high taxes. Banking access also remains an issue.

Some edibles producers in Canada were attempting to circumvent the 10mg THC per serving limit by selling “extracts” (edibles), a product category with a higher THC limit. Health Canada did not remain indifferent to this attempt at a small bridge and called to order various confectioners.

Rest of the World

Antigua and Barbuda has become the first Caribbean country to grant the Rastafari community official sacramental authorization to grow cannabis.

Jamaica will support 16 communities and approximately 128 small-scale traditional cannabis growers over the next three to four years in a program aiming to eliminate illicit cannabis cultivation by allowing growers to enter the legally regulated industry.

The United Nations

The United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has criticized global cannabis legalization efforts, saying the reforms lead to “higher consumption, negative health effects, and psychotic disorders.”

He even suggested that the U.S. federal government force states repeal cannabis legalization to comply with international conventions, including the 1961 Convention.

The INCB points out that the 1961 treaty states that member states must “give effect to and implement the provisions of this Convention within their own territories,” whether or not they have a constitutionally federalized system like the United States.

The convention states that “unless a different intention appears from the treaty or is otherwise established, a treaty shall be binding on each of the parties for the whole of its territory.

The INCB regularly opposes countries that adopt a progressive approach to drug regulation but has no way of compelling them to enforce strict prohibition, which the international conventions do not call for.

Canna-industry

Sensi Seeds launched ten new varieties grouped under the banner “Breeding Grounds” in partnership with Fat Beans and Humboldt Seed Company.

Exotic Genetix’s Red Runtz won 2 awards at Spannabis in the Indica category (Jury Award and Popular Jury Award). Expect to see it come through your favorite plug quickly – no guarantee that’s what it really is.

Research

A recent study conducted on ten mice claimed that vaporized CBD was more harmful than vaporized nicotine. While several news outlets reported on it, they all failed to mention the many flaws in the methodology. According to various experts, there is no way to show that the harmful effects found were due to CBD and not any of the many other products in the products (MCT, P.G., or V.G.), if indeed they were.

—

(Featured image by RODNAE Productions via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published in Newsweed, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.