Tilray Brands - German Cannabis Legalization Update | Newsletter of the German Cannabis Business Association | | |
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Topic Overview:
- Cannabis law: Bundestag resolution is an important milestone
- Karl Lauterbach summarizes the goals of the federal government in the Bundestag debate
- Construction company receives 1.9 million US dollars from the US Army for important Hempcrete research
- Synbiotic, Cannovum and Cantourage with strong share price increases
- Distribution of legal retail cannabis stores in Canada and their relationship to neighborhood deprivation
- Reactions to the CanG parliamentary decision
- More news
- Events
- Jobs
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News of the week
Cannabis Act: Bundestag resolution is an important milestone
Cannabis Act (CanG) passed with a large majority, cannabis industry welcomes progress & wants more
02/23/2024 | In its session last Friday, the Bundestag passed the Cannabis Act with a majority of 407 votes (63.89%), i.e. an approval of almost 2/3 of the 637 votes cast.
The President of the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW), Dr. Stefan Meyer, comments on this historic decision:
"The German cannabis industry congratulates the members of the Bundestag for this landmark decision. Today represents a milestone, not only for the many people who have been fighting for a different cannabis policy for decades, but above all for the millions of consumers.
This day is also a boost for the possibilities in the field of medicinal cannabis, from which patients should also benefit in the future. Much has been achieved, but we have not yet reached our goal. Further improvements are needed, and this day is only an important interim step for both medical cannabis and the industrial hemp sector. Above all, a great deal of commitment and dedication is now needed to develop the all-important "Pillar 2" as quickly as possible. As the cannabis industry, we are ready for this. Today gives the German cannabis industry the courage to further develop Germany as a business location."
The cannabis business sector coordinators explain the effects of the Cannabis Act on the various industry segments:
BvCW Vice President Dirk Heitepriem (Department of Recreational Cannabis Regulation):
"The criminalization of consumers will end, home cultivation and growers' associations will be permitted. The federal government should now immediately start work on Pillar 2, the model projects for regulated dispensing. This is absolutely essential in order to achieve a real reduction in the black market in the medium term."
Dr. Armin Prasch (Department of Medical Cannabis):
"With the removal from the BtMG, a noticeable simplification in the cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Germany and in its prescription should be expected. As a result, the existing hurdles of a BTM prescription will no longer apply. The planned authorization procedure for the cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Germany could create real competition in medical cultivation in Germany. The compulsion to import could thus be reduced. Overall, however, there are other aspects to improving patient care with medicinal cannabis, which can now be addressed in a targeted manner."
BvCW Vice President Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte (Department of Industrial Hemp):
"The law finally clarifies that industrial hemp farmers are not narcotics producers. We advocate further reforms, in particular the abolition of the so-called intoxication clause, in order to achieve legal certainty for farmers, processors and traders. In future, Germany should play a pioneering role in industrial hemp in order to exploit the great potential for achieving climate targets, e.g. in the area of construction and insulation materials."
Quote of the week
Karl Lauterbach summarizes the goals of the federal government in the Bundestag debate "We are pursuing two goals. The 1st goal is to combat the black market. The 2nd goal is better protection of children and young people. [...]
We have to face up to the problems and the approach we are pursuing here is a good one. We are pursuing four goals:
We are legalizing personal consumption. We are creating an alternative to the questionable criminal black market.
We educate people about the dangers of cannabis, especially for the growing brain. For children, young people, under 25s.
And we increase the sentence for those who sell to children and young people in gangs to at least 2 years.
In this combination, we are tackling the problems together. We are not burying our heads in the sand. We are not leaving children and young people alone."
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's (SPD) speech to the Bundestag debate on the Cannabis Act.
Study of the week
Distribution of Legal Cannabis Retail Stores in Canada and Their Relationship to Neighborhood Deprivation 02/14/2024 | According to findings published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, a study examined the distribution of legal cannabis businesses in Canada in relation to levels of neighborhood deprivation. Neighborhood deprivation refers to the concept of spatial concentration of social disadvantage and adverse living conditions in specific neighborhoods or geographic areas.
The researchers from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto collected data from all legal cannabis businesses in Canada from October 2018 to September 2021. These were linked to indices of material and social neighborhood deprivation from the Institut National de Sant Publique du Qubec.
The study analyzed the distribution of legal cannabis businesses in Canada by material and social deprivation of neighborhoods. The number of stores doubled nationally from 3.7 to 8.0 per 100,000 population 15+. The store distribution was even across materially deprived neighborhoods, while socially deprived neighborhoods had a higher concentration. Surprisingly, legal cannabis businesses were more prevalent in socially deprived areas. The authors emphasize the need for ongoing monitoring to understand the evolution of the legal retail market in Canada and to inform potential policy adjustments. Reactions to the CanG Bundestag resolution The Federal Government Commissioner for Drugs,
Burkhard Blienert (
SPD), gives predictions on the Cannabis Act: "With the cannabis clubs and self-cultivation, the demand for the black market will collapse drastically," said Blienert before the final vote on the Cannabis Act scheduled for Friday in the Bundestag, according to a report by
RND.
"I am convinced that anyone who is allowed to grow hemp themselves will no longer buy dangerous mixtures from dealers on the black market," he emphasized.
"Bans on smoking weed won't help, and the current criminalization of people has nothing to do with health protection," argued the SPD politician. The reality of life for 4.5 million adult cannabis users in the past year makes this abundantly clear. He spoke of a new drug and addiction policy,
"away from stigmatization and criminalization, towards more protection and help." Dirk Heidenblut, rapporteur on drug policy (SPD),
ibid:
"Until now, cannabis users have been stigmatized, criminalized and supplied on the black market with substances that are harmful to their health, the contents of which they don't even know. This has now come to an end. With the Cannabis Act, we are creating the necessary health protection through quality standards for controlled cultivation. And we are focusing on the protection of children and young people, which is why possession, sale and distribution to children and young people remains prohibited. We are also creating improvements for cannabis patients. As the SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag, we have been campaigning for years for a reversal of the prohibition policy and a reorientation of drug policy. Today, we have finally succeeded in taking this important step. The next step is to discuss the introduction of pilot projects to test the certified sale of state-controlled cannabis to adults (the so-called 2nd pillar)." The
FDP parliamentary group published a
document with arguments for cannabis legalization, in which FDP executive committee member Moritz Krner commented on the adoption:
"The German cannabis law creates consumer freedom, strengthens the protection of children and young people and curbs crime." The FDP parliamentary group also wrote on
X (Twitter):
"In the end it was a long road, but with success: the paradigm shift is coming, the repressive & failed cannabis policy is history. The cannabis law is an overdue step!
We need more education, more prevention and less repression!
Do we not have more important issues
Yes, but so do our police!" On X (Twitter), Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, summarized the CanG with the following lines:
"A great success!
The CanG was passed in the Bundestag.
We are ending prohibition and criminalization and paving the way for youth and health protection.
After this long process, I am very pleased with what has been achieved and thank everyone for their commitment."
Kristine Ltke, the FDP's spokesperson for addiction and drug policy, shared the following on X (Twitter): "We did it! The Bundestag has approved the Cannabis Act!
With this law, we are ensuring that social realities are recognized and strengthening individual freedom.
However, the next hurdle will be the Bundesrat. We can only speculate whether it will call on the Mediation Committee. The votes are too different. The Greens & SPD must ensure in the federal states that a fiasco like the Growth Opportunities Act is not repeated
Despite the challenges that still lie ahead, today is a day to celebrate. Thanks to everyone for their support, advice and pressure. Let's keep moving forward and advocate for progressive cannabis policies!"
Ates Grpinar, deputy party leader of the Left Party, wrote on X (Twitter) on CanG: "We have an important partial success to celebrate today - starting tomorrow we will continue to fight together for a sensible legalization that will help our society. Join in too!" |
Jrgen Bickel, Managing Director of Storz & Bickel GmbH, expressed his satisfaction with the latest developments in a press release, despite his initial hopes for full legalization: "This law is a very important and long overdue step in the right direction. The most important thing is to provide consumers with a safe and legal environment to consume cannabis without fear of prosecution." Bickel also emphasized the significant signal effect this decision will have on the global stage: "We hope that neighboring European countries and nations around the world will take Germany's progressive stance as an example. Germany has set a precedent that others can now emulate." Hasso Suliak, journalist at LTO, wrote a commentary: "But despite all the details worthy of criticism: today is a good day. Not for supporters of drug prohibition or people who associate cannabis use with a world view that doesn't fit in with their view of things. But a good day for normal people. People who go to work, look after children and simply no longer want to live under the stigma of criminality just because they use cannabis." Dr. Constantin von der Groeben, one of the managing directors of DEMECAN, commented on the passing of the CanG in a press release: "The law is so much more than a set of rules for recreational cannabis. After a long back-and-forth, the Bundestag has agreed on a version that also significantly improves the care of cannabis patients. The new regulations are a milestone. From now on, German manufacturers will also be allowed to produce medical cannabis in line with demand. The structural disadvantage compared to imports is finally over." Co-Managing Director Dr. Adrian Fischer was also pleased with the result: "The adoption was long overdue. But for the law to be a success, the federal and state governments must now pull together. We hope that there will be no further delays in the Bundesrat on March 22. In the case of medicinal cannabis, we have been demonstrating how production, trade and distribution work successfully since 2017." Aurora Germany commented on the adoption on LinkedIn: "Today marks a revolutionary change for the cannabis industry and is a clear step forward towards a progressive drug policy in Germany and Europe. The adoption of "Pillar 1" of the Cannabis Act (CanG) by the German Bundestag is a milestone for the destigmatization of patients and users and will also bring very positive changes for the industry. Together with the German government, Aurora will continue to work to promote this positive development in drug policy. In our view, it is high time that patients finally have better access to their medicine and that cannabis users are no longer discriminated against and criminalized. The focus is now turning to the planned "Pillar 2" and the associated pilot projects. We can hardly wait to start the next phase together with the federal government and the industry and get even closer to our common goal: OpeningTheWorldToCannabis " Spain publishes draft law for medicinal cannabis - without flowers
02/21/2024 | As Business of Cannabis reports, the Spanish government has published a draft bill for a medical cannabis framework and launched a public consultation until March 4. The draft excludes any form of medicinal cannabis in flower form. Only cannabis oils are to be authorized to produce "master formulas" that must be prescribed by specialists in the national health system. They will probably only be dispensed via hospital pharmacies. Points of criticism include the exclusion of THC and CBD cannabis flowers. The regulation aims to only approve prescriptions for conditions for which there is strong evidence for the effectiveness of cannabis. The framework conditions should evolve dynamically, based on new information and experience.
Bavaria: Germany's largest hemp store opens
02/22/2024 | According to the SZ, Germany's largest hemp store, called "Natur Erlebniswelt", has opened in Aschheim. The 800 square meter store, run by Wenzel and Silke Cerveny, offers a variety of hemp products, including pet food, mattress toppers, oils, cosmetics, cookies and even baby clothes. The hemp-based products come from more than 400 brands. The store focuses on the many uses of hemp.
The owners also plan to open a cannabis club called "Chill Out Club" next to the hemp store as soon as the legalization of cannabis is implemented in Germany. However, the owners emphasize that the club and the hemp store will remain strictly separate and that no narcotics will be sold over the counter. According to the report, the local council is considering having a playground built nearby, as the cultivation club would become illegal due to the distance regulations.
Sanity Group: Finn Hnsel expects the number of cannabis patients in Germany to increase tenfold
02/23/2024 | Despite the recent legalization of cannabis in Germany, Finn Hnsel from the Sanity Group is cautiously optimistic. "We don't want to make our business dependent on a change in the law," he said. "We have to prepare for every scenario." In the long term, the Sanity CEO expects dynamic growth, similar to Israel, where legalization has increased the number of cannabis patients tenfold. There are currently around 200,000 cannabis patients in Germany and the industry generates a total turnover of 200 million euros.
The Sanity Group focuses on medical cannabis and has a market share of around ten percent. Read more on this topic in the Handelsblatt.
USA: Hemp harvest stabilizes
02/24/2024 | Early indicators suggest that hemp cultivation in the US will have stabilized by 2023, HempToday reports. Estimates show that approximately 19,500 acres of hemp were harvested, while 22,248 acres were planted. Hemp fiber production increased to over 10,000 hectares in 2023, while CBD cultivation continued to decline. The top hemp-growing states were Kentucky, Oregon and California, while Montana, South Dakota and Idaho were the top producers of hemp fiber and grain. Despite an early bloom in the CBD market, overvaluation and demand issues led to a decline in hemp production between 2021 and 2022. Final data from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistical Service for 2023 is expected in April.
Events
03/12/2024 - Berlin: The new cannabis law, Organizer: SPD parliamentary group
03/12/2024 - Berlin: The new cannabis law, Organizer: SPD parliamentary group
03/14/2024 - Online seminar on the topic of cannabis, Organizer: Drug Department Frankfurt am Main
03/20/2024 - CannabisCon in Frankfurt a.M., Organizer: dfv Conference Group
04/16-17/2024 - ICBC Berlin, Organizer: International Conferences Group
Exhibitor discount for BvCW members & 25% ticket discount with the code: BvCW25
05/23-24/2024 - Medical Cannabis Congress 2024, Organizer: DMCG e.V.
05/24-26/2024 - CannaTrade in Zurich, Organizer: CannaTrade
06/10/2024 - 8th National Substitution Conference in Berlin, Organizer: akzept e.V.
05/24-26/2024 - Info CB Club in Berlin, Organizer: CB Net
06/14 - 06/16/2024 - Mary Jane in Berlin, Organizer: Rocket Canna
Exhibitor discount for BvCW members in the B2B area & 20% ticket discount with the code: bvcw
06/26-27/2024 - Cannabis Europe in London, Organizer: Cannabis Europe
08/23-25/2024 - Cannafair in Dsseldorf, Organizer: Cannafair
Jobs
Sales Manager / a. o. m.: alephSana (Berlin)
Event manager / a. o. m.: Cannamedical (Cologne)
Textile laboratory technician/ a. o. m.: Norafin (Mildenau)
Head of Finance: enua Pharma GmbH (Aachen)
Quality Assistant / a. o. m.: Aurora (Berlin)
Workplace & Experience Manager / a. o. m.: Sanity Group (Berlin)
Head of Legal / a. o. m.: Demecan (Berlin)
Student Internship: BvCW / CS Cannabis Service (Berlin/Homeoffice)
Employee GMP customer service / a. o. m.: QSI (Bremen)
Office Manager / a. o. m.: Sative (Dsseldorf)
Accountant: Bloomwell (Frankfurt)
Business Development Associate / a. o. m.: Algea Care (Frankfurt)
Marketing Manager: Canify (Leipheim)