A large-scale observational study of medical cannabis, originally launched in the UK, is now in Australia and looking for participants.

The Twenty21 project was launched in 2019 with the aims of establishing the largest body of evidence in the UK on the efficacy and tolerance of medical cannabis, and providing patients with access to medicines at reduced prices.

This latter goal was achieved through partnerships with licensed producers to subsidize the cost; the counterpart being that the patients had to consent to their medical data being collected by the organization leading the initiative, drug science.

Although the scheme fell short of its ambitious target of reaching 20,000 patients at the end of last year, with only 2,000 patients registered, it has been extended until the end of 2022 in the UK. This extension is accompanied by changes in the pricing of medical cannabis.

Extension to Australia

drug science announced that the project would also operate in Australia in conjunction with theAustralasian College of Cannabinoid Medicine (ACCM), the research arm of Releaf Group.

The Australian part of the study of the Twenty21 project, which will be carried out in the Releaf Clinics, will focus on collecting data on the efficacy and safety of medical cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and multiple sclerosis. People participating in the study will be required to complete online questionnaires every three months for 12 months.

“By engaging at least 1,000 patients locally, we intend to track the outcomes of their medical cannabis treatments to gain valuable insights that will help improve patient care in Australia,” said the director. scientist of Releaf Group and researcher, Professor Kylie O’Brien.

Among other criteria, eligible participants must be about to see or have just seen a clinician in the Releaf Clinics. People already using cannabis for medical purposes cannot participate. Cannabis-based medications prescribed to study participants will be available at a discounted price for the duration of their participation.

More information about the study and participation is available here.

The results of the study will be made public on the ACCM website and submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication.

New hemp legislation has been introduced in the United States to address the limitations associated with Farm Bill of 2018, including THC limits set at 0.3%.

This threshold, just restored in Europe, poses a number of problems for American hemp producers. If the choice of varieties is limited, the greatest risk is to exceed the THC limit, and to have to destroy your harvest, or even be the subject of criminal proceedings.

The issue of the temporary increase in THC levels during the processing of hemp into a final product below 0.3% is also left aside for the moment.

Hemp Advancement Act of 2022

Earlier this week, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree presented the Hemp Advancement Act of 2022which aims to improve the provisions of the Farm Bill of 2018 relating to hemp.

” I present The Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 to eliminate unenforceable testing requirements, set reasonable THC thresholds for growers and processors while protecting consumers, and end the discriminatory policy that prohibits people with drug convictions from growing legal hemp,” said the Congressman Pingree.

This law would raise to 1% the THC threshold authorized for hemp and hemp extracts during processing. It also provides additional protections for the processing and transport of hemp that would have exceeded the THC limit due to excessively favorable growing conditions, abolishes the monopoly of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the registration of hemp testing laboratories and repeals the ban on most people with drug convictions from obtaining a hemp license.

Additionally, the law would revise the legal THC threshold for consumable hemp products from 0.3% delta-9 THC to 0.3% total THC, thereby addressing the thorny issue of delta-8 THC.

the Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 of Pingree has already garnered significant support within the industry, especially from the Hemp Round Tableone of the main lobbying associations around hemp.

“We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree for her strong leadership in driving this legislation on behalf of hemp growers, processors and consumers across the country,” the organization said.

New Zealand police have budgeted more than $600,000 for a nationwide cannabis eradication programme, a year after the operation was called off. Officials had quietly ended the practice in January 2021, saying the leaders of the country’s 12 police districts no longer supported the program.

According to a briefing given to Stuff, six police districts are involved in reviving the eradication operation. The other six districts have indicated that they will continue to manage local cannabis eradication as needed and are not participating in the nationally coordinated effort.

The action, dubbed Operation Emerald, began in January and will continue until next month.

The original operating budget for the eradication program was $575,000 and was to come from core police funding. The budget has since risen to $635,000 due to rising costs, a police spokesperson said.

Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick, who campaigns for the legalization of cannabis in New Zealand, said the only “successful seizure” lawmakers heard of under the scheme involved three plants grown by a couple in Coromandel.

The owner had explained that the police flew a helicopter over their property and seized their plants while they were having dinner. The person said that “money budgeted by the police for the eradication program would have been better spent on criminals who cause real harm… [plutôt que] medical growers and very small growers of one or two plants that cause little or no damage”.

The program has existed since the 1980s. If it had been stopped for lack of enthusiasm and success, its budget had not been reallocated and therefore remained free, which motivated its return.

“His failure runs so deep that even Prohibition cheerleaders can’t see the irony in their argument that cannabis is now much stronger than it ever was – precisely because of these actions, which continue to drive cannabis production and consumption underground, into unregulated spaces,” said Chlöe Swarbrick.

In 2020, New Zealanders rejected a cannabis referendum 53% to 46%.

British Columbia has decided to highlight Indigenous Cannabis Products, in English BC Indigenous Cannabis Product (BCICP), from cannabis companies in which at least 51% of the shares are held by indigenous people.

The province launched this program to support the participation of Indigenous cannabis producers in the legal market and to showcase their products to cannabis sellers and producers in the province. British Columbia has taken a unique approach to supporting First Nations and Aboriginal participation in the legal market.

Retailers will be able to identify BCICP products on the province’s wholesale website through the presence of a special logo that the province plans to update later this year.

Alberta Eppinga, Aboriginal owner of BC Cannabis Inc.a micro-cultivator based in Sooke, says he’s happy to see the province taking a proactive approach to supporting BC’s native people in their participation in the legal cannabis industry.

“I think it’s fantastic that they’re doing this for Aboriginal people,” says Alberta Eppinga. “I think it could go a little further, of course, but I think it’s a great start and it’s going to really help. It makes me proud to be in the cannabis industry as an Indigenous person in British Columbia, with the support of our government. »

Bilal Cheema, an FN Canna consultant based in the First Nations community of Shxwha:y near Chilliwack, shares Eppinga’s cautious optimism.

“The government has made progress and shown that it is responsive to the needs and recommendations it hears at the First Nations table and this is a welcome step forward,” Cheema said. “But the question of how significant it is and whether or not it is sustainable can only be answered over time. »

The program is currently receiving registration files. Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, who leads the province on the cannabis file, says he expects to see Indigenous products on the shelves soon.

“The launch of this new program demonstrates the province’s commitment to supporting Indigenous participation in B.C.’s cannabis sector,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Provincial Cannabis Lead. . “With enrollment in the program open, we look forward to seeing qualifying products featured in stores and online soon. »

Fears that the European Commission (EC) may once again change its position on the status of CBD have faded after it validated its first Novel Food applications for natural Cannabis extracts.

At least five companies have thus been informed by the EC that their Novel Food dossiers relating to CBD have reached one of the last stages of the Novel Food process.

The companies – CBDepot, based in the Czech Republic, PharmaHemp, based in Slovenia, the Swiss company Linnea, the French company Spectrums Europe and the UK branch of Brains Bioceutical – have been informed and their contact details published on the Novel Food portal.

The EC would not confirm if any other imminent additions were planned. She only confirmed that she had validated Novel Food’s claims from “a number of companies.”

A two-year delay

This breakthrough was welcomed as great news by the industry, as many of the EC’s 130 Novel Food Authorization applications have been in process for more than two years, raising widespread concerns about what delay.

Some of these concerns stemmed from the International Narcotics Control Board’s determination that all parts of cannabis pants fall under international drug laws.

This followed the EC’s change of position in July 2020 when it wanted to consider CBD as a narcotic, a decision it reversed a few months later following the KanaVape decision of the Court of Justice of the Union. European (CJEU).

In December 2020, the EC declared that it was resuming the CBD Novel Food process and, almost 14 months later, these CBD validations were welcomed by one of the successful applicants Boris Baňas, Founder and Chief Sales Officer of CBDepot .

He told BusinessCann, “This is an important milestone for the industry. Finally, after more than a year, the EC officially recognized the CJEU’s decision in the KanaVape case.

“The validation of the herbal applications implies that these extracts are not in breach of the European Commission’s definition of a food – confirming that it no longer considers CBD to be a narcotic. »

“The EC has finally made it official that hemp extracts with negligible THC content do not fall under the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This despite the fact that several UN agencies – such as the INCB – still claim the opposite. »

Next step after validation

The validation having been completed, the applications in question will now be examined by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The latter will deliver its scientific opinion “within nine months from the date of receipt, noting however that extensions are possible if additional data is requested,” an EC official told BusinessCann.

The official continues: “After the publication of the opinion of the EFSA, and in the event of a favorable result, the Commission has seven months to submit to the permanent committee (represented by the Member States) a draft act authorizing its marketing. . The draft act provides not only for the placing on the market of the novel food but also for the updating of the Union list (of novel foods). »

Adding that if “EFSA’s opinion is not favorable or for any other legitimate reason, the Commission may terminate the authorization procedure”.

The European continent is at the forefront of reforming the legalization of cannabis for adult use. Late last year, lawmakers in Malta passed a measure regarding adult use, making the country the first in Europe to do so. With 2022 in full swing, many other European countries could follow.

Members of Germany’s ruling coalition have already announced plans to legalize cannabis for adult use and launch a regulated industry for adult use. German lawmakers have not announced a specific timeline for doing this, but hope to do so within the next 4 years.

Cannabis activists in Italy had collected enough signatures to submit to voters a referendum on the legalization of cannabis. However, hopes were dampened by the refusal of the Constitutional Court to take the referendum into account. In Luxembourg, legalization should take place this year.

Switzerland and the Netherlands are both pursuing “pilot programs” for adult cannabis use, under which cannabis will be legal in certain places for research purposes, in order to contribute to the development of possible policies. national legalization. Switzerland already allows the sale of cannabis products containing less than 1% THC. In all measurable areas, cannabis legalization is underway in Europe.

Opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and consumers

These are truly exciting times for cannabis enthusiasts in Europe and, looking to the future, the situation can only continue to improve as more and more countries pursue and adopt sensible reform measures. Each European country that legalizes, starting with Malta, creates a dynamic of reform in the other countries of the continent. Lawmakers must decide whether they want to be on the right side of history and see their countries reap the benefits of cannabis reform, or continue to cling to failed public policy and pass up opportunities that never come. present only once per generation.

Now that the first domino has fallen, we can expect an upsurge in policy changes in the coming years in Europe. It is extremely important for investors, operators and consumers to know what to anticipate and to choose the right moment, because the inevitable changes in policy will create immense opportunities.

The perfect time and place to learn more about what to look forward to in Europe is the B2B event of theInternational Cannabis Business Conference which will take place in Barcelona on March 10. This event is part of the world’s largest superconference, theInternational Cannabis Business Conference once again teaming up with Spannabis.

Jamie L Pearson, President and CEO of Bhang Inc. (CSE:BHNG OTCQB: BHNGF) will deliver the keynote address at the B2B event.

Ms. Pearson is a recognized leader in the cannabis space and brings nearly a decade of experience operating an internationally recognized brand in the ever-changing North American cannabis markets. In her keynote address, she will present her top ten observations on social justice, banking, taxation, well-being and leadership.

Additional speakers

The rich cannabis history and culture in Barcelona, ​​Spain makes it the perfect backdrop for the upcoming International Cannabis Trade Conference to be held in March. The conference is co-sponsored by Bhang Inc and Grow Glide. Following the superconference, the International Cannabis Business Conference will hold one of its famous after-parties. This year, the after-party will be sponsored by Juicy Fields.

The funniest man in the cannabis world, Ngaio Bealum, will be the master of ceremonies at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Barcelona. Other speakers include:

• Bernardo Soriano Guzmán, CO-CEO, S&F Abogados
• Guillermo J Fernandez Navarro – CO-Founder, S&F Abogados
• Nic Easley – CEO of 3C Consulting and Managing Director of Multiverse Capital
• Luna Stower – VP Business Development, Ispire
• Òscar Parés – Deputy Director, ICEERS Foundation
• Sergio González aka Weedzard – President, Movement 420
• Iker Val – CPO, Sovereign Fields
• Chloe Grossman – Executive Director of Business Growth, Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
• Roberto Algar – Managing Director, Curaleaf Switzerland
• Santiago Ongay – CEO, Sabia
• Kai-Friedrich Niermann – Founder, KFN+ Law Office
• Dr. Juana Vasella – Lawyer, MME Legal Zurich
• Joan Simó Cruanyes – Coordinator of Cananbis Hub UPC
• Albert Tio – Founder of Airam and President of Fedcac
• Aaron Smith – Co-Founder and Executive Director, National Cannabis Industry Association
• Lisa Haag – Founder, MJ_Universe
• Juanma Fernández – CEO, Easy CSC Group
• Patricia Amiguet – Founder of the Pachamama Cannabis Association and President of CatFAC
• Zeta Ceti – Founder and CEO, Green Rush Consulting
• Ruben Valenzuela Moreno, technical director of Valenveras.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is also organizing other events in Berlin in July 2022 and Zurich in September 2022. You can book your tickets now and take advantage of the early bird discount.

The New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada is proposing a federal bill to decriminalize drug possession nationwide. The private member’s bill, Bill C-216, will be debated in the spring.

“It’s time to truly end the failed war on drugs,” Gord Johns, the NDP MP behind the bill, told Filter. He hopes his fellow MPs across the political spectrum will take action to improve the health of Canadians, rather than trying to garner votes. “This is a health issue and I ask all parliamentarians to do the right thing.”

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publicly supported the motion.

A bill in 3 parts

The bill has three parts. The first is the simple decriminalization of drug possession. Gord Johns argues that decades of criminalization and the greater presence of extremely potent drugs, as well as lack of access to harm reduction services, are fueling overdose deaths.

Between January 2016 and June 2021, 24,626 “apparent deaths due to opioid toxicity” were recorded in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. Between April and June last year, there were 1,720, or 19 a day. “Decriminalization is a key part of a smart, effective and scientifically proven strategy to combat the overdose epidemic,” said Gord Johns.

The bill also provides for the voiding of criminal records for possession charges, removing some of the barriers that stand in the way of returning to employment or housing.

The third part is the regulation of substances. It would mandate the creation of a “national strategy to address the harm caused by problematic substance use by promoting a comprehensive approach to public health,” the bill reads.

Its functions include creating easy access to a safe supply, reducing the stigma associated with substance use through various programs, and implementing prevention programs that address factors – social and economic, among others – that lead to problematic drug use.

A national approach would be fairer than the current situation, said Brittany Graham, executive director of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to Filter. “It also makes things much simpler when there is the same rule across the country.”

According to Brittany Graham, the current bill has several shortcomings, including what would be a national possession threshold for each drug, what would constitute trafficking, with some users needing to sell small amounts of drugs to make ends meet, or the impasse on the problem of adulterated substances as long as they are not distributed by risk reduction structures.

In the last Canadian election, every major political party in the country acknowledged, at least tacitly, that prosecuting people for possession was the wrong way to go. However, this does not bode well for the success of this bill.

The New York Legislature has approved a bill that will allow state-licensed hemp growers to obtain advance conditional licenses to grow cannabis under the upcoming adult cannabis legalization program.

Farmers will be eligible for this measure if they already have a valid license to grow industrial hemp and have grown or harvested hemp for at least two years.

Democrat MP Carrie Woerner said the bill will allow growers to start their crops “this year and grow them through the summer to be ready for distribution to outlets and for sale in the spring.” .

Final licenses for 2023

Tremaine Wright, who runs the Cannabis Control Board of New York, said licensing would likely begin in the spring of 2023.

However, Chris Alexander, executive director of theOffice of Cannabis Management (OCM), said last week that authorities could release regulations for the sector in May this year, which would allow sales to open in spring 2023.

Grower and processor license holders would be required to participate in a social equity mentorship program and an environmental sustainability program. The bill also includes an agreement that allows cannabis farm workers to unionize.

In a statement, House Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said the bill will help the state “meet market demand for adult cannabis when retail dispensaries open their doors.” doors “.

“With the passage of this bill, we have an opportunity to create a responsible start to the adult-use cannabis industry by allowing temporary conditional cultivator and processor licenses to existing New York hemp growers.” , she said.

The measure would authorize the cultivation of cannabis outdoors or in greenhouses with up to 20 lamps. It will then be submitted for final approval by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul.

A survey conducted throughout France, and still ongoing, indicates that 53% of psychiatrists are in favor of the legalization of cannabis among the 400 professionals questioned.

Léa Leclerc, addictologist psychiatrist and head of the addictology units of the Southern HCL Hospital Group, within the Lyon University Addiction Service, is currently investigating the issue.

” What is interesting, explains Léa Leclerc, it is to observe the reasons they invoke. Psychiatrists in favor of legalization argue that the current system, based on repression, is unsatisfactory because it does not allow for prevention. »

As for the psychiatrists unfavorable to any legalization, their argument is based on their “fear of impacts on health and the potential societal damage caused, such as increased violence, road accidents, school dropout…” she explains.

Doctors also mention the fact that minors are more exposed to regular consumption than if it were supervised. They then fear the amplification of neurological problems associated with cannabis consumption and its impact on the health of young people and their place in society. The unregulated consumption of cannabis is also, for these psychiatrists, responsible for many school dropouts and road accidents among young drivers.

Of the 400 respondents, 77% of psychiatrists surveyed are also in favor of the legalization of medical cannabis. The PsyCan survey has already been awarded the “Prize for best oral communication” at the L’Encephale congress, the main French-speaking psychiatry congress, which met from January 19 to 21.