Philip Morris, the international tobacco giant, is in the process of acquiring Israeli company Syqe Medical in a deal that could reach $650 million, Calcalist has learned. Syqe’s main product is a metered dose inhaler to treat pain using cannabis vaporization.

The agreement has several stages. Philip Morris will initially invest $120 million to support the process of obtaining FDA approval for Syqe’s inhaler. If approval is obtained after conclusive clinical trials, Philip Morris will buy all the shares of the Israeli company for 650 million dollars.

The transaction will be made through Philip Morris’ subsidiary Vectura, which specializes in the field of inhalers.

Philip Morris had already invested $20 million in Syqe in 2016.

The acquisition of Syqe is one of the largest transactions in recent years in the field of medical technology in Israel. If the $650 million valuation is reached, Syqe will become one of the ten largest cannabis companies globally, joining the ranks of Tilray and Aurora.

This exit is very important for all investors in Syqe, given that the total investment in the company to date amounts to only 80 million dollars. The company’s founder and CEO, Perry Davidson, owns a relatively large share of the company, over 10%.

Founded in 2011 by Mr. Davidson, who is still its CEO, Syqe holds approximately 120 patents resulting from more than eight years of development. The main innovation of Syqe’s inhaler lies in the use of raw cannabis flowers, and not its processed products, and in the possibility of measuring an exact dose intended for the patient, in order to aim for a minimum effective dose.

For now, Syqe’s inhaler is available in Israel and Australia, which are relatively small markets. Syqe’s main target market is therefore outside of Israel, and the FDA approval process in the United States would be a crucial step. If successful, Syqe will be the first company in the world to obtain FDA approval for the use of raw cannabis inflorescences as a medicine.

Germany’s long-awaited bill for the “first pillar” of its cannabis legalization plans has been widely criticized by industry insiders and would-be Cannabis Clubs.

The new proposals, first officially published last week, have been accused of significant “over-regulation”, which would make it virtually impossible for cannabis associations to operate.

An informal Cannabis Club told Business of Cannabis that his plans had been frozen following the bill’s release, calling the stipulations “crazy.”

Kai-Friedrich Niermann, a cannabis lawyer and industry expert, said of the bill: “The basic idea of ​​the so-called first pillar is based exclusively on health aspects, namely the protection of children and young people. This aspect is placed above everything else and leads to outright alarmism in health policy. »

“All the provisions of the draft are unenforceable, contradictory and significantly over-regulate the consumption and cultivation of cannabis in grow associations. »

Location, location, location

Adrian Schöpf is the co-founder and managing director of The Joint Venturea cannabis association to be established in Bremerhaven.

The Joint Venture was almost ready to launch, with Mr. Schöpf and his three co-founders planning to send in their application this week, after finding sponsors and recruiting a growing number of members.

However, following the publication of the bill last week, the association’s launch plans were put on hold because “none of these regulations make sense”, either from a commercial or operational point of view. .

The first of his many criticisms of the proposed regulations concerns the location of these cultivation sites.

According to the bill: “The property (i.e. land, area, greenhouse, building) of a consortium may not be located, even partially, inside a dwelling or another residential building or property”.

According to Schöpf, it is therefore very difficult to operate in easily accessible cities where the majority of buildings are used for residential purposes.

Subsequently, this means that cannabis associations, due to regulations requiring all of their operations to be located in one place, will need relatively large space and will be relegated to “industrial zones”, which are “super expensive to rent”.

“These areas are not located in the heart of cities, but on the outskirts, so even for people who go there, it is a real headache. Now, if you think about it, that’s just unmanageable for a nonprofit.”

Another key issue, which has been repeatedly raised even before the official publication of the bill, is the need for cultural associations to be at least “200 meters from the entrance to schools, facilities for children and young people and playgrounds for children”.

This exclusion zone also applies to consumption, which means that no cannabis can be consumed within 200 meters of schools, playgrounds, sports facilities or the entrance of grow associations.

As Mr. Niermann points out, “in Berlin, this would easily amount to a total ban”.

Moreover, with the total ban on advertising, it would be virtually impossible to mark areas where consumption is allowed, which would expose many people to criminal penalties.

The costs

Besides the obvious difficulties of location, the costs associated with setting up and running a cannabis association mean that membership dues are likely to be so high that few will be tempted to stray from the illicit market.

Members of Cannabis Clubs can each receive a maximum of 50 grams of cannabis per month for their own consumption if they are over 21 years old, and a maximum of 30 grams if they are between 18 and 21 years old.

For associations with the maximum number of members, 500, this means that they could cultivate up to 300 kg of cannabis per year.

According to Schöpf, based on elementary calculations, the costs of setting up and building a plot capable of handling this amount of production would amount to around 15,000 euros, and the monthly operational costs, excluding staff, to around 4000 euros.

The new draft stipulates that associations cannot charge per gram and that they must cover all their costs through membership dues, which they can determine according to their costs.

“No additional fee may be required when cannabis is delivered. Cultivation associations must cover their own costs and can only claim statutory dues and, in the case of transfer of cannabis seeds to non-members and other cultivation associations, reimbursement of production costs”.

Members are required to pay two months’ membership fees in advance, in order to prevent them from moving regularly from one association to another, and “must participate actively in the culture”.

It’s unclear exactly how and to what extent the 500 members are expected to participate in the grow operation, but Schöpf says he believes the members “don’t want to be part of a garden club”.

In addition to initial installation costs and energy and irrigation bills, other financial and time commitments are required.

Mr. Niermann explains: “Cultural associations have many documentation and reporting obligations, and must appoint a youth protection officer. The members are divided into two groups, the 18-21 year olds and the older ones. The 18-21 year old group is only allowed to receive THC flowers up to a maximum of 10%. »

“With 7 members, for example, all the obligations are rather daunting; with the maximum number of 500 members, it will take at least two full-time employees in addition to the cultivation staff to meet all the obligations. »

“In addition to the investment for culture, which is not allowed to make a profit, there are then considerable operating costs for the clubs. »

“It’s not a good policy”

According to the German government, this law is introduced to “contribute to better health protection, strengthen cannabis education and prevention, curb organized drug-related crime and strengthen the protection of children and the youth “.

In its current form, Mr. Niermann and Mr. Schöpf say the bill will not achieve these goals.

Schöpf expects members to regularly travel to the outskirts of a city, or out of town, actively participate in culture, and pay a membership fee that could exceed the cost of their average daily consumption.

Mr Niermann echoed this view, concluding: “So it remains to be seen how many clubs will choose this option. »

“Together with various associations, we are currently working to significantly simplify the project and the regulations it contains. This alarmism in terms of health policy and this bureaucratic one-upmanship could well prevent the objectives pursued by the law from materializing. This is not a good policy! »

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and the new social network Threads, has updated its cannabis advertising policy to allow the promotion of inedible CBD products, with limitations, and to relax restrictions on hemp advertisements.

The social media conglomerate said in a notice published last Tuesday that CBD products containing up to 0.3% THC, which meets the US federal definition of legal hemp, may be subject to advertisement if they meet certain conditions.

Businesses can promote the sale of CBD if they receive written approval from Meta and the products are certified by payment compliance company Legitscript and comply with local laws. Ads must also not target anyone under the age of 18.

Meta’s policy on advertising non-edible hemp products (e.g. fiber or hemp seeds) has also been revised, so companies no longer need written permission to promote the sale. of these products in the United States, Canada and Mexico “provided they comply with all applicable local laws, codes and established industry guidelines”.

Additionally, it is now permitted to run hemp-related advertisements that “educate, advocate, or feature public service announcements related to CBD and related products, provided that such advertisements do not feature prohibited products for sale.”

“We want people to continue to discover and learn about new products and services offered by our technologies,” the group said.

However, “advertisers will still be prohibited from serving ads promoting THC-based products or cannabis products containing related psychoactive compounds,” the company said.

Advertisements for CBD products, meanwhile, must not contain claims that expressly state or imply that the products featured can “treat, cure, prevent, mitigate, or diagnose any disease or medical condition in humans or humans.” ‘animal “.

Michal Conley, general manager of certification and compliance solutions at LegitScript, said in a press release that the company’s CBD certification program, which is also used by Google to determine which products can be advertised, comes with an added benefit: the ability to reach millions of potential US customers through certain Meta platforms.

Twitter took a similar step by recently updating its cannabis advertising policy. Cannabis companies that are “certified advertisers” now have the option of featuring “packaged” cannabis products in advertisements promoted on the site.

Democratic senators are seeking to pass a series of cannabis amendments, including a proposal to legalize medical cannabis for US military veterans, as part of a defense bill to be reviewed this week.

Lawmakers seek to attach cannabis measures, along with another GOP-sponsored amendment that would strengthen the fight against fentanyl while removing barriers to research on Schedule I drugs, to the Defense Act national (NDAA).

One of the amendments, introduced by Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, would allow veterans to use medical cannabis in states and territories where the practice is legal, according to a separate bill introduced by the senator in April.

It would also protect physicians who greet patients and complete the paperwork needed to recommend the use of medical cannabis to veterans. Finally, it would require the US Department of Veterans Affairs to support clinical trials investigating the therapeutic effects of cannabis in treating conditions such as pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which commonly affect veterans.

“Cannabis and its compounds show promise for the management of pain and the treatment of a wide range of diseases and disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder,” the proposal reads. “Medical cannabis in states where it is legal may be a less harmful alternative to opioids in the treatment of veterans. »

The amendment is co-sponsored by Democratic Senators Cory Booker, Ron Wyden, John Fetterman, Alex Padilla, Mark Kelly, Tim Kaine and Peter Welch. Schatz and other lawmakers have sought to append cannabis text for veterans to earlier drafts of the NDAA in previous years, but never got a vote on the issue.

As of July 1, 2023, new legal provisions have entered into force which significantly affect online sales of tobacco products and related items, including vaporizers for dried herbs and therefore for cannabis flowers or extracts.

Since that date, Dutch traders have been prohibited from selling tobacco products and related items remotely, including via online shops, social media, telephone, chat or mail. Foreign operators are also prohibited from marketing these products online to Dutch consumers.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will enforce this ban.

What products are affected by the ban?

The ban on online sales covers tobacco products and related items. This includes not only traditional tobacco products, but also electronic vaporizers, electronic heaters and herbal products intended for smoking.

These products can no longer be sold online to Dutch consumers either by Dutch or European traders.

From our understanding, mechanical devices, like Dynavap or the good old weed pipe, are still allowed for sale in the Netherlands.

Dutch online shops are adapting

Due to upcoming legal changes, Dutch online shops will remove all e-vaporizers and e-heaters from their Dutch website(s), as we have seen at Sirius and VapoShop, for no cite just two.

These items can no longer be ordered online by Dutch customers.

Against the objective of promoting public health

While vaping cannabis is one of the healthiest ways to consume it, it’s strange that the Dutch government is going against its public health goals. Only the consumption of cannabis through an edible product is healthier, because rid of any inhalation.

As CannabisIndustrie.nl asks, how long will this ban last?

FOG, for Future of Grow, is a Swiss manufacturer of horticultural LEDs with the power to transform the horticultural industry. Thanks to its state-of-the-art technologies and its close collaborations with renowned institutions in Switzerland, FOG meets the needs of the most demanding customers. Whether you’re a newbie getting started or an established business looking to grow, FOG provides the tools and resources to propel your success to new heights.

FOG’s background and expertise

FOG’s journey has been shaped by 23 years of electrical and LED lighting experience, supplemented by eight years of research and testing, evaluating over 25 spectra and 9 different LED chips. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s pioneering work in horticultural technology, particularly in the field of vertical farming and LED lighting, FOG imported components from Japan, Germany and Korea to create lights Long-lasting LEDs designed to improve crop quality and reduce costs

With a research and development center in Switzerland, FOG is dedicated to the research, design, development and manufacture of energy efficient LED lights for greenhouses, interiors and automation equipment.

Strong partnerships and knowledge

The success of FOG is based on solid partnerships with prestigious institutions in Switzerland. These partnerships include the UNIL University Center, specializing in the molecular biology of plants, the Federal Research Center Agroscope, focusing on agronomy and agri-food research, and the Haute École du Paysage, d’Ingénierie et d’Architecture of Geneva, renowned for its expertise in the field of plants and pathogens. These collaborations ensure that FOG’s products are based on scientific knowledge and benefit from the latest research and development efforts in the field.

Unique and Proven Benefits

FOG’s LED lighting solutions offer a series of unique benefits that have been extensively tested and proven to work. One of the most significant benefits is the remarkable increase in harvest quality, with levels of sugar, terpenes, aromas, active ingredients and resins showing improvements of 30-78%. This results in higher quality yields and increased crop value.

The other is about a 40% decrease in heat compared to neon and HPS fixtures. In this period of global warming, this is not to be neglected!

In addition, FOG’s lighting solutions provide substantial electricity savings, in the order of 50-80%, by reducing energy consumption and minimizing the heat produced. These energy-efficient LED lamps not only benefit the environment, but also reduce operating costs for businesses.

Modularity and durability

FOG products are designed with modularity in mind, with high quality components that can be individually replaced. This modular approach ensures the durability of their lighting systems, allowing for seamless maintenance and reducing downtime. Spare parts can be easily replaced by customers using click connectors, eliminating the need to return fixtures to the factory. This modularity means practicality, profitability and uninterrupted productivity for horticultural businesses.

Scalable and future-proof

FOG’s modular product range is scalable, allowing new technologies to be incorporated without having to replace the entire luminaire. This future-proof design allows businesses to adapt and upgrade their lighting systems as new advancements emerge in the industry. Thanks to FOG’s solutions, horticulture professionals can stay at the forefront of technological developments without major investments or business disruptions.

Complete services and support

FOG not only provides innovative products, but also offers a wide range of services to support its customers. Their comprehensive approach includes personalized project studies with lighting simulation, quoting assistance, installation advice and ongoing technical advice. FOG’s commitment to customer success extends to training and coaching, ensuring businesses can maximize the potential of their LED lighting systems.

Leader in Switzerland. Soon in France ?

FOG is already a reference in the Swiss horticultural industry, revolutionizing the field with its advanced LED lighting solutions. By choosing LED lighting solutions from FOG, professionals can optimize their operations, achieve higher yields and contribute to a sustainable and efficient future in horticulture.

Discover their products and services on their website.

The Australian company Little Green Pharma (LGP), which already supplies CBD:THC 20:1 oil to the French experimentation of medical cannabis, won the second call for tenders which aimed to distribute CBD 50 oil for experimentation.

While the final amount of the tender is not publicly disclosed, LGP may supply up to 1 million of its CBD50 product under the terms of the tender.

Little Green Pharma had refused to apply for the first call for tenders launched by the Ministry of Health for the extension of the experiment. The latter indeed promised a price of €14 per bottle, a price well below its manufacturing, transport and customs costs.

Despite alerts from patients and professionals involved in the experiment, the lack of anticipation by the General Directorate of Health (DGS) had led to 2 shortages of CBD oils, a product mainly delivered to patients. The DGS then launched a second call for tenders to fill the holes in the racket.

Thanks to this award, LGP remains the main supplier of the French trial, with more than 85% of the 3,000 participants, according to its figures, being relieved by the company’s medical cannabis products.

The supply price for each bottle is set at 77 Australian dollars (47 euros), and the total value may be up to 1 million euros, depending on demand. LGP anticipates that this request will be met at the end of the trial period, in March 2024.

Over the past two years, experimentation has consistently shown positive results, with 91% of 1643 active patients reporting beneficial results.

With the second largest population in the European Union, France represents an important market for LGP, and the company sees its participation in the trial as a valuable advantage in view of bringing medical cannabis into common law in 2024.

For the past three years, LGP has provided LGP-branded products to more than 2,500 trial participants. The company has also entered into discussions with the French health authorities to explore possibilities for future expansion in the market.

Following the announcement, LGP shares rose 7.89%.

With 12 stories, breathtaking views of Cape Town’s towering Table Mountain and a minimal ecological footprint, the world’s tallest building constructed from industrial hemp will soon open in South Africa.

Supported by a concrete and cement frame, the walls of the building are made of “hempcrete” blocks made from the Cannabis plant. It will offer 54 rooms and was due to be completed in June.

In an interview with AFP, the director of Afrimat Hemp, which supplies the hemp concrete, said that as more and more people discover the insulating, fire-retardant and ecological qualities of hemp bricks, their use in construction is booming.

He explained that the blocks are carbon negative, meaning they remove more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than they release during production, making them ideal for renovation thermal insulation of old buildings, especially in Europe.

“The plant takes the carbon, puts it in a block and then stores it in a building for 50 years or more,” said Boshoff Muller, the director.

Industrial hemp from Hemp Hotel nevertheless comes straight from Great Britain, as its production was illegal in South Africa until last year, when the South African government finally started issuing cultivation permits. According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, more than 130,000 new jobs could be created if the hemp and cannabis sector were developed in the country.

In order to obtain carbon credits, Afrimat Hemp is preparing to manufacture its first batch of blocks using only hemp grown in South Africa.

A bill to legalize cannabis was introduced in Pennsylvania last week. This bipartisan law would legalize the possession and retail sale of cannabis and includes waiver provisions for non-violent cannabis-related criminal charges.

It would also allow law enforcement to prosecute driving under the influence, eradicate illicit markets and ban the marketing of cannabis to children. Cannabis use requirements in the workplace for all who work in good faith would also be established.

In a statement, Senator Dan, Laughlin, the proponent of the proposal, said that “the legalization of adult use of cannabis is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation achieves that goal while guaranteeing security and social equity. »

“Along with neighboring states of New Jersey and New York that have implemented adult use, we have a duty to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania to legalize adult use of marijuana to avoid losing hundreds of millions. dollars in new tax revenue and thousands of new jobs.

The bill also takes social equity into account and makes provisions for licenses to be granted to applicants with social and economic equity to sell cannabis, while leaving room for new and to ensure that demand in Pennsylvania is met, according to Dan Laughlin.

In light of Joe Biden’s announcement asking states to expunge prior cannabis-related convictions, Bill 846 would also expunge non-violent cannabis-related convictions for all such convictions.

Sharif Street added: “We have a unique and unique opportunity to correct decades of mass incarceration, disproportionate law enforcement against marginalized communities, criminalization of personal choice and perpetuation of violence, which all stem from the failure of the war on drugs. »

“Legalizing adult cannabis use will help us fully and fairly fund education, reduce property taxes, and meet a variety of community needs throughout Pennsylvania. »