The legalization of cannabis in Canada has led to a drop in incidents between the country’s youth and law enforcement, according to data released in early spring.

The results, published in April in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependenceshow that Canada’s five-year-old cannabis law “has been associated with a significant reduction in police-reported cannabis offenses for both males and females” among citizens aged 12 at 17 years old.

Looking at police data between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021, researchers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto found a rate of 4.04 daily incidents among young women, a decrease of 62 .1%, and 12.42 daily offenses among young men, representing a reduction of 53%.

The Cannabis Act officially came into force in Canada in October 2018, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults aged 18 and over.

“The results suggest that the impact of the Cannabis Act on reducing youth cannabis-related crime is strong, supporting the law’s goals of reducing cannabis-related criminalization among youth and the associated effects on the Canadian criminal justice system,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion.

The researchers added that there was “no evidence of an association between cannabis legalization and patterns of property crime or violent crime.”

In their review, the researchers wrote, “The Cannabis Act was associated with sustained and substantial decreases of approximately 50% to 60% in national trends in cannabis-related criminal incidents among young men and young police-reported women over a period of approximately three years after legalization….. Given that involvement with the police and the Canadian criminal justice system for cannabis-related criminal incidents represents social and individual harm important for youth, it is reasonable to conclude that our results demonstrate a benefit associated with the implementation of the Cannabis Act. »

The researchers said they had “previously reported that the Canadian Cannabis Act of 2018, allowing youth to possess up to 5g of dried cannabis or the equivalent for personal/sharing use, was associated with a reduction short-term (76 days) after legalization of police-reported cannabis-related youth crime. »

The results are consistent with another recent study, also published in Drug and Alcohol Dependencewhich showed that the legalization of cannabis in Canada did not lead to an increase in road accidents.

“Neither the LCC [loi canadienne sur le cannabis] nor the NCS [nombre de magasins de cannabis par habitant] are associated with concomitant changes in (road safety) outcomes. … During the first year of CRUL implementation [loi sur l’usage récréatif du cannabis] in Toronto, no significant changes were observed in crashes, road fatalities and KSI [tous les usagers de la route tués ou gravement blessés] “says the study.

Another study, conducted in 2021, found similar results, finding “no evidence that cannabis law implementation was associated with significant changes in post-legalization patterns of trauma ER visits.” for all drivers or, more specifically, for road trauma emergency presentations for young drivers”.

“Given that Canada’s Cannabis Act requires the Canadian Parliament to review the public health implications of the law no later than 2023, the results of this study may provide empirical data not only for the Canadian assessment of calculation of harms and benefits, but also for other international jurisdictions weighing the merits and demerits of cannabis legalization policies,” the study states.

The governor of Colorado has signed a bill allowing the sale of cannabis online in his state, after more than 10 years of legalization.

The text, voted on and then signed, removes the passage of the law which explicitly prohibited the sale of cannabis on the Internet, while adding regulations to allow online commerce.

Adults 21 and older will still need to physically pick up their cannabis products in store, however, they will be able to view and purchase their cannabis online before going to the store.

The bill signed by Democratic Governor Jared Polis provides that retailers will have to verify the name and age of the customer when making an online purchase, and that this information will have to match the identification documents that he will provide when he will come to pick up the products.

In addition, the retailer will be required to provide buyers with “digital versions of any warning or educational materials that the cannabis retail store is required to display and provide on its licensed premises.” The customer must “acknowledge receipt” of these documents before completing their purchase.

“This bill is primarily, from my perspective, aimed at reducing cash in the cannabis sector, which is extremely important because when there is a lot of cash in an industry, it can lead to disturbing results, including thefts,” Republican Senator Kevin Van Winkle said during the plenary session last month.

“It exposes them to a huge number of potential thefts, and other things. »

State lawmakers also hope Congress will finally get around to addressing financial and public safety issues unique to the cannabis industry by passing the bipartisan law. Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act during the current session.

The legal sale of cocaine in the Swiss capital, Bern, may be authorized following the introduction of a bill last week, which was passed by a vote of 43 to 18. However, the sale of cocaine will not be permitted. not be legalized until the bill has been adopted at the federal level, by the Swiss government.

The Alternative Left party in Bern’s municipal government introduced the bill, which was opposed by city councilors from the center-right and religious parties. The bill received support from the left, including members of the Social Democratic Party.

Last year, Bern became one of the first cities in Europe to allow and implement the legal sale of cannabis. Conceived as a pilot study likely to be extended to the rest of the country, the SCRIPT project (Safer Cannabis – Research in Pharmacies Trial) from the Swiss University of Bern will study the effects of the legal sale of cannabis on society.

Last month, the federal government authorized the University of Bern’s cannabis sales pilot project, but the same is unlikely to happen for the sale of cocaine in the immediate future.

Franziska Teuscher, director of education, social affairs and sport for the municipal government of Bern, explained that the cannabis bill was passed at the federal level due to pressure exerted on the government by other cities.

She said, “The government only agreed to the cannabis pilot projects under pressure from the cities.” She added that the legal sale of cocaine bill was intended to send a signal to other cities.

Cocaine consumption in Switzerland is one of the highest in Europe. Four cities feature in the top 20: Zurich, Geneva and Basel occupy 5th, 6th and 7th place respectively, and Bern 18th (the list excludes cities located in non-EU countries).

A previous proposal to legalize cocaine sales was defeated in 2019, but revised plans with more restrictions won enough additional support from the left-leaning Social Democratic Party to pass the motion on Thursday.

Andre Gomes, communications manager at Release, said of the proposal: “This pilot project will be extremely interesting, given that Europe is the center of demand for global cocaine use. Although the details are not yet clear as to how this model will work, pressure from city-level initiatives has demonstrated the existence of potential future models of drug regulation. »

“The cocaine industry will only become safer when the global supply chain is reformed. How this cocaine will be obtained legally is not yet clear; whatever regulatory model is implemented, it will have to oppose the dangerous and ineffective global war on drugs”.

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Partnerships and strategic collaborations

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Product development and innovation

One of the key factors in the rise of Nine Realms is its unwavering commitment to product innovation. The company is focused on creating high quality, potent and functional cannabinoid products that appeal to a wide range of consumers. By incorporating cutting-edge hardware technologies and design elements, Nine Realms HHC vapes stand out from their competitors and establish a strong brand identity.

The brand is constantly evolving its product offering, offering not only HHC MINI, CLASSIC and LIGHT vapes, but also going beyond disposable vapes by working on new edibles and vaporizer cartridges. This diversification allows Nine Realms to appeal to a wider audience and increase its market share.

Professional Documentation

At Nine Realms, documentation is of paramount importance. The company operates transparently, sharing updates on its social media with images and professional blog posts. This approach highlights product details, important company updates, and provides all necessary test results and certifications, demonstrating brand legitimacy and customer focus.

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Emphasis on community building

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The bill to legalize cannabis in Colombia passed in the penultimate vote in the Senate on Tuesday, bringing the country one step closer to ending prohibition.

Deputy Juan Carlos Losada Vargas’ bill, approved by the House of Representatives last month, was approved by the Senate’s First Committee by a vote of 15 to 4. This is the seventh of eight votes needed for the proposal of constitutional amendment be forwarded to the President.

The next and final step is the Senate vote, which is expected to take place on June 16. If the bill passes, lawmakers will have less than a week to effect a bicameral reconciliation before the end of the session.

The legalization bill supports “the right to free personality development, allowing citizens to decide on cannabis consumption within a regulated legal framework.” And it mitigates “arbitrary, discriminatory or unequal treatment of the population that consumes”.

It also calls for public education campaigns and promotion of drug treatment services.

Last year, the House of Representatives gave initial approval to the legalization bill. The Home Secretary also came out in favor of the reform proposal at the time. The vote came shortly after a congressional committee pushed through that measure and another legalization bill.

President Gustavo Petro, a progressive who since taking office in August has vigorously advocated for an end to the criminalization of drugs internationally, spoke of the possible benefits of legalizing cannabis.

Last year, the president delivered a speech at a meeting of the United Nations (UN), urging member countries to radically change their approach to drug policy and end prohibition .

Mr. Petro also raised the possibility of legalizing cannabis in Colombia in order to reduce the influence of the illicit market. He also indicated that this change in policy should be followed by the release of those currently imprisoned for possession of cannabis.

He spoke of the economic potential of a legal cannabis industry, in which small towns in the Andes, Corinto and Miranda could benefit from legal cannabis cultivation, possibly without licensing requirements.

The president also indicated that he would be interested in the idea of ​​exporting cannabis to other countries where the plant is legal.

Mr. Petro met the President of Mexico last year and the two men announced that they would bring together other Latin American leaders for an international conference aimed at “redefining and rethinking the politics of of drugs”, given the “failure” of prohibition. Mexican lawmakers are also seeking to legalize the drug domestically.

Antigua and Barbuda became one of the first in the Caribbean to allow Rastafarians to cultivate and consume cannabis for sacramental use.

Rastafarians have been pushing for years to have cannabis legalized in the country. In 2021, followers “demanded a broader relaxation to end persecution and ensure freedom of worship.”

For decades, many Rastafarians have been imprisoned and racially and religiously profiled by law enforcement because of their cannabis use. Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda, an island country of just over 90,000 people, have sought to rectify the situation.

“We are freer now,” Ras Tashi, a member of the Ras Freeman Foundation for the Unification of Rastafarians, was quoted as saying by theAssociated Press.

This change in the law comes five years after Antigua and Barbuda decriminalized cannabis. It could also cause a domino effect in the Caribbean where other Rastafari communities are trying to assert their rights.

The Associated Press reported last week that “Rastafarians are pushing elsewhere for similar religious protections” and that some “believe Antigua and Barbuda law could boost those efforts in around the world, at a time when public opinion and politics continue to evolve in favor of the medical and recreational use of cannabis”.

Under new law in Antigua and Barbuda, the island’s government now allows “non-believers” to grow four cannabis plants each and possess up to 15 grams.

“We believe in giving everyone a place at the table, regardless of religion,” said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

“Just as we have recognized other religions, it is absolutely important for us to ensure that the Rastafarian faith is also recognized…to recognize their constitutional right to worship and to use cannabis as a sacrament.”

“We are proud to be an inclusive government and we believe that we must give everyone a place at the negotiating table, regardless of their religion, denomination or faith”, justified Gaston Browne.

“The Rastafari movement preaches brotherly love. And I’m talking about the purity of religion. We know that there are people who call themselves Rastafarian, but who do not necessarily practice Rastafarian values. But if we stick strictly to Rastafarian values, we see that he advocates brotherly love and good health; even his plant-based diet can benefit all of humanity,” Browne said.

The Czech Republic’s Health Minister, Vlastimil Válek, has cast doubt on the country’s ambitious plan to get a legal commercial cannabis market for adults approved and in place by 2024.

Expressing his position to the local media ZdraveZpravy.cz last week, Mr Válek said he was waiting “for his German colleagues” to share their draft legislation, but also to see how the European Commission (EC) reacts to the German proposals.

This measured statement contrasts with those of the country’s anti-drug coordinator, Jindřich Vobořil, the “engine of reform” in the Czech Republic, who remains determined to pursue the establishment of a commercial market despite the fact that Germany has revised its lower ambitions in the face of the European Commission’s refusal.

Go forward

In a speech given in May on the occasion of Cannabis Europa London 2023and a few weeks later at the Cannabis Summit in Prague, Mr. Vobořil reiterated his commitment to “launch a fully regulated market”.

In early April, the Czech Republic said it had approved a new drug strategy until 2025, which includes the introduction of a strictly regulated cannabis market, with an “expert group” tasked with ironing out the details of the regulations.

Vobořil, who is currently working on the strategy, said he wants the Chamber of Deputies to approve the bill by the end of the year, which would establish the market in 2024.

Under the proposed regulations, companies will be able to enter the commercial cannabis market through a paid conditional license, which will cost sellers CZK 50,000 (€2,200) per year. The same amount would apply to a 200 square meter crop plot.

Pharmacies will be able to sell cannabis without paying duties, while citizens will be able to cultivate a maximum area of ​​3 square meters for their personal use.

A consumer registration system is also being considered which would limit the amount a person can buy per month, although it is understood that the number of licenses issued would not be limited.

Willingness to take risks

After Germany gave up trying to create a trade market, the Czech Republic is now “alone in its quest” to become the first country in Europe to do so.

The probable refusal of the European Commission, which pushed Germany to develop a different strategy, would also have prompted the Czech government to be cautious.

Speaking to local media, Mr Válek said: “I am waiting for colleagues from Germany who are trying something similar. They are not there yet, and they have promised to show us the bill, on which, of course, the EC must give a positive opinion, because it will be a certain breakthrough in Europe “.

According to Astrasana Czech managing director Tomas Ryska, Mr Vobořil is not so discouraged by the threat of a refusal from the EC.

“What Jingrich said in London, and what he told me in our private conversations, is that right now the government is willing to take the risk, because they don’t is not even guaranteed that the EU actually creates problems related to this type of legal challenge. »

“They faced a similar situation last year when they were preparing to update the legislation regarding the THC limit from 0.3% to 1%. »

“Rumours were circulating that the EU was going to intervene and that there would be problems. It never happened. No one has ever contacted the Czech Republic because of this increase. »

“So they think the situation could be similar, but they are, at this stage, ready to take the risk. »

In order to clarify why the EC rejected Germany’s proposals and what guidance was provided, Business of Cannabis contacted the union, whose full response is published at the end of the article.

Internal opposition

In addition to external threats from the EC, there are potential problems internally. Mr. Válek recalled that there was no consensus within the five-party coalition regarding cannabis reform. Currently, the main objections to Mr. Vobořil’s project have been raised by the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).

Mr. Ryska continues: “Most members of the government are very supportive of these initiatives. They support them. However, a small group of members of the Christian party oppose it. »

“Their position does not reflect the whole party; it only reflects a very influential small group, two members who are supposed to become the leaders of the party. »

Business of Cannabis also understands that this opposition is likely driven by the interests of a small number of high-profile pharmaceutical companies. This influence is also seen as the main driver of recent controversial efforts to limit the sale of CBD products in the country, which the government later backtracked on.

European Commission’s full response to Business of Cannabis

Could you enlighten us on the orientations that the general manager Monique Pariat gave to Thomas Steffen on November 14, 2022 and January 18, 2023?

Director General Monique Pariat met on 14 November 2022 and on 18 January 2023 Thomas Steffen, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Health, and on 16 November 2022 Klaus Holetschek, Bavarian Minister for Health and Care, to discuss of the German initiative regarding the legalization of cannabis, based on the first key points document adopted in October 2022. As we have not yet received the official request for consultation from Germany, we cannot make any d any other comments at this point.

What is the current position of the European Commission vis-à-vis countries wishing to legalize the recreational use of cannabis?

We cannot comment on specific national discussions. However, we are aware of and are closely monitoring developments in Member States, in particular to understand the impact of changes in cannabis policies. These include the impact on health, crime, the environment or social aspects.

As a reminder, it is important to consider the EU legislative framework on drugs. European legislation (Council Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA) obliges Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that offenses related to trafficking in narcotic drugs, including cannabis, are punishable.

This law provides minimum criminal penalties for drug trafficking. Personal drug use is not covered and it is up to Member States to decide how to deal with personal drug use, including cannabis.

Under European law, the cultivation of the cannabis plant is also prohibited, with a few notable exceptions. Cannabis can be cultivated either in case of specific right/authorisation, for example for the production of medicinal products derived from Cannabis plants, or in case of exclusion from the scope of application of “personal consumption”, this question being left to the appreciation of the Member States.

In addition, the cultivation of hemp plants (low-THC cannabis varieties) is permitted under the EU Common Agricultural Policy (varieties bred for their tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content less than or equal to 0, 3%).