A four-year pilot project, which would allow the use of cannabis for medical purposes in Iceland, has been proposed by the country’s politicians.

Following a debate at the Alþingi [Parlement islandais] last week, a four-year pilot project to allow the use of medical cannabis was proposed, as well as the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis products for medical purposes.

If this proposal is approved, the Ministry of Health will work with the Minister of Culture and Trade to set up a working group to prepare a draft law allowing companies to apply for licenses to produce and distribute drugs to cannabis base.

The bill must be presented by the ministry before December 31, with the four-year pilot program to start on January 1, 2024.

Currently, the only cannabis-based medicine that can be legally prescribed in Iceland is Sativex, which contains isolated forms of CBD and THC and is used to treat spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and muscular dystrophy. However, access to Sativex is strictly regulated and can only be prescribed by licensed neurologists.

CBD products are legal in Iceland, provided they do not contain THC.

The pilot project could follow the Danish medical cannabis model

According to documents published by the Alþingi, the project will take a form similar to the model that was set up in Denmark in 2018 with the aim of improving knowledge about the effects of cannabinoids, while preventing patients from having access to cannabis products illegally.

The Danish project was split into two parts, including a plan to enable the cultivation of cannabis to extract and produce medicine, alongside an experiment to examine the use of substances from the plant for medicinal purposes.

The guidelines of the Danish Medicines Agency make it possible to consider the prescription of cannabis-based medicines for four pathologies: multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, patients undergoing chemotherapy and patients suffering from chronic pain.

Following a report published in 2020, the project was considered to have provided a “good and safe framework” for the use of cannabis as medicine.

A document published on behalf of the Alþingi states the following: “The authors believe that the pilot program the Danes have been working on needs to be seriously considered, based on their experience and that of other nations, and create a basis for considering authorizing cannabis for medical purposes on an experimental basis. »

“It is clear that the Danish experimental project was not conducted without criticism, and therefore it is important to examine the shortcomings that may have existed in the project and to learn from them. »

“There is no justification for denying patients access to cannabis products to protect potential abusers. It is clear that chronic pain is a major social problem and it costs society dearly in the form of loss of work capacity and pressure on the health care system. »

“Although the evidence for the positive effects of cannabis as a medicine for medical purposes is still limited, the benefits of medical cannabis products are considered to outweigh the negative effects. »

The mandate of the working group

Once the proposal is approved, the Icelandic working group will be responsible for reviewing, discussing and drafting a draft law on the following points:

• Definition of licenses for the cultivation, production and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes
• Licensing
• A development plan valid for four years and compliant with the rules for drug trial plans
• A list of cannabis products whose production and distribution are authorized and which can be legally prescribed by doctors and dispensed in pharmacies
• Application form and application procedure
• Licensing conditions and the requirement for growers to provide two-way traceability and specify the parties from which they received inputs, such as seeds and grains

Approval of the proposal has been postponed to a later date.

Le Lab, the CBD boutique located rue de Sévigné in Paris, is opening the first CBD Social Club in France and hopes to offer its customers a unique and relaxing experience.

Located in the heart of the 4th arrondissement, Le Lab will offer from April 1 a space where you can vaporize flowers, resins, waxes, crumbles and other CBD shatters, play video games, play billiards or come and work together. -working.

The Lab offers a wide variety of potent CBD flowers for customers to vaporize, providing a safe and comfortable environment with a retro 1920s vibe for those wishing to enjoy the benefits of CBD smoke-free and in a Peaky Blinders setting. . Several vaporizers will be available: Volcano, Mighty, Dynavap, Pax, Stundenglass Gravity… but also drink a smoke shooter in the Zenco vaporizer.

The Zenco glass vaporizer in action

The club’s relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the availability of video games (Playstation 5 and Wii), board games, a pool table and work areas, making it the perfect place to relax and socialize .

“We are delighted to open the first CBD Social Club in France,” said Nasser, founder of the company. “We wanted to create a space where people can come together and enjoy the benefits of CBD in a relaxed and fun environment. »

The Lab is open to everyone, as long as you are a member, which can be done on site. Club staff are very knowledgeable about the CBD and are on hand to answer guests’ questions.

“We’re not just a CBD club,” Ms. Durand said. “We are a community of people who share a love of CBD and a desire to relax and socialize in a safe and welcoming environment. »

The quality of the varieties offered at the shop is also in this image! The Lab exclusively brings together very high quality flowers that have won awards for the best CBD flowers of the year 2021, 2022, 2023 at the Spannabis CBD Cups, the 420 Hemp Festival, the Cosecha Cup or the Canna Trade. .

Their resins are exclusive to the Lab with 2x filtered, 3x filtered qualities, sparkling wines or ketamas made from very high quality indoor pollen.

A rigor that earned them to be elected best CBD Shop in Europe 2023!

The Lab is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and from 9:30 a.m. to midnight from Wednesday to Saturday. Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is located at 6 rue de Sévigné in the 4th arrondissement of Paris.

The recent Thai elections, where the party MoveForward overthrew the Conservative Party that had decriminalized cannabis, have local cannabis entrepreneurs fearing the worst

A proposal of MoveForward aims to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic one year after its decriminalization. While the legal framework is indeed still very lax and no agreement was reached on legalization by the previous government, 12,000 companies have received a license to operate cannabis and some 1.1 million people have registered with the government to grow cannabis at home.

Conservative politics of a progressive movement

The prospect of tougher rules has not necessarily been welcomed by the cannabis community. Some 5,200 people and 200 companies have signed an online petition claiming that reclassifying cannabis as a narcotic would be a violation of people’s rights. And the young progressives who helped the opposition parties win also felt cheated.

“I thought they were supposed to go ahead,” Mr Suphamet Hetrakul of cannabis farm owner and wholesaler Teera Ventures told Reuters, referring to the translation of MoveForward. “A U-turn would damage Thailand’s credibility. »

Given the proliferation of shops, growers and consumers, can the Thai government completely turn the clock back?

Regulate the market

The proposal of MoveForward intends to “reclassify cannabis as a controlled substance…with new laws regulating and supporting its beneficial uses.” And if the details are not known, we can understand that the party ultimately wants to control cannabis and regulate its market.

Last Thursday, a representative of the party, Sirikanya Tansakun, thus defended the project of reclassification of cannabis, affirming that it was necessary to put an end to the legal vacuum. But she promised businesses would get support when the party pushes the regulations through parliament.

Although there appeared to be little prospect of a crackdown, she said unlicensed street vendors and smuggled drug imports would be stopped.

“Those who have invested legally will be protected and able to continue their activities,” Ms Sirikanya told reporters.

In a majority decision (5-4), the Supreme Court upheld that the law allowing the cultivation of hemp in Ghana, passed in 2020, had been unconstitutionally passed by Parliament.

In July 2022, the Ghanaian court struck down Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 1019.

This provision stated that “the Minister, on the recommendation of the Commission, may grant a license for the cultivation of cannabis commonly known as ‘wee’ in Ghana, the THC content of which does not exceed 0.3% by dry weight, for the purposes of industries for the production of fibers or seeds for medicinal purposes”.

The nine-judge panel led by Justice Jones Victor Dotse ruled by a majority that the attorney general had not met the threshold required to reconsider the Supreme Court’s earlier decision. The majority found that the original annulment was correct.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, the Attorney General filed for review, alleging a denial of justice and a lack of transparency in Parliament during the crafting of the Cannabis Licensing Act. They point out that there was no debate in parliament, as required by the constitution, before the law was passed.

The Attorney General therefore filed a motion for review.

It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will respond to the Attorney General’s request for review, as the debate over the legality of cannabis licenses continues.

In December 2020, Ghana was due to host its first-ever cannabis conference, which ultimately did not take place.

In the theatrical world of wrestling, where physical prowess is celebrated and tenacity rewarded, one titan has often reigned supreme, riding the waves of fame and respect: Terry Eugene Bollea, better known worldwide as by Hulk Hogan. Behind his journey, however, lies a harsh reality: countless injuries and 28 surgeries over the past decade.

Hulk Hogan’s Little Secret

“I had ten operations on my back, kidneys and two hips. It’s a situation where you’re constantly hurt,” admits Hogan. Despite these enormous challenges, his determination never wavered. In fact, he says, “I feel better than I’ve ever felt at 69. I feel like I’m 25 again. »

What is the secret to Hulk Hogan’s regained health and vitality? The answer lies in two cannabis compounds: THC and CBD.

These cannabinoids have become Hogan’s new allies on his journey to health and wellness. Prior to this transformation, Hogan was at constant war with chronic pain. His solace, though temporary and inadequate, consisted of taking prescription medications such as Tylenol, Advil and Aleve. These drugs ultimately proved ineffective, and Hogan sought longer-lasting relief.

“CBD and THC have really changed my sleep, the inflammation, the way my wrists and joints hurt. All in all, it helped me get my health back,” reveals Hulk Hogan.

Hulk Hogan’s experience led him to launch a brand of THC and CBD

Hulk Hogan’s experience with THC and CBD was so profound that he decided to take it a step further. Taking inspiration from other icons such as Mike Tyson and Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan decided to launch his own brand of cannabis products.

This initiative, undertaken in partnership with Carma HoldCo (the company responsible for “Tyson Ranch 2.0” and “Ric Flair Drip”), continues its commitment to promote healthier and safer alternatives to traditional drugs dispensed on prescription.

“I wanted to be on the team right away because CBD can be used for energy, sleep, fitness,” Hogan says. “It’s a logical extension of what I was already doing (taking medicine), but it’s a safer way to approach the problem rather than approaching it as a catch-all, ie. say with the typical drugs prescribed by doctors. It no longer made sense. »

Chad Bronstein, President of Carma HoldCo, shares Mr. Hogan’s enthusiasm for their joint venture. Not only do they intend to offer THC and CBD products, but they also plan to introduce an exciting line of functional mushrooms and other health and wellness products.

“Their stories [celles de Hogan, Tyson et Flair] partly explain why people are more open to using these specific products,” says Bronstein.

With this new venture, Hogan hopes to change the discourse around CBD and THC, not only for himself, but also for others in the wrestling industry and beyond: “I think that’s something which would help WWE, wrestlers right now, especially with the intensity of their work. They tear their bodies apart and work very hard. So I’m really looking forward to it,” Hogan reveals.

Last weekend the first edition of the Platinum CBD Cup took place in Nantes.

23 producers presented 48 products in 6 categories (CBD Indoor, CBD Outdoor, CBD greenhouse, CBG Outdoor, Hash and Edibles)

And here are the results!

Indoor CBD Flowers

🥇- S56 by Leaf District
🥈- Citrus Haze by Hakuna Sativa
🥉- Rez Kush by IznoFarm

Outdoor CBD flowers

🥇 – Lemon Pie by CBD Botanists
🥈 – Berry x Cherry Berry by canna brothers
🥉 – Shao K by IznoFarm

GreenHouse CBD Flowers

🥇 – Banana Cake by CBD Botanists
🥈 – Shao x Pink Panther by IznoFarm
🥉 – Orange Buddha by UtoPlantes

CBG Outoor Flowers

🥇 – IznoKush CBG by IznoFarm
🥈 – Mad Dog by La Ferme en Herbe
🥉 – White CBG by French bio Farmers

hashes

🥇 – Frutti by Le Spliff Français
🥈 – Bubble Hash Cherry Berry by Hemp of Champ
🥉 – Ancestral Bud by UtoPlantes

Edibles

🥇 – CBD Hemp Infused Honey by Charent’Haze
🥈 – Full-spectrum gummies Passion flavor by FrenchFarm.ac
🥉 – Organic Honey and Hemp Candies by Cannapoitou

IInternational Cannabis Business Conference is once again hosting its flagship business-to-business (B2B) event and trade show in Berlin, Germany on June 29-30, 2023. In addition to the B2B event, which is the largest of its kind in Europe, the ‘International Cannabis Business Conference will host a Global Investment Forum in Berlin on June 27.

A buoyant context

Cannabis reform is underway in Germany, and with it many business opportunities will be created both within and outside Germany’s borders. Germany is ushering in an entirely new era for the cannabis industry in Europe and the butterfly effect will be felt around the world. This exciting time and the events of theInternational Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin could not have been better timed.

ICBC is the premier series of B2B cannabis events in the world, with previous conferences having taken place in multiple countries across multiple continents. This series of events is owned and operated by cannabis advocates who believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing world-class cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

“We are very excited to hold this year’s conference in Berlin, as Germany is on the verge of legalizing cannabis for adult use. Our team will be delighted to provide attendees with an internationally acclaimed cannabis industry and politics event, as well as networking and entertainment opportunities, at such a historic time for the emerging cannabis industry in Europe,” said Alex Rogers, founder of ICBC.

Not all networking opportunities are equal, and that’s especially true in the cannabis space. ICBC events are attended by cannabis leaders from dozens of different countries, with the Berlin B2B event being the leading international cannabis event of its kind for 2023. The conference itself will be held at the iconic Hotel Estrel Berlin.

The full program of the event and the complete list of speakers will be announced shortly.

Book your tickets for both events before they sell out and enjoy 25% off by following this link!

The Spanish Minister of Health, José Manuel Miñones, has announced that he will present a report before the end of May to regulate the use of medical cannabis in the Spanish National Health System (SNS). The news came after some parliamentarians complained about the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps) delaying its analysis, which expired in 2022.

Mr. Miñones also apologized for the delay during his first appearance before the lower house health committee. Congress had come out in favor of regulating medical cannabis in June 2022, and the relevant subcommittee had given Aemps six months to issue recommendations.

However, the Minister explained that additional time was needed to ensure patient safety during the follow-up to the report. “It is not bad faith on the part of this ministry, but an excess of zeal,” he said, according to Redaccion Medical.

What is Spain’s plan to regulate medical cannabis?

Once the regulations are in place, it will be possible to dispense medicinal products containing cannabis, which will be available in pharmacies on prescription. According to the Minister, the pharmaceutical industry is already working on the development of a strategic plan on this issue, and he assured that it would be necessary to move forward hand in hand with the other countries of the European Union.

The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will establish a list of strategic and priority medicines that will allow greater autonomy for the whole of Europe.

What will be the orientation of the Miñones administration?

The Minister also pledged to facilitate the approval of some pending regulations in the sector, from the Equity, Universality and Cohesion Act to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Act, which are already being processed. Its management will focus on improving the quality of health care and ensuring faster and more effective access to treatment and medical services.

It will also focus on mental health, childhood obesity, healthy lifestyles and digitization of the SNS. As for medical cannabis, the report that will launch the industry is still expected before the beginning of June.

The Czech government has announced that it is reversing the declarations banning CBD in the country and will continue to study regulations relating to CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids.

“We have agreed that the upcoming measure regulating the sale of CBD will not come into force now,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who said a working group had begun a review aimed at developing “rules clear and predictable” for hemp products.

Společně s místopředsedou vlády Ivanem Bartošem, minister zemědělství Zdeňkem Nekulou, minister pro legislativu Michalem Šalomounem a národním protidrogovým koordinátorem Jindřichem Vobořilem jsme se sešli kvůli navrhované mu zákazu potravin s obsahem CBD. Domluvili jsme se, že… pic.twitter.com/hw6MgF5nuG

— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) May 17, 2023

Under the overturned ban, all foods and dietary supplements containing cannabinoids, as well as cosmetics containing hemp-derived cannabinoids, would have been removed from the market. The ministry said it was following a strict interpretation of European Union rules that designate CBD isolate as a novel food subject to safety checks by the European Food Safety Authority. (EFSA).

Certain relief for the industry

In his tweet, the Prime Minister said the ban would have resulted in “a major complication for users of this substance and for a number of Czech entrepreneurs”.

As in all European countries, CBD is sold in the Czech Republic in the form of oils, tinctures, capsules, candies and other edible products, and it is present in many health and beauty products on the market.

The European Commission ruled in December 2020 that CBD is not a narcotic and can be classified as a food if it meets the relevant provisions of EU food law. The decision also stated that CBD products should benefit from the same free movement of goods between and among member states as other legal products.

EFSA has begun reviewing various forms of CBD to approve them for EU markets under novel food rules. During this review, however, EFSA found it had difficulty assessing this type of product and paused its application process on several occasions.

Was HHC a trigger?

The proposed ban on CBD products may have been prompted by the emergence of HHC, a synthetic psychoactive compound that is said to mimic the “high” of cannabis and is made by subjecting CBD to a “semi-synthetic” process. The Czech Republic has been identified as one of 20 or more EU countries where HHC products have emerged, prompting the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction to issue health warnings.

The Czech government issued HHC warnings in March, urging consumers not to consume these products due to potential health risks.

In addition to reactions from local stakeholders, the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) criticized the Czech government for not considering hemp extracts containing natural levels of cannabinoids as traditional foods.

Three levels offered

The EIHA called for a European policy that would establish a three-tier safety system that would place CBD in the categories of Traditional Foods, Novel Foods and Medicines, based on concentration.

While isolated and fortified extracts should be considered novel foods, full-spectrum extracts containing natural levels of cannabinoids (unfortified extracts) should be considered mainstream foods that do not require pre-marketing approval. market, according to the association.

The EIHA called on the Czech government to take “a balanced, historically accurate and transparent decision on the issue of the commercialization of hemp extracts”.

“Together we will find a solution that will benefit everyone,” said Czech Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš who, together with Agriculture Minister Zdeněk Nekula, took part in the discussions that led to the end of the ban on CBD.

At the same time, the country has announced the legalization of cannabis anyway.

For the 22nd edition of the march for the legalization of Cannabis in Paris, the CANNAPARADE 2023 will go from Place de la République to Place de la Bastille on Saturday 27 May.

Festive and political, the CANNAPARADE gathers every year in the streets of Paris. With its sound-system floats, this demonstration calls for a change in policy for the regulation of the Cannabis market.

Soon Germany will legalize, with precautions worthy of scientific experimentation. Luxembourg and the Czech Republic announce that they will follow the example of Uruguay (2014), Canada (2018), or Malta (2020).

To improve public health and safety in France, for the French and European reform of “Drugs” policies, to achieve the “2030 Sustainable Development Goals”: ​​“Cannamarade, join the cannaparade !”

Remember that this rally takes place as part of an international demonstration “Drug Peace March 2023 – Global March for Cannabis Liberation” or “Million Marijuana March” known in France as “Cannaparade – World March for the legalization of Cannabis 2023″, renamed ” Cannaparade 2023″.

In Paris, as in Rio de Janeiro, Auckland, Berlin, Lima, Tel Aviv or Prague, we are calling for a reform of drug policy, fairer and more effective regulations, particularly with regard to Cannabis. These gatherings have been taking place since 1999 in more than 300 cities around the world, usually every first Saturday of May and in Paris on the last Saturday of May.

Scheduled sequence

• Gathering at Place de la République from 1 p.m. with the Sounds system of the 2nd State and that of Koalisons, with the Tarace Boulba Fanfare at the head of the procession to animate the march of the “patients impatient”.
• Departure of the procession: 2:30 p.m.

Around 4 p.m.: Arrival at Place de la Bastille.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Speech by a few association, union and political representatives and artists, and concerts with amplified music (until 8 p.m.).

The route of the event will end on Place de la Bastille with a static gathering, the installation of information stands and speeches made on behalf of the various organizations involved.

In addition, this year is particularly marked by protests against the reforms of the French government, which reinforces the search for convergence with the movements carrying political proposals in the public debate which will be welcomed within the framework of the 22nd edition of the World March. for the legalization of Cannabis in Paris, cannaparade 2023, on Saturday May 27.

The watchwords used during this parade will be the following: Decriminalization of use – National public debate – Therapeutic cannabis – Prevention without stigmatization – Self-production & Cannabis Social Clubs. For French and European reform of legal and illegal drug policy.