Argentina officially launched a new government agency last Wednesday to boost its medical cannabis and hemp industry.
Known as the Regulatory Agency for the Hemp and Medical Cannabis Industry, ARICCAME represents “the first task force of a new national agency aimed at regulating and promoting the country’s nascent cannabis industry. , which ministers hope will create new jobs and exports generating new revenues for the South American nation”.
“This opens the door for Argentina to start a new path in terms of industrial exports, based on huge global demand,” Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa said at an event marking the launch of the new agency.
According to Reuters, “Massa said the agency would begin on Thursday to regularize the programs and coordinate with the various provinces and [le] industrial sector, adding that Argentina already counts on the demand for projects related to the agro-industrial sector. »
On the official ARICCAME website, the agency describes its mission and objectives:
“We are the agency that regulates the import, export, cultivation, industrial production, manufacture, marketing and acquisition, in any capacity, of seeds of the Cannabis plant, cannabis and its derived products for medicinal or industrial purposes”.
The website also lists the agency’s “general objectives”:
Establish, through the respective regulations, the regulatory framework for the entire production chain and the national marketing and/or export of the Cannabis Sativa L.
Promote a new agro-industrial productive sector for the commercial manufacture of medicines, phytotherapeutic products, food and cosmetics for human use, medicines and food for veterinary use, as well as the different products made possible by industrial hemp
Generate the framework for adapting to the regulatory regime, the cultivation and production of cannabis derivatives for existing health use, guaranteeing the traceability and quality of products in order to safeguard the right to health of cannabis users medical
Reintroduce hemp in Argentina and all its derivatives: food, construction materials, textile fiber, cellulose and bioplastics with low environmental impact
Promote scientific research and sectoral technological progress, fostering favorable conditions for these existing industries in the country
ARICCAME’s specific objectives also include:
Establish clear rules that provide legal certainty to the sector and encourage federal participation
Articulate through agreements and conventions with other state entities having an intervention in the matter
Determine the system of licenses and administrative authorizations for the production chain
Generate quality standards that safeguard the right to health of users and consumers of cannabis/hemp products
Control non-compliance with the regulatory regime
Argentina legalized cannabis oil for medical use in 2017. Three years later, the country legalized home cultivation of cannabis for the sick.
The launch of the new agency is part of an effort by the Argentine government to continue reforming the medical cannabis program, something the South American country identified as a priority last year.
According to Reuters, the newly launched agency will be headed by Francisco Echarren, who “said the industry could generate thousands of new jobs, as well as technological developments and new products for export. »
“We have a huge challenge ahead,” Echarren said, as quoted by Reuters, “not just building a new industry, but giving millions of Argentines access to products that improve quality of life. . »
After a slight ignition delay, the Maltese Cannabis Authority has finally communicated the criteria for opening a Cannabis Club in Malta.
The application procedure will be open from February 28. The Minister Delegate for Reforms, Rebecca Buttigieg, together with the Authority for Responsible Cannabis Use, Leonid McKay, stressed that it was the first legal framework of its type in Europe, noting that it was of a “pioneering” legal approach.
Here’s everything you need to know about Maltese Cannabis Clubs.
How to open a Cannabis Club in Malta?
You will have to pay at least €1,000 to apply for the opening of a Cannabis Club in Malta. Approval will be based on a dossier and an interview. Any license granted will be valid for one year. Each organization needs two founders, who do not need Maltese nationality. Club directors must, however, have been Maltese residents for at least five years.
Each Cannabis Club will be responsible for the entire cannabis supply chain, from seed to sale. Clubs will be required to grow their own cannabis and may not purchase it from a third party or another Club.
Each club must already have a place to apply as well as a cultural space, indoor or outdoor, without public visibility. Grow sites will need to meet certain criteria, such as a dedicated CCTV system and a ventilation system.
Seeds will be obtainable in the European Union as well as other approved jurisdictions. There will be no limit to the number of seeds that can be purchased.
All clubs must be located 250 meters from schools and youth centers, but can also be set up in residential areas.
Clubs will not be able to advertise cannabis, and club names that include any form of promotional term – for example Happy Cannabis Smoke Malta – may be rejected for promotional reasons.
Clubs should strive to sell their cannabis at a lower price than the black market. There will be no price cap and no THC cap. However, there will be no pre-rolled joints for sale. Clubs will also be able to sell cannabis-related gear, like grinders, and can serve drinks, but not alcohol.
Each club may hold up to 500 grams on its premises. Cannabis quantity caps will be determined by the number of members of each club, with the cap increasing as the number of members increases.
Each club may have a maximum of 500 members, with an individual being a member of only one club at a time.
A percentage of the registration fee will be dedicated to risk reduction. A tax will be paid on the profits made. Discussions are still ongoing with the VAT Commissioner as to whether VAT will be applied to cannabis.
Anyone found to be in breach of any of the above rules and criteria will be warned by warning letters before taking action by suspending or revoking the club license and confiscating the goods.
CBD legislation is supposed to be clear, but it is obvious that some gray areas persist. Actors in the community are still the subject of arrests, searches, police custody and business closures, often without valid justification.
It is crucial, in these uncertain times, to be accompanied by a lawyer, both for companies and for consumers. Maître Plouton, a lawyer specializing in business law and taxation since 2005, is an expert in the field of CBD. His firm, located in Bordeaux, has handled a large number of cases related to this molecule. He is also associated with renowned lawyers in this field, such as Maître Pizarro and Maître Charles Morel, with whom he sets up a collective to launch legal actions in order to move things forward.
In 2018, Maître Plouton was asked to defend a young man accused of “drug trafficking” following the opening of his CBD business in Bordeaux. Unfortunately, this opening attracted the attention of the police and the prosecution, and did not turn to his advantage. Since then, he has worked on many similar files, making him a renowned lawyer in this field.
For Maître Plouton, the policy of prohibition is a total failure. It is ineffective and counter-productive. If things do not seem to be progressing in France, it is partly because of the country’s conservative attitude, but also because of geopolitical issues. According to him, legalizing does not mean trivializing, but supervising and regulating to limit the risks and protect the youngest. To learn more, listen to our podcast!
You can find all of the Let’s Talk Canna podcasts here.
With the emergence of the CBD sector in recent years, shops are springing up everywhere. Producers, wholesalers, stores, many have embarked on this sector. Harold Gouet, he decided to bring other added value to this universe in full construction: clarity, structure, rigor and traceability.
His objective is to ensure the quality of the products but also to promote French production by providing them with traceability through a company he created in 2018: Le Laboratoire Français du Chanvre. The company specializes in white labeling and analytics. It works with all the players in the sector.
Passionate about plants, Harold Gouet is a graduate in agronomy and chemistry. For him, CBD is a really special molecule that brings well-being to people.
In this podcast, he shares with us his analysis and his vision of the market: a sector of the future, he says, which deserves that each step be well done, reasoned and organized, to promote positive effects at the level of society in France.
You can find all of the Let’s Talk Canna podcasts here.
A new study by researchers from Cornell University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Georgia and George Mason University has found that US states that have legalized cannabis are seeing a reduction in demand prescription codeine.
The study, published in the journal Health Economicsreports a 26% reduction in codeine dispensing in pharmacies and a reduction of up to 37% after adult cannabis laws were in place for four years.
The researchers note that adult cannabis laws have had minimal impact on the dispensing of codeine by hospitals, which often have less permissive policies than pharmacies, and minimal impact on the dispensing of other opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine, regardless of the setting.
Coleman Drake, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and lead author of the study, called the study results “particularly significant” because “previous studies have focused on more potent opioids “.
“Codeine is a weaker drug with a higher addictive potential. This indicates that people can obtain codeine from pharmacies for misuse, and that recreational cannabis laws reduce this illicit demand. Drake explained.
Johanna Catherine Maclean, of George Mason University and author of the study, said the research suggests that “increasing legal access to cannabis may divert some users from opioids and towards cannabis. »
“While all substances pose some risk,” she said in a statement, “cannabis use is arguably less harmful to health than the non-medical use of prescription opioids. »
Researchers analyzed data from the automation system of reports and consolidation orders of the Drug Enforcement Administrationwhich tracks the flow of controlled substances in the United States.
The study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
Initially scheduled to be submitted to the European Commission before the end of 2022, the German plan to legalize cannabis will not be submitted for approval in Europe before the end of March.
With the European Commission (EC) yet to take stock of the rapidly changing approach to cannabis around the world, some fear that Germany may be forced to come up with a plan B or abandon the initiative if its initial proposal is rejected.
And this leads to calls for the decision-making process to include European politicians in the Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
German health statement
In a statement to BusinessCann , the German Federal Ministry of Health confirmed that the bill is currently “in the process of being formulated within the federal government”.
He said he was also seeking “expert advice to shed light on the effects of controlled cannabis sales on the health and protection and use of young people”, and was undertaking “a review systematic literature” regarding countries that have legalized recreational cannabis in one form or another.
The ministry added that it was in the meantime continuing its discussions with the European Commission and that this work should be completed in the spring of 2023.
Once submitted to the EC, the submitted dossier will most likely be processed under a protocol established for the adoption of new legislation by Member States, known as the TRIS notification procedure.
Thus, proposals from Germany will be subject to a 3-month standstill period during which the proponent country cannot enact national legislation until it receives a response. of the EC.
The power of the EC to delay plans
The EC, or another Member State, can also submit a “detailed opinion” which has the effect of extending the standstill period for an additional 3 months. Finally, the EC can also block any progress for another 18 months.
In a statement to BusinessCann , the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs reiterated that personal drug use is a matter for nation states.
She continues: “A formal notification has not yet been submitted by the German authorities. Therefore, as we have not yet received the official consultation request from Germany, we cannot comment further at this stage. »
“Existing European legislation provides for minimum criminal penalties for illicit drug trafficking and prohibits the cultivation of cannabis. »
“We are aware of and are closely monitoring these developments, particularly to understand the impact of changes in cannabis policies. This includes impact on health, crime, environment or social aspects. »
“Once the legislation is adopted, the Commission will examine its conformity with the acquis communautaire. »
CE culture error
Careful readers will notice an obvious error in this statement which indicates some confusion within the EC on how to approach the process.
This is the reference to the cultivation of cannabis being “prohibited by European law”, which is obviously false, since many medical cannabis cultivation facilities exist on the continent.
The outline of the German plan to legalize cannabis was submitted to the EC in an Eckpunktepapier (basic document) in October last year, by the ruling coalition, which came to power at the end of 2021.
However, the EC said it lacked specifics and asked to see a draft law.
Germany’s initial proposals recommend allowing people over the age of 18 to access cannabis in licensed stores, with the aim of eliminating the illicit market and improving public health, especially that of young people.
A cannabis culture in Europe
Feedback from the EC prompted Germany to embark on two further exercises – the literature review and input from other experts, which is being undertaken by a non-profit drug research institute. nonprofit, ISD Hamburg — with the goal of “demonstrating how prohibition has failed” and how this new law can “protect public health,” he said.
“Due to the EC notification, Germany will have to draft the entire law, because the 12 pages of the Eckpunktepapier are not sufficient. »
Fight against bureaucracy
Next spring, when the project is submitted to the EC, what could be the most important decision in the history of the European cannabis industry will fall to the officials of the Directorate of Home Affairs of the EC, led by Monique Pariat. .
Not much is known about his views on cannabis and drugs, but since politicians are kept on the sidelines for now and Brussels bureaucrats tend to stick to the status quo , many cannabis advocates will be irritated if Germany’s plans stumble over this hurdle.
A lot of anti-cannabis sentiments also exist in Germany, from different quarters such as the police and customs as well as the opposition Christian Democrats (CSU).
Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek of the CSU met Ms Pariat late last year to urge Brussels to say no.
And German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is behind the reform, has made it clear that if the EC says ‘no’, it is more than likely that its cannabis plans will come to an end.
60/40 in bets
Niklas Kouparanis, CEO and co-founder of Bloomwell Group, one of Germany’s largest cannabis companies with 250 employees, thinks Germany’s plans will be approved by the EC, but there will be back and forth between the two parties before a final project is established.
“There are two statements the EC can make to Germany: the first is that it cannot be implemented, and the second is a request for clarification. »
“I think it will be the latter, but if there is a huge backlash from the EU, it could well delay the implementation of the law until 2025.”
He estimates that the odds of success are 60/40 and that the cannabis law will come into force in the first or second quarter of next year.
A third scenario would be for the European Commission to reject the plans, for the German coalition government to abandon the project and lose the 2025 elections, which would mean that the baton for cannabis reform would have passed to other EU members. , such as the Czech Republic.
Finn Age Hänsel, founder and managing director of Sanity Group, Germany’s leading cannabis company, says he “wishes things had gone faster”, but that it’s “better if it’s done in depth and Germany has a good law”.
He adds: “If you look at the current timeline, I would say Q4 2024. The notification process could take six months, then there is the approval of the German parliament and other details regarding licensing and cultivation. which need to be settled. »
Pathways to progress
Many opponents have pointed to obstacles to reform in the 2004 Schengen Agreement, and European regulations around the free movement of goods.
There are, however, a number of avenues through which Germany can introduce its legislation and comply with its international and European obligations.
As a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 (SCND), there are two possible ways to achieve compliance, namely: Article 2, paragraph 9, which recognizes the legality of the use of prohibited substances in industrial purposes, or legalization as a scientific experiment.
The second, the scientific option, could see Germany introduce a trial for a few years, labeling it an experiment, putting it beyond the reach of the EC or the UN.
Mr Kouparanis thinks that Germany should explore this option and hopes that Mr Lauterbach’s air of resignation to a ‘no’ from the EC is just window dressing and that his team is putting developed a plan B, a scientific experiment, which Germany could implement immediately.
He said: “As the largest country in Europe, Germany must take the lead and over time – whether in 2024 or not – we must underline to other EU members that the number one priority is health and human protection. I think that can only be done by drying up the illicit market. »
“What we are doing could lead to a change in the perception of cannabis globally, with Europe saying it is no longer working under the 1961 Convention. It would also lead to a change at the United Nations level. »
“Science is important. Switzerland and the Netherlands are about to undertake trials that should provide the evidence needed to push cannabis reform to the policy level. »
Prohibition doesn’t work
“We have to convince the European Commission and member states that prohibition does not work and, if the European Commission refuses, we will have to move to the political level. »
Mr. Hänsel agrees with his compatriot that the chances of success are currently around 60/40. Sanity is well connected in German political circles and, based on his discussions with the government and politicians, he believes Germany has the advantage.
“The scientific study that is underway is an attempt to comprehensively demonstrate to Europe that for Germany, and other countries, it is better to have a legalized drug that is under control, rather than an illegal drug that is not. »
He pointed out that cannabis tourism was a major concern in Europe. Many of Germany’s neighbours, such as Hungary and Poland, are expressing reservations.
One way to counter this phenomenon is to allow sales only to German residents, although this poses significant control and enforcement problems for the authorities.
And to add: “If Germany succeeds in obtaining the green light, we will see many other countries following the example in Europe. It is therefore a good thing that Germany is leading the way and tackling the challenges of cannabis reform in Europe. This could eventually be a model for other countries to follow.”
Kai-Friedrich Niermann, a German cannabis lawyer, is following developments closely. He believes Germany will get EC approval through the notification process.
He told BusinessCann, “No international law treaty can ever compel a country to prosecute its own citizens if it contradicts its own legal framework or constitutional principles. »
“If the personal use and consumption of drugs does not violate the acquis communautaire, then logically the stages upstream of consumption, such as cultivation and trafficking, must also be possible under strictly controlled conditions. »
“I assume that this conception will prevail in the short or medium term in the official notification procedure. »
Political involvement
Last year saw the first coordinated pan-European efforts to present a united front on cannabis reform, involving Germany, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands.
These efforts have led the Council of the European Union to adopt a new, human rights-based approach to drugs that has been called a “paradigm shift” and could pave the way for continental cannabis reform. .
It is therefore difficult to imagine a scenario in which pro-cannabis political reformers in the EU would be completely left out of the decision-making process.
Mr. Friedrich-Niermann agrees: “For now, it is difficult to predict whether only the Commission will really act on this issue.
“Some parts of the European Parliament have already made it known that they want to change the legal framework for cannabis. The Council of the European Union could also become active in this field. »
In 2021, Mr Niermann co-signed a document on German cannabis reform which called for legalization by April 1, 2024 – to date it is not yet known whether this deadline will be met.
Nevertheless, with the right winds, it is quite possible that Europe will give birth to the largest regulated cannabis market in the world by the time of the next German federal elections, in October 2025.
It is now an annual ritual. Last week, Delaware Democratic lawmakers introduced two bills “to legalize and create a recreational cannabis industry in Delaware.”
The biggest obstacle for these Democratic representatives is none other than the Democratic governor of the state, John Carney, who has long opposed the legalization of cannabis and who year after year thwarts the efforts of his peers to end cannabis. prohibition of cannabis.
Last year, John Carney vetoed a bill that would have legalized cannabis in the state. Despite holding a majority in every chamber of the state General Assembly, Democratic lawmakers have failed to override the veto.
“The legalization bill would, among other things, remove all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of cannabis by someone 21 or older and ensure there are no criminal penalties or civil for unremunerated transfers of one ounce or less of cannabis between persons age 21 or older,” Mr. Carney said in a statement following his veto.
“I recognize the positive effect cannabis can have for people with certain health conditions, and for this reason, I continue to support the medical cannabis industry in Delaware,” he continued. “I supported the decriminalization of cannabis because I agree that individuals should not be imprisoned solely for the possession and private use of a small amount of cannabis – and today, thanks to the Delaware decriminalization law, they are not. »
“That said, I do not believe that promoting or expanding cannabis use is in the best interests of the State of Delaware, especially our youth,” Carney added. “Questions about the long-term health and economic impacts of recreational cannabis use, as well as serious law enforcement issues, remain unanswered. »
Democrats who support the two bills introduced in the state House last week hope that Mr. Carney will eventually change his mind.
“I hope that an open and ongoing dialogue with the governor’s office will avoid a veto,” said the Delaware News Journal Democratic Representative Ed Osienski, one of the authors of the legislation. “I have more support from my members (…) for a cancellation of the veto, but I hope it will not come to that. »
According to the outlet, a “spokeswoman for Carney said Friday that the governor’s views on cannabis have not changed. »
According to Delaware News Journal, the bill to remove all penalties for possession “would require a simple majority or 21 votes. »
The other bill would “create a framework to regulate the cultivation, sale and possession of weed”, essentially treating weed like alcohol, and would require “a three-fifths vote because it deals with revenue and taxation”, reports the Delaware News Journal.
The measures also include social equity provisions aimed at increasing opportunities in the new cannabis industry for people from communities that have historically been targeted by anti-drug policies.
If legalized, Delawarens would buy cannabis from licensed shops. The bill would allow up to 30 retail licenses to be distributed within 16 months of the legislation taking effect.
Documents leaked late last year show that several companies belonging to Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch under international sanctions since the war in Ukraine, has invested in numerous companies in the American cannabis industry, and has also helped finance the two largest shareholders of Curaleaf, the world’s largest cannabis company with a market capitalization of nearly $3 billion.
the leaked The origin of these revelations consists of 30,000 files from the accounting and trust company Meritservus Secretaries, based in Cyprus. They appeared on Distributed Denial of Secretsa non-profit website for whistleblowers.
These files have been scanned by the journalistic consortium Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Projectwhich has allowed media like Forensics News Where Barron’sa publication related to wall street journalreview thousands of records.
Abramovich’s main activities in cannabis
According to information provided by Forensics News then BaronsRoman Abramovich has bet big on Massachusetts-based cannabis producer Curaleaf, whose 146 stores in 21 US states make it the largest licensed cannabis company in the world.
The Russian billionaire’s business records show that he was one of the founding shareholders of Curaleaf, and that he funded Curaleaf with some $186 million in loans. When the war in Ukraine started, he transferred his cannabis investments to family members.
In addition to Abramovich’s direct financing of Curaleaf, Baron’s estimates that he lent around $84 million to Curaleaf’s largest shareholder, Andrey Blokh, and its chairman, Boris Jordan, on the condition that they spend the money on Curaleaf shares. When Jordan launched a cannabis venture capital fund, Abramovich provided two-thirds of the initial capital. Abramovich has also separately backed Blokh with $12 million to pursue cannabis business opportunities in the western United States.
Its US cannabis funding was hidden behind multiple layers of trusts and offshore companies. making Abramovich’s name invisible from public records. On the other hand, appear Millhouse, the family office d‘Abramovich, Cetus, investment vehicle of Abramovich Trustees or Meliastove Investments.
Following the disclosure of the first information, Curaleaf claimed that Abramovich had never had any influence or decision-making role and cut ties.
“Mr. Abramovich is no longer a creditor or investor in Curaleaf,” the company said in a statement, “and the loans he made to its founding shareholders to invest in the company have been repaid for several years. »
“Curaleaf was one of thousands of companies around the world and in the United States that benefited from Mr. Abramovich’s funding,” Curaleaf’s statement continues. “At the time, he was a highly sought-after investor and a globally recognized businessman. It remains unsanctioned in the United States. »
The oligarch, however, remains the main lender in Curaleaf’s debt transactions. Forensics News was able to determine that Abramovich loaned $60 million to Curaleaf in December 2021 through his company Meliastove. Curaleaf claims that she is still in debt to Meliastove, but has been assured that Abramovich no longer owns it.
At the end of 2018, Cetus’ balance sheet showed it had invested $130 million across the sector, cannabis, and another $194 million in loans.
Among his holdings: Californian cannabis delivery service Eaze; Toke.TV webcast producer Greenrush Media; a dispensary software vendor, Flowhub; the CBD brand Green Gorilla; and vape maker Tilt Holdings.
Tilt says the executives who brought Abramovich’s investment no longer work at the company. Eaze says she was unaware that Abramovich possessed Cetus.
Curaleaf is also present in Europe, with the acquisition of the British EMMAC in 2021 or by the acquisition of the German company Four 20 Pharma at the end of 2022.
According to a new study, accidental consumption of ediblessuch as brownies or candy infused with cannabis, among children under 6 has increased in recent years, while the number of US states that have legalized cannabis has more than doubled in 5 years.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, reveals that in 2017, just over 200 cases of accidental consumption of cannabis edibles by children under the age of 6 were reported. In 2021, this number has increased to 3,054, an increase of 1,375%.
A total of 7,043 exposures to edible cannabis were reported to the poison control center between 2017 and 2021 in children under the age of 6.
“These exposures can cause significant toxicity and are responsible for an increasing number of hospitalizations,” the authors wrote.
Main place of ingestion: home
The vast majority of children found these edibles in their own home. While most children suffered mild impacts, 22.7% of exposed children required hospitalization, and 8% of these – 573 children over the five years of the study – required critical care.
Marit Tweet, an emergency physician at SIU Medicine in Springfield, Ill., is the study’s lead author. Tweet’s curiosity about the subject was piqued in 2019, when she began a fellowship at the Illinois Poison Control Center.
“The big buzz at that time was that cannabis was going to be legalized for recreational use, for adults, on January 1, 2020” in Illinois, she says.
A study in Colorado showed that the number of children 10 and under accidentally exposed to marijuana products increased between 2009 and 2015.
So Tweet wanted to know if this would also happen nationally as more states legalize cannabis. She was most concerned about children 5 and under, an age particularly vulnerable to accidental poisonings.
“This age group accounts for approximately 40% of all calls received by poison control centers nationwide,” Ms. Tweet explains.
The authors offered several possible explanations for the increase in cases, including the time spent at home during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic, when schools and daycare centers were closed, and the greater availability of legal products. to cannabis over the past decade.
They also note that many cannabis edibles are “offered in brightly colored and attractive packaging, identical to the style of candy and snack marketing,” which contributes to their appeal to young children.
Packaging and education
Tweet and his colleagues analyzed the information from the National Poison Data Systemwhich is based on calls received by the 55 regional poison control centers that serve the United States and its territories.
The study ultimately draws attention to how edibles are packaged and marketed, according to Nora Volkow, who heads the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“If you’ve ever been curious, go to a dispensary or a store that sells cannabis products, which of course I, being a curious person, did,” Volkow says. “And the edibles are extremely attractive, in terms of packaging.”
She adds that parents and caregivers who consume cannabis edibles should store them in childproof containers and keep them out of reach of children.
“It is important that providers are aware of this in their practice and this represents an important opportunity for education and prevention” concludes the study.
Bedrocan, a Dutch company and European flagship in medical cannabis, will expand its production capacity with the creation of a new site already categorized GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices, GMP in English) for the cultivation and packaging of cannabis medicine in Denmark. The new facility will be located in Køge, 30 kilometers south of Copenhagen.
Respond to international demand
The main reason for Bedrocan’s expansion into Denmark is to better meet the growing international demand for its high quality medicinal cannabis products. Under the current legal framework in the Netherlands, Bedrocan products are only available through the Dutch Office for Medicinal Cannabis (OMC), which is part of the Ministry of Health.
Bedrocan hopes to significantly improve the availability of its products for patients around the world. In Denmark, Bedrocan will be able to do business directly with other commercial entities, in Europe and for export.
The new facility will comply with all relevant regulatory requirements (GACP and GMP). Products from this facility are initially intended to supply European medical cannabis markets. The facility will employ approximately 40 people and will be operational by the end of 2023.
Products
The facility is beginning to produce some of Bedrocan’s currently known strains, such as the eponymous Bedrocan strain (a 22% THC Jack Herer) and Bediol, as well as a new high CBD strain. Dried cannabis products are presented grinded (not whole flowers) in small and large packages.
For the manufacture of cannabis extracts and isolates, it will also be possible to obtain whole plant cannabis from the Danish facility.
