Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government will pave the way for the legalization of medical cannabis in Albania. Last February, the Albanian Prime Minister asked for the country’s opinion on the subject via a national consultation initiative. 61% of Albanian citizens voted in favor of legalization.

According to the poll results, 308,000 citizens voted for, 148,000 against, while 51,000 had no opinion on the matter.

In a statement to Albanian media, the head of government said that what citizens have asked for will be achieved.

“We are going to legalize cannabis and open a new front of work and economic growth, in addition to increasing the technological aspect. What the citizens have said will be carried out. »

“The voice of the citizens is resounding and we will do exactly what the citizens want, some things faster, others slower. It is a process, but very soon, in a few days, you will see the members of the cabinet who will come out with concrete commitments, to give back to the people the confidence that they gave back to this process, “said the Prime Minister.

Already in 2020, Edi Rama had announced that he was preparing a bill to legalize the cultivation of medical cannabis and the opening of a public debate. The Covid passing by, the initiative took longer than expected. The country was one of the biggest producers of cannabis for the European black market until international pressure forced it to act, for example in the Lazarat areas.

Beyond the economic interest, the country is also trying to catch up with its neighbors who were less reluctant to develop a therapeutic cannabis sector.

Augur Associates, a cannabis consultancy based in Paris, launched its latest white paper “How to legalize cannabis while respecting international conventions” during the Plant Medicine Week which took place last week in Malta.

Legalize cannabis in accordance with international conventions

In recent years, new approaches to the regulation of drugs and cannabis have emerged in Europe. After deep prohibition propelled worldwide by the United States, European states are increasingly beginning to experiment with the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis.

The common idea is that the international conventions, which govern the use of drugs for medical and research purposes, prohibit other uses, generally called “recreational” or “for adult use”. An in-depth and careful analysis of the conventions, drawn from the latest scientific research by the FAAAT and Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli that you can find here, nevertheless leaves room for regulation of uses other than medical and research.

Along with Malta’s current legalization approach for its internal market, and the willingness of Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland to legalize or experiment with legalization, this white paper describes the possibilities that exist within international and European drug policy to properly regulate the production, distribution and consumption of cannabis.

The report, currently only in English, is available here. It will be followed by an expanded edition in French this summer.

Cannabis growers, whether commercial or hobbyist, can now source their seeds nationwide, without fear of breaking federal law.

Previously, due to the federal illegality of cannabis, cannabis seeds (or clones) were restricted to the state in which they were produced, so a strain grown legally in one state could not exceed the borders of that state.

Of course, strains grown in California can very easily cross into the neighboring state of Oregon, but that’s technically illegal under federal law.

A recent legal clarification of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) could mean that seeds of cannabis strains popular in one part of the country could be shipped legally to another part of the country, as the DEA considers all forms of cannabis seeds to be federally legal hemp.

Marijuana Moment reporter Kyle Jaeger recently revealed a letter from DEA officials that clarifies the definition of cannabis seeds, clones, and tissue cultures.

A change dated 2018

In 2018, the US Congress passed a farm bill that legalized hemp in the United States. The law defines “hemp” as any Cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC. This allows hemp to be grown and used for industrial purposes – to create textiles and materials – food and for “minor” cannabinoids such as CBD, delta-8 and others.

Last November, Shane Pennington, an attorney at Vicente Sederberg LLP in New York, wrote to DEA officials asking for clarification on the definition of a cannabis seed, clone and tissue culture.

Cannabis seeds have always been considered illegal because they come from plants with a high THC content. The source of the seeds is over 0.3% THC, and therefore anything from these plants, such as the seeds, has also been considered illegal cannabis.

Shane Pennington argued that it is not the source of the material that determines legality, but the material itself, meaning that because a cannabis seed itself contains less than 0.3% THC , it should be classified as hemp. If the seeds are hemp, they are not a controlled substance, and are therefore federally legal.

When it comes to determining whether a particular cannabis-related substance is federally legal “hemp” or Schedule I “marihuana,” it’s the substance itself that counts, not its source. wrote Mr. Pennington in a blog post, which was confirmed by the DEA.

What implications?

For now, the DEA’s recognition that cannabis seeds, clones and tissue cultures are not controlled substances does not have the force of law, but it is a big step in easing cannabis restrictions.

Beyond the subject of seeds, this discovery could open up a whole range of possibilities for cannabis growers, and could spread a diversity of strains to legal markets across the country, and even outside, opening up the gene pool and leading to new trends and tastes in weed.

It could also pave the way for more specific research on the plant. For decades, cannabis research was confined to the University of Mississippi, which grew low-THC (around 8%) weed. However, most dispensaries sell cannabis with a THC percentage of around 20%.

The ability to ship genetics across the country would allow for further research into this plant, using strains that mirror what adults actually buy and consume in stores.

In an interview with the Greek Reporter, Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis maintained that medical cannabis will be produced and sold in Greece from 2022.

Greece legalized medical cannabis in 2017 and repealed the ban on cultivation and production in March 2018. It has been slow to implement a comprehensive medical cannabis program ever since.

“The goal is for Greece to become the leading European country in the production of medical cannabis. The environment of Greece is favorable for this particular plant and we believe we will have a natural advantage,” said Georgiadis.

Greece expects huge investments in the production of medical cannabis. The government hopes they will add up to €1.5 billion a year to state revenue, for local distribution and for export.

Medical cannabis will be sold in pharmacies

Georgiadis said that a large investment from Τikun Εurope, near the city of Corinth, has already been completed and two other investments, from the UK and Canada, are in the pipeline for the production of medical cannabis in the region. of Macedonia and near the city of Patra.

Tikun Europe was founded in Greece in 2018 and is a subsidiary of Israeli global player Tikun Olam in the research and development of medical cannabis products. It is the first company to have obtained a license for the cultivation, processing and production of medical cannabis in Greece.

The Greek minister revealed to the Greek Reporter that foreigners will also be able to consume medical cannabis in Greece and that they will be allowed to buy it in pharmacies, “on the sole condition that they have a prescription from their doctor. »

A sign that mentalities are irrevocably changing in favor of cannabis, the AirBnb accommodation rental platform has entered into a partnership with the Sonoma Hills farm in California to allow visitors to taste the “high life”.

Host and cannabis grower Aaron Keefer invites visitors to “test their green thumbs in one of California’s most beautiful agricultural valleys this spring.”

“Embrace the rhythms of nature and cultivate mindfulness with a cannabis-infused stay on the farm overlooking Sonoma Hills Farm, where we produce premium cannabis alongside a culinary garden using regenerative techniques,” May -we read on the Airbnb ad. The company collaborates with Michelin-starred chefs “to cultivate the highest expression of cannabis, hemp and sun-grown vegetables. »

One of the 3 bedrooms available for rent

Three bedrooms are available in the house next to the farm, one with a king-size bed and two with a queen-size bed. Room rates are US$60 ($76), plus taxes and fees, per night “in honor of the farm’s 60-acre culinary garden.” Guests must be 21 or older.

Reservations will begin at 1 p.m. on April 20. Up for grabs: three stays for a maximum of two people between April 30 and May 3, which “coinsides perfectly with the planting season”.

The only catch: due to regulations, customers will not be able to “interact” directly with the cannabis produced on the farm. They can, however, go to one of the nearby dispensaries until California tourism regulations authorize the distribution of cannabis directly on the farm.

“Our goal is to normalize the cultivation of hemp and cannabis by demonstrating that it is a plant like any other, with benefits for humans and the earth. By providing an insider’s look at how we carefully grow our produce – whether it’s vegetables or cannabis strains – we hope to provide a stay that is both relaxing and rewarding,” Keefer said.

“By connecting with the land, guests will leave with a different perspective than when they arrived and will have supported our farm in a meaningful way. »

In keeping with the principles of regenerative and sustainable cannabis cultivation, Airbnb will donate to Regeneration Internationalan international movement for the transition to a regenerative culture, to support its “mission to reverse global warming and end hunger in the world”.

The AirBnb ad can be seen here.

Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is eyeing cannabis as a major source of revenue, anticipating a sharp global drop in tobacco consumption that will curb one of the country’s main exports.

In the words of Meanwell Gudu, Director General of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board), reported by Bloomberg, demand for cannabis is expected to continue to grow as global tobacco production could decline by 15% by 2030.

“One of the alternative crops we are looking at is industrial hemp,” he said by phone Monday. “We want to be part of the whole industrial hemp chain.”

Tobacco brought in $819 million in the country last year. The cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes in Zimbabwe was legalized in 2018.

The Tobacco Board has 145,000 registered growers, who began auctioning this year’s crop last week. Farmers will be encouraged to plant cannabis so that a quarter of their income will come from the plant by 2025, Meanwell Gudu said.

“It’s a crop that demands attention to detail, just like tobacco, and we’re confident they’ll have the skills,” he said.

Last year, the country exported 30 tons of industrial hemp to Switzerland, its first foray into the European market, said Zorodzai Maroveke, founder of the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust. The group is working in partnership with the Tobacco Board to facilitate the “smooth transition” to cannabis for commercial use.

“Switzerland is the first gateway to Europe,” said Zorodzai Maroveke. “An additional 20 tonnes of industrial hemp is expected to be exported to the European nation,” she added. »

The Office will seek export markets for industrial hemp, including China and the European Union, and will also seek to develop a local market, Meanwell Gudu said.

Cannabis legalization is back in Delaware. The author of a reform bill that was voted down by the state House of Representatives last month introduced two complementary new measures to implement the policy change. This new initiative appears to have at least the tentative support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is otherwise opposed to legalization.

Congressman Ed Osienski’s first attempt to pass a measure to tax and regulate cannabis for adult use was a failure. Rejected by the House, despite receiving a majority of votes, it was two votes short of achieving it.

Today, the legislator is back with a different approach. He introduced two bills late last month: One would simply legalize the possession and sharing of up to one ounce of cannabis (about 28 grams) for adults 21 and more, and the other would create specific regulations for the cannabis trade that largely resemble the previous bill, which was defeated by the House.

Osienski’s reasoning behind this dual approach is strategic. Since the first bill would simply remove criminal penalties for certain marijuana-related activities, it would only require a simple majority to pass. And he already got those votes on the previous legalization bill.

If the House approves this bill, it would “put extra pressure on some colleagues to say, ‘OK, it’s legalized. To get it right, we need to create an industry that will provide these services now,” the lawmaker told Delaware Public Radio.

That added pressure could even win over House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, who was the only House Democrat to vote against the previous legalization bill.

In a radio interview by WHYY, the Speaker of the House said he still intends to vote “no” to the simple legalization proposal, but may well vote “yes” to separate legislation on legalization if the first bill passed first despite his objections.

“If you’re going to tell me that cannabis is legal and you come back to me later at another time and say, ‘Well, it’s legal – are you going to tax it? “. My vote will probably be yes,” he said.

“I don’t vote for cannabis. I’m just voting to tax the cannabis that everyone else has made legal,” Schwartzkopf said, adding that he’s long believed legalization is inevitable and that if he won’t “help” it move forward, he’s not going to “stop” it.

The British health system will organize Canpain, a large clinical study around cannabis. The green light has just been given by the health authorities, reveals The Times. The objective will be to observe whether the plant is effective against chronic pain.

Medical cannabis is already legal in the UK, but it’s a semi-fiasco, between high price and drastic access conditions. The government is therefore considering expanding this program. Before that, he wants proof that THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are effective against chronic color. Hence the launch of this new research.

the National Health Service (NHS) will bring together 10,000 Britons suffering from pain. These patients will be separated into two groups of 5,000, roughly identical in terms of age, sex and physical condition. The first group will vape cannabis every day, using a cartridge and a vape pen. He will then note if he experiences an improvement in pain, sleep, or nausea. The second will receive conventional drugs.

Obviously, this study will not be “randomized”, that is to say with a placebo for one of the two groups. It is however one of the principles of the most serious studies, in order to be able to compare serenely. Anyway, after a year, scientists hope to see more clearly about the role of cannabis in chronic pain.

15 million Britons could use medical cannabis

Patient organizations hope the study will provide concrete evidence of the medical benefits of cannabis. If successful, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence could allow 15 million Britons to treat themselves with the plant.

Cannabis companies expect a lot too. One of them, LVL Health, will conduct this study. British health authorities will oversee his work, and then have it reviewed by other scientists.

This study should begin ” as soon as possible “announced last month the Minister of Health to The Independent. For Maria Caulfield, the stakes are high. “The current state of research is limited, and of low quality. Studies with few patients do not produce sufficient results to make decisions. » With 10,000 Britons enrolled in this study, the result could be decisive.

It’s a bit like the Polish version of the French battle around CBD flowers. Kombinat Konopny wins an important legal victory for the hemp trade. The Supreme Administrative Court agrees with him, facing the Polish regulator, the Chief Health Inspectorate (ISC).

To understand this case, we must first explain the European regulations. Since 2018, the European Union (EU) has required that any food that has not been consumed before 1997 goes through a (long) authorization, known as novel food, to be sold on the market. For example, chia seeds are one of them.

CBD, as a molecule, can also be considered as such. But not in all its forms, as the Polish Supreme Court reminds us.

In 2019, the Polish regulator withdrew a product from the market sold by the company Kombinat Konopny. Reason invoked: these hemp capsules did not obtain authorization novel food. So the legal process begins. The company first lodged a complaint before a court in Warsaw, but lost. She therefore appealed, and found herself before the Supreme Administrative Court.

Hemp used in food long before 1997

“The regulator first misinterpreted the Novel Food regulation, and then filed an incomplete prosecution, ignoring the documentation provided by the opposing party, as well as the evidence provided by the authorities that they could not ignore”rules the court decision, reported by HempToday.

To achieve this victory, the wife and partner of the CEO of Kombinat Konopny delved into the archives. She had to prove to the courts that hemp was used in food in Europe long before 1997. This is particularly the case in Eastern Europe, such as in Latvia, where it is part of the culinary culture.

“The overwhelming evidence presented by the party indicates that hemp was historically consumed as food and as a dietary supplement to a normal diet”continues the Court.

This court decision could help many other European countries. Since Poland is part of the European Union, other EU hemp traders will be able to use this court ruling to make their case.

French Polynesia wants to know everything about its “pakalolo”, the cannabis found on Tahitian soil. It will soon be possible. The president of the community has just signed an order authorizing ” I’import, export, possession, extraction and processing of Indian hemp and preparations containing it or made from the Cannabis sativa L.” by a scientist.

Edouard Suhas is a doctor in bio-organic chemistry at the Louis-Malardé Institute. He is the lucky one. His experiment – ​​the pakalolo Phytochemical screening of seedlings cannabis from French Polynesia – will last three years. The researcher’s objective will be to find the perfect Polynesian cannabis.

” What interests us is to find a plant that is as rich as possible in CBD and as low as possible in THC »announces Edouard Suhas at the microphone of Radio 1. For its leader, the director of the Louis-Malardé Institute, “these are the plants that we want to use to develop a sector in Polynesia”.

Because if he finds this perfect cannabis, Polynesia can then develop a production of medical cannabis. As we know, high-dose CBD could be useful against epilepsy or even treat opioid addiction. Such a find “pcould be the vector of development of a profitable economic sector for the French Polynesia “writes the president of the community in his decree.

Polynesia absent from experimentation with therapeutic cannabis

To study the different varieties of cannabis in the archipelago, the biochemist will use… the plants seized by the police and gendarmes. He can have up to ” 500 grams maximum per month. In his laboratory, he will sift the cannabis plants.

A bit like Strain Huntershe will seek to determine the qualities of the plants according to their origin. “Will the pakalolo from Huahine have the same profile as the one that grew in the valleys of Tahiti or on the coral soil of the Tuamotu? asks Edouard Suhas. It will also analyze the composition of THC and CBD. Polynesians often boast of having a paka high dose of THC.

The start of this scientific study is good news for French Polynesia. Indeed, this community was not included in the experimentation with therapeutic cannabis present in Metropolitan France since the spring of 2021. Because it is an autonomous territory, where the laws often differ from France. To refuse this ban, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Polynesia said at the time ” not convinced “ the validity of the experiment.