Germany is probably preparing one of the most robust and complex reforms in cannabis policy and industry.
Given the size of the German economy and its geographical position at the heart of the European continent, the German adult cannabis industry will instantly become the largest on the planet once it gets going. Currently, only Canada has a domestic adult-use cannabis industry, open to anyone of legal age and offering products that are not just low-THC strains.
German lawmakers and regulators want to legalize cannabis in the most sensible, effective and efficient way possible, which is no easy feat in a nation of over 83 million people that shares 9 borders with other countries.
Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert
The centerpiece of these developments, Germany has a drug commissioner who oversees the legalization process, Mr Burkhard Blienert. The latter will speak at the next International Conference on the Cannabis Business (ICBC) to be held in Berlin on July 19 and 20, 2022.
Commissioner Blienert’s curriculum vitae is extensive, having dealt intensively with drug and addiction policy issues for approximately ten years. During the 18th legislature (2013-2017), he was a member of the German Bundestag and represented his parliamentary group as a full member of the Committee on Health, the Committee on Culture and Media and the Committee on budget. Mr Blienert was his group’s rapporteur on drug and addiction issues during this period.
Since 1990, Mr Blienert has been a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). He worked for the executive committee of the SPD party and was responsible for the SPD group in the Land Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, responsible for school and education, sports and petitions.
Mr. Burkhard Blienert studied politics, modern history and sociology (master’s degree) and passed the first state examination for lower secondary education in social sciences, history and pedagogy. As a member of the German Bundestag, Mr. Blienert served on the board of directors of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB), the board of directors of the German National Library and the broadcasting board Hörfunkrat Deutschlandradio as well as well as on the board of directors of the German Federal Film Office (FFA).
Currently, he is a member of the supervisory board of the Federal Cultural Federation, the National Society for the Welfare of Workers (AWO), the Union of United Services (ver.di), the association “Contre l’oublie – For Democracy” of the German Thomas Mann Society and the district council of Paderborn.
History in motion
Drug czar Blienert is no newcomer to ICBC. Last year, he took part in a panel where, for the first time, representatives of all major German political parties took part in a discussion on cannabis policy. This discussion took place just weeks before the 2021 election, the results of which we now know.
Much of what was discussed on the 2021 panel was part of the political cannabis conversation in Germany. The conversation will continue at this year’s B2B event, taking place in July, where a number of policy makers directly involved in Germany’s cannabis legalization effort are expected. Participants will literally be able to get the latest information on what is happening in Germany directly from those involved in the process, including the current German Drugs Commissioner.
In addition to the Berlin B2B event, the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) will also feature a one-day Global Investment Forum (GIF) on July 18, 2022. The ICBC Berlin Global Investment Forum will feature hand-picked cannabis companies who will participate in a pitch session in front of leading investors on the main stage of ICBC. This is a great opportunity for companies in the emerging cannabis sector to showcase their products/services in front of seasoned industry investors. The pitch session is also open to service providers looking for reliable, high-end customers.
Following the B2B event, attendees can then enjoy one of the famous International Cannabis Business Conference after-parties. This year’s after-party for the B2B event in Berlin will feature multi-Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage.
Over 5,000 attendees and 350 corporate sponsors and exhibitors are expected at ICBC Berlin, with over 85 countries represented at previous events. This series of events is the best way for innovators and inventors to showcase their products or services to key influencers and decision makers in the cannabis space, as well as for investors to network with budding entrepreneurs.
Buy your tickets now before they sell out!
