Around the World

Malta made headlines in 2021 when it became the first EU country to legalize the personal use and cultivation of cannabis. Yet despite this progressive image, the reality on the ground remains complex. Recent legislation introducing €250 fines for cannabis odour—yes, smell—reveals a deeper cultural tension and regulatory inconsistency. But for cannabis startups, this isn’t […]

Today, Italy’s Administrative Court (TAR) dismissed the appeal filed by national hemp associations against the Ministry of Health’s decree classifying oral-use CBD preparations as narcotic substances. The ruling marks another serious setback for the Italian hemp and CBD sector—and may significantly impact the country’s future in the European cannabinoid market. A Dangerous Legal Precedent By

In a significant step forward for cannabis policy in Latin America, a group of progressive Chilean lawmakers has introduced a bill to regulate adult use of cannabis. The “Regulación por la paz” parliamentary group, led by Deputy Ana María Gazmuri, presented the initiative in the Chilean Congress, aiming to create a legal and responsible framework

As of April 1, 2025, all general practitioners in Czechia are authorized to prescribe medical cannabis. This development significantly expands patient access and reshapes the country’s position within the European cannabis landscape. It is also a policy signal worth close attention from investors, healthtech companies, and international producers aiming to enter the Czech or broader

After years of delays, France is now taking decisive steps toward comprehensive regulation of medical cannabis. Two ordinances specifying cannabis-based medicinal products and their production have been NOT SUBMITTED yet (I hope they will be!) to the European Commission (EC) for review. This development signals a potential market opening, particularly interesting for startups and investors

The international elite of the cannabis industry gathers at Cannabis Summit 2025 in the World Horti Center, Netherlands—an event carefully curated to bring together the most important developments in the sector. This gathering marks the perfect kickoff for a series of groundbreaking events in the coming weeks. In particular, ICBC Barcelona is set to play

For the first time, the National Council’s health policy makers are outlining just how liberal the state should be with THC products in the future. Meanwhile, Germany is heading in a completely different direction? Today, it’s election day. Meanwhile in Switzerland, Jamie Pearson in CannabisNow gave us a huge inspiration for this article here and

On February 12, 2025, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) rejected a request to delay the deadlines for regulating the cultivation of industrial hemp for medicinal purposes. This ruling comes in the wake of a major decision from November 2024, when the court’s First Section authorized the cultivation of low-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hemp – a variety

The recent UK parliamentary debate on medical cannabis under the new Labour administration has been a major disappointment for advocates and investors hoping for reform. Despite a chorus of voices from multiple parties calling for an overhaul of the UK’s outdated regulatory framework, the government has once again reverted to its well-worn stance, emphasizing the

The cannabis rescheduling debate in the United States has reached a critical juncture, marked by the recent appointment of Derek Maltz as interim administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Maltz, a career DEA official and former chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, has expressed skepticism about the ongoing process to