Europe

A group of California cannabis companies recently partnered for a charitable effort to send first aid kits to Ukraine.

Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, England has convened a commission to investigate decriminalizing cannabis throughout the U.K. despite opposition from some national officials.

Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said he will begin preparations for setting up an adult-use cannabis market in the country.

A group of Washington D.C. cannabis advocates recently brought thousands of pounds of supplies to citizens displaced by the ongoing and destructive invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

Switzerland is launching an adult-use cannabis pilot program and study which will allow participants to purchase cannabis legally while having their mental and physical health monitored.

A recent poll found that 55% of Europeans back the broad legalization of adult-use cannabis, with the majority of supporters also in favor of regulated retail sales and home cultivation.

The Freedom March campaign in Ukraine, which has sought to reform the country’s cannabis laws since 2005, is calling on the global cannabis industry for donations to help the Ukrainian people defend against Russia’s invasion.

The Constitutional Council of France ruled that CBD is not addictive or harmful, overturning a ban on the possession, use, and sale of CBD put in place in December.

London, England Mayor Sadiq Khan is looking to adopt a cannabis decriminalization pilot program that would offer guidance on drug use instead of arresting young adults between 18-24.

Ireland has seen a nearly 50% drop in cannabis possession charges and summonses following recent criminal justice reforms.

UK-based Glass Pharms has announced plans to build the world’s first carbon-negative medical cannabis cultivation facility using artificial intelligence-influenced growing methods.

Lawmakers in Malta have approved the country’s cannabis legalization proposal, making it the first EU member nation to legalize adult-use cannabis.

A cannabis legalization bill in Malta is expected to be formally approved by lawmakers today.

Medical cannabis legalization in the U.K. could be worth 1.2 billion pounds and create about 40,000 industry jobs.

Germany’s incoming coalition government is set to legalize adult-use cannabis nationwide and license dispensaries to conduct regulated sales.

Cannabis legalization in Germany could be worth around 3.4 billion euros in tax revenues and about 1.3 billion euros in cost savings.

Luxembourg’s government has legalized cannabis cultivation for adults 18-and-older making it the first European nation to broadly legalize cannabis cultivation for its citizens.

German police unions voiced opposition to national cannabis legalization following election victories by Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Free Democrats, all of which support the reforms.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. and partner Ethypharm have successfully delivered a shipment of dried cannabis flower for France’s two-year pilot program, which will serve 3,000 patients.

Greek lawmakers approved a measure last week to legalize the cultivation and sale of medical cannabis products.

Curaleaf Holdings is set to acquire EMMAC Life Sciences Ltd., Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis company, for approximately $286 million.

A recent BDSA report found that global cannabis sales reached nearly $21.3 billion last year.

The European Union’s highest court has ruled that CBD is not a narcotic because it does not have any psychotropic or harmful effects.