With all the latest developments in the cannabis industry, staying in-the-know is a challenge. That’s why we’ve curated the best insights from around the world into one easy-to-read article for you.
EUROPEAN CANNABIS UPDATES
- London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, calls for cannabis policy reform. Khan backed the recently published report by the London Drug Commission containing 42 recommendations. This included the decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis possession, banning stop-and-search and removing natural cannabis from the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Lord Falconer, chair of the London Drugs Commission, spoke on Sky News justifying these recommendations and elaborated on the potential implications of decriminalisation.
- German medical cannabis imports showed record growth with a 15% rise in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, totalling 37,223kg. Canada remains the largest exporter to Germany, followed by Portugal and Denmark. Other notable increases came from smaller players like Malta and Colombia. However, Germany’s right-leaning CDU/CSU cabinet, now dominant in the Bundestag, displays scepticism toward cannabis liberalisation. This summer, the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition plans to evaluate the Cannabis Act (CanG) for potential policy changes.
- The Czech Republic moves toward cannabis decriminalisation with an amendment that will allow home cultivation up to 3 plants, home possession of 100g/person, and public possession up to 25g/person. If the bill must successfully passes through the Senate and receives the President’s signature, it is expected to come into effect in January 2026. However, the reform must pass before legislative sessions close, as summer recess and upcoming elections in five months could stall progress.
- Italian court ruled in favour of hemp flowers and their derivatives being legal under EU law. In April 2025, a decree introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criminalized the cultivation and sale of hemp derivatives like CBD and CBG. This severely damaged Italy’s hemp sector, which consists of over 3,000 businesses employing about 23,000 people. Italian lawyers argued that national laws contradicting EU regulations should be disregarded.
- New Zealand medical cannabis companies such as Bluelab, Rua Bioscience , and Puro New Zealand, have confirmed their plans to expand into Europe and will be attending Cannabis Europa later this month to connect with European counterparts toward this end. New Zealand’s medical cannabis industry is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing in the world.
- Portugal’s Infarmed changes import and export requirements of medicinal cannabis. This aims to enhance control and address the growing volumes of requests. Among these requirements are evidence of qualifications from the entities involved in import/export processes (unless importing clones), and import/export certificates. While some view the increased requirements positively for ensuring industry rigor, many companies fear that increased bureaucracy will lead to longer waiting times for certificates which could harm businesses and diminish Portugal’s position in the medicinal cannabis market. Industry leaders have proposed having a verified list of international suppliers to streamline processes.
- Haribo gummies recalled in Belgium after traces of cannabis were found in the sweets. This follows Haribo’s recall of its Happy Cola F!ZZ sweets in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were found inside and causing dizziness in those who consumed it. Dutch authorities are investigating how cannabis was introduced into the candy. Police said drug smugglers were increasingly using children’s sweets as cover and cited several examples of gangs injecting THC into candy.
GLOBAL CANNABIS UPDATES
- The stock market’s legal cannabis boom is over. Once seen as a high-growth sector, legal cannabis stocks are now underperforming as optimism around U.S. federal legalisation continues to wane. Major publicly traded companies such as Tilray, Curaleaf and Canopy Growth have seen significant valuation drops amid regulatory uncertainty, oversupply, and challenging market conditions. The industry is recalibrating, with a focus now shifting from rapid expansion to sustainable profitability.
- A U.S. House Republican budget proposal would ban hemp-derived THC products at the federal level – if passed by the Senate. Aiming to “close the hemp loophole” created by the 2018 Farm Bill, the bill redefined hemp as cannabis with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3%. This effectively prohibits “novel cannabinoides” derived from hemp such as THCP, Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC. Critics label the proposal as a ‘farmer-crushing, job-killing hemp ban.’
- The Texas cannabis industry faces potential collapse with lawmakers passing a bill to ban the sale and possession of THC products. This comes as concerns mounted over THC products being marketed to children and posing public health risks such as addiction and psychosis. On the other hand, industry proponents argue the ban misrepresents responsible manufacturers, further adding that job losses could be significant, with the potential disappearance of 5,500 registered hemp sellers. Coalitions have gathered significant public support against the ban, presenting petitions to the governor.
- Ohio adults can now purchase more than double the amount of cannabis per day – currently 2.5 ounces compared to the previous ounce per day. Non-medical sales began in August 2024, demonstrating sufficient inventory for both patient needs and consumer demand. Governor DeWine aims to focus cannabis tax revenues on police training, local jails and behavioural health services.
- Canadian cannabis industry appears to be recovering. March’s retail cannabis sales rose 4.9% to C$428.4 million. Ontario’s sales grew 6.0% from February, while Alberta saw an 11.4% increase. However, Quebec and British Columbia experienced declines in sales compared to February. Some contributing factors include an increase in store numbers and lowering flower prices which discourage consumers from purchasing via the illicit market.
- Surge in Thailand cannabis smuggling prompts mandating medical prescriptions during purchase. This comes after Thai authorities intercepted 73 kilogrammes of cannabis at Suvarnabhumi airport, plus an increasing number of smuggling incidents by tourists. When the proposed changes take effect in July 2025, dispensaries can only sell cannabis to those with licenses or medical prescriptions – these rules will apply to both locals and foreigners alike.
- Australian Medical Association to tighten regulation of medical cannabis access particularly due to the rise in telehealth. Concerns over overprescribing and limited patient oversight have prompted calls for clearer guidelines, better practitioner training, and stricter vetting of telemedicine providers. The move could significantly reshape Australia’s medical cannabis landscape, creating higher barriers for access but potentially improving clinical standards and patient safety.
- South African cannabis industry shows great promise, With abundant natural resources, ideal growing conditions, and a large informal cannabis economy, South Africa is well-positioned to become a key player in global cannabis exports. However, industry growth is being stifled by limited research and development infrastructure and a lack of coordinated government backing. Stakeholders are calling for increased funding, policy clarity, and incentives to help transition informal growers into the legal market and attract international investment.
- Morocco sets rules for regulated medical cannabis cultivation including strict traceability, security, and quality control obligations. Regulated cultivation areas are limited to Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, and Taounate in the Rif region, known for historical cannabis production. The decree aims to integrate cannabis cultivation into a controlled economy while fostering rural economic development.
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📅 The Cannabis Calendar 2025: View the unmissable events of 2025 from June onwards.
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