13 Dec Roundup of the latest medicinal cannabis news

As we say farewell to 2021, we look ahead to what 2022 will hold for the world of medicinal cannabis.

There have been many positive changes within the medicinal cannabis industry throughout 2021, despite many challenges facing the world as a whole.

The cannabis market is evolving quickly, so it’s a good idea to keep on top of the latest medicinal cannabis news.

The changes in cannabis regulations is sweeping the globe and this can only have even more of a positive and progressive impact on the global cannabis market in 2022.

As Germany prepares to officially legalise the recreational use of cannabis and Switzerland prepares to make cannabis available at local pharmacy’s, these moves will surely create a domino effect for the rest of the world.

The High Times reports, “There is little doubt that Germany’s move to recreational cannabis will forward the debate across Europe—and potentially in the same timeframe as it has impacted the medical conversation. Just four years ago, the concept of using medical cannabis even for pain relief was a very strange, often socially unacceptable topic. Today, there are about 100,000 German patients.”

The move by Switzerland is a controlled yet savvy one

By dispensing cannabis via pharmacies and enabling all doctors to prescribe to patients without limitation for medical conditions, they control who has access to it and help ensure anyone who genuinely needs it does. This move will also help Swtizerland cultivate THC within cananbis for export to the global market.

Will the UK follow Switzerland’s, Germany’s or Malta’s lead?

Malta becomes first EU country to legalise growing and using cannabis

Malta has gone one step further than many other countries that have legalised cannabis. They are allowing their residents to cultivate cannabis plants at home and also establish cannabis social clubs.

While adults will be allowed to carry up to seven grams for personal use, smoking it in public or in front of minors will remain illegal. Residents will also now be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants in their homes.

European Council take THC limits from 0,2% to 0,3%

In Octover 2020, the European Parliment voted in favour of restoring the Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels found in cannabis from 0,2% to 0,3%. As of January 2023, the THC levels will be raised following a final vote in Parliment in November 2021.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to help ensure farmers receive direct payments for their hemp varieties registered in the EU with a maximum level of 0,3%, which potentially increase the number of hemp varieties accepted in the EU Catalogue. This is good news for medicinal cannabis investors, producers and consumers.

72% of chronic pain healthcare workers are being asked about medicinal cannabis, according to new survery

According to a survey carried out by Pain News Network, over 70 percent of chronic pain healthcare providers have been asked about using medicinal cannabis to help treat their pain symptoms.

“Patients asked about cannabis far more often than other alternative pain treatments, such as acupuncture (37%), physical therapy (13%) and massage (10%).”

It is clear that the medicinal cannabis market is expericing a growth spurt, and this new year will keep us all captivated watching how it continue to develop.