News analysis for professionals in the cannabis industry

Germany’s highest court leaves legality of hemp flowers open to interpretation

Written by CannIntelligence | 6th April 2021

Germany’s highest civil and criminal court has ruled that low-THC industrial hemp flowers may be considered a narcotic – but that they can be legally sold to German consumers if there is no risk of...

CBD firms find more pros than cons in legal recreational cannabis markets

Written by CannIntelligence | 6th April 2021

CBD companies see more synergies than threats from the provision of legal cannabis products in states such as Colorado, which has one of the oldest recreational cannabis markets in the US ...

US and Australian cannabis companies see great profit potential in Europe

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 2nd April 2021

There are profits to be made from selling cannabis in Europe, according to US company Curaleaf after it signed an agreement to acquire Europe’s largest vertically integrated independent cannabis company ...

Rethink needed after belated discovery that bats student confused CBD with THC

Written by CannIntelligence | 1st April 2021

A lab technician’s slip-up five decades ago could cause a complete rethink of cannabis and CBD regulation in many jurisdictions, legal scholars warned today ...

'Impending disaster' – UK industry associations at odds over THC limits

Written by CannIntelligence | 31st March 2021

The British Hemp Alliance (BHA) has contested the suggestion put forward by the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) for allowable THC levels in CBD products, claiming it would only benefit “the big boys” ...

US FDA: You can't hide health claims for CBD behind other active ingredients

Written by Freddie Dawson | 31st March 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assessed a combined health claim for the first time and denounced the practice of promoting CBD on a product making qualified health claims based on other...

Could Oregon state bill show a way out of US cannabis and CBD banking troubles?

Written by CannIntelligence | 30th March 2021

An Oregon senator believes he has found a solution to the cannabis banking crisis in the state, and perhaps set a useful standard for others across the US ...

US FDA warns CBD firms over inadequate testing, labelling and health claims

Written by Freddie Dawson | 29th March 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has told two CBD companies they fell short of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for finished pharmaceuticals and ordered them to undertake proper testing ...

FTC-targeted company remains defiant, sees administrative fine as a victory

Written by CannIntelligence | 26th March 2021

The CEO of one company targeted by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the first ever group of fines handed down by the government agency to CBD companies considers the event to be a...

Mixed feelings as UK industry sees pros and cons in FSA switch on novel foods

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th March 2021

Industry reaction to the change in UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) novel food submission requirements is mixed, some welcoming it while others say it reveals failings of management and understanding ...

Canopy happy to put the US fate of its CBD sparkling water drink in the stars

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 24th March 2021

Cannabis giant Canopy Growth has defended its decision to use a celebrity astrologer to promote the US launch of its CBD-infused sparkling water drink Quatreau ...

ValidCare reports to US FDA that trials find no evidence of CBD liver toxicity

Written by Freddie Dawson | 23rd March 2021

No evidence of liver toxicity from CBD has been found in the ValidCare study, the results of which have been given to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review ...

GenCanna acquires white label company Taylor Mammon in transatlantic merger

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd March 2021

UK white label CBD company Taylor Mammon has been acquired by US hemp firm GenCanna ...

PG/phytol research should come with a health warning – lab rats are not humans

Written by CannIntelligence | 19th March 2021

Any conclusion drawn from studies on rodents must be treated with caution if we want to know about effects on humans ...

With ingredient prices tumbling, why are CBD consumers still paying so much?

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th March 2021

A drop in the cost of bulk CBD has not yet been wholly reflected in falling CBD product prices – but are we about to witness a perfect storm for a race to the...

Not now, but soon – new industry bodies prepare for Brazil opening up to hemp

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th March 2021

Brazil still faces a serious attitude problem when it comes to advancing regulations for hemp and CBD, according to the leaders of two recently launched industry associations in the country ...

UK Food Standards Agency relaxes the rules slightly on novel food submissions

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 15th March 2021

Companies now only to have submitted an application to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) in order for their edible CBD products to stay on the market after 1st April ...

US market to top $3bn in two years, but Swiss remain the biggest CBD users

Written by CannIntelligence | 15th March 2021

Swiss consumers are head-for-head the biggest purchasers of CBD products, according to CBD-Intel’s 2021 market size analysis. Meanwhile, we predict big growth in a number of other markets, and a shift in the most popular...

Pregnant mice study touches on FDA questions, but more research is needed

Written by CannIntelligence | 12th March 2021

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has called for an exploration of the effects of CBD on certain vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women as part of its consumer update ...

BAT moves further into cannabinoids with Organigram research deal

Written by Freddie Dawson | 11th March 2021

British American Tobacco (BAT) has continued its expansion into the cannabinoid space by signing a research collaboration agreement with Organigram, a licensed Canadian cannabis producer ...

Anxiety in Northern Ireland, UK's EU gateway, as novel food deadline looms

Written by CannIntelligence | 11th March 2021

As the UK’s deadline for novel food applications looms, many firms are upbeat about the prospects for CBD businesses in Northern Ireland, but almost all those CBD-Intel spoke to expressed frustration at a lack of...

Armenia looks to hemp legalisation as part of a route out of national crisis

Written by CannIntelligence | 10th March 2021

Crisis-hit Armenia intends to legalise and regulate the production of hemp as a part of a package of economic measures to alleviate issues arising from the military conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region ...

Wrigley's heir goes public with $1.9bn plan to 'transform US cannabis industry'

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 9th March 2021

The heir to the Wrigley’s chewing gum fortune, Beau Wrigley, has entered into a deal he claims will accelerate the growth of his multi-state cannabis company, Parallel, and change the landscape of the US cannabis...

Hexo buys Zenabis 'for accelerated domestic and international growth'

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 8th March 2021

Canadian cannabis brand Hexo has acquired medical and recreational cannabis producer Zenabis Global in a CAD 235m deal that will boost its cultivation capacity and secure a footprint in the European market ...

Pakistan moves towards a legal hemp industry under the eye of government

Written by CannIntelligence | 8th March 2021

Pakistan is set to embark on a path to the legal production of hemp and hemp-derived products following the approval last September of hemp farming and processing under government control ...

Charlotte's Web makes potential cannabis bet through THC business deal

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th March 2021

Charlotte’s Web has signalled that it believes the US will legalise cannabis at the federal level within three years through a deal to acquire a related THC business ...

UK FSA picks up the pace with at least one novel food application validated

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th March 2021

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is moving forward at pace with at least one CBD novel food application having been validated ...

Industry milestone as firms start to publicly list on UK stock exchange

Written by CannIntelligence | 5th March 2021

Investing in the medical cannabis and CBD space in the UK is only likely to continue as companies are now legally allowed to list on Europe’s biggest stock exchange, while demand by retail investors continues...

'Outdated' Japanese import and growing restrictions may get even tougher

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th March 2021

Tough Japanese laws on the import of CBD products and the cultivation of industrial hemp are becoming more challenging for the industry – and even stricter regulations may be on the way ...

Tobacco giant Altria calls for US federal legalisation and regulation of cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 1st March 2021

Marlboro cigarette manufacturer Altria has stated its support for the federal legalisation of cannabis – with a view to Cronos, the Canadian cannabis company in which it has a major stake, thriving in a legal...

Silent Pool 'unimpressed' by Portman Group code violation ruling

Written by CannIntelligence | 26th February 2021

CBD-infused gin manufacturer Silent Pool remains defiant after drinks industry regulatory body the Portman Group ruled that its Colorado High product was in violation of its code ...

US state regulators' association calls for joined-up federal thinking on cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 24th February 2021

A US association of cannabis regulators has written to Congress urging the modernisation of cannabis policy at federal level ...

BAT looking 'beyond nicotine' as Big Tobacco turn its attention to CBD

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 23rd February 2021

British American Tobacco (BAT) is looking “beyond nicotine” to alternative sources of revenue, and has described CBD as an “exciting growth area for our business for the future” ...

Governor's influence questioned after judge blocks cannabis legalisation

Written by Anthony Traurig | 23rd February 2021

The legalisation of recreational cannabis in South Dakota is in doubt, amidst accusations of political interference after a judge appointed by the state governor ruled the voter-approved amendment unconstitutional ...

Will change at the FTC mean a new US approach to enforcement on CBD?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 18th February 2021

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could take a more discerning approach to enforcement against CBD companies under the new administration in Washington ...

No Home Office change in CBD importation licensing requirements

Written by Freddie Dawson | 12th February 2021

Reports that the UK Home Office now requires businesses importing CBD into the UK to have controlled drug licences are untrue, according to the Home Office ...

Is this the year? US cannabis and CBD law reform efforts worth watching in 2021

Written by Anthony Traurig | 11th February 2021

The Democratic Party, which now controls Congress and the presidency, has signalled for some time that cannabis reform is one of its top priorities, and the US public supports that reform in unprecedented numbers ...

All the president's men and women sound a positive note for cannabis

Written by CannIntelligence | 10th February 2021

US president Joe Biden’s appointees to a number of influential positions in the new administration give reason for optimism within the hemp and cannabis sector ...

CBD health and wellness subcategory sees advances on a global scale

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 5th February 2021

CBD firms are making further advances into the health and wellness subcategory of the market with new product launches, distribution deals, and clinical studies underway ...

Jazz Pharmaceuticals buys Epidiolex manufacturer GW Pharma for $7.2bn

Written by Freddie Dawson | 3rd February 2021

GW Pharmaceuticals, the British manufacturer of the CBD-based epilepsy drug Epidiolex, has been acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in a cash and shares deal worth over $7bn ...

US Small Business Administration claims credit for softening USDA final hemp rule

Written by Freddie Dawson | 1st February 2021

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has highlighted its role in securing changes to the Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s final rule for hemp production ...

Is a CBD spirit brand making an implicit health claim simply by mentioning CBD?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 1st February 2021

Specific UK guidance for producers of drinks containing both alcohol and CBD will be developed after the first complaint against one such brand was upheld by the voluntary regulating body for the UK drinks industry...

Pyxus exits cannabis and cuts back on hemp to focus on tobacco and vapes

Written by Freddie Dawson | 28th January 2021

Pyxus International, a major supplier of products to the tobacco and vaping sectors, is to sell off its cannabis-related business while restructuring its industrial hemp and CBD operations ...

German Left and Greens propose rise in THC limit, but without much optimism

Written by CannIntelligence | 28th January 2021

Two German parliamentary groups have submitted a joint initiative to remove industrial hemp from the Narcotics Act and raise the THC limit from 0.2% to at least 0.6% ...

European Commission decides CBD from entire plant can be used in cosmetics

Written by Freddie Dawson | 27th January 2021

CBD extracted from the whole Cannabis sativa plant will be allowed in cosmetic products in the EU, according to a preliminary conclusion by the European Commission conveyed to CBD-Intel ...

Brexit terms deliver a huge headache to UK and European CBD firms and users

Written by CannIntelligence | 27th January 2021

British CBD brands are suspending shipping to the EU, European customers are hit by unexpected import fees, and UK entrepreneurs are struggling to establish their start-ups, as Brexit regulations cause chaos ...

Supply chain hopefuls stay cheerful despite $150m investment fund flop

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 27th January 2021

Texas-based Collective Growth is remaining positive despite failing to find the right partners for a $150m investment fund raised to develop the US hemp market ...

Financial investments suggest a mood of optimism around CBD and cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 26th January 2021

Renewed interest in financing of CBD and cannabis businesses could signal that investors are starting to be positive again about the future after companies seemingly weathered the worst of the storm in 2020 ...

Dutch health ministry provides relief for UK patients forgotten in Brexit deal

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th January 2021

Dutch officials have granted a six-month reprieve to find a solution to an omission in the Brexit negotiations that threatens to deprive British epilepsy patients of access to cannabis-based medicines ...

Proposal to legalise low-THC hemp in South Korea submitted to parliament

Written by Marija Obradovic | 22nd January 2021

A proposal to legalise low-THC hemp was submitted on 19th January in the Korean parliament, which proposes to exclude synthetic products as well as preparations with THC content up to 0.3% from cannabis ...

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