News analysis for professionals in the cannabis industry

Bluebird Botanicals sees success with unconventional advertising campaign

Written by CannIntelligence | 3rd August 2020

A US CBD company has taken an unusual approach to advertising to set itself apart from the pack. It is using a spare forceful campaign that actively discourages some people from using its products ...

Draft guidance on CBD enforcement submitted to OMB for review

Written by CannIntelligence | 3rd August 2020

The FDA’s draft guidance on CBD enforcement policy was submitted for review by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the OMB has now scheduled meetings with various hemp/CBD stakeholder groups ...

HempFusion completes NDC registration for CBD topical products

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 31st July 2020

Registration in the US FDA National Drug Code (NDC) Directory conveys significant benefits even if the FDA does not specifically approve these items as over-the-counter products, according to a CBD company ...

Ignite lost $50m in one year; auditors say survival now endangered

Written by CannIntelligence | 29th July 2020

Canadian CBD firm Ignite lost $67m CAD last year and it could go under if it doesn’t get funding soon, auditors warned in an annual report ...

Swiss authorities return money after hemp flowers tax court ruling

Written by CannIntelligence | 28th July 2020

Switzerland’s customs authorities returned CHF33m (€30.5m) to CBD producers after the federal supreme court ruled there was no legal basis to tax hemp flowers under the country’s tobacco law...

New US testing programme set to address industry criticisms

Written by Freddie Dawson | 27th July 2020

A new government programme will attempt to address one of the industry’s biggest criticisms – the lack of consistency in laboratory test results ...

Firms restructure and recapitalise as revenues continue to decline

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 27th July 2020

As tough market conditions continue for cannabinoid firms in the US and Canada, struggling companies are continuing to pursue a range of survival strategies ...

Unwelcome but unsurprising: industry reactions to FDA testing

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th July 2020

The FDA’s recent report that fewer than half of the CBD products tested from US store shelves contain the amount of CBD on the label was unwelcome news ...

Zygel could still prove beneficial for Fragile X Syndrome sufferers

Written by CannIntelligence | 24th July 2020

A proposed new path forward and extra information presented by Zynerba Pharmaceuticals has thus far not impacted the company's stock price ...

FDA promises CBD testing as report shows many labels are inaccurate

Written by CannIntelligence | 24th July 2020

The US FDA has criticised CBD products for inaccuracies in labelling the amount of CBD present in products and promised further testing for the sector in the near future ...

Distribution deals show faith in future of European CBD retail

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 22nd July 2020

Firms from Israel and South America are showing faith in the European CBD market, and its bricks-and-mortar retail, with distribution deals to place their products in a growing number of outlets ...

International interest as Malawi prepares for its first growing season

Written by CannIntelligence | 21st July 2020

Global agricultural giant Pyxus International is among a number of international companies that have expressed interest in venturing into hemp cultivation in Malawi ...

CBD drinks company reaps the benefits of TV advertising campaign

Written by Freddie Dawson | 20th July 2020

A TV advertising campaign has significantly boosted sales for a CBD drinks company and it hopes a new listing in a high-end chain of UK supermarkets will consolidate those gains ...

Think tank urges Poland's government to raise THC limit for hemp growers

Written by CannIntelligence | 16th July 2020

An influential Polish think tank has released a report calling for a relaxation of Poland’s cannabis regulations ...

Indiana's smokable hemp ban could be back on after US appeal court ruling

Written by CannIntelligence | 15th July 2020

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has dealt a blow to challengers of Indiana’s smokable hemp ban, ruling that the lower court went too far in restricting the enforcement of Indiana’s ban ...

Hong Kong faces serious rivals in its bid to become the Asian hub for CBD

Written by CannIntelligence | 14th July 2020

It remains unclear where the hemp and CBD investment centre for Asia will develop. History and existing infrastructure would point to Hong Kong, but development there has stalled – and there are other contenders ...

New Treasury guidelines should ease firms' access to US financial services

Written by Freddie Dawson | 13th July 2020

Hemp companies, politicians and legal experts have welcomed guidance from US monetary regulators that should drive up the number of financial institutions servicing the sector ...

Who can bring clarity to Italian CBD regulation? Another bid bites the dust

Written by CannIntelligence | 13th July 2020

Yet another attempt to bring clear regulation to the Italian CBD market has been rejected, apparently for political reasons ...

Cuts, restructuring and bankruptcies as firms navigate troubled waters

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 8th July 2020

Hard-hit cannabinoid firms in the US and Canada are reassessing their market strategies, restructuring, and downsizing – in some cases with significant job cuts – as the market remains volatile ...

Colorado joins growing list of US states selling CBD in cannabis dispensaries

Written by CannIntelligence | 3rd July 2020

Colorado has joined the list of US states selling hemp-derived CBD products through cannabis dispensaries ...

CBD and cannabis legislation back on the Italian political agenda

Written by CannIntelligence | 2nd July 2020

The nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has revived moves to regulate Italy’s CBD market ...

Corruption threat to hopes of a hemp export boom in Southern Africa

Written by CannIntelligence | 1st July 2020

Law enforcement and financial crimes experts in Malawi and Zambia have urged lawmakers to find ways to counter corruption before they start issuing licences to cultivate cannabis ...

Finland's government looks set to take a fresh look at cannabis and CBD

Written by CannIntelligence | 30th June 2020

A shift in political outlook under 34-year-old prime minister Sanna Marin could signal a chance to revisit the legal status of CBD in Finland ...

Survey reveals hemp flower usage blossoming in Italy under lockdown

Written by CannIntelligence | 30th June 2020

Consumption of hemp flowers in Italy went up during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, despite their sale being illegal in the country, a survey has revealed ...

Strong online presence vital during COVID-19 crisis, CBD firm says

Written by Freddie Dawson | 29th June 2020

A strong online presence has been essential to resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic, but many larger offline retail chains that have also focused on selling through these channels may still see a recovery ...

Sale of white label goods affected less than anticipated during COVID crisis

Written by Freddie Dawson | 29th June 2020

The loss of conferences and expos due to COVID-19 prevention measures has not affected the sale of white label goods as much as may have been anticipated, according to companies ...

EIHA launches novel food application consortium project

Written by Freddie Dawson | 26th June 2020

A new consortium project from the EIHA will put four separate novel food applications in to European and UK authorities after performing the necessary toxicological and safety studies ...

UK FSA provides further guidance for novel food application requirements

Written by Freddie Dawson | 26th June 2020

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has provided further guidance on when a CBD product would need to have a separate or new novel food authorisation ...

Legal row over TV advertising shows trouble CBD has in getting airtime

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th June 2020

In a case that illustrates difficulties a number of CBD businesses have encountered in reaching their target market, a CBD company in the US is suing a TV advertising firm, alleging deceptive trade practices and...

Court ruling piles further restriction and confusion on Italy's CBD market

Written by CBD-Intel | 25th June 2020

A further decision by a top Italian court has in practice increased the restrictions on the hemp/CBD market in the country ...

EC takes time out on novel food to decide if CBD is legally a narcotic

Written by Freddie Dawson | 24th June 2020

Progress on novel food authorisations for non-synthetic cannabinoids will be paused until European regulators decide whether extracts from hemp flowers constitute a drug under narcotics laws, CBD-Intel has learned ...

Ocean Spray's move into CBD drinks may make a path for others to follow

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 23rd June 2020

A new line of sparkling CBD drinks is to be launched in the Colorado market in what may be an indication of how high-profile companies approach the CBD market during its continued period of uncertainty...

UK agency offers a few hints about its plans for post-EU novel food process

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd June 2020

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has updated industry insiders on its preparations for a potentially separate system of novel food approval as its 31st March 2021 deadline draws nearer ...

Italians turning to CBD in place of prescription drugs, research suggests

Written by CannIntelligence | 22nd June 2020

The use of CBD-based products has reduced the consumption of prescription drugs in Italy, according to a discussion paper from an international economics think-tank ...

Access enters UK market as lowest price CBD oil

Written by Freddie Dawson | 19th June 2020

A new CBD brand from British Cannabis is hitting the UK market at a significantly lower price point than any previously seen ...

Researchers on safety and toxicity confident of hitting UK deadlines

Written by Freddie Dawson | 19th June 2020

An industry association study of the safety and toxicity of cannabinoids is expected to be completed in time to meet submission deadlines to keep CBD-containing food, beverage and supplement products on the UK market ...

Hemp flower now widely available in Spanish tobacconists – despite the law

Written by CannIntelligence | 17th June 2020

Hemp flower has become increasingly available in Spanish tobacconists (estancos) and even on corner newsstands during the COVID-19 crisis – even thought its sale is not permitted under Spanish law ...

French flavour house Robertet teams up to tackle European CBD market

Written by CannIntelligence | 17th June 2020

Major French flavours and fragrance manufacturer Robertet is making its first foray into European cultivation and processing of hemp oil extracts in a joint venture with Swiss CBD and hemp producer Alponics ...

Another cannabis firm in trouble as Beleave is granted creditor protection

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 16th June 2020

Canadian grower Beleave has become the latest casualty of turbulent times in the cannabis industry ...

Red, white and blooming – High Times joins the cannabis move into CBD

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 16th June 2020

One of the most iconic brands in the cannabis space, High Times, has entered into an agreement with Red White & Bloom (RWB) to develop cannabis-based CBD and THC products across the US ...

Is this prime time for CBD subscription models to make a mark in the market?

Written by CannIntelligence | 11th June 2020

Subscription services are a niche area of the CBD market that could benefit from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, providing companies with security and customers with a way to try new products without leaving home ...

How science suggests CBD could help smokers escape their addiction

Written by CannIntelligence | 10th June 2020

There is some scientific evidence that CBD could encourage smoking cessation and have significant health benefits for those struggling to give up cigarettes ...

Pharmaceutical company gets a head start in Brazil’s medical CBD market

Written by CBD-Intel | 10th June 2020

A CBD oil made by Brazilian drugs company Prati-Donaduzzi could become the biggest-selling cannabinoid product on the Brazilian market ...

Why cannabis companies and others are switching track towards CBD

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 9th June 2020

Excess production space, surplus of supply, legal restrictions – and now the coronavirus crisis – have been giving the global cannabis industry a tough ride and some businesses are setting their sights on hemp-derived CBD...

Zimbabwe opens up cannabis to 100% investor or foreign ownership

Written by CannIntelligence | 9th June 2020

Zimbabwe has changed tack, allowing investors to hold 100% of medicinal cannabis licences in order to improve competiveness of the sector both regionally and globally ...

Italian prosecutors get tough, closing down leading CBD firm pending trial

Written by CannIntelligence | 8th June 2020

The public prosecutor's office in Parma has suspended all commercial operations of Italy’s leading CBD company, EasyJoint, pending trial on narcotics charges ...

Artemis Growth Partners to expand operations with Bridge Farm purchase

Written by CannIntelligence | 6th June 2020

Artemis Growth Partners will look to use the new purchase of a UK farming complex to feed its international CBD supply chain before potentially creating a separate CBD brand and move into medical cannabis supply...

Brazil’s rule change is just what the doctor ordered for Canadian company

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 5th June 2020

Countries in South America are becoming increasingly important markets for CBD, as the ink dries on a deal to distribute medical cannabis products in Brazil, where a change in regulatory policy has opened up trade...

Kathy Ireland gives CBD business another try under her own brands

Written by Freddie Dawson | 4th June 2020

Former supermodel Kathy Ireland looks set to finally launch a range of CBD products after two prior relationships never developed beyond the prototype and testing phase ...

Aurora looks to US market with $40m Reliva deal after selling off assets

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 4th June 2020

Canadian cannabis firm Aurora has shifted focus to the US CBD market, a long-time goal of the company, with the $40m purchase of retailer Reliva ...

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