News analysis for professionals in the cannabis industry

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 ...

Dog movies, exercise, two Janes and a Bell: CBD promotion gets creative

Written by Freddie Dawson | 2nd June 2020

Paying people to watch dog movies and integrated CBD exercise packages are among the latest novel marketing strategies being dreamed up by CBD companies ...

US FDA takes action over unapproved drugs and unproven health claims

Written by Freddie Dawson | 29th May 2020

The company behind the world’s first injectable CBD product has issued a voluntary recall, while the US FDA continues to send warning letters over unsubstantiated health claims ...

Government aid available to European companies hit by COVID-19 measures

Written by CannIntelligence | 28th May 2020

CBD companies based in Europe have a range of possible options for government assistance to help them through the various strictures imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic ...

Texas looks set to get its promised CBD product regulations this summer

Written by CannIntelligence | 27th May 2020

CBD food, supplement and cosmetic products could be sold under a clear legal framework in the US state of Texas as early as July under a proposed set of regulations ...

South Africa ends suspense at the last moment – legalisation is here to stay

Written by Marija Obradovic | 26th May 2020

The regulation of CBD, THC and cannabis has been liberalised in South Africa – at the very moment when a year-long trial period was due to end ...

$77m deal for US CBD processor may not be the end of the bankruptcy story

Written by Freddie Dawson | 25th May 2020

A $77m deal with creditors to purchase GenCanna as a going concern looks unlikely to be the final step in an ongoing bankruptcy drama surrounding one of the US’s largest hemp processing companies ...

UK government help available to CBD firms hit by coronavirus measures

Written by CBD-Intel | 25th May 2020

UK companies that are struggling and in need of assistance because of due to lockdown rules in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic have several options to choose from, depending on their size and their...

Green Growth Brands and CannTrust seek insolvency protection

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd May 2020

Volatility in the CBD sector continues with two major companies being granted protection by Canadian courts ...

US FDA notes recall over ‘too much lead’, issues COVID-19 claim warning

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd May 2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an announcement of a product recall made voluntarily by a company after tests suggested the CBD oil contained too much lead ...

Watchdog's warning over cosmetics with less CBD than claimed on labels

Written by Freddie Dawson | 21st May 2020

The US National Advertising Division (NAD) has criticised certain cosmetic and wellness products for not containing as much CBD as claimed on their packaging ...

Firm falls in line after Health Canada warning over COVID-19 claims for CBD

Written by CannIntelligence | 21st May 2020

A Canadian company part-owned by singer Bif Naked has run foul of Canada's national health authority after suggesting its CBD products can help protect users from COVID-19 ...

50 shades of grey: it’s federal vs state law on THC in US bankruptcy cases

Written by CannIntelligence | 20th May 2020

CBD companies in the US that deal in THC may not be able to take Chapter 11 bankruptcy – reorganisation as a going concern – leaving those reliant on the business and creditors with few...

Fresh hope or red herring? New THC testing method yet to be put to the test

Written by CannIntelligence | 19th May 2020

Industry leaders say it’s too soon to tell if a newly approved testing method will help address the instability US hemp farmers face due to strict regulations on crops that test above 0.3% THC ...

German would-be flower-sellers look for loophole amid legal confusion

Written by CannIntelligence | 19th May 2020

Setting up studies as a pretext to allow the sales of hemp flowers in Germany is unlikely to succeed – but more are expected to try it as they look for ways to avoid legal...

EU advocate general says French ban on CBD imports may be illegal

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th May 2020

The French government’s ban on the importing of CBD products conflicts with European law on free movement of goods, EU advocate general Evgeni Tanchev says, in an opinion that could have EU-wide implications ...

CBD sector expands in Japan despite stricter import checks

Written by CannIntelligence | 15th May 2020

After a slow start, Japan's CBD sector is expanding rapidly, with the number of specialist shops growing, more vape and health shops, as well as the biggest discount retailer, now carrying CBD products ...

Baltic States look towards legalisation and regulation of cannabis

Written by CannIntelligence | 14th May 2020

Local industry lobbyists in the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – are starting to push for further liberalisation of laws regarding the production of cannabis and...

Virginia joins the club of US states allowing CBD as a food ingredient

Written by CannIntelligence | 13th May 2020

The US state of Virginia has passed a bill to legalise CBD in foods. It expressly permits hemp extracts as food ingredients, as long as they don't contain more than 0.3% THC ...

Chinese firms eager to build home CBD market held back by lack of regulation

Written by CannIntelligence | 12th May 2020

Chinese companies hoping to build up CBD businesses are growing increasingly frustrated by a lack of rulemaking, which is inhibiting the development of the domestic market ...

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