Cannabis – medical
News analysis
Global business and regulatory news covering the cannabis industry
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Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations
23rd November 2023
- Ukraine: Batkivshchyna, the small opposition party that opposes medical cannabis legalisation, has submitted dozens of amendments to bill 7457 that would legalise medical cannabis in the second reading, media reports. As reported, the party wants most of these amendments to be considered by the parliament session hall, which would drag out time and may prevent the law from passing.
22nd November 2023
- France: A joint committee made up of assembly members and senators has failed to agree on a common version of the 2024 Social Security Financing Bill after the Senate amended the text adopted by the National Assembly. The provisions to introduce a regulatory framework for cannabis-based medicines were only slightly amended. The bill returns to the National Assembly for a new reading.
21st November 2023
- Thailand: The Ministry of Public Health has completed its draft of the Hemp-Cannabis Law to regulate cannabis, which may be available for public comment in mid-December, press reports. Most notably, the draft bill would not place the cannabis plant or its extracts with 0.2% or less of THC back onto the narcotics list. While the bill aims to curb recreational use, the extent to which it might achieve that it is not yet clear. Public health minister Cholnan Srikaew said that licensed dispensaries would be allowed to continue operations under the draft bill but would not be allowed to sell dried flowers. Additionally, home cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes would require prior approval. After a two-week public comment period, the draft bill may be amended and submitted to the cabinet for approval.
21st November 2023
- US - Alabama: The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) has reached a proposed settlement to resolve a lawsuit brought by medical cannabis licence applicants, press reports. If the proposed settlement is ratified by the AMCC during a 27th November meeting, it could allow licences to be issued by the end of 2023.
20th November 2023
- US - South Dakota: The South Dakota Department of Health has approved rules regarding medical cannabis that take effect on 27th November 2023. Most notable among the changes are that the rules increase the allowable amount of edible oils from 5 g to 15 g, edibles from 800 mg THC to 2,000 mg THC, and dried plant material or powder topicals from 1 oz to 16 oz.
17th November 2023
- Brazil: Senator Mara Gabrilli from the governing Social Democratic Party, which has the most seats in the Senate, has introduced a bill to legalise the cultivation, production, import, export, sale, control, dispensing and use of cannabis products for medicinal purposes – for both human and veterinary use. The proposed legislation would also apply to industrial hemp and its products. It is still uncertain whether the bill will have enough support to be passed. Other bills on similar topics are being analysed by the Senate.
14th November 2023
- Japan: Today (14th November), the House of Representatives (lower house) adopted a proposal to legalise cannabis-based medicines and criminalise recreational cannabis use. The bill is yet to be adopted by the House of Councillors (upper house).
14th November 2023
- Germany: The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) – the highest decision-making body in the German statutory healthcare system – has opened the public consultation for the amendments to the medical products guidelines, in particular an amendment to the approval requirements for medical cannabis for patients covered by statutory health insurance. Among other things, the amendments include a two-week deadline for a decision on an application for product authorisation and the addition of an annex regulating the minimum requirements for medical qualification for the prescription of products. Comments can be submitted until 11th December 2023.
7th November 2023
- France: The National Assembly has passed the first reading of the 2024 Social Security Financing Bill without amending the government’s proposal, which aims to establish a temporary ad hoc status for cannabis-based medicines. The Senate will discuss the bill in the coming days.
6th November 2023
- Australia: A bill implementing a trial allowing people to drive a motor vehicle after having consumed medical cannabis was passed last week at the Legislative Assembly of the state of Victoria and is awaiting approval at the Legislative Council. If passed, the bill will allow users with a prescription to consume medical cannabis and drive. The trial is planned to be conducted in a controlled driving environment away from public roads.
6th November 2023
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