LATEST ALERTS
What impact will the US elections have on CBD and cannabis?
16th October 2020 - Blogs |
It’s important to remember that all aspects of cannabis and CBD – even federal decriminalisation or legalisation efforts
Policy and Politics
Do companies need toxicological study data included in UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) novel food applications for them to be validated?
9th October 2020 - Blogs |
There are still quite a few unanswered questions regarding the novel food application process under the FSA. Fortunately the requirement of having toxicological data
Is increased uncertainty in established markets driving interest in secondary markets such as Asia?
2nd October 2020 - Blogs |
There has been increased interest in secondary markets that has resulted in some positive developments.
Hopes growing in Brazil for further legalisation of medical cannabis
28th September 2020 - News analysis |
A proposal to be voted on by Brazilian legislators in the coming weeks could legalise the growing of hemp for industrial purposes and cannabis for medical use
What impact does the delay in voting on the MORE Act have on the CBD industry?
25th September 2020 - Blogs |
The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was, of course, always more about cannabis than hemp-derived CBD specifically. And, as previously stated, its chances of passing were slim to none.
Why do bills related to cannabinoids keep getting pushed through the US Congress?
21st September 2020 - Blogs |
There does not seem to be much point in continuing to try to force through bills – particularly given that the Republican-controlled senate and presidency opposes any measures and the limited timeframe before the end of the legislative session.
‘We want MORE’ – US Democrats prepare for House vote on cannabis reform bill
11th September 2020 - News analysis |
The US House of Representatives is expected to hold a historic vote this month on a comprehensive cannabis reform bill that supporters embrace for not only decriminalising marijuana but correcting injustices
German firm waits to hear whether new CBD oil will be deemed ‘novel food’
24th August 2020 - News analysis |
A German company is still waiting to hear from the authorities two months after launching new CBD products that could be considered food supplements
Switzerland edges towards legal cannabis with trials likely next year
17th August 2020 - News analysis |
Switzerland plans to launch trials next year as part of a move toward legalising cannabis with high levels of THC – but it could be several years before Swiss users can legally light up a joint
Irish trade body criticises the government’s approach to hemp and CBD
14th August 2020 - News analysis |
The trade body for hemp and CBD in Ireland has accused the Irish government of working in silos and said its lack of intra-governmental communication as well as consultation with stakeholders could lead to the end of the industry in the country
Think tank urges Poland’s government to raise THC limit for hemp growers
16th July 2020 - News analysis |
An influential Polish think tank has released a report calling for a relaxation of Poland’s cannabis regulations
Who can bring clarity to Italian CBD regulation? Another bid bites the dust
13th July 2020 - News analysis |
Yet another attempt to bring clear regulation to the Italian CBD market has been rejected, apparently for political reasons
Now that novel food applications in Europe are delayed, what does enforcement look like?
10th July 2020 - Blogs |
Enforcement activity against food, drink and dietary supplement products placed on the market containing CBD continues despite the inability of companies to proceed with novel food applications due to the EC’s questions over whether CBD constitutes a narcotic under the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics.
How is the novel food status of CBD progressing in Europe?
3rd July 2020 - Blogs |
Several major developments have all happened at the same time for novel foods. Perhaps most importantly, one of the European Commission’s departments – the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety – has said it is holding sending any further non-synthetic CBD applications to the European Food Safety Authority for evaluation until it has determined whether CBD technically falls under the definition of a narcotic according to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
CBD and cannabis legislation back on the Italian political agenda
2nd July 2020 - News analysis |
The nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has revived moves to regulate Italy’s CBD market
Social media and the advertising of CBD: policy report
2nd July 2020 - Regulatory reports |
This report investigates the current situation with respect to advertising CBD products via the most widely used social media platforms
Corruption threat to hopes of a hemp export boom in Southern Africa
1st July 2020 - News analysis |
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
30th June 2020 - News analysis |
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
Court ruling piles further restriction and confusion on Italy’s CBD market
25th June 2020 - News analysis |
A further decision by a top Italian court has in practice increased the restrictions on the hemp/CBD market in the country
Zimbabwe opens up cannabis to 100% investor or foreign ownership
9th June 2020 - News analysis |
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
Brazil’s rule change is just what the doctor ordered for Canadian company
5th June 2020 - News analysis |
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
Government aid available to European companies hit by COVID-19 measures
28th May 2020 - News analysis |
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
UK government help available to CBD firms hit by coronavirus measures
25th May 2020 - News analysis |
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 needs
EU advocate general says French ban on CBD imports may be illegal
18th May 2020 - News analysis |
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
Chinese firms eager to build home CBD market held back by lack of regulation
12th May 2020 - News analysis |
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
No argument – 0.2% THC limit is just fine as it is, Polish ministries agree
11th May 2020 - News analysis |
Despite reports, Poland’s Ministry of Health is not engaged in a dispute with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development over the country’s limit of 0.2% THC in cultivated hemp
Florida debate over allowed hemp seed varieties is kicked into the long grass
6th May 2020 - News analysis |
A debate over what varieties of hemp can be grown in Florida has been shelved for at least this growing season as industry associations push forward with guidance on obtaining a state licence
Hemp coalition calls for regulation to be standardised between US states
1st May 2020 - News analysis |
US regulators should standardise the definition of hemp between states to reduce confusion, red tape and non-compliance for companies trading across state lines, says a coalition of interested groups
CBD-Intel COVID-19 news round-up
30th April 2020 - News analysis |
In order to help you keep track of how all this is affecting the CBD industry around the world, all CBD-Intel’s COVID-19-related coverage can now be found in one place here
Government shutdown delays next step towards Mexican legalisation
23rd April 2020 - News analysis |
Further advances towards the legalisation of cannabis in Mexico have been delayed by a government shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a new deadline for legislation set by the country’s Supreme Court
CBD companies are advised to use the time well as virus slows regulation
15th April 2020 - News analysis |
CBD entrepreneur Christina DiArcangelo tells CBD-Intel that businesses should be using the slowdown to study, reflect, plan – and “get ahead of the ball”
Legal in theory only – huge licence fee holds up Zambia’s cannabis trade
2nd April 2020 - News analysis |
Four months after Zambia legalised the production and export of cannabis, no one has yet been able to take advantage because of the high cost of licensing fees – and some confusion remains about what is allowed
US firm gets approval to sell $3 seeds in Colombia: business news in brief
26th March 2020 - News analysis |
Also: £500k funding for online retailer; Hollister picks magic mushroom researchers; KushCo scales back trading prediction; HempNova prepares to grow and process in Oregon
FDA needs more data before making CBD rules, Hahn tells US hearing
25th March 2020 - News analysis |
FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn has told a Congressional subcommittee that more research and data are needed before the FDA is ready to issue a formal policy on CBD products
Divisions over drug policy lead to fresh delay in UN vote on restrictions
16th March 2020 - News analysis |
The United Nations’ central drug policy agency has declined to reveal why it again postponed a vote on WHO recommendations to relax restrictions on cannabis and related substances such as CBD and THC
Company boss hopes to help draw up legalisation of hemp in Kazakhstan
12th March 2020 - News analysis |
Companies are beginning to show interest in Kazakhstan ahead of an anticipated liberalisation of cannabis laws they hope will allow the cultivation and production of hemp products for medical, food and other purposes
St Louis Fed Reserve bank fed up with others’ failure to take on CBD business
11th March 2020 - News analysis |
One of the 12 US regional reserve banks has complained about the banking industry’s reluctance to service hemp and CBD businesses even though they are now legal products
CBD medicines could be approved in Philippines without need of new law
10th March 2020 - News analysis |
Legislative efforts will continue to push for cannabinoid liberalisation in the Philippines – despite recent comments that approval in principle of the epilepsy drug Epidiolex would be sufficient to cover most matters
Law firm leads call for joined-up hemp regulation between US states
5th March 2020 - News analysis |
A coalition of organisations linked to the US hemp market has released the first part of a series of policy recommendations – while one CBD firm has been referred to the US Federal Trade Commission over extravagant health claims
US FDA chief Hahn says it would be ‘a fool’s game’ to try to halt CBD spread
2nd March 2020 - News analysis |
CBD products will not be banned in the US and there is some medicinal value to them being on the market, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Stephen Hahn has said
Our new special intelligence service covers the alternative tobacco field
25th February 2020 - News analysis |
TobaccoIntelligence, a new service from the team that produces CBD-Intel, is now available, covering the global tobacco and nicotine alternatives sector
Swiss Supreme Court rules that hemp flowers should not be taxed under tobacco law
24th February 2020 - News analysis |
Switzerland’s federal supreme court has ruled CBD should not be taxed under tobacco law, meaning that hemp flowers will no longer be subject to the 25% tax under the Swiss tobacco law
BfR issues warning over adulterated German e-liquids
21st February 2020 - News analysis |
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recently issued a warning on e-liquids that it believed to be containing synthetic cannabinoids, after at least eight teenagers suffered medical complications from an as yet unconfirmed source
Vital directives still to come as Peru pieces together full regulation
11th February 2020 - News analysis |
Peru is moving towards comprehensive legislation on cannabis but has yet to define how to classify CBD, leaving the guidelines unworkable for now
Green shoots of hope springing for cannabinoid production in Brazil
10th February 2020 - News analysis |
Optimism is growing and companies are only waiting for the green light to start the production of cannabinoid products in Brazil, according to specialists
Italian amendment to regulate ‘light cannabis’ is thrown out once more
5th February 2020 - News analysis |
The Constitutional Affairs and Budget committees of Italy’s lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, have rejected an amendment to regulate the sale of hemp or “cannabis light” products
NFL confirms its ban on players using CBD on grounds of limited research
5th February 2020 - News analysis |
The US National Football League (NFL) committee researching CBD has said league players will not be allowed to use the substance any time soon – despite endorsement by former stars
So this is Brexit – but what does it mean for CBD trade, now or later?
3rd February 2020 - News analysis |
As the UK exits Europe and enters its 11-month period of transition, what does Brexit actually mean for cross-Channel relationships, and for the CBD industry in particular?
Frustration grows as US federal rules impede research on cannabinoids
30th January 2020 - News analysis |
Federal agencies and legislators from both major US parties have all voiced a desire for more research on cannabinoids – but a major obstacle remains the lack of federally approved cannabinoids to study
US Congress members bid again to make CBD supplements legal
29th January 2020 - News analysis |
Leading members of the US Congress are again pushing for the legalisation of dietary supplements containing hemp-derived CBD, currently banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
