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Mexico court allows recreational cocaine in landmark decision
The ruling, which does not allow for the sale of the drug, is now under review by a higher court at the government's request
Deutsche Welle (Germany)
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
A judge in Mexico City has ruled in favor of two people requesting permission to use cocaine recreationally, marking the "first ruling of its kind," the organization backing the case said. The decision is now being reviewed by a higher court at the request of the government. Mexico United Against Crime (MUCD), a group dedicated to ending the country's war on drugs, said the ruling allows the petitioners to "possess, transport and use cocaine" — but not sell it. MUCD said that they put the case forward in a bid to get the Mexican government to "reorient" the country's security efforts. The Mexico City court's ruling will only stand if the tribunal court, made up of several judges, agrees with the decision. The ruling would also only apply to the two petitioners. (See also: Is recreational cocaine legal in Mexico?) -
Weed investment boom sparks calls for City pot exchange
Legalising cannabis put Canada's stock markets at the head of a global "green rush"
Evening Standard (UK)
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Canada was once the centre of a gold rush, but now a "green rush" for cannabis is setting stock markets alight. As the world's most progressive country on cannabis legislation, Canada has become the centre of a weed investment boom that has caught the eye of entrepreneurs across the globe. Canadian cannabis companies have the lowest cost of capital in the world, because they have a monopoly on the billions chasing the industry. Legalising cannabis has helped Canada gain "first mover" status in the burgeoning industry and now some are asking whether London should follow suit and steal a lead over European rivals such as Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Lisbon and Berlin. -
Are e-cigarettes a gateway to cannabis use for teens and young adults? Yes, says new study
It appears to support the theory that nicotine affects the developing brain, influencing how people respond to addictive substances
Associated Press (US)
Friday, August 16, 2019
Adolescents and young adults who use electronic cigarettes are far more likely to also use marijuana, according to new research.The study, published online in JAMA Paediatrics, said the odds of marijuana use among young people who used e-cigarettes was 3.5 times greater than among those who said they had not used e-cigarettes.The research examined marijuana use among 10- to 24-year-olds through a compilation of 21 studies from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The authors, who include researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, say policymakers should pay attention to this connection. -
Ganja export regulations to be finalised September
Once enacted, the regulations will give CLA jurisdiction to handle requests for the import and export of ganja buds and resin oil
The Gleaner (Jamaica)
Friday, August 16, 2019
The Jamaican Government is finalising legislation to allow for marijuana producers to export. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw says producers could potentially earn $30 million per gallon for exported marijuana oil. “I have set a target for the end of September for the regulations to be promulgated,” said Shaw. “I want us to start exporting extracted oil and buds from Jamaica to external markets.” Jamaica remains concerned about correspondent banking issues in the United States, where banks continue to block legitimate marijuana companies from conducting transactions, whether or not the product enters the US. (See also: Proposals to revolutionise medical cannabis industry put forward to Government) -
Mexico's top court demands regulation on medical marijuana after long delays
The ministry said it would comply with the court's ruling and ensure the child's access to treatment
Swissinfo (Switzerland)
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Mexico's supreme court ordered the health ministry to issue regulation within six months on medical marijuana use, saying its failure to do so after legalization in 2017 had put rights at risk for patients, including children. The court made the decision as part of its ruling in favour of a child who needed medication derived from cannabis substance THC to treat epilepsy. "Due to the absence of rules regulating the therapeutic use of cannabis, it was impossible for the plaintiff to access treatment based on this substance or any of its derivatives," the court said in a statement. The health ministry had been instructed to update its guidelines within half a year following a June 2017 reform to legalize marijuana for medical and scientific needs. -
'Time to try something else'
Luxembourg official tells Euronews on cannabis legalisation
Euronews (France)
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Luxembourg steps up preparations for new legislation to fully legalise recreational cannabis. "After decades of repressive policies, we have acknowledged that this policy does not work, that it did not meet expectations. So it's time to change mindsets, change our concepts and try something else," said Health Minister Étienne Schneider, who is also vice prime minister. Luxembourg wouldn't become a cannabis tourism hotspot, mainly because non-residents wouldn't be allowed to buy it. "It is not about meddling in [other EU countries'] national policies, but simply of discussing the observations we made in Luxembourg," Schneider said. "I hope that this Luxembourg initiative will also have a positive impact on the other countries of the European Union." -
Et si la Belgique légalisait comme le Luxembourg?
La presse belge s'interroge sur les répercussions de la légalisation du cannabis au Luxembourg. Un modèle qui pourrait inspirer la Belgique...
L'Essentiel (Luxembourg)
Vendredi, 9 août 2019
Les médias belges s'interrogent sur ce nouveau marché qui pourrait attirer les jeunes Belges à se fournir au Luxembourg. En tout illégalité donc. Pour Tom Decorte, criminologue à l'université de Gand, cela semble hautement improbable. «Je ne vois pas pourquoi ils prendraient la peine de se rendre au Luxembourg». Sous-entendu le marché noir existe déjà en Belgique et les consommateurs n'auront nul besoin de franchir la frontière pour se fournir. L'universitaire cite l'exemple des Pays-Bas, où la vente «est tolérée». Les jeunes consommateurs étaient nombreux à se déplacer à Amsterdam et ailleurs pour acheter du cannabis de manière légale. -
Pharmacists can now sell products with cannabidiol
Pharmacists have been concerned with the proliferation of shops specialised in selling CBD products over the counter
Flanders Today (Belgium)
Friday, August 9, 2019
Pharmacists in Belgium can now make and sell products containing cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active ingredients in the cannabis plant. The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products has stated that it is lifting the ban on pharmacies preparing and selling products with the ingredient. The agency made the surprise announcement in a circular letter. It is effective immediately, on a prescription basis only. Kelly Vidts, brand manager of the Fagron pharmaceutical company, told De Standaard that apothecaries who order cannabidiol will be able to use it in different ways. “Pharmacists can use it to make an ointment, oil or pills,” she said. (See also: Police shut down pop singer’s shop selling cannabis oil) -
A step change in the approach to addiction
The most significant change to drug laws in 40 years has passed despite a flurry of last-minute attempts to change the bill
Newsroom (New Zealand)
Thursday, August 8, 2019
The passing of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment marks a significant shift in how the Government deals with the possession and use of controlled substances, especially for those caught in the web of addiction.The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act has four core parts: the Class A reclassification of the two most prevalent chemicals found in synthetics, the ability to temporarily reclassify emerging chemicals, increased penalties for manufacturers and suppliers, and enshrining police discretion over prosecution, and prioritising therapeutic options when dealing with possession and personal use of controlled drugs.Legislating police discretion is a remarkable move towards treating drug addiction as a health issue – something that’s been championed by the Greens and Labour. -
'Growing outside is a dream': Asparagus makes way for cannabis in Canada's fields
Growing outdoors can cost as little as one-fifth that of greenhouse production and one exec says it makes for 'tastier' buds
Financial Post (Canada)
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
The amount of outdoor-grown cannabis will make up a small portion of the market this year — less than 10 per cent of the cultivation licenses granted in Canada are for outdoors — but many more are in the pipeline after the Canadian government changed its rules last year to allow pot farms. Growing outdoors eliminates the need for costly lighting, heating and cooling systems. WeedMD CEO Keith Merker said it can grow for about 20 cents at its farm versus $1 a gram in a greenhouse and $2 a gram for a typical indoor site. (See also: Cannabis can be grown outdoors for pennies on the dollar. So why is hardly anyone doing it?)
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