european drug policy

  • canada dollar cannabis2Cannabis deals in Europe will help pot giant Aphria build up a war chest ahead of an expected frenzy of mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. High-margin medical cannabis agreements in Europe represent critical waypoints on Aphria’s road to conquer the U.S., bolstering the company’s balance sheet and putting it on firm footing with European regulators, said Irwin Simon. As in the U.S., legal recreational cannabis remains on the horizon in Europe, where a combined population of more than 500 million in the U.K. and European Union makes it a lucrative proposition. Aphria is set to complete its merger with Tilray this quarter, creating the world’s largest cannabis company by revenue.

  • A document prepared by the chair of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has laid out a course to keep on track for December’s key vote on the World Health Organization’s cannabis scheduling recommendations. This is positive news for industry stakeholders concerned about a possible delay stemming from the coronavirus crisis. While the likely outcome of the vote is not yet known, it could have far-reaching implications for the global cannabis industry. One recommendation, for instance, would recognize the medical value and a lesser potential for harm of cannabis at a U.N. level – making it easier for member countries to adopt medical cannabis programs.