Ganja growers are calling on the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) to clarify the conditions under which cannabis has been exported from Jamaica, even before the passage of the import/export regulations that are still in draft. “Some companies have been allowed to export and there is confusion as to whether it's samples for testing, or it's for export. There is nothing on the CLA website to guide how do you get this special permission for export,” acting programme director of the Ganja Growers and Producers Association Jamaica Paul Burke said. He said the cannabis growers continue to push for a moratorium, to allow traditional farmers to get involved in the regulated industry.

The Ganja Growers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ) has called for a meeting the Ministry of Industry Investment & Commerce (MIIC) to discuss the issue of ganja growers, their licenses, the impending and long awaited 'Transitional Permits'. According to the association, the MIIC and the ministries of Security, Justice, Agriculture, and the Cannabis Licensing Authority, need to address the confusion surrounding Rastafari growers and herbalists who also grow herbs and other spices for sacramental, medicinal, therapeutic, and other current and historically acclaimed uses in the industry. “In the interim, the GGPAJ would want an amnesty on the destruction of all cultivations until the much promised and long awaited Transitional Permits are in place.”

The Ganja Growers and Producers Association Jamaica (GGPAJ) has called for an immediate two-year incentive programme for marijuana cultivators, especially for small, traditional, Rastafarian and indigenous farmers, many of whom have been excluded from the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA)-regulated industry. Richard Crawford, president of the GGPAJ, made the call at the seventh anniversary of the approval of the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act. "It is is socially, morally, culturally and economically wrong that those persons constituting the small and traditional ganja cultivators.. who were hounded, beaten, prosecuted, arrested, convicted, criminalised for growing ganja.. are being left behind."

Authorities are considering a radical liberalization of drug laws in the Swiss canton in a bid to undermine the black market in cannabis. "We are agreed about going forward with this. Repression has failed as a policy," Geneva's Health Minister Mauro Poggia told Swiss newspaper Le Temps. "But that does not stop us thinking about going down other avenues." Geneva's cross-party Advisory Commission on Addiction urged the government to seek approval for the reforms from federal health authorities.

Le groupe interpartis, qui planche sur la régularisation du marché du cannabis à Genève, vient de publier son deuxième rapport. Il dit avoir bien entendu les critiques émises en décembre 2013 et les préoccupations des opposants, mais il tient à son idée, celle d'implanter à Genève le modèle de consommation espagnol. Il s'agirait d'autoriser pour les adultes exclusivement, sur une période d'essai de trois ans, la distribution, la vente et la consommation de cannabis dans le cadre d’associations contrôlées par l’Etat.

A l’avenir, les Genevois pourront-ils fumer du cannabis dans des clubs? Quoi qu’il en soit, la feuille de route en vue d’une légalisation du cannabis est sur le bureau du Conseil d’Etat. Ruth Dreifuss, présidente de la Commission consultative en matière d’addictions: «Nous avons remis le plan de travail. Le rapport viendra à la fin de l’année prochaine.» Genève doit adresser une demande d’autorisation exceptionnelle et à titre d’expérience scientifique à l’Office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP). (Lire aussi: Et si Genève devenait le laboratoire de la légalisation?)

Le Canton de Genève sera-t-il le premier de Suisse à accueillir un projet pilote de régulation du cannabis? Le défi est lancé. Selon nos informations, une demande d’autorisation pour mener une expérience de remise contrôlée d’herbe va prochainement être envoyée à l’Office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP). Le Conseil d’État genevois a accepté il y a peu un tel programme, qui, s’il reçoit le feu vert, serait mené par l’Université de Genève. La requête peut surprendre: les expériences pilotes développées dans plusieurs villes suisses se trouvent actuellement au point mort, dans l’attente d’un vote au parlement. L’échantillon restreint de participants à Genève implique que l’effet sur le marché noir d’une distribution contrôlée ne pourra pas être étudié.

L'essai-pilote de vente régulée de cannabis entre dans sa phase concrète dans le canton de Genève. Courant décembre, une boutique spécialisée devrait ouvrir dans le quartier de Châtelaine à Vernier. Le processus de sélection d'un millier de volontaires commence dès ce dimanche 1er octobre. Les personnes intéressées peuvent s'inscrire sur le site de l'association ChanGE. Les critères suivants sont exigés: avoir 18 ans révolus, consommer déjà régulièrement du cannabis, s'engager à participer à des entretiens avec des chercheurs et remplir périodiquement des questionnaires.

In mehreren Schweizer Kantonen sind Diskussionen im Gang, ob und wie der Konsum von Cannabis legalisiert werden könnte. Eine Vorreiterrolle spielt Genf. Dort hat eine Kommission um alt Bundesrätin Ruth Dreifuss der Kantonsregierung Vorschläge für ein Pilotprojket vorgelegt. «Es sollte Vereine geben», sagt die Vorsteherin der Genfer Suchtkommission, die frühere Bundesrätin Ruth Dreifuss. In den Vereinen sollte der Cannabiskonsum dereinst legal sein, so das Ziel der Arbeitsgruppe. Bis dahin ist es aber noch ein weiter Weg.

Germany’s plans to legalise cannabis are partially incompatible with EU law, despite significant changes Berlin made to avoid legal problems, according to a study from the parliamentary research service. After the German government first presented a roadmap in October 2022 for the full legalisation of the commercial production and distribution of cannabis, it became clear that the plans clashed with EU legislation on drug trafficking. After talks with the European Commission, the three-party government presented a new version in April that was significantly watered down in order to make it legally compatible with the EU framework. (See also in German: Bun­des­tags­gu­t­achten gibt der Ampel Rücken­wind)

The German government has released its ‘Eckpunktepapier’, a concept note laying out the key points to shape the regulation of the recreational cannabis market. Presenting the key points at a press conference this week, Health Minister Lauterbach made clear that it had not been easy to reach agreement within the ‘Ampel’ coalition and between the involved ministries. Clearly one of the trickiest issues has been how to deal with the legal hurdles of the UN drug treaties and EU law. Germany’s current interpretative approach puts the fate of the entire project for cannabis regulation on very thin ice. But there is still time to change course, and legally sound and politically viable alternative options are available. 

The German government adopted a watered-down plan to legalise cannabis, moving one step closer to the substance’s controlled distribution, though critiques from judicial, medical and law enforcement associations persist. The bill gives citizens the right to own up to three plants or 25g of the once-illicit substance, and create ‘social clubs’ to distribute cannabis. When the new German government took office in late 2021, legalising the consumption of cannabis was made a priority – both the Greens and the liberal FDP had made legalisation a key campaign promise to young voters. Plans for a comprehensive framework were delayed for months, while the research arm of the Bundestag, the German parliament, raised concerns about the plan’s compatibility with EU law. (See also: Germany unveils bill to legalize cannabis)

In November 2021, when it was announced the German government would send a law to the Bundestag to legalize the consumption and possession of marijuana - which was approved on August 16 - a team of researchers led by Justus Haucap, professor of economics at the Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, published a study that made the German Finance Minister, Christian Lindner, the leader of the liberal party that had been one of the primary backers of the idea along with the Greens, very happy indeed. The Düsseldorf researchers constructed an economic scenario based on the consumption of 400 tons of cannabis per year, a scenario that would bring provide the public coffers with around €4.7 billion ($5.1 billion) per year.

Recreational use of cannabis is set to become legal in Germany. The government has agreed the final draft of the legislation that will be discussed and voted on in the Bundestag next year. According to the latest draft, the bill is set to be less strict than previously planned. Possession of up to 50 grams will be allowed - instead of 25g. Criminal liability will only apply from people being in possession of 60g in private areas, and from 30g in public areas. The possession and consumption of cannabis will remain prohibited for young people under the age of 18. In a second later phase, the government plans to set up so-called "model cities" that will pilot the sale of weed in licensed shops. (See also: Ent­kri­mi­na­li­sie­rung zum 1. April 2024)

The SPD Health Minister coming out for legalisation put an end to some rumours that he was being pushed into it by the socially liberal Free Democrats, who negotiated cannabis legalisation as a key part of their coalition agreement with the SDP and Greens to form the three-way “traffic light” government. Lauterbach emphasised that his legal team was working to make sure such an ambitious legalisation approach would be in line with EU law, but says he doesn’t anticipate any problems. The government will likely finish drafting its law to go before the Bundestag sometime before the end of this year, before finally coming into force in early 2023. But it could take longer than that to set up all the supporting infrastructure.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach and Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir released the updated legalization plans, scaling back the framework announced last year. There will not be a country-wide commercial cannabis market as originally envisioned. Instead, adults wiil be allowed to possess up to 25 grams and grow up to three plants for personal use, while permitting nonprofit cannabis “clubs” with a maximum of 500 members. The plan would involve authorizing dispensaries in “certain districts/cities in several federal states” throughout Germany that would be licensed for five years, to study the impact of the shops on consumption trends and the illicit market. (See also: Germany waters down plan to legalize cannabis after EU talks | Germany's two-step plan to legalize cannabis)

Social Democratic Party (SPD) health expert Karl Lauterbach ourged the SPD, Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) hoping to form Germany's next government to legalize cannabis should they come to power. Speaking with the Rheinische Post newspaper, Lauterbach said, "I was against legalizing cannabis for years. But now, as a doctor, I have come to a different conclusion." His change of heart was prompted by the fact that police now report finding other substances mixed into cannabis. Lauterbach said legalization would protect consumers. Coalition negotiations between the SPD, Green Party and the FDP are ongoing, with many of those involved voicing optimism about the prospects of success in forming a government. (See also: Why Germany could be on the brink of legalising cannabis)

Earlier this month news broke of recent analysis conducted by the Bundestag’s scientific service suggested the creation of a legal recreational cannabis market could contravene a number of European treaties which Germany had signed. While many commentators were quick to point out that this was nothing new, the news reinvigorated debate and scrutiny surrounding the progress of Germany’s ambitious cannabis project following a period of relative radio silence from the Government. Days later, two members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) made the unusual step of hosting an Instagram Live session to provide insight on how discussions were developing within their party, one of the three that form the German coalition government. 

The political parties known as the "traffic light" coalition are pushing for a change in legislation meaning the sale of cannabis will be legal for consumption purposes. According to Der Spiegel a representative of the working group tasked with the policy change said: "We are introducing the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops." The policy will be revisited after four years to assess its social impact. A survey, carried out by the Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), found that a legalised cannabis market in Germany could add around 3.4 billion euros in tax revenue to the nation's economy. It would also save the judicial system in the country around 1.3 billion euros every year. (See also: How Germany’s next government is planning to legalise cannabis)

When Germany's new coalition included the legalization of recreational cannabis in its political agenda in late 2021, there were few details on how to regulate the industry. However, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced last week that it would start the legal process for cannabis legalization soon. Finance Minister Christian Lindner confirmed that the process of legalizing recreational cannabis has started. He is planning a comprehensive technical preparation to legalize cannabis through a consultation process together with the Ministry of Health and other departments. The process will also involve the federal states, municipalities, associations, science, and civil society players. According to Lauterbach, the technical talks will likely start this summer, and a draft bill is expected to follow in late 2022.