Hazel Norman, Author at International Cannabis Chronicle

Will Costa Rica Become A Top Cannabis Tourism Destination?

Written by Hazel Norman on January 9, 2023. Posted in Archives, Business, Entertainment, Policy.

Cannabis tourism is not a new thing, however, the size of that particular sector of the emerging international cannabis industry has historically been limited. Obviously, that is due in large part to prohibition laws around the globe.

For many years Amsterdam was the undeniable leader when it came to international cannabis tourism, with a handful of other notable cities such as Barcelona and Vancouver (Canada) also serving as top destinations for cannabis enthusiasts.

As cannabis reform continues to spread across the globe, and with it, the legal cannabis industry, lawmakers in some countries are seeming to envision their regions also serving as top international cannabis tourism destinations, with the latest example of that being in Costa Rica. Per The Q Media (translated to English):

The bill to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in Costa Rica authorizes the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – Costa Rican Tourism Board – to promote the country as a destination for responsible consumption.

This is established in article 52 of initiative 23,383 that is being analyzed by the legislative commission on the environment (Comisión de Ambiente del Congreso).

Specifically, it indicates:

“The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo should establish information campaigns at the international level to promote Costa Rica as a tourist destination for the responsible consumption of cannabis for recreational use.”

The bill itself is far from guaranteed to pass, so the language pertaining to boosting cannabis tourism needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Cannabis advocates inside and outside of Costa Rica are clearly rooting for legalization to be adopted in Costa Rica, however, as with all things political, no one should count any eggs before they hatch.

According to World Data, “Costa Rica recorded a total of one million tourists in 2020, ranking 90th in the world in absolute terms.” With that in mind, any and all additional tourism that cannabis legalization can generate for Costa Rica will surely be appreciated.

costa rica

Medical Cannabis Products Now Covered By Government-Funded Health Insurance In Colombia

Written by Hazel Norman on January 7, 2023. Posted in Archives, Policy.

In 2022 Colombia’s Health Ministry approved the expansion of health insurance coverage of certain medical procedures and medications, including expansion to cover some medical cannabis products. The effective date for the expanded coverage was January 1, 2023.

While it never seemed to be in doubt that the medical cannabis insurance coverage would ultimately take effect, it was reassuring to see that the new coverage was indeed implemented, with reassurances provided by the Health Ministry.

News of the reassurances came via a press release from Khiron Life Sciences Corp late this week. Below are excerpts from the press release:

Khiron Life Sciences Corp. (“Khiron” or the “Company”) (TSXV: KHRN) (OTCQX: KHRNF) (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), announces that the new Colombian Government has included plant-based medical cannabis products (i.e., Khiron products) in the list of mandatory insurance-covered medications starting January 1^st, 2023, as well as the signing of a first-of-its-kind medical cannabis contract with one of Colombia´s largest insurance companies based in the city of Bogota.

Resolution 2808 of 2022 was signed by the Ministry of Health on December 30, 2022. This revision was necessary to remove unintended ambiguities that had arisen whether plant-based magistral preparations from medical cannabis (i.e., Khiron products) were also included in the insurance coverage. This is now once and for all clearly confirmed. The new government is fully committed with the use of medical cannabis as a covered treatment under the Colombian health system.

The Government used this iteration to also validate medical conditions where they find moderate to strong evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment. These medical conditions evaluated by the IETS (Technical Institute of the health Sector) include chronic and neuropathic pain, oncology pain, sleep disorders, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia, which represent the primary conditions treated with Khiron products.

During the first half of 2022, insurance-covered prescriptions represented more than 90% of the Company´s cannabis sales in Colombia. With a patient base of more than 25,000 patients, Khiron will immediately resume filling insurance-covered prescriptions through its Zerenia clinic network.

Alvaro Torres, CEO of Khiron, comments: “Today is a great day for patients in Colombia and Khiron. We welcome the decision from the new Colombian government to categorically mandate insurance coverage for our medical cannabis products. With this decision, Khiron will immediately tackle the backlog of covered medical cannabis products to our patients. In parallel, we have also secured a first-of-its-kind contractual relationship with one of Colombia´s largest government-owned insurance companies for medical cannabis specific healthcare services and dispensation. These two achievements, will allow us to revert to predictable recurring revenues, shorter collection periods and improved cashflow.”

colombia

The Amount Of Legal Cannabis Planted In Greenhouses In Uruguay Nearly Doubled In A Year

Written by Hazel Norman on January 3, 2023. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

Uruguay’s legal cannabis industry may not be as large as industries in other nations, however, it will always hold the distinction of being the first regulated national adult-use cannabis industry in the world’s history.

Lawmakers in Uruguay first passed a legalization measure back in 2013, nearly ten years ago. It took a handful of years for the first legal transaction to occur, and these days consumers of legal age in Uruguay have several options for legally sourcing cannabis, including via pharmacies.

By many reasonable measures the legal cannabis industry is succeeding in Uruguay, and that is reflected in statistics that were recently released regarding how much cannabis is being planted in greenhouses in Uruguay. The rate of increase is impressive. Per La Diaria Politica (translated to English):

The Directorate of Agricultural Statistics of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) published this week the 2022 Yearbook, which includes the current status and evolution of agricultural production and provides other related data, such as the volume of exports and imports. of agricultural products, the price of land and registered purchase and sale operations.

The document reports a significant increase in the area of cannabis in greenhouses, which went from 120,000 to 239,782 square meters between the agricultural years 2020/21 and 2021/22. In the same sense, the number of licenses granted for the plantation of cannabis went from 80 to 167 in the same period. In contrast, open-air cannabis plantations have been on the decline since 2020, and went from 580 hectares to 513 in the aforementioned period.

Greenhouses are a much more sustainable method for cultivating cannabis compared to cultivating cannabis inside of a building being that they use less non-renewable resources. The climate in Uruguay is favorable for cultivating cannabis in general, and greenhouses help keep pests and rain off of the plants while also maximizing exposure to sunlight.

As we previously reported, Uruguay recently expanded the number of cannabis options at pharmacies, with a higher-THC option rolling out last month. Another cannabis option is expected to come to pharmacies in Uruguay in late 2023, although it is still unclear what cannabinoid levels will be involved with the new variety.

uruguay

France Lifts Ban On CBD Product Sales

Written by Hazel Norman on December 31, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy, Trending News.

Roughly one year ago, on December 30, 2021 the government in France issued a ban on the sales of CBD products. CBD products have increased in popularity and availability throughout Europe in recent years, including in France.

Due to ongoing cannabis stigma, some lawmakers and regulators have portrayed CBD as being harmful, and they seem to have dusted off a number of reefer madness talking points that used to be applied to cannabis in general and are now revamping them to be more narrowly focused on CBD.

That stigma and ongoing anti-cannabis rhetoric by opponents has led to CBD crackdowns in some parts of the world. France’s ban was effectively short lived, as the ban was initially put on hold in January 2022 and is now being lifted altogether. Per Le Parisien:

The good news is confirmed for CBD sellers. Temporarily suspended last January, the ban on the sale in the raw state of the flowers and leaves of certain varieties of cannabis is now officially lifted, according to a decision of the Council of State on Wednesday , which “cancels the decree of December 30 2021 prohibiting the sale of cannabis flowers and leaves with a THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) level of less than 0.3%”.

The institution “notes that CBD (cannabidiol), which has no psychotropic effect and does not cause addiction, cannot be considered a narcotic product”.

The Council of State “retains that it has not been established that the consumption of the flowers and leaves of these varieties of cannabis with a low level of THC would involve risks for public health. It therefore considers illegal the general and absolute prohibition of their marketing”.

Another example of a looming CBD crackdown can be found in Hong Kong where a complete CBD ban is going into effect in 2023. Unlike France, leaders in Hong Kong have made it clear that they will not be reversing course and that the ban will indeed go into effect and anyone caught violating the new ban will receive years in prison.

France’s lifting of the previous CBD ban is certainly welcomed news, however, the European nation still has a long way to go when it comes to improving cannabis policy. Cannabis consumption is very popular in France, and cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy. It’s beyond time that France got completely on the right side of history when it comes to cannabis laws.

France

German Lawmakers Block Health Ministry Funding And Demand Legalization Measure

Written by Hazel Norman on December 26, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy, Trending News.

As 2022 draws to a close and cannabis observers start to look ahead to 2023, Germany will continue to be the focal point of most people’s attention. Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is currently lobbying the European Union for its approval of the general legalization plan that he presented to the federal cabinet back in October.

Various theories are swirling as to why European Union sign off is being sought prior to the introduction of a measure in Germany, with the leading theory seeming to be that approval would mitigate challenges from EU member nations seeking to prevent the spread of legalization.

A group of lawmakers in Germany is growing impatient with the delays related to the introduction of legalization, demanding that a measure be introduced immediately. They even recently followed through with a threat to withhold some of the Health Ministry’s funding due to the delay. Per RND:

It was an unusual process: During the budget deliberations for 2022, the budget politicians of the traffic light coalition put Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) under heavy pressure: they decided to block an amount of one million euros for the ministry’s public relations work until Lauterbach presents a draft law for the legalization of cannabis agreed in the coalition agreement. The reason for this approach: the coalition partners had the impression that Lauterbach did not actually want the release and was therefore trying to delay the project.

Lauterbach actually thought he was on the right track, because at the end of October he presented very detailed key points for legalization. They stipulate that the acquisition and possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis should be exempt from punishment in the future. However, a concrete draft law is still missing.

There appears to be rumblings out of Germany that the components of the general legalization plan presented to the federal cabinet in October are not firm, and that it’s possible that some components could get watered down due to negative feedback from the EU during discussions.

Hopefully, a measure is officially introduced soon in Germany and the parameters are favorable, regardless of if there is EU sign off or not. It is unclear what will happen if/when EU approval is not granted.

Minister Lauterbach has previously indicated that he will not pursue legalization without prior EU approval, however, if it keeps resulting in lost funding perhaps it could change his tune. Meanwhile, we will all continue to wait and watch for any signs of movement.

Germany

Are Changes Coming To Cannabis Enforcement In Britain?

Written by Hazel Norman on December 26, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Earlier this year the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched a commission to explore London’s cannabis enforcement policies, which is something that he campaigned on as a candidate. Throughout 2022 Mayor Khan seemed to be promoting a policy that is essentially cannabis decriminalization.

Cannabis decriminalization is obviously not as good as outright legalization yet is clearly superior than arresting people caught with a personal amount of cannabis. Khan’s expressed desire to change London’s cannabis enforcement policies was condemned by other officials, including Steve Reed, the Labour’s Party’s shadow justice secretary.

As we previously reported, Reed made the ridiculous claim that cannabis decriminalization would “turn London into a drug supermarket.” It appears that Reed’s reefer madness talking points are not gaining as much traction in some circles as presumably hoped, with reports that the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing are proposing a less-harsh approach to cannabis penalties. Per Daily Mail:

First time users of cocaine and cannabis will be offered education or treatment programmes rather than being prosecuted under new plans being drawn up by police bosses.

Officers would agree to take no further action against those caught in possession of illegal drugs, including class A and B, for the first time under new proposals being drawn up by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing.

The offender would therefore avoid a criminal record, however, they would be prosecuted if they failed to take part in education or treatment programmes or were caught with drugs again.

According to reporting out of Britain, fourteen police forces already use this enforcement approach, including law enforcement agencies in Durham, Thames Valley, and West Midlands. It’s not an optimal approach, however, it’s a step in the right direction.

No one should be forced into rehab or counseling simply because they were caught with cannabis. Cannabis possession, or even confirmed use, is not automatically problematic be default. If a consumer wishes to go to rehab for cannabis, so be it, but it should be a personal decision and not something that is imposed by the government.

Britain

Is Luxembourg Abandoning Its Previous Legalization Plans?

Written by Hazel Norman on December 23, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Luxembourg was once thought to have the best chance of passing Europe’s first nationwide adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Of course, that ‘historic first’ never materialized in Luxembourg and the actual first country to pass such a measure was eventually Malta, which did so near the end of 2021.

Even though Luxembourg failed to become the first to pass a legalization measure, there was still quite a bit of hope that legalization would still become a reality in the European nation in the near future. Unfortunately, the chances of legalization happening any time soon in Luxembourg seem to be getting worse with every passing month.

Earlier this month we reported on grievances aired by the general prosecutors office, which cited concerns about ‘contradictions, unequal treatment, lack of clarity, oversights, serious error of logic or even the door wide open to abuse.’

While it is not shocking to see political delay tactics and reefer madness rhetoric being incorporated by cannabis opponents, it is disheartening to a degree to see supporters of cannabis reform changing their tones and the type of wording they use to describe the current effort in Luxembourg. Per RTL Today (translated to English):

Minister of Justice Sam Tanson once again defended the government’s decision to regulate recreational cannabis consumption, pointing out that this was already included in the governing coalition’s programme before the last national elections in 2018.

The initial plan of the coalition between the Democratic Party (DP), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), and the Green Party (déi Gréng) was to legalise cannabis.

However, Tanson explained that because the government does not want to allow cannabis consumption in public spaces, they now prefer to talk about “regulation” rather than “legalisation.” In addition, cannabis will be “decriminalised,” as residents will be permitted to carry up to 3 grammes of marijuana.

In addition to permitting possession of up to 3 grams, the current proposal being circulated in Luxembourg’s political circles would also permit the cultivation of up to four plants. For contextual purposes, Germany is considering legalizing possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of up to three plants, and Malta currently permits the possession of up to 7 grams of cannabis and four plants.

luxembourg

Bavaria’s Health Minister Increases Efforts To Try To Prevent German Legalization

Written by Hazel Norman on December 18, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Earlier this month we reported that Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was seeking an ‘expert opinion’ to help with his European Union legalization lobbying push. Minister Lauterbach mentioned as part of his formal presentation to the federal cabinet in Germany back in October that prior to formally introducing a legalization measure he would seek the European Union’s approval to proceed.

At first it seemed to be a bit unclear as to why exactly an expert opinion would be incorporated into the lobbying effort, however, this week Bavaria’s Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) announced that he too would be seeking an expert opinion as part of his opposition push, which doesn’t seem like a coincidence. Minister Holetschek has emerged as the leading domestic voice against the Traffic Light Coalition’s legalization plan.

In his latest attempt to try to derail the legalization effort Minister Holetschek will commission an expert opinion from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Per Nordbayern:

Bavaria’s Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) wants to have the federal government’s plans for cannabis legalization examined with a legal opinion. “Despite major health risks and legal concerns, the traffic light coalition has so far stuck to its plans. That’s why I commissioned a legal opinion to clarify the international and European legal limits of cannabis legalization in Germany,” said Holetschek. His goal is to objectify the debate.

Bernhard Wegener, Chair of Public Law and European Law at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, has been commissioned to draft the report. The report should be available by the end of February 2023.

Minister Holetschek may be the leading voice against legalization, however, he is not the only one to speak out against current German reform efforts. North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of the Interior, Herbert Reul, has also spoken out against legalization in recent days.

In an interview this week with Frankfurter Allgemeine, Minister Reul described the Traffic Light Coalition’s adult-use legalization plan as being “insane” and stated in the interview, “I dread legalization.” Comments were translated from German to English.

What is not being talked about among cannabis opponents in Germany, at least not in good faith, is the harms of cannabis prohibition. Cannabis prohibition is exponentially more harmful than any ‘social costs’ related to legalization. Canada and Uruguay are proving that in real time, and soon Malta likely will as well.

Germany

Saskatchewan Government Files First Nations Cannabis Authority Legislation

Written by Hazel Norman on December 17, 2022. Posted in Archives, Business, Policy.

The emerging cannabis industry has the potential to transform communities and boost opportunities for those that live where cannabis commerce is permitted. A report from earlier this year by Deloitte highlighted just how much the legal cannabis industry has helped communities in Canada.

One of the major takeaways from the analysis is that the legal cannabis industry in Canada had created roughly 151,000 jobs as of the report’s publishing. In addition to generating new jobs across the country, the emerging legal cannabis industry was responsible for generating over $15 billion since legal adult-use sales launched in late 2018.

The overall economic boost from Canada’s legalized industry is substantial. Deloitte estimated that the legal cannabis industry in Canada had contributed over $43.5 billion to the nation’s GDP since the start of legalization as of February. Cannabis companies have directly invested roughly $4.4 billion into Canada’s economy, with the remaining boost to GDP coming from “indirect” economic contributions, and “induced” contributions according to Deloitte.

First Nations in Canada are progressively getting more involved in the emerging cannabis industry, and in Saskatchewan specifically, lawmakers are pushing for First Nations to be able to self-govern and self-regulate the cannabis industry on-reserve. Below is more information about it via a news release form the government of Saskatchewan:

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced two pieces of legislation that lay the groundwork for increased First Nations self-governance.

The Summary Offences Procedure Amendment Act, 2022 will provide a legal framework that First Nations communities can use to enforce laws and bylaws on reserve.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to take this important step as part of our ongoing work with the Muskoday and Whitecap Dakota First Nations,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said. “These amendments will allow these and other First Nations communities in the future to use the more simplified summary offences procedure, instead of the long-form process under the federal Criminal Code, to issue tickets and fines such as those issued for traffic violations and other provincial offences.”

These amendments follow a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the Government of Saskatchewan, Muskoday First Nation and Whitecap Dakota First Nation on October 18, 2019, to address longstanding issues around the enforcement of First Nations’ laws.

“First Nations assert their jurisdiction and maintain community safety by creating laws under the Indian Act, land codes, and other federal legislation but there have been difficulties in enforcing these laws in the courts,” Chief of Whitecap Dakota First Nation Darcy Bear said. “Through our work with the provincial government, the amendments to SOPA will give us access to prosecution and enforcement tools that will give force to our laws in areas such as environmental protection and community safety; and strengthen the place of our laws alongside federal and provincial law.”

The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Amendment Act, 2022 establishes the provincial legal framework for First Nations to license and regulate the distribution and retailing of cannabis on-reserve.

“Our government supports First Nations exercising their authority over on-reserve distribution and retailing of cannabis through a legal framework with SLGA,” Minister Responsible for SLGA Lori Carr said. “This change further fosters reconciliation by ensuring First Nation-owned businesses are able to fully participate in the economic opportunities presented by the retail cannabis industry.”

The proposed amendments provide First Nations the opportunity to create their own First Nations regulatory framework consistent with federal and provincial legislation to establish a local cannabis authority. Once established, stores regulated by First Nations will have access to federally regulated cannabis products.

These amendments will also require all Saskatchewan cannabis retailers to only ask for proof of age when a purchaser appears to be under the age of 25. Currently, retailers are required to ask for proof of age from all purchasers.

Canada

New Report In Ireland Recommends Considering Cannabis Legalization

Written by Hazel Norman on December 15, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Ireland’s Oireachtas Justice Committee is recommending that the government consider legalizing cannabis for adult-use, in addition to wider drug policy reforms. According to its website, the Oireachtas Justice Committee “shadows the Department of Justice and considers policy in the fields of justice, security and the rule of law to ensure that Irish society is safe, secure, just, open-minded and impartial.”

As we previously reported late last month, People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny formally filed an adult-use legalization measure that, if passed, would legalize cannabis possession for people 18 years old or older in Ireland.

The measure is not as robust as the legalization model currently in place in Canada, and would legalize the personal possession of up to seven grams of cannabis flower and 2.5 grams of concentrates. The bill would not legalize cannabis sales.

“I believe that if passed, this bill will provide a stepping stone to a more progressive drug policy in Ireland.” TD Gino Kenny stated on Twitter last month. The report by the Oireachtas Justice Committee does recommend that the government consider launching legal sales, with the goal of battling the unregulated market. Per The Journal:

A NEW REPORT by the Oireachtas Justice Committee has recommended that legalisation of certain drugs be examined by the Government as well as allowing some drug cultivation at a “non-profit” level.

The report, published this morning, recommends that the Government examines a regulatory model for certain drugs, including cannabis, as part of measures to reduce the impact of the existing black market for illicit substances.

What the report is recommending is something similar to what is currently being put into place in Malta. Malta passed a limited legalization measure in late 2021, with the main way for consumers to eventually source their cannabis involving non-profit cannabis clubs.

Cannabis legalization faces an uphill battle in Ireland, as demonstrated by the reaction from some lawmakers in Ireland after Gino Kenny formally introduced his limited measure. If Gino Kenny’s bill is receiving pushback, then it’s a safe bet that the new report will also receive similar pushback, and perhaps even more. Still, the report is encouraging, and in theory, could move the discussion needle a bit.

ireland

Canada Increases Cannabis Beverage Possession Limit

Written by Hazel Norman on December 12, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy, Science.

The cannabis beverage sector of the emerging international cannabis industry has been very interesting to follow. It’s often the subject of a great deal of public relations efforts it seems, with industry leaders often touting it as ‘the next great sector’ that entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers should watch for.

Cannabis-infused beverages have certainly risen in popularity in recent years among patients and consumers, with that popularity being paralleled by a dramatic increase in selection. Drinkable forms of cannabis are a great consumption method for various reasons, and unlike many cannabis products, beverages almost always seem to come in packaging that is easy to recycle.

Canada is home to the largest nationwide, legal adult-use cannabis industry and several cannabis-infused beverage products are available across the nation. The Canadian government recently announced changes to cannabis beverage possession limits, in addition to changes to cannabis testing and research. Below is more information about it via a government news release from Health Canada:

Today, Health Canada announced that amendments to the Cannabis Act and its regulations concerning cannabis research and testing, and cannabis beverages have been approved and are now in force as of December 2, 2022. A copy of the final regulations, as well as the Regulatory Impact and Analysis Statement is expected to be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on December 21, 2022.

These amendments follow extensive engagement with stakeholders, universities, researchers, health authorities, cannabis industry associations, cannabis licence holders, provinces, territories and the public. They aim to facilitate research and testing, and also amend the public possession limit for cannabis beverages to bring them in line with other cannabis products.

Notably, these amendments:

Increase the public possession limit for cannabis beverages to a level that is similar to other forms of cannabis, such as solid edible cannabis products (i.e. gummies or chocolate). Adults in Canada are now able to possess up to 17.1 litres (equal to 48 cans of 355 ml each) of cannabis beverages in public for non-medical purposes, which is up from approximately 2.1 litres (equal to five cans of 355 ml each) under the previous rules. Existing controls that mitigate the risks of overconsumption and accidental consumption, such as child-resistant packaging and strict limits on the amount of THC per container, remain in place;
Change how Health Canada regulates non-therapeutic cannabis research with human participants, helping make the process of conducting this research easier, while still maintaining appropriate public health and safety controls;
Allow analytical testing licence holders and federal and provincial government laboratories to produce, distribute and sell reference standards and test kits, to increase access to cannabis testing materials and thereby support access to a quality-controlled supply of cannabis; and
Broaden the educational qualifications for the Head of Laboratory, a position that is required for an analytical testing licence and is responsible for all cannabis testing activities that occur at the licensed site.

Transition periods are provided to reduce potential impacts on existing research licence holders conducting research with human participants, and on processing licence holders who produce cannabis beverages. The Cannabis Act serves as a flexible legislative framework that adapts and responds to the needs of Canadians.

Health Canada will continue to engage with stakeholders and pursue initiatives to address ongoing and emerging public health and safety issues to improve the cannabis framework so that it meets the needs of Canadians while continuing to displace the illicit market.

Quick Facts

The Cannabis Act (the Act) came into force on October 17, 2018. With the Act, the Government of Canada legalized and strictly regulated the production, distribution, sale, import and export, and possession of cannabis.
The Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions launched the legislative review of the Cannabis Act on September 22, 2022. The review is being conducted by a five-member independent, expert panel, who will report their final conclusions and advice to the Ministers by Spring 2024.
Health Canada’s Forward Regulatory Plan provides information on regulatory initiatives that Health Canada aims to propose or finalize in the next two years, including those pertaining to the cannabis framework.

Associated Links

Contacts

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

Canada

Cannabis Seizures Decrease 98% At California/Mexico Ports Of Entry

Written by Hazel Norman on December 11, 2022. Posted in Archives, Policy.

Historically, one of the most active parts of the world for illegal cannabis activity was along the border shared between the United States and Mexico. For many years cannabis cultivated in Mexico, and farther south in the hemisphere, was smuggled into the United States where it was then transported throughout the country.

In recent years, however, demand in the United States for cannabis cultivated in Mexico has decreased significantly due in large part to the rise of the legal state-level cannabis industry in the U.S. Starting in 1996 with the legalization of medical cannabis in California, a number of states have passed medical cannabis reform measures in the U.S. that resulted in the spread of legal sales.

The spread of legal cannabis commerce in the United States accelerated in 2012 with the passage of adult-use legalization measures in Colorado and Washington State, leading to a situation today in which nearly half of the United States now lives where cannabis is legal, with many states currently allowing home cultivation to some degree in addition to permitting sales.

With all of that in mind, it likely doesn’t surprise anyone that cannabis seizures at California/Mexico ports of entry are down in recent years. Although, it may surprise people just how much of a reduction has occurred. Below is more information about it via a media release from United States Customs and Border Protection. As you will see, cannabis seizures are down 98%:

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting security operations at California’s ports of entry with Mexico performed more than 54.7 million inspections of travelers, seized more than 50 tons of illegal narcotics, and apprehended more than 74,000 immigration violators during federal fiscal year 2022.

CBP’s field office in San Diego includes the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, Andrade and the San Diego air and seaports of entry.

During the fiscal year, which ended September 30, CBP officers at ports in San Diego and Imperial counties inspected more than 29 million passenger vehicles, more than 1.5 million trucks, almost 19,000 buses, and nearly 16 million pedestrians entering the U.S.

The total amount of narcotics seized during the year at California’s six ports of entry with Mexico decreased 38 percent compared to the previous period. Marijuana seizures decreased 98 percent to 320 pounds; cocaine seizures decreased by 23 percent to 8,790 pounds; heroin seizures decreased 68 percent to 764 pounds; methamphetamine seizures decreased 23 percent to 86,227 and fentanyl seizures increased by 5 percent to 6,704 pounds.

Mexico, united states

Author: Hazel Norman