Global Marijuana Updates: Italy Removes Ban On CBD Sales, Tasmanian Hemp Crops Destroyed & More

Italy: Regional Court Suspends Decree Prohibiting CBD Sales

The Lazio Regional Court suspended a ministerial decree that prohibited the sale of cannabinoid-based products for oral use or ingestion. According to ANSA, the sale of these products is now legally permitted.

The news comes on the heels of the Italian government’s controversial decision to reclassify cannabidiol (CBD) as a narcotic.

In 2020, the European Commission, applicable to all EU member states, ruled that CBD shouldn't be classified as a narcotic. However, the Italian Ministry of Health chose to diverge from this stance. Their latest announcement, published in the Official Gazette, became effective September 21, 2023.

Canada: Cannabis 'Strategy Table' Quietly Meets This Summer

Nearly two years ago, the Canadian government announced the formation of a group called the cannabis “strategy table,” the purpose of which was to find a common language between the federal government and the industry and help find a way to deal with the industry’s major issues.

The idea for the strategy table was revealed in the country’s federal budget last April.

According to MJBizDaily, it seems that the group’s preliminary meeting was quietly held this summer when it selected a chair.

George Smitherman, CEO of the Cannabis Council of Canada, highlighted the importance of this kind of strategy table. 

“I think that’s noteworthy, because we’re five years into (legalization), and a lot of people come away feeling like the very government that made (the industry) hasn’t been that interested in whether we actually make it,” Smitherman said.“This hopefully is turning the corner on that.”

Smitherman said that Hugo Alves CEO of Auxly Cannabis Group CBWTF was selected to be chair of the strategy table. 

A spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), told the outlet that “Development and finalization of the table, including its membership, remains underway and announcements pertaining to the status of the initiative are expected soon,” the ISED spokesperson said via email.

The spokesperson added that one of its goals is to improve the government's understanding of the sector’s economic situation.

Australia: Medical Marijuana Market Grows, Hemp Industry Has Huge Potential 

Australia’s medical marijuana industry is growing, according to data from the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA). Authorized Prescriber (AP) medical marijuana approvals reached 304,000 in the first half of 2023, which is up by more than 120% from the same period of 2022, writes MjBizDaily. 

The significant increase in approvals could be attributed partly to the growing number of authorized prescribers, which rose from 175 in 2020 to 636 in 2021 and to 1,454 in 2022. 

There’s also another way medical marijuana patients can access cannabis, which, is called the Special Access Scheme (SAS-B). While previously the number of SAS-B pathway approvals was growing it began to drop last year, as most of the patients chose the AP pathway. 

Meanwhile, the Australian Hemp Council is trying to make industrial hemp a major agricultural industry. The idea is backed by AgriFutures, the federal government agency that identifies and finances research and development of Australia's rural industries, according to ABC. 

Tasmania: Draft Bill Proposes Destruction Of Crops That Have More Than 1.0% THC 

A draft bill in Tasmania proposes the destruction of crops that exceed the 1.0% THC limit, reported Hemp Today. The Secretary of State’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) would request cultivators to eliminate non-compliant crops. Those who don’t obey would have their crops seized by the government for destruction and cultivators would be required to pay related expenses. They could also face fines under the Draft Industrial Hemp Amendment Bill 2023. 

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Andrei Minsk and Marti Bug Catcher via Shutterstock