Police Boss Turned Cannabis Reform Advocate, MMJ Legalization In Japan And More Global Updates

Medical Cannabis-Based Epidiolex Advances Through Japan's Legislature

Earlier this week, Japanese policymakers gave the green light to a measure to legalize medical products derived from cannabis, simultaneously emphasizing the country's existing restrictions on the use of other marijuana products.

According to Japan Times, the bill passed Tuesday in the Lower House and was sent to the Upper House the same day.

The legislation, which would revise related laws by the end of 2024, seeks to lay the groundwork for permitting the medical application of medicines like Epidiolex, which contains a naturally occurring cannabis compound, a key constituent derived from the cannabis plant. The cannabidiol oral solution is approved for patients one year and older to treat severe forms of epilepsy in the U.S. and Europe.

The CBD medicine became a part part of Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC’s JAZZ portfolio, following the acquisition of the cannabinoid drug company GW Pharmaceuticals plc. In 2021.

Additionally, New York-based CBD wellness company The CURE BRAND jumped on the opportunity Tuesday announcing a joint partnership with Hirokazu Yamura, CEO of AJP Co Ltd, to introduce its portfolio of carefully sourced CBD products into retail and e-commerce marketplaces across Japan.

However, possession, trade and cultivation of cannabis would be punishable by up to seven years in prison. The bill designates cannabis as a banned substance under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law.

South Africa’s National Assembly Passes Cannabis Bill

Meanwhile, the National Assembly one of the two Houses of South African Parliament passed a measure on Tuesday that seeks to respect the right to privacy of an adult to possess cannabis plant cultivation material.

The Cannabis for Private Purpose Bill which would also allow for the cultivation and possession of a prescribed quantity of cannabis plants for use in private now heads to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence.

Former Police Boss Turned Cannabis Advocate Explains Harms Of Weed Prohibition, Top Medical Body Against Legalization

The Australian Medical Association does not support a measure introduced this summer by Green Party senator David Shoebridge that seeks to legalize cannabis. Even though the plant has garnered support among other health experts, the Australian medical body is against its legalization due to the potential health risks associated with it.

Cannabis is currently permitted in Australia for therapeutic use, and the bill proposed by Shoebridge aims to go a step further by decriminalizing adult recreational use and implementing strict regulations for the cultivation, sales, and manufacturing of the substance, reported The Guardian.

“Legalising cannabis for recreational purposes sends the wrong signal to the public, and especially to young Australians, that cannabis use is not harmful,” said Prof Steve Robson, president of AMA.

Meanwhile, an independent financial auditor in Victoria estimated that the illicit cannabis market was worth no less than AUD$1 billion ($650.7 million) last year using data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, and the most recent National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) reported that residents of this southeastern Australian state spent between AUD$1.02 billion and AUD$1.27 billion to support the illicit market, reported Cannabis News Australia.

Former Australian Federal Police boss Mick Palmer said recently that the ban on cannabis consumption is not only ineffective but also causing damage.

A policeman turned cannabis policy reform advocate, Palmer said in a speech at Parliament House in Victoria on Wednesday shed light on the issue, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

“The damage done by arrest and sanction for ‘use and possession’ of cannabis far outweighs any public good likely to be achieved by the arrest, or the possible harm or damage caused to the offender by the use itself,” Palmer said. “Apart from having a significant discriminatory impact on those arrested, the clear reality is, the arrests and convictions make little or no difference to user levels or user habits, and do nothing to reduce drug-related harms.”

Why Health Canada Urgently Needs To Raise THC Caps In Edibles To 100mg

Health Canada is being urged to raise the cap on THC content from 10 to 100 milligrams in edible cannabis products, with a petition in the House of Commons garnering signatures being opened last week.

Jennawae Cavion, executive director of NORML Canada, told the National Post that impotent edibles represent one of the major obstacles for licensed sellers to effectively compete against the illicit market.

“It’s driving the market to the unregulated market, which (licensed) cannabis retailers cannot compete with,” Cavion said.

Thailand Gov. Wants To Impose Stricter Cannabis Rules

Thailand’s government is aiming to curb recreational use of cannabis, reported the Bangkok Post.

The lawmakers are seeking to enhance its supervision of the country's emerging cannabis sector by amending a draft legislation to stop abuse of the plant, Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew said recently.

“Between economic and health benefits, we put health first,” Srikaew said.

A renewed version of the cannabis bill is expected to be presented to the Cabinet by the health ministry in December.

Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to decriminalize marijuana in 2022.