Euro Weed: Political Games Behind Czech's Cannabis Legalization Draft, UK's $850M CBD Market In Disarray & More

Over the last several years, Europe has become more open-minded about medical and recreational marijuana. Here are some of the latest cannabis developments from the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Malta and Switzerland. 

Czech Republic: Political Games Behind Latest Cannabis Legalization Draft 

The Czech Republic recently released a significantly scaled-back cannabis legalization draft. Now, a member of the working group, explains that this was just a part of the bigger plan. 

Dr. Tomas Ryska, managing director of Astrasana Czech s.r.o, told Business of Cannabis that the commercial market has been left out in the draft on purpose, with the goal to create a backlash that would hopefully prove the strength of public support for the reform to the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL). 

"We are very happy with the draft. What is important to note is this is not the final version of the draft bill, and that the commercial market was purposefully omitted," Ryska said. He added that the government still plans to push for a commercial market in a later draft.

Malta: Judicial Protest Filed Against Cannabis Authority Over Repeated Delays 

Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC) has been under a lot of pressure lately. On the heels of The Malta Cannabis community petitioning it to change the 500 THC Limit, Sun Growers Farm CHRA announced it has filed a Judicial Protest in Civil Court against ARUC. The group complained about the many repeated delays and a lack of communication in processing its license applications. 

Sun Growers Farm alleges that ARUC has been unresponsive since August 2023, writes Business of Cannabis. 

"Sun Growers Farm CHRA formally requests a written response from the Authority regarding our application and presented amendments within two weeks from the date of this protest. In the absence of a response, the Protestants reserve the right to take further legal action," the statement reads. "Sun Growers Farm CHRA holds the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis responsible for any damages incurred due to the delay and lack of communication, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding their legal rights."

United Kingdom: $850M CBD Market In Disarray, Claims Trade Group 

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) in the UK recently slammed the country's £690 million ($850 million ) worth CBD market in a new white paper, reports Hemp Today. 

According to ACI, the process for placing CBD products on the marketplace via the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been "protracted, punctuated by U-turns and . . . undertaken without any discernible coordination between the responsible authorities."

The trade group is urging officials to sort "existing ambiguities" and to implement certain provisions into the law by April. 

Switzerland: Valais Residents Support Marijuana Pilot Projects

A new poll conducted by the HES-SO and the LINK Institute revealed nearly two-thirds of residents in the Swiss canton of Valais would back a pilot project for the legal distribution of cannabis. 

There are already pilot programs of the kind in Lausanne, Basel and Zurich, and as much as 64% of Valaisans would support something similar, writes CannabizEu. 

The results indicated the potential for broader legalization, as nearly half of the participants favored a comprehensive policy change. 

Related Links:

Euro Weed: Germany’s Medical Marijuana Associations Seek Easier Access, Ukraine To Tax Hemp & More 

Euro Weed: Netherlands Kicks Off Legal Cannabis Sales, 2 Swiss Pilot Projects Underway & More 

Euro Weed: Ukraine Soldiers Seek Marijuana To Ease ‘Phantom Pain,' Greek MP Wants Legal Framework & More

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Claudio Schwarz and Brian Jones on Unsplash