September 20th Highlights

• Flower VS Oil - New data just released from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV) shows a continued year on year growth of the German medicinal cannabis market, despite signs that growth may have slowed down in the last few months. However, the cannabis flower now makes up less than half of total sales, as sales of full-spectrum extracts and magistral preparations with Dronabinol increase. In Australia, oil-based cannabis products own the lion share of products prescribed. However, in Israel, the cannabis flower remains the most popular format for patients. It would be fascinating to compare data on conditions treated in Germany, Israel, and Australia and why flower over oil in Israel
• Can you fathom the Adult Use Cannabis market? - Studies estimate that between 12% to 14% of adult Americans enjoy cannabis. That’s a massive group of consumers—and they spend billions of dollars every year on marijuana. Unfortunately, according to a new report, more than 71% of that spending goes to the illicit market, due to various forms of cannabis prohibition enforced in 39 states. The report states that 600,000 jobs and $6 billion in tax revenue foregone to the black cannabis market - I find this figure fascinating. Imagine the cultivation of a cannabis industry/culture similar to the one built around alcohol. It will be a momentous moment once cannabis is permitted to mature in the same way as the alcohol industry
• CBD in Canada - The Canadian Health Food Association released a report prepared by the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy to estimate the potential size of the CBD market in Canada and its positive economic impact if the Government of Canada were to permit CBD in natural health products. It appears that CBD is the low hanging fruit of the cannabis plant. The application of CBD for health and wellness and medical products is expanding across the globe.
• The Implication of Hemp Production in NZ - This is a great article on the implications of the NZ government allowing the processing of the whole plant which includes access to all the cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes from the flowers and leaves. This would allow NZ companies to operate within the legal US market.

Patients prefer medicinal cannabis in chemotherapy trial

Americans will spend $60 billion on illicit cannabis this year, report says

Insurance-covered medical cannabis falls for the first time in Germany

Medicinal cannabis trial could help retired AFL players manage chronic pain

Cannabis licence milestone means Althea can kick off production in Canada

New Zealand cannabis market estimated at NZ$1.5 billion, 74,000 kilograms

Aussie cannabis industry set for painful shakeup – report

Canna Pacific team up with Newcastle University in Australia

Australian Primary Hemp launches hemp-based products aimed at mitigating COVID-19