News analysis for professionals in the cannabis industry

Pakistan moves towards a legal hemp industry under the eye of government

Written by CannIntelligence | 8th March 2021

Pakistan is set to embark on a path to the legal production of hemp and hemp-derived products following the approval last September of hemp farming and processing under government control ...

Charlotte's Web makes potential cannabis bet through THC business deal

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th March 2021

Charlotte’s Web has signalled that it believes the US will legalise cannabis at the federal level within three years through a deal to acquire a related THC business ...

UK FSA picks up the pace with at least one novel food application validated

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th March 2021

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is moving forward at pace with at least one CBD novel food application having been validated ...

Industry milestone as firms start to publicly list on UK stock exchange

Written by CannIntelligence | 5th March 2021

Investing in the medical cannabis and CBD space in the UK is only likely to continue as companies are now legally allowed to list on Europe’s biggest stock exchange, while demand by retail investors continues...

'Outdated' Japanese import and growing restrictions may get even tougher

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th March 2021

Tough Japanese laws on the import of CBD products and the cultivation of industrial hemp are becoming more challenging for the industry – and even stricter regulations may be on the way ...

Tobacco giant Altria calls for US federal legalisation and regulation of cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 1st March 2021

Marlboro cigarette manufacturer Altria has stated its support for the federal legalisation of cannabis – with a view to Cronos, the Canadian cannabis company in which it has a major stake, thriving in a legal...

Silent Pool 'unimpressed' by Portman Group code violation ruling

Written by CannIntelligence | 26th February 2021

CBD-infused gin manufacturer Silent Pool remains defiant after drinks industry regulatory body the Portman Group ruled that its Colorado High product was in violation of its code ...

US state regulators' association calls for joined-up federal thinking on cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 24th February 2021

A US association of cannabis regulators has written to Congress urging the modernisation of cannabis policy at federal level ...

BAT looking 'beyond nicotine' as Big Tobacco turn its attention to CBD

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 23rd February 2021

British American Tobacco (BAT) is looking “beyond nicotine” to alternative sources of revenue, and has described CBD as an “exciting growth area for our business for the future” ...

Governor's influence questioned after judge blocks cannabis legalisation

Written by Anthony Traurig | 23rd February 2021

The legalisation of recreational cannabis in South Dakota is in doubt, amidst accusations of political interference after a judge appointed by the state governor ruled the voter-approved amendment unconstitutional ...

Will change at the FTC mean a new US approach to enforcement on CBD?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 18th February 2021

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could take a more discerning approach to enforcement against CBD companies under the new administration in Washington ...

No Home Office change in CBD importation licensing requirements

Written by Freddie Dawson | 12th February 2021

Reports that the UK Home Office now requires businesses importing CBD into the UK to have controlled drug licences are untrue, according to the Home Office ...

Is this the year? US cannabis and CBD law reform efforts worth watching in 2021

Written by Anthony Traurig | 11th February 2021

The Democratic Party, which now controls Congress and the presidency, has signalled for some time that cannabis reform is one of its top priorities, and the US public supports that reform in unprecedented numbers ...

All the president's men and women sound a positive note for cannabis

Written by CannIntelligence | 10th February 2021

US president Joe Biden’s appointees to a number of influential positions in the new administration give reason for optimism within the hemp and cannabis sector ...

CBD health and wellness subcategory sees advances on a global scale

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 5th February 2021

CBD firms are making further advances into the health and wellness subcategory of the market with new product launches, distribution deals, and clinical studies underway ...

Jazz Pharmaceuticals buys Epidiolex manufacturer GW Pharma for $7.2bn

Written by Freddie Dawson | 3rd February 2021

GW Pharmaceuticals, the British manufacturer of the CBD-based epilepsy drug Epidiolex, has been acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in a cash and shares deal worth over $7bn ...

US Small Business Administration claims credit for softening USDA final hemp rule

Written by Freddie Dawson | 1st February 2021

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has highlighted its role in securing changes to the Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s final rule for hemp production ...

Is a CBD spirit brand making an implicit health claim simply by mentioning CBD?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 1st February 2021

Specific UK guidance for producers of drinks containing both alcohol and CBD will be developed after the first complaint against one such brand was upheld by the voluntary regulating body for the UK drinks industry...

Pyxus exits cannabis and cuts back on hemp to focus on tobacco and vapes

Written by Freddie Dawson | 28th January 2021

Pyxus International, a major supplier of products to the tobacco and vaping sectors, is to sell off its cannabis-related business while restructuring its industrial hemp and CBD operations ...

German Left and Greens propose rise in THC limit, but without much optimism

Written by CannIntelligence | 28th January 2021

Two German parliamentary groups have submitted a joint initiative to remove industrial hemp from the Narcotics Act and raise the THC limit from 0.2% to at least 0.6% ...

European Commission decides CBD from entire plant can be used in cosmetics

Written by Freddie Dawson | 27th January 2021

CBD extracted from the whole Cannabis sativa plant will be allowed in cosmetic products in the EU, according to a preliminary conclusion by the European Commission conveyed to CBD-Intel ...

Brexit terms deliver a huge headache to UK and European CBD firms and users

Written by CannIntelligence | 27th January 2021

British CBD brands are suspending shipping to the EU, European customers are hit by unexpected import fees, and UK entrepreneurs are struggling to establish their start-ups, as Brexit regulations cause chaos ...

Supply chain hopefuls stay cheerful despite $150m investment fund flop

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 27th January 2021

Texas-based Collective Growth is remaining positive despite failing to find the right partners for a $150m investment fund raised to develop the US hemp market ...

Financial investments suggest a mood of optimism around CBD and cannabis

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 26th January 2021

Renewed interest in financing of CBD and cannabis businesses could signal that investors are starting to be positive again about the future after companies seemingly weathered the worst of the storm in 2020 ...

Dutch health ministry provides relief for UK patients forgotten in Brexit deal

Written by CannIntelligence | 25th January 2021

Dutch officials have granted a six-month reprieve to find a solution to an omission in the Brexit negotiations that threatens to deprive British epilepsy patients of access to cannabis-based medicines ...

Proposal to legalise low-THC hemp in South Korea submitted to parliament

Written by Marija Obradovic | 22nd January 2021

A proposal to legalise low-THC hemp was submitted on 19th January in the Korean parliament, which proposes to exclude synthetic products as well as preparations with THC content up to 0.3% from cannabis ...

The NCUA labels serving hemp businesses a 2021 priority

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd January 2021

The National Credit Union Association (NCUA) has highlighted serving the hemp industry as a priority for 2021, which may enable more hemp businesses to access banking and financial services ...

CBD drinks – 'a superior option for those traditionally alcohol-driven occasions'

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 19th January 2021

Health and wellness appear to be the primary marketing position for new cannabinoid beverage launches ...

Tobacco giant steps in – BAT launches CBD e-liquid range onto UK market

Written by Freddie Dawson | 18th January 2021

Big Tobacco has entered the CBD sector with British American Tobacco (BAT) launching a CBD e-liquid cartridge compatible with its Vuse vaping device ...

Uzbekistan publishes regulations for hemp farming and production

Written by CannIntelligence | 15th January 2021

Uzbekistan has published a regulatory framework to implement its legalisation of industrial hemp farming and production passed last year ...

Molson Coors and Hexo joint venture Truss launches CBD beverage in US

Written by Freddie Dawson | 15th January 2021

Molson Coors and Hexo joint-venture Truss has finally released its CBD beverage in the US state of...

A brighter year ahead on cannabis rules? Our 2021 predictions for US regulation

Written by Anthony Traurig | 13th January 2021

CBD-Intel presents some predictions of what regulatory moves could take place around cannabis, hemp and CBD in the US in 2021 ...

European report outlines CBD retail practices and urges clarity on the rules

Written by Freddie Dawson | 11th January 2021

A recently published report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) highlights the diverse retail make-up and unclear regulatory outlook of the European CBD sector ...

Canopy Growth in patent infringement lawsuit with GW Pharmaceuticals

Written by Freddie Dawson | 8th January 2021

Canopy Growth has sued GW Pharmaceuticals over patent infringement in a case that could have wider-spread consequences for the CBD industry ...

Georgia run-off election: it looks like good news for cannabis reform

Written by Freddie Dawson | 6th January 2021

Reform of cannabis laws at federal level in the US looks to be a step closer following the likely victory of the Democratic party in run-off elections for both Senate seats in the state of...

State officials on both sides as South Dakota goes to court over legalisation

Written by Anthony Traurig | 5th January 2021

South Dakota’s governor has put public cash behind a legal challenge to a move – backed by a majority of voters – to legalise recreational cannabis in the US state. But can the lawsuit overturn...

New York State's proposed regulations could set the hemp standard for others

Written by CannIntelligence | 4th January 2021

Further CBD regulations in the US could be based on rules proposed in the state of New York, it has been suggested – especially crucial definitions for some key terms ...

It could have been so much worse: 2020 was CBD's year in the waiting-room

Written by Freddie Dawson | 1st January 2021

For many 2020 will always carry an asterisk. The CBD industry was – overall – more fortunate than many other sectors ...

Tactics to boost January sales and keep satisfied customers coming back

Written by CannIntelligence | 1st January 2021

Marketers recommend the use of gift cards, along with discounts on higher strength and quality blends to drive new consumer growth in January and to convert new customers into repeat customers ...

A world of change – but don't expect 2021 to deliver very much new regulation

Written by CannIntelligence | 31st December 2020

Multiple jurisdictions are planning significant legislation on both CBD and hemp-related matters, but it seems regulation in 2021 could be defined as much by what doesn’t happen as by the progress made ...

Delay and dispute over deal to get CBD into Brazil's public health system

Written by CannIntelligence | 30th December 2020

Efforts to supply the first CBD product to Brazil’s public healthcare system will have to wait a while longer – and there is some dispute between the institute preparing to produce it and the sponsors...

Continuing failure to pass US federal hemp regulation leaves CBD in a tangle

Written by CannIntelligence | 29th December 2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still working on a plan to standardise a baseline level of regulation for CBD in dietary supplements, food and drinks – but many in the industry and...

Tilray set on becoming the 'weed giant of the world' with Aphria merger

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 29th December 2020

Canadian cannabis firms Aphria and Tilray have announced a merger that will create “the world’s largest weed company”, operating under the Tilray name ...

The long wait goes on for a successful European novel food application

Written by Anthony Traurig | 28th December 2020

Officials from the European Commission (EC) met with CBD-Intel to discuss the status of novel food applications in light of the ruling in the Kanavape case ...

Brexit: more clarity for international trade, but change ahead for vapes?

Written by David Palacios | 24th December 2020

While a post-Brexit regulatory review in the UK is likely to focus much more on nicotine vaping than on CBD, equally there are likely to be knock-on effects for providers of CBD products – whether...

Unfounded claims on cancer and COVID attract warning letters from US FDA

Written by Barnaby Page | 23rd December 2020

Claims that CBD could help shrink tumours were among those censured by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its latest round of warning letters to the industry ...

I’m a celebrity – get me into quality cannabis, hemp and CBD brands...

Written by Lorraine Mullaney | 23rd December 2020

Increasing numbers of celebrities are endorsing CBD products, with names as big as will.i.am, Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow among those investing or launching their own brands ...

Isle of Man to invite applications to grow hemp, but won't license extraction – yet

Written by Freddie Dawson | 22nd December 2020

The Isle of Man is set to begin assessing hemp production applications as early as February in order to allow initial crops to be grown in 2021 – though no cannabinoids will be extracted yet...

US firms hit by FTC fines as Operation CBDeceit targets false health claims

Written by Freddie Dawson | 21st December 2020

The first ever fines – ranging up to $85,000 – have been issued to CBD companies by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for deceptive marketing practices ...

Cannabis plant considered 'a national security threat' in Russia

Written by CannIntelligence | 18th December 2020

Cannabis legalisation is so far away in Russia that the plant is now considered a national security threat, according to provisions of the new state strategy for Anti-Drug...

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