The Top International Cannabis Stories From 2024
This year was one of the biggest years in the history of the cannabis movement for both policy and industry. Below are the best international cannabis stories from 2024 (in no particular order):
German Adult-Use Legalization Enacted
The top international cannabis story from 2024 is the enactment of adult-use cannabis legalization in Germany. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate a personal amount of cannabis plants in their private residences and possess a personal amount of cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, people can apply to launch a member-based cultivation association in Germany.
Historic Cannabis Votes In Slovenia
In conjunction with the European elections on June 9th, 2024, Slovenia voted on two consultative cannabis referendums. 66.71% of Slovenian voters approved a measure for the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes, and 51.57% voted for the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use.
South Africa Legalizes Recreational Cannabis
Back in 2018, South Africa’s Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling that deemed cannabis prohibition as it pertained to adult individuals to be unconstitutional. This year, after a long delay, South Africa’s president signed a measure to codify the Court’s 2018 decision. Another major news story out of South Africa this year was the certification of the Cheeba Cannabis & Hemp Academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production & Management. The cannabis education program is the first on the African continent to be accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
Australian Medical Cannabis Sales Quadruple
Medical cannabis sales in Australia have quadrupled during the last two years, with Australians expected to spend an estimated $1 billion on medical cannabis in 2024. Medical cannabis was first legalized in Australia in 2016. Another major news story from Australia this year, albeit for less favorable reasons, was the failed vote on adult-use cannabis legalization.
Uruguay Adds A High-THC Strain To Legal Pharmacy Sales
Legal sales at pharmacies began in Uruguay in the summer of 2017, and consumers could initially choose from two different strains. The two strains are named ‘Alpha’ and ‘Beta’, each with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels equal to or less than 9%, and cannabidiol (CBD) levels equal to or less than 3%. Then, in 2022, Uruguay permitted a third option, ‘Gamma,’ which has a THC level of equal to or less than 15%, and CBD levels of equal to or less than 1%. Regulators in Uruguay approved a fourth option in 2024 that contains a higher level of THC than the other three options.
Spain Ministry Of Health Publishes Medical Cannabis Royal Decree
The effort to bring Spain’s medical cannabis policies into the modern age passed a major milestone in 2024 with the nation’s Ministry of Health publishing a draft royal decree focused on medical cannabis. Spain is home to one of the largest cannabis communities in Europe and is in desperate need of updated cannabis laws.
Czechia Ministry Of Justice Proposes Legalization
The Ministry of Justice in the Czech Republic issued a proposal in 2024 to allow all adults to be able to cultivate up to three plants in their private residences, in addition to possessing up to 25 grams when away from their residences and up to 50 grams in their homes. Another major story from Czechia was a landmark court decision that found that a cannabis educator, Robert Veverka, was previously wrongly prosecuted for publishing cannabis education content.
Mexico Authorizes Low-THC Hemp Cultivation
Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks authorized the cultivation of low-THC hemp plants (less than 1% THC content) earlier this year. The announcement came in the form of a letter from the regulatory entity to Semillas Endemicas Mexicanna SA de CV.
Japan’s Cannabis Market Expanded Six-Fold
A new cannabis law took effect in Japan in 2024, and market researchers announced this year that Japan’s legal cannabis industry has increased six-fold in recent years. Japan’s new law that took effect in 2024 allows for the importation of certain medical cannabis products, which should further increase the size of Japan’s legal cannabis industry going forward.
Legalization Is Crushing The Unregulated Market In Canada
Health Canada released the results of its 2024 cannabis survey, and one of the main findings of this year’s survey is that only 3% of consumers “reported accessing cannabis through illegal sources,” which is a decrease from a reported 16% back in 2019.
France’s Medical Cannabis Trial Receives Another Extension
Health authorities in France announced this month that the nation’s medical cannabis trial experiment will be extended until July 31st, 2025. The announcement is welcomed news to the reported 1,800 suffering patients estimated to be currently participating in the trial.
