2025 will certainly be remembered as the year when cannabis finally made it out of Schedule I all the way to Schedule III. As the year ended some may argue the industry peaked with this scheduling situation, but a whole lot of things have happened in 2025 that are worth mentioning. We start a new cycle of daily news with a look back to our most read article of the year just passed. It was a drama-filled year, not going to lie. This is the perfect occasion to grab some coffee, or whatever drink of your choice although remember to wait at least noon for non-soft stuff, sit back, relax, and stroll down the memory lane of cannabis in 2025.
Cannabis rescheduling judge berates DEA for 'unprecedented and astonishing' disobedience of tribunal directive
In hindsight, it's quite funny to see that the year started with alleged attempts at stopping cannabis rescheduling in the US. DEA Judge John Mulrooney canceled the first hearings on the Biden administration's cannabis rescheduling proposal, following a legal challenge from pro-reform witnesses, and from the inability of the DEA to follow a directive from the tribunal.
The judge postponed a key hearing about changing cannabis rules, following serious concerns about how the process has been handled. Advocates for cannabis reform, who were set to testify at the now-canceled hearing, claimed the DEA had inappropriate communications with groups opposing the proposed changes. They also alleged that DEA Administrator Anne Milgram unfairly chose witnesses for the hearing.
Creating a skilled workforce for the South African hemp industry
The horticulture industry, whether it's tomatoes, cannabis, or hemp, has consistently suffered from a lack of skilled workforce. This challenge can be particularly acute in sectors like hemp, which have only recently become regulated, such as cannabis. As new markets establish legal frameworks for operations, businesses inevitably face the longstanding issue of finding skilled workers. This is why David Katerere, a professor at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa, created the Hemp Farming 101 course at his university. "I first became involved in the cannabis world through a collaboration with Federico II University in Naples, Italy, where I realized the significant medical potential of cannabis," he explains. This realization occurred in 2018, just as South Africa was beginning to regulate the industry.
A look at the numbers behind Europe's cannabis market
The European cannabis industry is undergoing a period of strong expansion, with reforms, patient demand, and exports reshaping leading markets across the continent. Prohibition Partners has recently released their latest report on Europe, and while we already looked at the market and potential external factors that can impact the old continent, we can now take a deeper dive into the numbers behind Europe's cannabis sector.
Bringing US cannabis craft to Australia and back
Colorado was the first regulated cannabis market and provided a testing ground to show the world how an industry emerging from illicit times could shine. It demonstrated not only the relief and wellness cannabis could provide to consumers but also the profitable opportunities available to those willing to roll up their sleeves and jump on the wagon. Following Colorado came California, which brought a legacy culture that shaped the cannabis industry as we know it today.
Portugal: Two medical cannabis companies face temporary license suspensions
Two Portuguese medical cannabis operators, Herdade das Barrocas and Cannprisma, have had their licenses temporarily suspended by national regulator INFARMED.
Herdade das Barrocas confirmed that the suspension affects its ability to import and export cannabis. The company stressed that the measure is part of an administrative procedure and "does not stem from any criminal or disciplinary wrongdoing, nor does it undermine the legality, quality, or safety" of its products. It added that it is pursuing all available legal avenues and expects a resolution "in the next few weeks."
Germany's medical cannabis market is racing toward 600 tons of annual imports
For all the uncertainty that usually surrounds cannabis forecasts, the German medical market has become unusually predictable. The import numbers keep climbing, Canada keeps filling the pipeline, and nobody in the supply chain shows any intention of slowing down. According to Arthur de Cordova, CEO of Ziel, the trajectory is already clear enough to put a number on it. Arthur was a Country Manager for AstraZeneca, and brings a big pharma perspective to cannabis, a market he has been working in for 10 years."Germany is heading toward 600 tons of annual imports, and it is heading there fast."
© Ziel
Portugal: Medical cannabis companies investigated for suspected links with criminal organizations
Portuguese judicial police has carried out raids on medicinal cannabis companies suspected to be linked to criminal organizations. Over 60 search and seizure warrants were served, of what the majority in Portugal itself, and several suspects were arrested.
With a post on Facebook, the PJ (Policia Judiciaria) shared some more info on what they called 'operation Erva Daninha': "The National Unit for Combating Drug Trafficking of the Judicial Police arrested several suspects of belonging to a criminal group dedicated to the introduction of large quantities of cannabis into several European and African markets. 64 search and seizure warrants were served from north to south of the country and also on the island of Madeira, and another six in Spain, one in Bulgaria and another in Cyprus."
"We focus on what we're good at, which is growing high-quality cannabis"
The North Macedonian cannabis sector is seeing increased activity as international players look to establish operations in the country. PharmaRolly Holdings B.V, at North Macedonian cultivation and extraction subsidiary, has been experiencing this momentum firsthand. "We received our GMP certification last year and are now in supply agreements with Germany, Switzerland, and the UK," says Stephen Malloy, founder & CEO of the company.
Rather than repeating the mistakes of past cannabis companies that tried to "do everything, be everywhere," while hoping to add value simply by publishing exaggerated press releases, Stephen says PharmaRolly is laser-focused on what it does best - cultivation. "From our point of view, we focus on what we're good at, which is growing high-quality cannabis," he explained. This disciplined approach has led to the establishment of key partnerships across Europe, and more discussions are being held with other companies in Czechia, Poland, Israel and Spain. Malloy is most excited for patients to experience PharmaRolly's organic flower cultivated in living soil. The main point is to grow the healthiest plants possible and this hopefully translates into medicine with higher efficacy. Malloy said he laughs when everyone talks about "patients only look at the THC content" because then he sees people mixing it with tobacco. THC is only one of the active ingredients, and Malloy believes that eventually patients will flock to what works for their personal issue, not just some number. He says "Imagine ordering a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape but only if it has at least 18% alcohol."
Allegations of price dumping cast shadow on Portugal's medical cannabis
Portugal has spent the past few years crafting a reputation as the European gateway for medical cannabis. Exports are rising, government and local media portraying the picture of a an extremely lively sector with fertile land, progressive laws, and a smooth regulatory environment.
But behind the glossy export figures, there is growing concern that the country's success story may be inflated by what one industry insider describes as "green washing."
According to a person familiar with the matter, most of the cannabis that Portugal "exports" is not grown in Portugal at all. Instead, large companies import low quality flower from overseas, process it locally, and then ship it back out with a Portugal flag stamped on the label. "Portugal has so far exported roughly 35 tonnes of medical cannabis flower," the source says. "Only around 2 tonnes were cultivated here. The rest came from elsewhere."
Setting up a pharma-grade cultivation facility in Malta
In 2021, Malta became the first EU country to partially decriminalize cannabis. The regulatory framework in place doesn't perceive cannabis as a commodity market. Rather, it allows the establishment of so-called non-profit associations whose membership, after paying a fee, can obtain their cannabis products from them. The model is thus not embedded in a free market, as the primary goal of the Maltese authority is harm reduction. It is within this context that Kearney Attard from cannabis.mt is setting up his indoor cultivation facility. However, the inception of the company is rooted in helping growers globally set up their own operations. "I started designing facilities five years ago," he says. "We help people with getting all needed documents towards license applications, we also extend our technical service for the buildout of their facility, and we consult growers on how to improve their SOPs."
