Summary of cannabis reform in Europe 2021 (and forecasts for 2022) |

As the world contemplates a whole new year, there are a few things to cheer about, including cannabis reform, whether or not COVID finally declines. Because no matter how many uncertainties we all face, as gray January extends beyond the Christmas lights, there is certainly happiness in the air that will last much longer than the season.

In fact, there are many in Germany who will be making plans for infused Christmas treats in just a few years. It is now clear that cannabis will quickly take its place in German traditions, with Christmas being just one of them. Canna-Glüwein (hot mulled wine), anyone?

Furthermore, the rest of the EU, now marginalized on this issue, has now woken up to the fact that whatever it chooses (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta and of course the current laggard, France) is there Germany has just made the declaration that is the beginning of the end. If not some inevitable form of economic development and taxpayer money in a world starved for them.

Cannabis made an important turning point in Europe in 2021. Here are the main hallmarks of the year.

Red, amber, green, Go Germany!

Germany’s new political coalition “Ampel” has promised to legally address the issue of leisure reform in 2022. Unlike the US, where several attempts to pass federal cannabis reform have failed, this is likely.

However, do not be surprised if, when the reform is first introduced, the Germans decide to follow the Swiss and make the regular pharmacy the first point of contact for medical and recreational consumers. It would solve several problems at once – starting with the introduction of strict restrictions on cultivation and the retail supply chain.

A short-term interim solution like this will negate a far more contentious issue – how to structure a licensing system for everything from in-country (and by whom) cultivation to specialty stores resembling American or Canadian “pharmacies”. Namely, no medical facilities. In addition, online sales.

This applies to both Germany and the cannabis reform. Expect several reform steps, starting with state and urban experiments, in which Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne and Munich are inevitably at the forefront (because such ideas have already been zealously promoted at the local level).

Also, don’t forget that it was basically four years after the law was changed and two years after the cultivation contract was finalized before the sale of German medical cannabis was grown. Don’t expect the details of how to spend your free time to be handled or worked out much faster. See Canada.

In the meantime, however, full decrim is becoming the law of the land and patients are being prosecuted for both owning and (hopefully) reasonable home growing. Despite the reluctance to actually have cannabis grown in the country, be it by patients or companies (see drama about the first cultivation offer), this is not 2017. Germans are now reluctant to admit that the drug works, as a drug, even if it does The majority do not yet agree that the cannabis ban has of course failed.

Regardless of this, the German way of spending free time, just like the medical reform before it, is a huge step that will also advance other countries in the region.

Malta and Luxembourg will lead the way

It is a sign of how confused the Dutch situation, if not the national position in general, is that the island of Malta has led the way in actual, formal, federal recreational cannabis reform within the European Union (EU). If there are analogies, Holland is in fact something like European California – it creates a market that exists in the gray areas but is only now facing a (and beyond that, far from over) discussion about how the industry is going can be federally regulated.

Luxembourg, too, apparently only held back until another country took the plunge, despite promising the same in 2018 when a new coalition government took over there. Now there is no excuse for further delays.

Portugal, too, will inevitably adopt reforms as soon as the smoke clears from the parliamentary elections early next year – regardless of who wins. The country needs an economic upswing – either through tourism or export, and that is a natural solution.

Additionally, Spain could follow a Dutch model over the next 12 to 24 months to formalize production for its clubs rather than coffee shops.

Also, expect Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece, and potential outliers like Belgium to start moving with the herd even as they create experimental markets. This may or may not start in the next year, but it is sure to catch on in the next 24 months.

The Swiss Wild Card

Of course, don’t forget that the Swiss have started preparations for a leisure test rollout, for which a calendar date has now been set for the actual start in 2022. Companies have been filing and obtaining permits for about eight months.

The start of this market with its own strange requirements and rules will inevitably drive discussions and reforms beyond the DACH region, if the country does not share other EU borders with other countries. Everyone will watch what happens in Der Schweitz – including the unique waiver and amalgamation of certain types of certifications – including but not limited to Novel Food and GMP.

Other notables (or not)

As hard as they try to gain respect, the UK cannabis industry has weathered difficult times and these don’t seem to be over for now, at least.

Unlike the British in both European membership and cannabis reform, North Macedonia is bound to play a role in the near future, if only as a source of cheaper flower and oil extracts.

Poland, too, is still on the verge of actual, if inaccessible, medical reform, but expect it to accelerate as well.

The growth of the import markets for Europe

The year 2021 was noteworthy for another reason. Feeder markets will continue to target the EU, if not Germany, on behalf of their founder. That means, no matter what happens to future cultivation discussions, in every country, starting with Germany, at this point there will be no shortage of other certified cannabis from countries around the world looking for a German homeland.

Because of this, both the medical and “other” flower and biomass discussions will exert significant downward pressure.

Conclusion for 2021?

If one can draw an analogy, the situation in Europe now looks very similar to what it was in the US in 2012, after the presidential election that brought Obama back into his second term. Namely, two states, Colorado and Washington State, voted on state mandates to create state markets. Both flourished in 2014 – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Developments in Europe this year, and even some of the stuttering delays, whatever their cause or ultimate solution, are in many ways similar to this time. And that’s great news for the industry on all fronts.