Summary of global cannabis news

UAE Attorney General lowers drug fines

Getting caught with marijuana or other drugs, even alcohol, while in the United Arab Emirates can result in lengthy prison sentences.

Now things could change as the Attorney General has just given local courts the power to try more illegal crimes with fines instead of jail. dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, AG has listed 13 crimes that are now punishable by fines, including crimes of being caught with products containing CBD or cannabis; If that were the case, instead of putting people at risk of going to jail, those products would already be confiscated, reports The National News.

Additionally, people caught with drugs face fines ranging from $2,720 to $8,170 for the first violation, which will increase significantly for the second and third violations. However, those caught for drug smuggling still face 5 years and a death penalty if prosecutors pursue them.

dr Al Shamsi explains that the prosecutor’s goal is to “resolve lawsuits quickly and provide innovative legal and legal services that are in line with global trends and meet the needs of the community,” he said in a statement. “The new anti-drug law recognizes the fact that some users are patients and victims of drug dealers,” he said.

Malaysia Discusses Development of Medical Marijuana Industry, Ends Death Sentence

Last April, the Medical Cannabis Caucus (MCC) of Malaysia met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss policy issues related to medical cannabis, hemp and ketum in Malaysia. They released a statement acknowledging the Prime Minister’s positive feedback on the issues in question.

“This is an industry that is being actively developed by many other countries. More than 40 countries have already allowed the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. The market value of this industry has reached RM 60 billion. In fact, neighboring countries like Thailand are also studying this industry for their country,” the Malaysian cabinet said in a statement, reports The Straits Times. “The Prime Minister has responded positively to questions from the industry and said the matter will be discussed in more detail by the Cabinet.”

“The MCC believes that Malaysia has great potential and opportunity in this medical and research industry and can bring great benefits to this country,” the statement said. “Legal views were also the main concern during the official meeting right now. The MCC thanks the Prime Minister for attending the meeting.”

A recent poll found that many Malaysians support the decriminalization of medical marijuana.

Malaysia’s cabinet also just decided to abolish the mandatory death penalty, making the Asian country notorious for having some of the toughest drug laws in the world, High Times reports. The death penalty has been abolished for 12 crimes, including nonviolent drug offences, a “welcome step in the right direction”, Amnesty International said. It could be that medical marijuana reform was the primary reason for the reform, given the government’s keen interest in medical marijuana.

The war between Ukraine and Russia prompts the legalization of medicinal cannabis

The Ukrainian government is working to legalize medical marijuana.

Part of the decision was brought about because of the trauma caused by the war Russia started, NPR reports. Last Tuesday, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said on Facebook that the cabinet had just passed a law “regulating the dissemination of cannabis plants for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities” in order to create the conditions for expanding patient access to the necessary treatment for cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the war.”

The bill is on its way to Ukraine’s parliament, but it needs at least 226 votes to pass.

Germany is preparing to legalize the production and sale of recreational marijuana

The German Ministry of Health is now preparing to legalize recreational cannabis, beginning with expert discussions on the subject, US News reports. According to them, more than 200 legal, medical and other experts will take part in the talks with government officials.

In 2021, a coalition deal by the three social-liberal parties under Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to legalize the sale of regulated recreational cannabis in licensed marijuana stores as part of drug reform. Five hearings are expected to take place in June 2022 to determine what needs to be done to legalize recreational cannabis while ensuring youth are protected. Other topics include consumer protection, health, supply chains, criminal liability, international experience, licensing, control measures and economic issues.

“Like many others, I have been campaigning for years to finally end the criminalization of cannabis users in Germany and to start a modern and health-oriented cannabis policy,” said Burkhard Blienert, designated drug czar, in a statement.

“In the hearings, it should be discussed which measures can be used to ensure the best protection for young people, health and consumers in the event of implementation,” he adds. “Because one thing is clear: Above all, we want to protect children and young people from possible risks,” he said.

Morocco wants to regulate legal marijuana

Morocco, the world’s largest producer of cannabis resin, enacted legislation last year that would allow cannabis to be used legally for medical, industrial and cosmetic purposes. This included the creation of a national regulator, which met for the first time in early June to discuss next steps.

The National Agency for the Regulation of Cannabis Activities (ANRAC) finalized its 2022 budget and organizational chart during the meeting, reports Africa News. In the future, ANRAC will be tasked with overseeing all phases of marijuana production, including importing seeds for marketing cannabis products. In the meantime, they will soon begin the licensing process required for both international and local operators in the cannabis industry.

However, recreational cannabis use is still illegal in Morocco. This hasn’t stopped tourists from trying to snag what’s considered some of the best quality hash and resin in the world, although if caught, they often get away with a fine.

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