What next for Malta, the first EU country to legalize cannabis?

Three months after Malta became the first country in the EU to legalize recreational cannabis use at the federal level and abolish all penalties for possession, the Medcann World Forum once again puts the spotlight on Malta, its medical cannabis legislation and its pro-business environment, highlighting that why the country is fast becoming the leading medical cannabis company in Europe through Plant Medicine Week.

The event, taking place April 5-8, 2022, will recognize and advance the potential of plant medicine to transform how society approaches mental and physical health.

Local companies and governments are opening doors for international regulatory experts and global business leaders in the medical cannabis and psychedelics space.

The multi-faceted event focuses on six main pillars: medicine, legislation, business, regulation, education and research.

The event will bring together some of the most respected industry experts and will be chaired by Materia’s founder Deepak Anand. Guest speakers include:

Kurt Farrugia, CEO of Malta Enterprise who will give an introduction to Malta and its government.

Sita Schubert, Founder and Secretary General of EUMCA. Schubert will explain EUMCA’s progress so far and plans for the future.

Tristan Gervais, Head of Chrystal Capital Advisory. Tristan will explore the European and international cannabis markets.

Cannabis R&D Board

This fascinating panel discussion will be hosted by Dr. Orna Dreazen, Vice President of the publicly traded Israeli drug company Nextage Therapeutics. dr Drazen is also the founder and CEO of Nextage’s parent company, Nextar Chempharma. to dr Dreazen’s credentials include a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Weizmann Institute of Science and postdoctoral studies at the University of California at Los Angeles. dr Drazen is considered a leader in the field of biochemistry.

Tuesday, April 5th

• Malta – Why Malta? The incentives and programs available to attract foreign investment to our island. This session aims to educate participants about this stunning country and all it has to offer.
• European legislation – What is cannabis and what are the obligations of countries to control it? What is the Resistance to Cannabis? The panel examines the connections and differences between the content of the laws and their guidelines on the one hand and the actual implementation of the laws on the other. Have legislative changes impacted cannabis use and what is the level of public support for legislative changes?
• Entry to Germany – Who is who and what are the barriers to entry?
• Investing and raising funds – What do investors look for when analyzing cannabis investment opportunities?

Wednesday, April 6th

• regulation – What are the current regulatory regimes for medicinal cannabis, raising capital and investment opportunities for companies and investors involved in this sector?
• R&D – Which innovative cannabinoid research projects across multiple species are providing the evidence needed to improve healthcare?
• Medical – Assessing and developing novel cannabinoid therapies and the latest clinical evidence-based research, and using Real World Evidence (RWE) in cannabinoid drug development.
• Analysis of cannabis – Latest technological advances in cannabis testing and analysis.
• education – How to eliminate the lack of education among health professionals?

Through a mix of case studies, panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and exhibitions, attendees will gain a diverse and inspiring perspective on the latest advances in the medical cannabis and psychedelics industries. Expert guest speakers will lecture throughout the day, examining an often complex and emotional topic.

Local authorities are fully supportive of this sector and would like to engage in other segments such as g. research and development, and make Malta a center of excellence in this regard.

At this prestigious event, attendees will celebrate this historic moment for Malta and its importance to the country’s economy and growth. While Malta is the first EU country to legalize cannabis, it was preceded by a number of countries and cities including Amsterdam, Canada and the US (in some states).