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Alfredo Pascual

Based in Germany, Alfredo specializes in international cannabis markets and regulations, drawing upon his extensive academic background in business and public policy. He founded Transnational Cannabis, a consultancy firm that focused on cannabis regulatory frameworks in Europe and Latin America. Previously, he did business development for ICC Labs with a primary focus on developing expansion opportunities internationally.

Italy backtracks on medical CBD decree

Published November 2, 2020

The Italian Ministry of Health declined to take action under a decree that would have added certain CBD preparations into the table of medicines in its narcotics law, according to a recent notice in the country’s Official Gazette. On Oct. 1, the decree was approved to pave the way for the authorization of sales of […]

Chart showing how Germany's Bundestag voted on Adult-use cannabis

Germany firmly rejects recreational marijuana legalization bill as hope fades for reform

Published October 30, 2020

The German federal parliament rejected a bill to legalize a “strictly controlled” adult-use cannabis market, dealing a major setback to recreational marijuana reform efforts in that country. The rejection came despite the fact that a majority of the members of the Bundestag belong to a political party that favors some type of reform. Legalization efforts […]

More medical cannabis products available in Peruvian pharmacies

Published October 30, 2020

The first finished, registered cannabis medicine became available to patients in Peruvian pharmacies this week, Marijuana Business Daily has learned. The product, Epifractan, is manufactured in Uruguay by Ramm Pharma and imported into Peru by Cann Farm, holder of the registry with the Peruvian General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs (DIGEMID). Magistral preparations first […]

Danish medical cannabis market sees positive quarter

Published October 29, 2020

Denmark’s medical cannabis pilot program notched another positive quarter, but the number of unique consumers remains well below the trial’s peak of a year ago. The Danish market’s struggles demonstrate how businesses need to factor market ebbs and flows into their projections rather than counting on consistent, perpetual growth. In the second quarter of 2020, the […]

New Uruguayan decree could position country as cannabis logistics hub

Published October 27, 2020

Companies operating bonded warehouses in Uruguay are now able to provide international logistics services for the cannabis industry, according to a recently approved decree. Cannabis products can now be shipped from different countries to Uruguay, where they can remain in transit – and be repackaged if needed – and then be reexported to other countries […]

Newly enforced law might harm Italy’s medical cannabis market, pharmacies warn

Published October 23, 2020

Italian regulators have reminded pharmacies they are barred from shipping medical cannabis preparations to customers, a major departure from how patients have accessed the medicine for years in the southern European country. Business and patient groups warn that a government crackdown on such shipments – based on a 30-year-old law – could turn back the […]

Applications open to supply France with free medical cannabis via pilot program

Published October 20, 2020

The French Minister of Solidarity and Health has signed a lengthy decree specifying how a small-scale pilot program will be supplied with medical cannabis that ultimately will be given to patients free of charge. That decree, signed Friday, was followed by the Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) publishing the application process […]

Advice for cannabis executives who want to address social justice

Published October 16, 2020

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)’s new report about the responsible regulation of cannabis shines a light on why companies should address broader issues such as social justice and sustainability. The IDPC document lists 20 principles, mostly directed at policymakers intending to legalize cannabis in one form or another. But the report by the London-based […]

German patient wins court case to have cannabis covered by insurance

Published October 14, 2020

A German patient won a long legal battle against her statutory health-insurance provider involving medical cannabis reimbursement. The Social Court of Berlin and Brandenburg ruled that the health insurer must cover the cost of dronabinol drops for at least one year. The news is positive for patient access to medical cannabis and companies looking to […]

Aurora Cannabis lists some Uruguay assets for sale as regional CEO departs

Published October 13, 2020

Canadian producer Aurora Cannabis has confirmed that some of its assets in Uruguay are for sale, and the CEO leading its subsidiary in the South American country is no longer with the company. Alejandro Antalich, a former chief executive of ICC Labs, departed the firm, an Aurora spokeswoman told Marijuana Business Daily. Aurora also removed […]

France to distribute free medical cannabis, launch experiment in 2021

Published October 9, 2020

The French government published a long-awaited decree this week detailing how a limited medical cannabis experiment will be carried out. It was also confirmed that up to 3,000 patients will be able to participate in the experiment. Participating companies will have to supply the medical cannabis products to patients free of charge, and the products […]

WHO cannabis recommendations still face uphill battle for adoption

Published October 8, 2020

The World Health Organization’s cannabis scheduling recommendations appeared to have limited support at a United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) “intersessional” meeting on Thursday in Vienna. That means the proposals still face an uphill battle ahead of December’s expected vote. As a result, cannabis businesses counting on the adoption of all the WHO recommendations […]