Cannabis legalization has reduced criminal activity and led to better health outcomes. That's the view of the Global Commission on Drug Policy which has urged the US and Canada to decriminalize the use and possession of drugs, saying to date previous prohibition policies have failed.

Syria has been responsible for 80% of the world’s production of Captagon, a metamphetamine-like narcotic that makes one feel ‘invincible. described as. Deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad is believed to have earned billions from the illicit production and distribution of the Jihad’s ‘drug of choice’ that generated over US$4 billion for his regime. Now what’s going to happen?

Hemp clothing is gaining traction as an eco-friendly alternative in the apparel industry. Yet, the higher price tag often deters consumers. This premium stems from production challenges, including natural yarn inconsistencies, rigorous quality control processes and the commitment to sustainable practices.

From CBN to CBG and THCA, there are more than 100 cannabinoids in the plant with different psychoactive and non-psychoactive components. Indeed, each cannabinoid counts different attributes, with research only beginning to scratch the surface of how we can leverage specific cannabinoids for specific therapies.

A mega undercover anti-narcotics operation involving 64 countries resulted in the seizure of 1 000 tons of illicit cannabis and a world-record 225 kg cocaine bust. Operation Orion, which resulted in over 400 arrests, was aimed at hitting Colombian drug cartels and uncovered a major smuggling route from South America to Australia.

Legalization in Australia has suffered a setback after a Greens Party bid to introduce a cannabis law in the Senate was blocked by other parties. The Greens responded, slamming the Government for continuing to “criminalize” Australia’s 8,8 million cannabis users, saying “legalization was inevitable”.

Millennials, Gen Xers and GenZ's are driving the shift towards convenience and ready-to-use cannabis products. One of the fastest growing segments in the US market over the past year as been that of pre-rolled joints. These have evolved from a niche offering to a staple on retail shelves

In the United States nearly one-third (32%) of medical cannabis patients cite chronic pain as their primary condition for medical cannabis use, with anxiety the second most common (26.8%) followed by insomnia (18.5%).

Two German nationals believed to be pivotal to the E645 million JuicyFields fraud are soon to appear in a Berlin court. However the thousands of investors left out of pocket by the complex cannabis pyramid scheme are unlikely to see any of their funds returned.

US cannabis stakeholders have cautiously welcomed Donald Trump’s return to the White House, saying the industry will probably escape the impending pushback of Biden policies. Trump does not see cannabis as a priority issue, which means current reform initiatives are likely to remain intact and that the plant is still in line to be removed from the federal list of controlled substances.

The Israeli Defence Force believes that one of Hezbollah’s main funding sources is the trade in Captagon, a powerful amphetamine that is produced almost entirely in the Middle East. A former Israeli ambassador to the US says the recent IDF strikes in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley have the aim of taking out Hezbollah’s narcotics production infrastructure.

Donald Trump’s White House victory has been greeted with cautious optimism by the big players in the US cannabis industry. They don’t see the Republicans rolling back plans for federal reform, banking access and state autonomy and hope for bipartisan support in dealing with regulatory challenges.