European Cannabis Week kicks off its first year in London this week. Among the highlights is a new medical cannabis ETF that has been launched by Purpose Investments. Also on the agenda is a new expo in Berlin, Mary Jane, which will bring together a wide array of cannabis-related cultural and entertainment events.
German cannabis companies will be ‘at least as strong’ as US counterparts
A number of companies have stepped up their efforts to enter the German cannabis market of feminized seeds in recent months. These include Canopy Growth, Akanda, Little Green Pharma, and Foliumed.
While Canada remains the primary supplier of medicinal cannabis to Germany, the competition is heating up. As more and more companies shift their production to Europe, Canada is slipping behind.
In July, Tilray received regulatory approval to sell flower products to Germany. This is expected to lead to more sales of whole-flower and oil products in the future.
The legalization of recreational marijuana in Germany could radically alter the German cannabis industry. According to a recent poll, a majority of the general population supports recreational reform. But there is no set date for the adult-use market to open. Rather, it is likely that the market will begin sometime between 2024 and 2025.
However, the German government does not provide reliable figures on legal cannabis sales. Instead, the market has been relying on imports from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Portugal. In addition, several other European Union member states are considering broader legalization measures.
Europe should pursue a ‘California or Caution’ strategy
The European cannabis industry is still in its infancy, but is gaining traction. There are several notable companies to keep an eye out for, including Canopy Growth, Aurora Cannabis and Cronos Group, and the market is expected to continue to grow at a steady pace. To keep up with the competition, a well conceived strategic approach is required. For instance, governments need to adopt legislation from the UK in order to maximize consumer choice. Also, a shrewd mix of adroit public policy, a robust regulatory framework and consumer education will go a long way towards ensuring success.
In particular, the thorny subject of legalization of the weed, which was formerly known as cannabis or marijuana, must be a top priority. However, if European policy makers can get their act together, a cannabis friendly Europe may be on the horizon. With the right mix of incentives and business minded government, the European cannabis industry could have a golden era in the not too distant future.
Mary Jane Berlin is a cannabis expo with a diverse cultural and entertainment program
The Mary Jane Berlin expo is one of Europe’s most famous cannabis expos. It is a trade fair, festival and congress all in one. This event has been organised since 2016.
The Mary Jane Berlin expo is held in a hall of 5.5 km2 and it is expected that the show will draw more than 27,000 visitors. Its main aim is to educate visitors and to bring industry professionals and consumers together.
The festival also provides the perfect opportunity for German and international companies to showcase their products. This year, the focus will be on CBD products. There will also be a wide range of food stands, music concerts and talks. The main aim is to educate visitors about the cannabis industry and its culture.
The festival will have its own unique atmosphere. There will be live acts, vaping and tasty hemp snacks. It will be held in a location close to the Spree River.
Purpose Investments launches Europe’s first medical cannabis-focused ETF
The Canadian company Purpose Investments recently launched Europe’s first medical cannabis-focused ETF. In partnership with UK-based white-label platform provider HANetf, the Medical Cannabis & Wellness UCITS ETF provides targeted exposure to the global medical cannabis industry. This product will be listed on Deutsche Boerse’s XETRA exchange in Germany and the London Stock Exchange in the UK, as well as passported for sale in Italy.
The UCITS fund will offer exposure to medicinal cannabis and cannabidiol, and will be based on the Solactive index. The investment strategy is passively managed, with an expense ratio of 0.80%. The index consists of companies engaged in legal business activities related to medical cannabis. The ETF will also be designed to screen for sustainability-related areas.
The cannabis market is a wide one, including companies that produce and sell cannabis, as well as manufacturers of medical marijuana consumer products. It also includes hydroponic and equipment suppliers and software solutions for medical cannabis producers. The ETF will be a diversified portfolio of cannabis investments, offering full transparency of its holdings.