World News - February 2021

 

Over 330,000 Gummies Recalled in Canada

Canada- Canada’s TerrAscend announced on January 26th a voluntary recall of its wild berry infused gummies after receiving consumer allegations that some of the edibles contained mold.  Now a Health Canada expanded federal recall notice has added Sour Watermelon to the list stating, “The affected product may contain mold.”

Ten complaints in total initiated the recall, with no adverse reactions reported.  This is the second recall involving mold in Canada this year, AgroGreens Natural Products having issued a recall on January 7, 2021, for their Black Cherry Punch flower sold by recreational retailers in Saskatchewan.

Aurora Signs Deal as Medical MJ Up in AU

Australia- The number of approvals for medical cannabis in Australia has steadily increased since the program’s inception.  January 2020 saw 3,148 approvals, with the year ending in December at 5,630.  The highest single month was November 2020 with 6,356 approvals.  The year total ended at 17,958, up from the 2019 total of 17,040. 

These numbers come as Canadian company Aurora penned a five year deal with MedReleaf Australia, who becomes the exclusive supplier of MedReleaf, CanniMed, and Aurora brands.  Aurora is reported as holding a 10% stake in MedReleaf Australia.

CEOs Form Cannabis Beverage Council

United States- A Cannabis Beverage Council (CBC), the creation of the American TradeAssociation for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), seeks to “forge a new beverage market by harmonizing canna-beverage policies across the country,” according to American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp President Michael Bronstein.

Scott Coors, of Coors Brewing, stated, “At the repeal of alcoholic prohibition in the 1930s the industry came together to create an industry effort and agree on responsible consumption, policies, and best practices.  ATACH’s new council for cannabis beverages is modeled after this concept, which is why I am a part of this historic moment.”

The list of international founding members include:

• Jake Bullock, co-founder of Cann in Los Angeles
• Adophus Busch V, an Anheuser Busch heir and founder of ABV Cannabis Co. in Colorado.
• Scott Coors of the Coors Brewing family, an entrepreneur who serves on the board for SeroVita Holding Corp. in Colorado.
• Gary Kaminsky, director of legal compliance at Acreage Holdings in New York.
• David Klein, CEO of Canopy Growth in Ontario, Canada.
• Erik Knutson, CEO and co-founder of Keef Brands in Colorado.
• Josh Lizotte, CEO of Rebel Coast in California.
• Koji Pupo, vice president of business development at Columbia Distributing in Washington state.
• Bill Silver, president of new markets at CannaCraft in California.
• Chuck Smith, CEO of BellRock Brands in Connecticut.
• Christy Zhou, vice president of legal and regulatory affairs at Organigram in New Brunswick, Canada.

First One's Free in French Medical Marijuana Trial

France- The French Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) is starting a medical marijuana trial program where 3,000 patients will receive free meds, which will not cost either the patient or the government any money, and all costs will be absorbed by the suppliers.

Companies were given time to apply, and then were chosen for the program.  Emmac Life Sciences, based in the United Kingdom, were awarded two substitute lots.  Panaxia, a company based in Israel, received two substitute and two main supplier lots.  Canada’s Aurora Cannabis has been awarded three main supplier lots, with Tilray receiving two main lots and two substitute lots.  Finally, Althea was granted one substitute lot, and Little Green Pharma obtained two main lots and one substitute, both based in Australia.

With no certainty that they will remain suppliers after giving away weed in a trial program, experts still maintain the move will be advantageous for the companies in the long term.  Marijuana Business Daily quoted Nicolas Authier, professor and chair of the ANSM scientific committee on medical cannabis, “With hundreds of patients already treated (at the end of the experiment) and doctors used to prescribing their products, this is probably a marketing advantage.”