On the Cusp of a New Cannabis Era

Over a decade, I´ve been close enough to the cannabis industry to understand how it has changed. Most importantly, I understand the drivers for this industry to continue maturing. Understanding the evolving cannabis industry is crucial to informing people and helping them make decisions based on facts and knowledge. It is essential to understand which will be the maturing drivers for the industry in the following months and years, especially the regulatory aspects that will promote its global growth.

The rapidly approaching new era of cannabis presents a long list of topics that should be addressed over the coming years. This transformative period is not solely aimed at bolstering global enterprises or dismantling long-standing societal taboos. Instead, it is focused on elevating the quality and safety of cannabis products, increasing scientific protocols to gather evidence about the benefits of the plants and their components, and enhancing the well-being of those who utilize them. This consumer-centric approach signals a notable departure from the industry's previous priorities. Still, the best examples of the changes we will see over the next few years are related to addressing the current regulatory flaws and improving legal frameworks to address the topics mentioned above.

It is evident that over the last decade, societal attitudes have evolved on a global scale, leading to a greater willingness to comprehend the beneficial effects of cannabis on individuals' lives. This shift is not confined to a single region but is observable across the world. For instance, in early August, several prominent figures within the US Senate, particularly from the Democratic Party, advocated for a reassessment of the nation's flawed cannabis-related laws. More notably, there were efforts to urge US Attorney General Merrick Garland and Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram to completely de-schedule cannabis. This call to action reflects a profound recognition of societal changes and the government's revisitation of regulations to establish more impactful legislation on a federal level.

Another example is the enactment of the German cannabis act in early April 2024. Germany's journey from the legalization of cannabis flowers for medical purposes to the implementation of a comprehensive, nonprofit-focused regulatory framework spanned nearly seven years. This regulatory model evolved through meticulously examining European cannabis regulations to ensure alignment with international and European treaties.

These instances exemplify the impending metamorphosis of the cannabis industry. The initial phase of this evolution demands a critical evaluation of existing laws and regulations, an openness to recognize the flaws these regulations might have, and an understanding of how commercial cannabis production and trade for recreational purposes can either conform to or violate international treaties. This scrutiny is imperative to address deficiencies in national regulations and cultivate a more competitive global cannabis market, sparking excitement about the industry's future potential and opening new paths for scientists to generate research protocols aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of cannabis-derived products, ensuring the access to products that have been tested, allowing companies to invest, and supporting farmers in achieving their full potential under the law.

As highlighted in previous articles, Mexico is well-positioned to embrace this new era of cannabis, allowing for the rectification of regulatory shortcomings and the establishment of a leading role in the global cannabis sector. Mexico's time and actual global conditions are adequate for civil society, scientific communities, national and international enterprises, and governmental authorities to construct new frameworks rooted in scientific evidence, acknowledging the impact of revised regulations focused on the benefits these plants can offer to people's quality of life. This collective effort can optimize the interaction between farmers and the emerging legal market and elevate the industry's economic standing within the country.

As the CEO of one of the leading cannabis-derived companies, I believe it is vital to overview these changes and foster strategies that engage with global regulators to ensure that legal frameworks are available for the growth and maturing of the industry. Still, as the father of a patient who requires these types of products, it is imperative to ensure that legal frameworks are revisited to allow millions of families to access a solution that can improve the lives of their loved ones – safe and efficient cannabis-derived products – without the risks linked to several loopholes in current regulations around the globe.