This November, don’t miss the continent’s hottest cannabis event, held in the heart of the EU.

In less than two months, one of Europe’s largest cannabis trade shows will kick into gear as the sixth annual Cannafest Prague hits the Czech Republic.

“Last year, Cannafest saw a record number of exhibitors from 21 countries in the world,” the Cannafest Prague 2015 website states. “Although only a few weeks remain until its start, the preparation for the event has been fully underway.” 

The UN is expected to call on governments across the world to change tack in the 'war on drugs' by decriminalising all illegal substances. 

In a surprise post on his Virgin website, Richard Branson claimed he had seen a report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which dramatically altered the organisation's stance on narcotics, but was going public in advance of its release for fear the UN would "bow to pressure by not going ahead with this important move".

Exclusive Police cite shrinking budgets and reduced stop and search, as possession offences recorded in England and Wales drop by almost a third

The number of cannabis possession offences in England and Wales has plummeted since 2011 as forces divert shrinking budgets into tackling more serious crime and officers rein in stop and search.

Figures released to the Guardian under the Freedom of Information Act reveal offences recorded by English and Welsh police forces – including penalty notices, cautions, charges and summons – fell by almost a third from a peak of 145,400 in 2011-12 to 101,905 in 2014-15.

The researchers Manuel Guzmán, Guillermo Velasco and Cristina Sánchez are among the members of this new body. They aim to provide consultation to citizens, media and institutions, always using scientific studies and clinical tests.

For some years now, an important group of Spanish researchers has focussed on analysing the characteristics of cannabis, cannabinoids, and its components with the aim of determining in what way it can help to combat certain illnesses as well as its side effects.

French customs seized 7.1 tonnes of marijuana hashish worth about €20 million from vehicles parked in the chic 16th arrondissement (district) of Paris on Sunday in one of the biggest drug busts in France of the past two years.

A source close to the investigation told BFMTV that the overnight seizure followed several weeks of inquiry by the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (DNRED).

No one has been arrested in connection with the case and the investigation is ongoing.

French police have seized more than seven tonnes of cannabis from three hired vans parked on a Paris street, France's largest haul in two years.

Customs officers found 7.1 tonnes of cannabis resin in the unoccupied vans in the affluent 16th district of the capital, the Finance Ministry, which oversees the customs service, said in a statement on Sunday.

A police source said the consignment had been transported from Morocco via Spain, a common route.

Wherever there are people suffering, and medical marijuana can help those suffering people, medical marijuana should be legal. I think you would be hard pressed to find any country on the planet that doesn’t have people that would benefit from medical marijuana. Croatia is no exception. The nation of Croatia legalized medical marijuana the last week, sort of. Per ABC:

The legalization formally went into effect on Thursday, but Croatian media reported that no medicines containing THC — the active element in cannabis — have been registered in the country.

TIRANA, Albania –  Police in southern Albania say they have seized 3.2 metric tons (7,000 pounds) of cannabis as part of a major anti-drugs operation in the Balkan country.

A statement Friday said the cannabis was found in a mountainous area near Gjirokastra, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of the capital Tirana, and that a large quantity had already been harvested.

No arrests were made, and police named no suspects.

Once a secluded communist country, Albania has become a major cannabis producer, prompting authorities to carry out regular eradication campaigns, backed by heavily armed police squads.

The French drinks group, which recently changed its name from Belvedere, describes Shotka as a “premium” cannabis-flavoured vodka targeted towards “rebellious night-clubbing fans”.

First launched in Spain this summer in partnership with nightlife company Matinée Group, Shotka is said to have the “unique” taste of cannabis, without its narcotic effects.

Spanish actress Rossy de Palma promoted Shotka through a video teaser played at Matinée Group’s Circuit Festival, while 600 Shotka parties were held around the country.

The brand now plans to roll out acorss the US, Canada, Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, France, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia and Ukrains, as well as global travel retail.

The purchase and use of marijuana for medical purposes became legal in Croatia on Thursday as the country became the first Balkan state to join the global trend towards softening legislation on the drug.

A medical committee set up by the health ministry decided in January this year that the state should proceed with its legalisation because it can be useful for treating some illnesses, according to what it said was “the latest scientific and medical knowledge”.

Doctors will be able to prescribe medicine, teas and ointment containing THC, the active element in cannabis, to their patients. Regulations permit each patient to receive up to 0.75 grammes of THC per month.