International treaties, Health Canada ban on imports restrict supply from abroad.

Licensed cannabis producers are ramping up production to get ready for legalization of marijuana in Canada this year, but are also bracing for demand to far outstrip supply because of restrictions on imports.

Health Canada forbids licensed producers, which will be the only authorized sellers of marijuana to provincial governments, from importing any cannabis for sale, regardless of whether the purchase is for medical or recreational purposes.

The only cannabis imports that the department allows are those classified as genetic material for licensed dealers that conduct research and testing.

CEO Perry Davidson:  We're a hardware company, a medical devices company, for administering medical cannabis.

The capital market has been swooning recently over listed cannabis companies, especially over the as yet unfulfilled promise of marketing the product overseas. Meanwhile, while approval for exporting cannabis is being delayed, quite a few less prominent private companies are starting to fulfill their promises in the Israeli market.

The aggressively growing Canadian pot stock Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSX:ACB) has been on a rampant acquisition spree this year with severely dilutive consequences for existing shareholders. The company has released a plethora of news pieces in May, starting with the conclusion of the CanniMed acquisition on May 1, and including the record breaking, high-profile, and evidently expensive MedReleaf Corp. (TSX:LEAF) acquisition at a huge premium. On top of the massive dilution, the massive growth in acquisitions “goodwill” on Aurora’s balance sheet, which highlights overpayments on acquired tangible assets, could be a recipe for disaster if this intangible asset has to be…

India Globalisation Capital has been trialling a therapy that can restore memory in mice, promising potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Simply put, Big Pharma has been a long time opponent of legalizing medical marijuana as it threatens to ruin its business and drop the market cap for pharmaceutical drug companies.

Even though medical cannabis has been legalized in more than half of the US states, all of Canada and in Mexico, prices of drugs that could be replaced by cannabis are still on the rise.

Worse yet, prices of drugs that are made from the cannabis flower are being artificially inflated in places where medical marijuana is legal, but most recently in Germany of all places.

This is due to the fact that the Big Pharma has so far only competed with the black market when it comes to marijuana, but now all of that is starting to change.

MONCTON – Medical marijuana producer Organigram Holdings is making it first foray into the international cannabis market, buying a 25 per cent stake in the German company Alpha-Cannabis Germany (ACG).

The company will spend approximately $2.5-million in cash and $1.3-million in shares for the stake. Once the deal is finalized, Organigram will provide Alpha-Cannabis with dried cannabis flower and sweet leaf to be converted into extracts meant to supply the German medical cannabis market.

“All diseases run into one, old age.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

A recent study in mice sparked eye-catching headlines like, “Memory Loss From Old Age Could Be Reversed By Smoking Marijuana.” The idea is alluring, especially given the toll cognitive decline takes as we age: instead of leaving you dazed and confused, THC might actually help restore cognitive function in older individuals.

Germany is becoming a hotbed for Canadian cannabis producers and we think this trend is just getting started. 

Germany, the largest country in the European Union started 2017 by legalizing medical cannabis creating a major opportunity for cannabis businesses across the world. The legislation also will make cannabis available to people suffering from serious illnesses and available through health insurance plans.

These factors have led to a surge in the number of licensed Canadian medical cannabis producers focused on this market and we want to highlight some of the recent deals.

Aurora Makes Major Acquisition

The Initial Objective of the Collaboration is the Introduction of OWC's Active Cannabinoid-Based Topical Psoriasis Cream to the German Market.

OWC Pharmaceutical Research Corp. (OTC: OWCP) and mediq Innovation Partners (mediq) are pleased to announce an agreement for the introduction of OWCP's active cannabinoid-based topical psoriasis cream to the German market.

Frankfurt, Germany-based mediq has extensive experience, knowledge and a successful track record in enabling Israel-based companies to penetrate the European markets. mediq's objectives for OWCP will consist of both scientific collaboration and most importantly the development of a commercial market for OWCP's proprietary, active cannabinoid-based topical psoriasis cream in Germany.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: ACB) announced just before Friday’s closing bell that it plans to acquire Germany’s Pedanios GmbH, a wholesale importer, exporter, and distributor of medical cannabis in the European Union (EU). Aurora Cannabis’ stock had been halted for more than 24 hours pending this news.