Throughout the past year we have no doubt seen groundbreaking strides in the cannabis universe.

Our continued efforts to dismantle the failed experiment of prohibition are full of excitement but also frustration.

But even though we still have a lot of work to do, it is simply awe-inspiring to look back on this year in cannabis.

To celebrate and share our gratitude, here is a month-by-month snapshot of cannabis in 2015. The resulting story arc is a powerful indication that momentum is stronger than ever – cannabis legalization will not be stopped!

General cargo vessel MUNZUR was intercepted by Italian police on December 2 in Tyrrhenian sea northeast of Pantelleria island, near Sicily, on a suspicion of drug trafficking.

A huge quantity of hashish was found, some 11 tons divided into 500 parcels. It was a final stage of an international operation, involving Spain, Portugal, Greek and Italian drug enforcement agencies and Europol.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has launched a premium cannabis-flavoured vodka in travel retail. 

Shotka was highlighted by Marie Brizard at last month’s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes and is aimed at night clubbing fans aged from 18 to 28. The spirit, according to Marie Brizard, does not have the narcotic effects of the drug (also known as marijuana) but “stands out with its unique and unexpected taste”. 

Spanish police said Monday they have arrested a suspected British drug trafficking boss who is listed among Britain's 10 most wanted fugitives.

Police detained Michael Roden along with six other suspected members of a drug trafficking ring earlier this month in the province of Granada in southwestern Spain, a police spokesman said.

Roden, also known by his nickname "Dodge", is wanted by British police in connection with the importation of 70 kilos (155 pounds) of cannabis into Britain from Spain in 2013.

The 26-year-old was convicted in October 2010 in Britain of large-scale production of cannabis and jailed for three years.

He was released early the following year, but failed to meet his probation conditions and is wanted for recall into prison.

More and more tourists are travelling to experience the freedom to try cannabis in tolerant countries

The whiff of weed is spreading across the globe as more countries decriminalise the possession of small quantities of cannabis. The Netherlands has always been the Mecca for those seeking a taste of something illicit but you can now travel further in order to indulge in a spliff or a hash cake.

Colorado, where cannabis was legalised three years ago, is already seeing a big growth in tourism. Tax revenues from the now legalised business are adding to the State’s coffers. Canada’s new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and his Liberal party are in favour of legalising marijuana.

High spirits. As most everyone knows by now, the Mexican Supreme Court issued a ruling yesterday opening the door to marijuana self-grows. Some details from El Daily Post: “Mexico's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesdaythat growing, possessing and smoking marijuana for recreation are legal under a person's right to personal freedoms. The five-justice panel approved the measure in a 4-1 vote. At this point, the ruling covers only the plaintiffs in one case, a group of people wanting to form a pot club. The ruling did not approve the sale or commercialization of marijuana, and it is not expected it will lead to general legalization.

Pablo Iglesias spoke of an idyllic world after the legalization of marijuana in Uruguay that does not correspond with reality. 63% of Uruguayans were against the measure. Only 2,000 of the 150,000 consumers have pointed to legal records. The sell in pharmacies has been delayed until 2016. It is impossible that from this data legalizing marijuana has had a beneficial impact.

MADRID –  Spanish and Portuguese police say they have dismantled an organization that used powerboats to import large quantities of drugs into Spain from Morocco and have arrested 15 suspects.

A statement says surveillance began when evidence emerged of a large-scale, well-organized smuggling operation based in southwestern Spain.

The gang allegedly used a network of specially-equipped piers and warehouses to receive drugs and was able to move part of its operation to southern Portugal when it discovered its activities were being watched, Saturday's statement says.

Almost a thousand plants were confiscated from chalets in Benifato and La Nucía

A UK national and a Belgian have been arrested by the Policía Nacional following the confiscation of almost a thousand marijuana plants from two chalets in Benifato and La Nucía, in the Marina Baja area of the province of Alicante, along with sophisticated watering, ventilation and heating systems. 

The British woman, aged 44, and the Belgian man (61) have both been released on bail: neither has a previous record of any similar offences. 

A helicopter pilot who once worked for Rega, the Swiss emergency rescue service, has been arrested in Spain along with his Swiss co-pilot after being caught in a chopper with 600 kilograms of cannabis, according to media reports.

The 68-year-old pilot, a Frenchman who lives in Basel, is being detained in prison along with 14 other people after Spanish narcotics police busted two drug smuggling rings in the Malaga region, the Blick newspaper reported online on Monday.