01/09/2020 – In mid-December, the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW e.V.) was founded in Berlin. The BvCW e.V. (in formation) sees itself as the representative body for the entire cannabis industry in Germany and will serve as a point of contact for politics, business, science, and the media. All segments of this emerging industry are represented: medical cannabis, industrial hemp, CBD, imports, services, trade, and technology.

Dr. Stefan Meyer (Neo-Livia GmbH) was elected President of the BvCW. For the area of medical cannabis, Dr. Armin Prasch (Fidelio Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG) was appointed as Vice President, and for industrial hemp, Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte (Hanffaser Uckermark eG). Jürgen Neumeyer was appointed as Managing Director.

Regarding the founding, the BvCW President, Dr. Meyer, stated:

“A representative body for the cannabis industry in Germany was long overdue. The BvCW aims to become the strong voice for all companies already active in the cannabis space in Germany. Many regulatory issues need to be discussed and reasonably shaped. Compared internationally, Germany has to catch up in areas such as research, legislation, and market-conforming regulations. As the cannabis industry, we will help make this happen!”

For the medical cannabis sector, BvCW Vice President Dr. Armin Prasch commented:

“The ‘Cannabis as Medicine’ law passed in 2017 provides a solid foundation for medically used cannabis in Germany. It is necessary not only to comply with existing regulations and quality standards, but also to redefine and adjust them where needed—for instance, through standardization and certification. The goal is to increase and ensure product safety while also addressing and eliminating prejudices and concerns among all involved parties—especially among physicians, pharmacists, and authorities, in addition to consumers. We want to contribute to a scientifically grounded exchange with all stakeholders, particularly by considering and evaluating international data and findings.”

For the industrial hemp sector, BvCW Vice President Mr. Roersch van der Hoogte added:

“Hemp, as a renewable raw material and food product, will play an important role in both Germany and Europe. Outdated limits and open questions about the diverse uses of cannabis as a raw material, foodstuff, and dietary supplement must be addressed politically. We face a great deal of educational work and must prepare sensibly for international competition.”

14 companies from the cannabis industry participated in the founding meeting and initiated the association, which remains in formation until it is officially registered. In the first few days following the founding assembly, additional companies expressed their intent to join. The following individuals were elected as further members of the executive board: Lisa Haag (MJ Universe GmbH), Michael Greif (Drapalin Pharmaceuticals GmbH), Sven Kallies (Thankyoujane GmbH), Benjamin Patock (Bovida Inc.), Philipp Weber (Cannamigo GmbH), Joscha Krauß (MH medical hemp GmbH), Maximilian Moosbrugger (Cannamigo GmbH), and Dr. Ulrich Thibaut (TherCanni GmbH).

The association’s provisional headquarters will be located at Marienstr. 30, 10117 Berlin, in the government district.

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