Editor's Choice
ICBC Barcelona: Mitigating Uncertainty in Legal Cannabis
Shane MacGuill
This year’s ICBC Barcelona took place in March, in the shadow of uncertainty. The legal cannabis industry has been struggling against several headwinds – lack of regulatory momentum, continued consumer ambiguity and capital constraints – which are collectively clouding the outlook for operators in one of the world’s youngest consumer sectors.
Key Trends for Cannabis in Japan: Law Amendments and New Opportunities in CBD Market
Aya Suzuki
Euromonitor International’s latest research in 2023 reveals a staggering growth in the Japan’s cannabis market over the past four years, expanding approximately sixfold from JPY4 billion (USD26.3 million) in 2019 to JPY24 billion (USD173.8 million) in 2023. This surge is attributed to the rising demand for products offering relaxation, sleep improvement, and stress relief.
Classifying Emerging Cannabis Markets
Erwin Henriquez
Cannabis has emerged as one of the fastest-growing industries globally. With the legalisation of cannabis spreading across countries, the industry is expected to experience exponential growth over the next few years. In our Emerging Cannabis Markets: A Taxonomy report, we build a classification for all emerging cannabis markets/countries that allows us to understand better the market context, capabilities, and opportunities on both the domestic and global stage.
Key Regulatory Dynamics Shaping Nicotine and Cannabis
Shane MacGuill
The impact of regulation across both the tobacco and the cannabis industries is immense, with the former experiencing ever-tightening frameworks, often even on newer, perceived less harmful forms of consumption, and the latter going through a period of rapid, if uneven, liberalisation. This theme examines the key elements of regulatory mechanics in each industry, analysing where one may influence the other in the longer term.
Japan Leads the Sober Curious Culture in Asia Pacific
Tomomi Fujikawa
Sober curious culture is a trend that is about drinkers trying to moderate their consumption levels rather than fully abstaining from alcohol. In Japan, the first signs of the sober curious trend are emerging, as “dry” initiatives are beginning to take place.
Six Key Cannabis Innovation Trends
Shane MacGuill
The legal cannabis industry, in both adult-use and CBD, is rapidly evolving. Here we outline six of the key trends in new product developments which brand owners are addressing in global recreational and CBD markets.