2024 was quite a turbulent year for the cannabis industry, yet it seemed as if this crop had never been more in the spotlight outside of specialized press. It certainly helped that both U.S. presidential candidates showed unprecedented support for the industry and that legalization in Germany finally came into effect. All of that, however, didn't overshadow the inevitable challenges operators had to face. Looking at the U.S., sales have been shrinking slightly—not by a large margin—but there's an explanation for that.
That being said, as is tradition, we kick off a new year of MMJDaily by looking back at our most-read articles from the past year. So sit back, relax, and grab a cup of something warm—tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate. We don't discriminate, although coffee is certainly our preference. Check out our most-read articles from 2024 in case you missed something or want to revisit some of our best original content from last year.
Survey: 12% of Germans want to join cannabis clubs
No wonder Germany earned the top spot as our best-read article of 2024. After all, the global industry has always looked at this market with interest, as it supposedly has significant potential.
In a nationwide online survey, 1,000 people in Germany aged 18 and over were questioned about the recent cannabis legalization. The survey was conducted by Pronova BKK in May 2024, and shows in what ways Germans intend to make use of the new rules. When it comes to the upcoming cannabis cultivation clubs, 12% of Germans respond that they would like to join. With 29% of the questioned people reporting to be cannabis users, this means that roughly 41% of cannabis users want to join cultivation clubs.
Using multispectral imaging and AI to get unique plant-level insights
And, of course, AI is another trending topic. It feels as if no one can go a day without mentioning AI at least once. Nothing wrong with that! In fact, it's really exciting when this tool is utilized in cannabis cultivation. The second spot on the podium is indeed an article on AI.
"We're using multispectral imaging to let the grower see beyond human vision. The patented camera system takes the pictures, after which AI analyzes the images. By monitoring your cannabis plants 24/7, our technology delivers real-time data on cannabinoids, diseases, pests and more," explains Nadine Walther. Together with her partner Ben Niehaus, Nadine founded the company SpexAI. "We realized the cannabis market needed a solution like this: technology that helps growers cultivate crops on a very high level."
Photo report: Cannabis industry meets up at GreenTech Amsterdam
It's no longer a drill—when company teams at trade shows see us walking by their booths with a camera, they already know what's up. It's picture time! Let's take a look at all those smiling faces once again before we turn the page to new photo reports and new (and returning) smiling faces.
Spreading the benefits of cannabis through technology and extracts
It doesn't necessarily have to be about cultivation. Extraction processes also play a significant role in the cannabis industry. Just like cultivation, however, the extraction process has quite a few challenges to overcome through R&D.
"Flower is mostly used in the recreational space. But to get into the other spaces, medicinal or pharmaceutical, that's where extracts are in the majority. That's why we see extracts as the next big step in the industry, especially in Europe," says Yogesh Jhamtani, Co-Founder and CEO of Buffalo Extraction Systems. The company supplies cannabis extraction equipment and has recently joined the Cultivation for Compounds pavilion at the World Horti Center in the Netherlands. "We want to research how we can optimize extraction techniques to get better results for the industry."
Switzerland: "With three layers of plants, preventing pathogen problems is very important"
Pathogens are often top of mind for every grower, no matter the market they operate in. Whether it's a large one like Canada or a nascent one like Switzerland, where different regions are carrying out cannabis pilot programs, pathogens remain a major concern.
"We have two grow rooms with many plants in them: 3,200 plants per room. The high plant density, in combination with high humidity, leads to a higher risk of problems like mold and powdery mildew. As we aim for the highest quality production, we knew we needed a solution that effectively prevents such issues," says Benjamin Gutsch, Head Grower at Grow Motion. The facility is located in Switzerland and is, according to Benjamin, one of the most advanced cannabis facilities in Europe. "Something that is a great help for our production is the ProGuard technology. It turns the moisture in the air into an ionized H202 vapor that actively kills pathogens. As a result, we don't have to worry about mold and mildew and can focus on producing the best products possible."
"Growing in North Macedonia keeps our production costs very competitive"
Speaking of small markets with great potential, one cannot fail to mention North Macedonia—not as a market to sell cannabis, but as one to produce it. Many have been looking at this country as a production hub to supply the EU with medical cannabis, and Ohrid Organics is one of those growers aiming to capitalize on this opportunity.
"We have the largest licensed cannabis site in North Macedonia. We are GACP certified and are now starting the process of getting EU GMP certified," says Dominic John, COO of Ohrid Organics. While the company is going through the certification process, they have been focusing their first years on producing CBD products for local offtake. "In North Macedonia, there is very little prescribing happening, and it's not really a THC-dominant market." Yet this is just an interim measure. The company has been making lots of changes recently to achieve its ultimate goal: growing high-quality THC strains for export at a low cost.
Translating decades of horti experience into medical cannabis
Cannabis is special and unique, but it's still a horticultural crop. It's quite common for growers to transition from cultivating food to cannabis—and most of the time, they're quite successful. Knowledge can be transferred, and it's certainly easier to manage a horticultural operation and then learn the nuances of the cannabis plant than the other way around.
"We've been growing hydroponically for over 20 years," says Matthias Bakker, Managing Director and co-founder of Blom Medical, a medical cannabis grower in South Africa. However, not all those years were dedicated to medical cannabis cultivation, mainly due to regulatory constraints. "I was born in Holland, and then my family moved to South Africa." The Bakker family established a successful greenhouse business in the southernmost part of the African continent, cultivating crops such as tomatoes and bell peppers. As South Africa regulated the medical cannabis industry, Matthias saw an opportunity to leverage the family's decades of expertise. "Around three to four years ago, we began exploring medical cannabis production."