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How a trafficking scheme triggered price compression in Germany

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2 months ago

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The thread connecting the Erva Daninha operation to the current price compression in the Portuguese cannabis export market does not begin in Lisbon or Berlin.

According to an industry source with direct knowledge of the scheme, the criminal network that would eventually lead to a sector-wide regulatory crackdown allegedly operated through a mechanism that exploited the loosest link in Portugal’s export chain. Some non-EU countries are said to have issued import permits, which were used by European operators with export permits on the Portuguese side, who sent these documents to Infarmed for approval and shipment of the product. The Portuguese authorities finally called their counterparts from the countries in question to verify the documentation, the paperwork was not completed. The main actors, the source says, cashed in and left. “The worst thing is that Portugal was seen as the epicenter of pharmaceutical production in the world. They lost their reputation.”

Investigators determined that the criminal organization, aware of flaws and weaknesses in Portugal’s cannabis export inspection and control system, bought pharmaceutical companies and created authorized wholesale and export entities, then used false documentation and certificates to ship thousands of kilos to illegal markets. Europe and Africa.On May 20, 2025, the National Anti-Drug Trafficking Unit of the Judicial Police carried out 64 search and seizure orders from the north to the south of the country and on the island of Madeira, arresting several suspects. The operation was called Erva Daninha.

Legitimate operators were careful to distinguish themselves from the actors they were investigating. Nuno Martens from Takodana He said he welcomed the attack. “I don’t understand why people are afraid of this. It’s a good thing that the PJ is doing these raids. If there are things that need to be investigated, that’s good.” The real challenges of the market were soon to materialize.

the conclusion
In the months that followed, several licenses were revoked. Infarmed tightened oversight and added new paperwork requirements, creating an ever-changing regulatory framework that made scaling, exports, and day-to-day operations significantly more difficult. It all startedAs one Portuguese producer said, when Infarmed began to inspect the company more closely May police raid.

One processor’s journey shows how the frozen product eventually became a pricing weapon. According to the source, the companies whose licenses were revoked had between 10 and 14 tons in inventory. Initially written off as a loss, the tide quickly turned when Infarmed reinstated those licenses and lots were released. According to the source, the operators did not want that product anymore, it was already registered as a loss, so the logical conclusion was to remove it as soon as possible. This is how significant amounts of cannabis flowed into Germany at one euro per gram, forcing prices down.

According to market data, by autumn 2025, GACP-certified high-THC flower in Germany was already between €0.75 and €2.30 per gram, while EU-GMP-certified material commanded a clear premium of €2.15 to €3.55 per gram. By the spring of 2026, prices had fallen further. High-THC GACP flower ranged from €0.60 to €2.50 per gram, while EU-GMP high-THC flower softened to €2.00 to €3.48.

Reclaiming reputation
The reputational damage had already spread beyond the prices. Grower active in Portugal said MMJ Daily The trust issues created by the raid exacerbated everything that followed. “They had certain certificates, but they thought they were authorized and they made movements that were not there.” Now when operators want to structure deals through Portugal, the answer from international partners is: Except for Portugal. Malta’s medical cannabis business grew by 1,000% last year.

In early April 2026, at least eight more cannabis operators were removed from Infarmed’s listings, in what analysts described as an unprecedented drop in all. license categories. Whether these departures reflect non-renewal of administration, business failure or the ongoing effects of the 2024 freeze is not yet entirely clear.

A sign of recovery is emerging, however. Another source familiar with the sector points to a new digital UN verification system for import and export documentation, which will be rolled out by the end of April 2026, as a potential turning point. The system is already receiving positive early reviews from operators who have seen it in action. If he delivers on that promise, the source believes Portugal’s reputation could begin to recover within the next three months.

A trafficking ring that allegedly used fake import permits and European export licenses led to the police operation. The police operation resulted in a regulatory crackdown. The crackdown froze tens of tons of legitimate products at Portuguese facilities. The frozen product, once launched, hit the German market at a price that reset everyone else’s expectations. The main actors, according to the source, are still at large.

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Columbia hemp business Burning Acre to close and move to North Carolina over new Tennessee rules

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9 hours ago

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June 14, 2026

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Burning Acre, a Columbia, Tennessee-based hemp company, says it will close its retail store and move operations to North Carolina ahead of new state regulations that take effect July 1, according to WSMV.

The business says its last day to open in Columbia will be June 30, the same day the Tennessee Department of Agriculture licenses for hemp-derived cannabinoids expire. As of July 1, businesses that continue to operate in the state will be required to be licensed under a new regulatory framework led by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Burning Acre says the changes have forced it to abandon plans for a new sandwich shop and bakery and close its Tennessee retail operations and relocate to Murphy, North Carolina. “I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s a very hard video for me and a message I should never have written,” the business wrote.

The business puts the annual cost of manufacturing, distribution and running the retail store at about $750. Under the new rules, he says, those costs would rise by tens of thousands of dollars, citing new licensing fees, a required $25,000 annual bond and increased testing fees.

The law, which took effect in July, changes the regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses from the Department of Agriculture to the ABC. The Department of Agriculture stopped issuing licenses at the end of 2025, and the licenses issued by the TDA will remain valid until June 30, 2026.

“Columbia, we absolutely love being a part of this community,” said Burning Acre. “We are truly heartbroken to have to say goodbye to this location.”

Read more at WSMV4










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North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill To Set A Minimum Age Limit For Hemp And Kratom Products

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9 hours ago

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June 14, 2026

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“Many other details about cannabis have been debated and will continue to be debated.”

By Christine Zhu, NC Newsline

Lawmakers in North Carolina are considering banning people under 21 from buying or possessing certain hemp-derived consumables, including combustible hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, gummies and drinks, or items that include the drug kratom.

The House Agriculture and Environment Committee approved a rewrite of Senate Bill 59 on Wednesday. This is the latest attempt by state legislators after years of proposals to regulate the sale of hemp products that didn’t work out in the end.

This measure would prohibit companies from selling such products to under-21s. If the seller has “reasonable grounds” to believe that the buyer is under the age of 21, the seller must verify the buyer’s ID.

Rep. Jimmy Dixon (R-Duplin), who introduced the bill, said he was motivated to bring public attention to issues surrounding cannabis. He said there was a 14-year-old boy in his neighborhood who had an emergency after buying a hemp-derived product.

“There are a lot of other details about cannabis that have been debated and will continue to be debated, but ladies and gentlemen, to make sure we have the good sense to be agents of these kinds of issues, that’s the lowest hanging fruit,” he said.

Violators would face a Class 2 felony, as well as a fine of $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses.

asked Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford). of the bill language resulted in potential changes to hemp-derived products. It is common for manufacturers of synthetic recreational drugs to make changes to the chemical composition of their products to avoid legal bans or restrictions.

“I assume the definition as written is broad enough to capture any future manipulation of molecules,” he said. Dixon nodded.

Legislators also voted in favor correction To add kratom products to the under-21 ban.

Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell), who proposed the amendment, said it was necessary to add those elements to the bill.

“I’ve been working on this for quite some time, trying to get these bills passed,” McNeely said. “We definitely have a problem. So I’m hoping we can keep posting this and we’ll get something done before we get out of the short session here.”

Both the amendment and the legislation passed unanimously without debate.

The bill moves next to the House Rules Committee. Other amendments will be heard when they appear on the House floor, which could be as soon as next week.

This story was first published by NC Newsline.

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GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 in 2026 photos

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1 day ago

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June 13, 2026

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Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.

The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.

Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.

Click here for the photo report.

© Arlette Sijmonsma | MMJDaily.com










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