The most important milestones of the cannabis industry for 2025

The cannabis industry is on track to experience transformative growth in 2025, driven by advances in product innovation, the expansion of medical applications, and a changing regulatory landscape. With growing acceptance in Europe and the rest of the world, as well as great progress in quality control and consumer education, the industry is poised for a crucial year. Here’s a look at the trends that will shape the cannabis sector in 2025.

2025, a hundred years of cannabis prohibition

This year marks an anniversary that must be kept in mind. If the history of cannabis were a clock, prohibition would only represent its last two minutes. But those two minutes have marked the future of cannabis to this day.

Since time immemorial, cannabis has grown and been cultivated and used for countless purposes. But things changed radically just a hundred years ago: In 1925, the modern ban on the Cannabis sativa L. plant originated in Brazil, Egypt, and South Africa. The United States got there much, much later.

It was in February 1925 that cannabis acquired a marked prohibitionist character worldwide which continues to this day. It first entered into international law when the Geneva Convention on Opium included “Indian hemp” as a banned substance, at the request of Egypt.

For the first time, cannabis became an internationally controlled drug. The conservative governments of Brazil, Egypt, and South Africa had succeeded in spreading their racist, colonialist, and intolerant views on this ancestral plant to the whole planet. The 1925 Opium Convention spawned a series of treaties that continue in force around the world today (such as the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs).

In 1935, cannabis was subjected to an international scientific review, which determined that it was harmless and that its use in medicine was considerably widespread. But these scientific results were misused by political processes and, after World War II, disinformation about this revision was used to reinforce anti-cannabis sentiments.

The world had to wait until 2018, when a new impartial international scientific review was conducted that led the WHO to propose to the UN to lower the international control of cannabis – a measure that would recognise its therapeutic value and provide a basis for nations to regulate its medicinal use.

Will the US reclassify cannabis in 2025?

2024 has been a crucial year of progress and challenges for the cannabis industry in the US. This has set the stage for a transformative 2025, if the long-awaited rescheduling of the plant from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance finally takes place. On 26^th November, after a period of public comment, the DEA announced that it would hold a formal hearing on the matter. However, the process has been delayed and is not expected to be completed until the end of 2025.

If successful, the reclassification of cannabis has the potential to significantly benefit businesses by removing barriers to essential services such as banking and patent protection. Having said that, the way forward for reclassification remains uncertain, particularly after Donald Trump’s victory in last November’s US elections.

In addition to the rescheduling of cannabis and the expected SAFER Banking Act, 2025 will also be a crucial year for hemp as the Farm bill for this year takes shape. In Canada, 2025 could also finally bring some tax relief, amid government suggestions that the excise tax on cannabis might be revised.

Will 2025 be a great year for cannabis in Germany?

Germany is closing out the most historic year in Europe regarding cannabis policy and the cannabis industry. And next year will probably be another historic year if the launch of regional pilot programmes for the marketing of cannabis for adult use continues.

While the EU agreements prohibit domestic sales of recreational cannabis, EU legislation allows for pilot testing as it relies on research to gather information for the development of national policies. Pilot testing programmes are already being conducted in the Netherlands and Switzerland, with no problems having been reported so far.

However, the breakdown of the coalition of the tripartite government has plunged the Bundestag into a crisis that could lead to elections early next year. This situation could jeopardise these key reforms for cannabis, as polling suggests that the centre-right could prevail in a new election. And there is a good chance that the cannabis reforms will be reversed or significantly modified after the victory of the conservative block.

While the adoption of broader regulatory frameworks has apparently also stalled in other European countries such as France and Spain, Denmark is preparing to adopt its pilot medical cannabis programme as permanent legislation. And starting in April 2025, 5,000 general practitioners in the Czech Republic will be able to prescribe medical cannabis – a measure that is expected to significantly improve access and increase patient numbers.

Emerging countries that want to become protagonists

In 2025, while pioneering countries like Canada, the USA, or Germany continue to maintain their prominence, a new wave of emerging countries are positioning themselves on the international scene as future key players of cannabis.

For instance, South Africa has become a benchmark in the African continent thanks to its progressive legislation and its focus on the development of a cannabis economy. This country seeks to capitalise on its position as an entry point to the African market, in which other countries like Lesotho are also beginning to play an important role. In 2025, South Africa is expected to implement clearer regulatory measures for the export of medical cannabis, consolidating itself as a major supplier in the southern hemisphere.

Japan, a country known for its strict drug laws, has also begun to shift its focus towards medical cannabis. In 2025, the Japanese government plans to adopt a regulatory framework that allows controlled use of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabis derivatives for the treatment of several diseases. Japanese technological innovation could play a crucial role in the development of high-quality cannabis products, focusing on biotechnology and scientific research.

Slovenia, a small country in the heart of Europe, is also emerging thanks to its strategic focus on cannabis regulation and production. In 2025, Slovenia is expected to expand its legislation to include the industrial cultivation and export of medical cannabis, positioning itself as a logistics and distribution hub for the European market.

And for its part, Morocco, which is known as a major producer of cannabis resin, is taking significant steps towards regulating its industry. In 2025, the country is expected to formalise its legal structure for the production of medical and industrial cannabis, attracting foreign investment to become a global leader in the production of derived products such as oils and fibres.

Innovation in cannabis products

Innovation will be another central axis of the evolution of the industry in 2025. Companies are focusing on research into minor cannabinoids like cbg, CBN, and THCV, with new product lines aimed at delivering specific health benefits. Fast-acting delivery systems will also have a leading role: advances in nanoemulsions are enabling faster start times and improved bioavailability, particularly in edibles and beverages.

Other major milestones will be reliable dosage formats, with consistent and accurate dosing in the form of capsules, oils, and tinctures responding to the demand of consumers for predictable effects. These innovations are transforming the cannabis experience and expanding the appeal of products to new consumer segments.

Sustainability will gain momentum

As the industry matures, sustainability is also becoming a priority. Key initiatives include organic farming (to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption in greenhouses and indoor setups) and sustainable packaging (with a shift towards biodegradable and recyclable materials to reduce the environmental impact). As sustainability becomes an expectation of consumers, companies adopting these practices are likely to gain a competitive advantage.

So, as you can see, 2025 promises to be a key year for the global advancement of cannabis, with emerging countries ready to make their mark on the industry, but also with pioneering nations that should go one step further to mark the future of this plant. These are clear examples of how different regions of the world are adopting unique strategies to excel in this dynamic and constantly evolving sector.