**Why it matters:** The Danish Parliament’s Health Committee has destroyed over 145,541 kilograms (or approximately 320,862 pounds) of cannabis, obtained from companies permitted to cultivate through Denmark’s pilot program. The destruction is the result of faulty production, discarded products, and imported cannabis, all of which contained more than 0.2% THC.
**What they are saying:** The Danish government approved the “Act on a Medical Cannabis Pilot Programme” in 2017, allowing patients to legally test treatment with medicinal cannabis. The pilot program, which runs until December 2025, has authorized 11 companies to manufacture cannabis products in Denmark. Additionally, the development authorization scheme, introduced in 2018, allows companies to cultivate and handle cannabis for potential medicinal use.
**The big picture:** Denmark has experienced a significant increase in the amount of cannabis destroyed, reaching a record high in 2023. Despite the destruction, cannabis sales in the country have continued to grow. This article also highlights that other countries, such as Canada and the US, have also experienced the need to destroy cannabis products for various reasons.
**What to watch:** It will be interesting to see if the Danish government implements any changes to address the issues leading to the destruction of cannabis. Additionally, monitoring the growth of the medical cannabis industry and its impact on Denmark’s economy and healthcare system will be important.
**Your take:** The destruction of such a large quantity of cannabis raises questions about the effectiveness and efficiency of the pilot program and the cultivation practices of authorized companies. It is essential to ensure that regulations and quality control measures are in place to prevent the need for such extensive destruction in the future.
