Colombia Issues New ‘Fast-Track’ Rules for Exports to Brazil
On January 23, 2026, Colombia’s National Narcotics Fund issued a critical new directive, “External Circular 001 of 2026,” which fundamentally changes how cannabis companies can export products to Brazil, their largest regional partner.
This move is designed to solve a long-standing bureaucratic mismatch that had effectively blocked the “compassionate use” supply chain between the two nations.
Previously, Colombian exporters were required to provide a formal import license from the destination country to get their goods out of Colombia. However, Brazil’s health authority clarified that it does not issue these commercial licenses for individual patients importing medicine for personal use under Resolution 660.
This deadlock meant that shipments destined for specific Brazilian patients were often stuck in legal limbo at Colombian customs.
The new circular creates a streamlined “inspection status” document (Concepto de Fiscalización) that satisfies Colombian export requirements without needing the impossible-to-get Brazilian import license.
This regulatory fix is expected to immediately unblock millions of dollars in CBD oils and tinctures destined for Brazil’s market of over 200 million people.
For the Colombian industry, which has struggled with profitability, this “regulatory bridge” is a lifeline that secures their dominance in the South American supply chain and ensures patients receive their medicine without months of delay.
Source: cannareporter.eu
Zimbabwe Clears Way for First Domestic Medical Sales
In a historic economic shift, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) announced in January 2026 that it has finalized regulations to allow the sale of cannabis-based medical products within the country for the first time.
Previously, Zimbabwe’s cannabis industry was strictly export-only, forcing local patients to rely on the illicit market despite their country being a major licensed producer.
This move is part of a broader government strategy to pivot the nation’s agriculture away from tobacco, which is facing declining global demand, and toward industrial hemp and medical cannabis.
The government has set an ambitious target for the cannabis sector to reach a value of $1.25 billion USD. By opening the domestic market, local pharmaceutical companies can now manufacture and distribute CBD and THC medicines directly to Zimbabwean pharmacies and hospitals.
This creates a new, stable revenue stream for licensed producers who have previously struggled with the volatility of international bulk export markets.
Industry analysts view this as a crucial maturation step for the African market, transitioning Zimbabwe from a simple resource extraction hub to a functional medical economy.
The regulations cover everything from cultivation security standards to retail pharmacy dispensing protocols, ensuring a safe supply chain.
Source: legalbrief.co.za
Malta’s First Cannabis Social Club Reaches ‘Full Operations’
As of mid-January 2026, Malta’s pioneering “Cannabis Harm Reduction Associations” have successfully moved from a theoretical framework to full operational reality.
Reports from Valletta confirm that the first licensed club, KDD Society, is now fully serving members with locally grown product, marking a major milestone for the European Union’s first non-profit legalization model.
Unlike the commercial dispensaries found in North America, Malta’s clubs operate as member-only collectives. New data reveals that the club has prioritized education over profit, successfully completing its first five harvest cycles to ensure a steady supply of “clean,” regulated flower.
The club’s president noted that members are rapidly shifting away from “street names” like Amnesia Haze and are instead being educated on terpene profiles and specific cannabinoid effects.
This success is significant because it proves that a non-commercial, community-centered model can work in Europe.
The Maltese cannabis authority (ARUC) has praised the operational standards, noting that the clubs are effectively displacing the illicit market without creating a “Big Tobacco” style industry.
This “Malta Model” is now being studied by Germany and the Czech Republic as the gold standard for social equity in cannabis policy.
Source: mmjdaily.com
Rwanda Scraps Export Licenses to Boost Cannabis Trade
In a decisive move to attract foreign investment, the Rwandan government announced on January 6, 2026, that it has eliminated the requirement for a separate export license for medical cannabis products.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) declared that, effective immediately, exporters will no longer need to seek Rwandan government approval for each individual shipment, provided they meet the requirements of the importing country.
This deregulation is part of a wider initiative to streamline service delivery in National Quality Infrastructure institutions and reduce bureaucratic friction. Rwanda has aggressively positioned itself as a high-tech hub for medical cannabis in East Africa, having earmarked 134 hectares of land specifically for high-security cultivation.
By removing the export red tape, Rwanda aims to outpace regional competitors like Uganda and Malawi by offering the fastest “seed-to-ship” timeline on the continent.
The government also announced that quality and safety permits issued by the Rwanda FDA will now be valid for five years, providing long-term stability for investors.
Major players like King Kong Organics (KKOG) have already invested millions in local processing facilities, and this policy change is expected to accelerate their ability to supply European markets.
This story highlights a growing trend in Africa where nations are moving beyond simple legalization to actively competing on “ease of doing business” metrics.
Source: minicom.gov.rw
Victoria Launches World-First “Closed-Track” Driving Trial
The Victorian Government in Australia commenced a groundbreaking scientific trial in January 2026 to finally answer the question of how medicinal cannabis affects driving ability.
Unlike previous studies that relied on simulators, this “world-first” trial puts cannabis patients behind the wheel of actual vehicles on a closed-circuit track. Researchers from Swinburne University are monitoring participants as they navigate real-world driving conditions, measuring metrics like steering control, braking reaction time, and speed maintenance.
The study addresses a major legal controversy in Australia: currently, it is illegal to drive with any detectable THC in your system, even if the driver is a prescribed patient and is not impaired.
This “zero-tolerance” law has effectively banned thousands of patients from driving, as THC can remain detectable for days after the impairment effects have worn off.
Recruitment for the control group began in early January 2026, with the trial expected to provide the definitive data needed to reform these laws.
If the results show that patients can drive safely after a specific window of time, it could lead to the adoption of an “impairment-based” testing model similar to alcohol. This research is being watched globally, as many jurisdictions struggle to find a scientific standard for “cannabis impairment” that balances road safety with patient rights.
Source: vic.gov.au