Cannabis Europa 2026: Cannabis policy and business in Europe

"Where Cannabis policy meets business opportunity."

The phrase that defines Cannabis Europe is not just an institutional slogan — it is an accurate diagnosis of the moment that the regulated cannabis market on the continent is experiencing. In a scenario of gradual legislative changes, pressures for sanitary standardization and the search for productive scale, the event is consolidated as one of the main points of convergence between public policy makers, investors and business leaders.

Scheduled for May 26 and 27, 2026, in London, the meeting is expected to bring together more than 1,500 participants, 70 speakers and 50 exhibitors, consolidating itself as one of the largest strategic forums in the European legal industry.

At the head of one of the recurring sponsors of the event is Arthur de Cordova, CEO of Ziel. With a track record in highly regulated markets — such as the pharmaceutical, energy and financial sectors — he brings a pragmatic view of the structural bottlenecks and opportunities that are shaping European cannabis.

According to Arthur, domestic cannabis production in Europe is still at an early stage. "Domestic cannabis production in Europe is still, in fact, at an early stage," he said. Despite advances in countries such as Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom, the continent has not yet achieved sufficient scale or cost efficiency to fully meet domestic demand.

The consequence is clear: dependence on imports.

"The biggest challenge is price competitiveness," he said. He points out that European producers operate in high-cost environments — especially energy and labor — which makes it difficult to compete with countries such as Colombia, Thailand and Uruguay. In addition, Canada remains the main supplier to the European market, supported by production capacity, product consistency and a regulatory framework favorable to exports.

For Arthur, as markets mature and price compression occurs, the sustainability of scale will depend on operational and financial efficiency. "Scaling sustainably will increasingly depend on continuous improvements — operational and financial," he said. He points out as "more affordable fruits" the maximization of yield in the upstream combined with the integration of microbial reduction technologies that ensure regulatory compliance at low cost per gram.

Scale, compliance and the debate on decontamination

One of the central panels of the event, "Domestic Production at Scale", addresses precisely the balance between production expansion and maintenance of strict sanitary standards.

According to Arthur, the incorporation of microbial control technology in the post-harvest is not optional. "Decontamination is not optional at scale; is a prerequisite for consistent profitability and compliance with EU-GMP standards," he said. As the volume increases, so does the risk of pathogens and mold in the flower.

The topic, however, involves regulatory controversy. He explains that there is resistance in Germany to the use of ionizing radiation technologies (X-ray and gamma) in the decontamination stage. "European regulators and consumers, especially in Germany, have resistance to ionizing radiation," he said. If the operator uses this method, each variety needs to be registered individually, a process that can take between six and twelve months and cost around €5,000 per strain – which impacts the time to market.

This scenario, according to him, has a global ripple effect. "97% of German supply comes from outside Germany," he said, indicating that national regulatory decisions shape the entire international chain.

Arthur advocates for non-ionizing technologies, such as radio frequency — technology developed by Ziel — which, according to him, allows it to meet the European Union's microbial standards without triggering additional regulatory requirements. He also highlights the importance of IQ/OQ/PQ documentation for EU-GMP audits, a determining factor for exporters.

Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the geopolitics of production

Cannabis Europe has also been the scene of debates on national reforms. Switzerland, for example, is advancing in the discussion on legalizing adult use.

"Switzerland is one of the most exciting markets to watch in Europe," said Arthur. The country already has a functional medicinal market and robust experience in CBD flower production at scale. For him, an eventual legalization would expand the domestic market immediately.

He also notes that, because it operates outside the legal framework of the European Union, Switzerland has greater regulatory flexibility. "Combined with experienced growers, existing infrastructure and central geographical location, Switzerland has the potential to become both a strong domestic market and a relevant export hub," he said.

Another rising hub is the Czech Republic. "The Czech Republic's growth is driven by a healthy export channel to Germany," he said. With competitive energy and labor costs, solid infrastructure, and growing EU-GMP processing capacity, the country tends to gain share as a processing hub, including competing with Portugal.

The United Kingdom, France and the different rhythms of Europe

The United Kingdom is already emerging as the second largest medicinal market in Europe. "Despite being approximately one-tenth the size of Germany, the UK has emerged as the second-largest medical cannabis market in Europe," Arthur said. He notes that prices in the United Kingdom remain more stable than in Germany, where there is greater competitive pressure.

France, for its part, follows a more cautious path. After participating in the Paris edition of Cannabis Europe, Arthur commented that the new regulatory framework will not yet open commercial opportunities in 2026. "It will still be a year of 'base building'," he said. The French model is structured under pharmaceutical logic, with the government acting as the sole buyer and prescription restricted to five specific clinical areas.

"The scenario will become clearer in the second half of 2026," he said.

The strategic role of the event

More than a sectoral meeting, Cannabis Europe positions itself as a space for qualified dialogue between regulators, operators and investors.

"They provide an environment where operators, regulators, technology providers and investors can engage in conversations about what's really working in the market," Arthur said. He points out that the discussions are "frank and invigorating" and work as a real thermometer of what is happening in the regulatory and commercial field.

The recurring presence of Ziel as a sponsor reinforces the strategic importance of the meeting. "Ziel is a recurring sponsor because we find value here," he said.

By bringing together public policy and capital flow in the same environment, Cannabis Europe consolidates itself as a platform for building consensus and accelerating business. In a market that is still seeking regulatory maturity and production efficiency, the event acts as a compass for decisions that will shape the future of legal cannabis on the continent.