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Materia Malta first local company to export medical cannabis abroad

Materia Malta first local company to export medical cannabis abroad
Jun 14 2022 Share

Malta Enterprise revealed that Materia Malta has just become the island’s first company to export medical cannabis to another country, having just made a shipment to Germany. 

Materia is a leading producer and distributor of medical cannabis in Europe, with Nick Pateras, the Managing Director of Materia in Europe, saying he believed Malta would play an important role in the global cannabis supply chain. 

He expressed his pride for being the company establishing new frontiers for the local and European cannabis industry. Kurt Farrugia, Malta Enterprise CEO, also welcomed the development. 

“This is a veritable milestone which places Malta on the map within a sophisticated global supply chain. We have worked tirelessly to attain this result – a moment which will in turn push us to other frontiers within the medical cannabis field.”

Materia’s German distribution subsidiary, Materia Deutschland GmbH, took delivery of the shipment and commenced sales to pharmacies. Germany is currently Europe’s largest medical cannabis market. 

Materia is one amongst a number of other operators who have established their home in Malta in the recent years, since the legislation allowing for the production of medical cannabis products for research and medical purpose has been enacted in 2018. 

The future of medical cannabis industry in Malta looks bright as other companies are in process to obtain their license in the coming months which would ultimately allow for exports to various countries. 

Malta Enterprise has also approved a number of startup projects related to Research and Development on cannabinoids, their use in different therapeutic indications, and innovation in industrial processes related to cultivation and extraction.  

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Chris Fearne calls on EU to afford healthcare for Ukrainians

Chris Fearne calls on EU to afford healthcare for Ukrainians
Jun 14 2022 Share

Deputy prime minister Chris Fearne has called on the EU to afford European Healthcare service to Ukrainians, irrespective of where discussions on accession of Ukraine into the EU and. 

Speaking before the Consumer Affairs Council (Health) meeting took place in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Fearne added that the same health services which are on offer to European citizens should also be offered to the citizens of the war torn country. 

They should be so ‘even now without any prejudice to discussions on accession or cross border healthcare to European citizens across Europe.’ 

This, he said, will enable European countries to offer humanitarian aid in an expedient and safe way to EU citizens and Ukrainians as well. This follows EP President Roberta Metsola saying that Europe must lead and remain in the lead. 

On the 30th of May, she urged EU heads to state alongside their governments to continue sanctioning Russia and agree on new ones for Belarus, since it is supporting Russia’s war.

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Tenishia Thornton becomes youth world champion in 55kg weightlifting category

Tenishia Thornton becomes youth world champion in 55kg weightlifting category
Jun 14 2022 Share

Local 16-year-old weightlifting champion Tenishia Thornton has just been crowned the Youth World Champion during 2022’s IWF Youth World Championships in Mexico. 

The young athlete placed first in the 55kg category, which is a significant improvement over her 2020 performance. Competing against athletes from all over the world, from the USA to Italy to New Zealand to India, Thornton nonetheless pushed Malta to the top of the ranking with a spectacular performance. 

 

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She started off a little rocky with a missed attempt at the 76kg in the snatch, managing to recuperate during her second attempt. She then went on to boost her points with a 78kg lift on the third attempt. 

Her clean and jerks were sealed with the 96kg, with her opening lift already placing her the clean and jerk gold and total gold. 

But that wasn’t enough for Tenishia as she went on to make a second attempt at 98kg and third at 100kg. The 178kg total meant she was far ahead second place with a difference of 7kg total, with her 100kg being a new national record in the 55kg weight class. 

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EU COVID Certificate rules to be extended until June 2023

EU COVID Certificate rules to be extended until June 2023
Jun 14 2022 Share

The EU parliament and EU member states’ negotiators have revealed that they agreed to keep the EU Digital Covid Certificate framework valid until June 2023. 

The deal was reached Monday evening as negotiating teams from the EP and the Council of the EU to prolong the scheme which was set to expire on 30th June. 

‘By extending the legal framework by a year, EU lawmakers want to ensure that EU citizens have the right to free movement in case there is a new variant of concern’ said the statement. 

It was agreed that member states should refrain from imposing additional restrictions to free movement to EUDCC holders. ‘Member states will only be allowed to do so where such restrictions are necessary, proportionate and non-discriminatory for the purposes of safeguarding public health.’ 

MEPs also ensure that a clause was added asking the Commission to assess if the EUDCC scheme is still needed after six months (at the end of 2022), based on the latest scientific advice from the ECDC and the Health Security Committee. 

The scheme should be repealed as soon as the epidemiological situation allows, with the informal deal having to be formally adopted by both the Parliament and the Council, in order for it to enter into force by 30th June. The vote in plenary is scheduled for 22-23 June session in Brussels. 

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