Raphael Mechoulam, 91, is the guest of honor at “The Body Expo”, in Germany

Europe's first dedicated exhibition on the benefits and safety of CBD (cannabidiol) in sport, beauty, wellness and pharmaceuticals – the The Body Expo -, which takes place in Cologne, Germany, from the 7th to the 10th of April, features an online lecture by Raphael Mechoulam, the pioneer of international cannabinoid research, currently 91 years old, as guest of honor.

The International CBD Expo will showcase the full range of cannabinoid products legally available in Germany, providing all the information and networks necessary to establish a brand in the German-speaking market, along with transparency and consumer information. Leading national and international brands will present the latest CBD trends and innovative products on the market, in addition to debating important issues such as novel food processes, legal issues applicable to CBD, how the regulated CBD market can affect the medical cannabis market or the requirements to sell CBD in Germany.

Speaking to Cannareporter, Dieter Behrentin, organizer of the event, said: “I firmly believe that the cannabis market as we know it now will change in the future, away from stigmatization to a more open subject. The industry needs to support this with transparency, quality and professionalism on a large scale. That's why we are focusing on presenting the best quality brands, the latest innovations with the most respected guests in the industry, to build a cannabinoid platform that is leading the way in promoting the safe benefits of cannabinoids.”

In addition to the exhibition, the panel of conferences will also include international discussions with the main personalities, scientists, associations, manufacturers and traders in the field of cannabinoids, with Raphael Mechoulam (the “father” of cannabinoid research, in an online lecture, as the Chemist and University Professor will not be able to travel to Germany), Daniel Kruse (President of the EIHA – European Industrial Hemp Association), Christiane Neubaur (Director General of the Association for the Supply of Cannabis to Pharmacies) or Stefan Meyer (President of the German Association of the Cannabis Business).

The Body, which is essentially aimed at start-ups and companies established in the CBD market, aims to create a specific platform that connects, manages and educates on the topic of cannabinoids. “We want to contribute so that quality and innovation in this segment are promoted in a professional way and presented in this way”, says Dieter Behrentin, main organizer of the event. The Body Expo aims to “lead the way in promoting the safe benefits of cannabinoids, as well as positioning itself as a place of Business to Business (B2B) where solid business can be done, effectively and professionally”, says the organization.

Germany is the biggest potential cannabis and CBD market in Europe, followed by the UK, Austria and Switzerland. CBD products are legal in Germany and must respect the maximum limit of 0,2% THC, without any medical claims or health benefits.

CBD and/or cannabinoids are sold in Germany in the following formats:
• CBD Oil
• CBD nicotine-free e-liquids
• CBD Capsules
• CBD crystals
• Cosmetics
• Edibles or food products

The Brightfield Group predicts that the German CBD market will be the largest market in Europe, with sales reaching around €534 million, which represents an exponential increase in estimated CBD sales in Germany of around €33.5 million in 2018. Arcview Market Research and BDS Analytics estimate that by 2022, cannabis sales in Germany, a country with over 691 legal cannabis users, will reach nearly €1,4 billion.