MikeSassa

Green Rush Partners (Dir) Somai Pharmaceuticals (Founder, Chairman & interim CEO) Expertise: Global Cannabis, EU-GMP, Pharma Strategy

[mikesassa]

Portugal is the EU Cannabis Leader: But the Lead is Being Threatened

Portugal has long been a pioneer and undisputed leader in the European Union (EU) cannabis markets. It is home to the biggest names in the s

Portugal has long been the pioneer and undisputed leader in the EU cannabis markets. We are home to the biggest names in the game—Curaleaf, Tilray, Somai—plus 65 other groups, with more on the way. The reason for this dominance is clear: excellence in pharmaceutical regulations. Portuguese regulators have been the gold standard, understanding cannabis exports and pharmaceutical distribution better than almost anyone globally.

Portugal is a powerhouse because we accept imports from nearly all legal markets and export to the world. This isn't an accident; it’s a reflection of a long tradition where pharmaceutical manufacturing accounts for more than 7% of our GDP. But right now, our lead is being chipped away because we are "throwing the baby out with the bathwater".

[mikesassa]

Boom! The Age of EU-GMP Medical Cannabis is Here: The Global Race is On - Cannabis Intelligence Platform

By Michael Sassano, Founder, Chairman GR and Interim CEO of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals

For two decades, the fight to acknowledge cannabis as a legitimate medicine in the USA has stumbled through a lobbying and bureaucratic minefield. But the landscape has shifted permanently. While recent Trump executive actions don’t fully “legalize” the plant recreationally, they send a thunderous message: the FDA will officially acknowledge cannabis as a medicine.

[mikesassa]

It’s time for Australia to enter thenext phase of adolescence and startbuilding for the long term - SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals

Australia isn’t in a race to the bottom on price, but in a race for operational efficiency, argues SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals chairman Michael Sa

Australia isn’t in a race to the bottom on price, but in a race for operational efficiency, argues SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals chairman Michael Sassano. And while the business environment may seem tough, the signs are there for the local market be a great one.

Australia is one of the most rapidly changing cannabis markets on the planet. If you blink, you may just miss the pivots.

For those of us who have lived through the evolution of other developing markets, what’s happening in Australia is a clear signal of a “great market”.

We are entering Australia 3.0 – a phase that is calmer, enjoys sustained growth, and sees new demographics entering the market, to find healing.

It’s time to move past the “trial by fire” and start building for the long term.

[mikesassa]

The Problem of Consistency in Local and Global Cannabis Branding

A byline by Michael Sassano Establishing a consistent cannabis product brand…

Establishing a consistent cannabis product brand is a complicated task. The cannabis industry will always be home to mainstream local brands, craft local brands, large global brands, and craft global brands all co-existing in the same space. The good news is there is room for everyone. The bad news is that supply line issues and the resulting lack of consistency plague the global cannabis industry, affecting players of every size. 

When it comes to cannabis branding, it’s not enough to just carry the name from country to country. Owning the quality is the key to success.

[mikesassa]

EU-certified medical vaporizers enter the market: setting a new regulatory standard.

The race for relevance in the global cannabis community has taken a new turn with the introduction of medically registered batteries and car

The race for relevance in the global cannabis community has taken a new turn with the introduction of medically registered handheld vape batteries and cartridges. Only a few cannabis markets, such as Australia and the U.K., have clearly accepted non-medically certified oil vaporizer equipment, and to some extent Germany has as well. The rest of the global medical cannabis markets have not reached that far in their acceptance of non-medical vaporizer units, with the exception of a few daring compound pharmacists in Poland and other small adventurous groups.

[mikesassa]

Spain Takes a Major Step Toward Pharmaceutical-Grade Cannabis Regulation: A New Standard for Europe

A byline by Michael Sassano Spain’s Royal Decree on Medicinal Cannabis…

This new regulatory framework in Spain signals a decisive move toward recognizing cannabis extracts as a legitimate therapeutic agent, managed with the same rigor as any other pharmaceutical product. The implementation of this decree is a major milestone, not just for Spanish patients but for the entire European Union, as it sets a highly credible standard for the future of cannabinoid therapeutics.

[mikesassa]

Is Portugal Losing Its Role as Europe’s Cannabis Gateway?

Portugal’s role in Europe’s cannabis supply chain is under pressure as rising GMP capacity and regulatory delays push producers away.

Industry executives, including SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals CEO Michael Sassano, warned that these delays could undermine Portugal’s status as Europe’s primary processing and export hub unless Infarmed streamlines oversight and restores market confidence.

[mikesassa]

Global Cannabis See-Saw: Surging Demand Meets Tightening Regulations

A byline by Michael Sassano The global cannabis industry has experienced…

The global cannabis industry has experienced both great success and significant challenges in 2025. Volumes are surging and new countries are coming online, signaling market expansion. However, a „dark cloud“ hangs over these numbers as regulators in key selling markets—such as the U.K., Germany, and Australia—and exporting countries like Portugal adjust to the increased volumes and seek greater control. A real tug-of-war has emerged, with successful legal cannabis strategies being met by attempts at new regulation to address the fast advancements in the sector. Cannabis entrepreneurs are facing sleepless nights trying to keep up with the changing landscape and the need to meet surging demand.

[mikesassa]

Global Cannabis Playbook Emerges Amid U.S. Uncertainty

International cannabis regulations advance as the U.S. lags. Can American operators adapt in time?

“It takes roughly two and a half years to get through validation, batches, stability testing, and then regulatory approval for sales to multiple markets,” said Somai Chief Executive Officer Michael Sassano. “Without it, you can’t export to other countries.”

[mikesassa]

Taking Cannabis Global: Inside Somai Pharmaceuticals' Multi-Country Strategy - Cannabis Industry Journal

In an industry defined by local operators struggling to stay afloat and confined within their borders, Michael Sassano, founder and CEO of S

In an industry defined by local operators struggling to stay afloat and confined within their borders, Michael Sassano, founder and CEO of Somai Pharmaceuticals, has created a blueprint for scaling cannabis worldwide with pharmaceutical discipline and regulatory agility. With headquarters in Lisbon and operations in 12 countries today, Somai is preparing to reach 18 by year’s end.

[mikesassa]

"For the third year in a row, Trulieve makes my top pick due to its focused expansion and continued dominant anchor position in Florida and scale up the East Coast," says Michael Sassano, founder of Somai Pharmaceuticals and an early investor in the cannabis industry.

https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/best-marijuana-stock-and-etfs

[mikesassa]

EU-GMP Cannabis Gummies Face Uphill Battle Against Low-Quality Market Flood

The new age of cannabis dosing with gummies is sweeping the…

Gummies represent a paradigm shift in cannabis consumption, appealing to demographics, like new consumers, that traditional smoking and oral drops do not entice. Gummies are tasty, and everything from vitamins to herbal supplements comes in a delicious chewable format. These single-dose, socially acceptable products have created a paradigm shift as consumers increasingly share stories that begin with “that one time I took a gummy” without the stigma attached to other cannabis consumption methods. Gummies are making cannabis taste good again.

[mikesassa]

Australia's GMP mirage: why 'EU-GMP equivalent' fails the global cannabis test

Somai Pharmaceuticals chairman Michael Sassano says many Australian producers have work to do before they can compete on the global stage.

[mikesassa]

A New Era for Medical Cannabis: How Trump Is Ending Global Gridlock

President Donald Trump is expected to announce “Make Cannabis Great Again,” rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. The move would legalize m

President Donald Trump is expected to announce “Make Cannabis Great Again,” rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III. The move would legalize medical use across the U.S., spark global reforms, and trigger a worldwide race in cannabis research and development.

[mikesassa]

Thai flower in Australia: a tale of two contrasting worlds

Australia was the first global market to get a taste of Thai flower and the rumour mill is abuzz with local producers protecting their turf.

Australia was the first global market to get a taste of Thai flower. The rumour mill is abuzz with local producers protecting their turf — rightly so – and white labels are excited to pick up large volumes of flower at incredibly low prices.

There is some truth behind every rumour. But this story is one of two different worlds.

[mikesassa]

Entering the Era of EU-GMP Extracted Cannabis Products for Global Medical Markets

The global medical markets are exploding, and so too are extracted products.

In just four years, global medical cannabis extract markets have transformed dramatically.

Over the past four years, the market has moved from basic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) producers supplying compound pharmacies to high-tech vaporizers and appetizing gummies. 

Although most medical markets only allow for oral drops, there is a growing creative trend toward products that do not resemble traditional medicines. This dramatic shift opens up demographics within countries that allow these innovative products.

[mikesassa]

Cannabis Raids Across the Globe Sound a Call For Proper Regulation

From California to Portugal and Thailand, global cannabis raids reveal a persistent and dangerous illicit market—fueled by poor regulation,

From California to Thailand, the raids keep coming. Illegal grows. Exploited workers. Broken systems.💥 Why is the unlicensed market STILL thriving while legal operators suffocate under taxes and red tape? The answer lies in decades of failed policy—and the global consequences are mounting. 🌍 Is it finally time to fix this industry for good?