When you’ve overseen public health funds for an entire nation, pivoting to the cannabis industry might seem like an unlikely move. But for Sasho Stefanoski, CEO of PHCANN International, the leap was less about change and more about continuity—bringing medical-grade discipline to one of the fastest-growing sectors in global wellness, with companies operating in Macedonia,Germany and Poland.
“My time in public sector, healthcare, and leadership roles gave me a deep understanding of how policy, regulation, and health systems interact,” Stefanoski explains. “Leading the Health Insurance Fund meant being responsible for millions of patients and hundreds of millions in public funds, where outcomes, compliance, and innovation mattered equally. That discipline transferred well to medical cannabis.”
PHCANN stood out to him as a rare opportunity to fuse healthcare innovation with international business, operating at a scale that could shape global markets. And that’s exactly what the company is doing—from a state-of-the-art, EU-GMP certified cultivation facility in Macedonia to active supply chains across Germany, Poland, the UK, Australia, Brazil and soon Ukraine.
From Policy to Plant
Stefanoski’s interest in cannabis was personal as much as professional. “I saw first-hand how many patients lacked safe, effective alternatives in traditional medicine,” he says. “Medical cannabis offers real therapeutic potential, especially in areas like chronic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety—conditions that are often poorly managed.”
But he also saw a fragmented global market in need of serious leadership. “On a business level, I saw an opportunity for consolidation, quality improvement, and innovation. Cannabis is reshaping how people think about wellness—it’s not just about treating illness anymore, but about mental health, sleep, and balance.”
Why Macedonia?
For PHCANN, Macedonia was the perfect launchpad. With its long agricultural history, skilled pharmaceutical labor force, and EU-aligned regulatory framework, the country offered Stefanoski a strategic base for European and global distribution.
“We built a facility that produces 15 tons annually under EU-GMP standards,” he says. “Our presence has helped shift local perceptions—from skepticism to pride. We’ve created hundreds of jobs, brought in foreign investment, and helped position Macedonia as a high-quality player in the global medical cannabis supply chain.”
Scaling Across the Globe
PHCANN’s operations now stretch across Poland, Germany, the UK, Australia, the Czech Republic, and Brazil, each with its own unique regulatory terrain. Stefanoski’s team strikes a balance between standardization and localization.
“We standardize what matters—quality, compliance, and brand integrity—while customizing distribution, marketing, and product mix to local dynamics,” he says.
Germany remains PHCANN’s cornerstone in Europe. Poland, surprisingly, is an emerging standout. “It’s early-stage but extremely receptive to medical cannabis with a strong pharmaceutical infrastructure,” Stefanoski notes. Australia, with its robust medical market, is also becoming a key area of expansion, especially as PHCANN prepares new product launches there.
Bringing Tyson 2.0 to Europe
A major milestone came when PHCANN partnered with Tyson 2.0, the brand founded by legendary boxer Mike Tyson. “Bringing Tyson 2.0 to Europe was a strategic breakthrough,” Stefanoski says. “It allowed us to pair a globally recognized brand with our cultivation and distribution expertise, creating immediate market traction.”
More than just a licensing play, the Tyson 2.0 partnership helped PHCANN evolve from a product supplier into a full-service brand builder. “We now offer partners a complete solution—from production to branding to market access. That’s changed how we operate and how we’re perceived in the industry.”
A Global Stage at Cannabis Europa
This year, PHCANN is stepping into the spotlight as the headline sponsor of Cannabis Europa in London, one of the most influential gatherings in the industry.
“Our goal is to drive a more serious conversation around scalability, quality, and international expansion,” Stefanoski says. “The industry needs fewer buzzwords and more operational excellence.”
PHCANN plans to highlight critical issues such as EU harmonization, pharmaceutical standards in cannabis, and building patient trust through consistency and data. “Sponsoring now sends a clear message: PHCANN is not only expanding but helping shape the next phase of the industry across Europe and beyond.”
Introducing PHCANN Exotics
With eyes on a growing demand for premium flower, PHCANN is set to release its PHCANN Exotics line this summer, starting in Germany, the UK, and Australia.
“This is our response to a demand for high-potency, terpene-rich flower,” Stefanoski says. The line includes Black Amber, Red Pop, and Spritzer—each selected for distinct profiles and consistent effects. But it’s not just about potency. “What makes it special is the brand positioning: a luxury-grade experience, rooted in medical-grade quality.”
What’s Next?
The next 6 to 12 months will be a pivotal phase for PHCANN. The company plans to expand its brand portfolio, increase market penetration in key territories, and introduce new product formats—including extracts and vapes under both house and partner brands.
“We’re also enhancing our partnerships with clinics and digital health platforms to create more integrated patient access,” Stefanoski adds.
The mission, at its core, remains the same: build trust, improve access, and lead with integrity. “For partners, this means stronger supply chains and co-branding opportunities. For patients, it means more choice, better access, and greater confidence in what they’re consuming.”
Find full story in Honeysuckle's Issue 22 Mary Jane Edition, available online soon!
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