9 retail cannabis locations to move to public hearing in Surrey in April
A public hearing for nine cannabis retail store applications in Surrey will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Researchers announce development of powdery mildew resistance for cannabis plants
Aurora Cannabis Inc. says it has discovered a novel source of genetic resistance against a common fungal disease that affects cannabis plants.
How Trump’s trade war is impacting Canadian cannabis supply chains
Although Canadian cannabis is not directly impacted by the emerging trade war with the US, many aspects of the cannabis industry supply chain could be.
TRYGG Collective acquires Tricanna Industries through RVO
BC-based TRYGG Collective has acquired cannabis processor Tricanna Industries through a court-approved RVO process, says TRYGG CEO and Founder Fabrizio Rossi.
Legal cannabis plants do not void policy, rules BC Court of Appeal
A BC Court of Appeal judge has sided with a man who previously had an insurance claim denied due to a small, legal cannabis grow…
Simply Solventless seeks to acquire CanadaBis/Stigma Grow
Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. (SSC) has entered into a deal to acquire Stigma Cannabis.
Updates to cannabis rules and regulations now made public
Health Canada has published their scheduled updates to the Cannabis Regulations, Hemp Regulations, and Cannabis Act, streamlining some aspects of the regulations to benefit the…
Dutch coffee shops say supply chain experiment not ready for April 7 deadline
A group of cannabis coffee shops in the Netherlands say the market needs more time to adjust before the next phase of the country’s legal…
Cannabis producers want to play their part in push to strengthen Canada’s economy
As Canadians focus on ways to strengthen their economy in the wake of ongoing threats from the current US government, many in the Canadian cannabis…
Health Canada seeks more feedback on CBD as a natural health product, and CBD for pets
Health Canada has released a new consultation document looking at the potential regulatory path for CBD to be regulated as a natural health product.
Manitoba bill seeks to end controlled-access licences in urban areas
New proposed amendments to Manitoba’s regulations would limit cannabis sales to age-restricted stores in urban areas of the province.
Cannabis continues to be excluded from interprovincial trade discussions
While most provinces—excluding PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador—have agreed to allow interprovincial alcohol sales directly to consumers, the cannabis industry was left out of the…
Updates to cannabis regulations expected March 12
Details on updates to Canada’s cannabis regulations are expected on March 12, 2025, according to recently-published Orders in Council.
Emerging and ongoing trends in Canadian cannabis sales
Cannabis sales hit nearly half a billion dollars in December 2024, but overall retail growth is slowing. Year-over-year growth remains at 5-6%, driven by customer…
Australian and Swiss companies enter agreement to commercialize CBD for insomnia in Australia
Australian biotech company Avecho and Swiss company Sandoz, which focuses on “off-patent’ medicines, has announced an exclusive ten-year deal for the rights to a CBD…
Week in Weed – March 1, 2025
StratCann’s weekly round-up of cannabis industry news for the week ending March 1, 2025.
Village Farms launches first cannabis shipment to New Zealand
US-based Village Farms International, Inc. has announced its first shipment of medical cannabis to New Zealand through its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary Pure Sunfarms.
Canopy announces launch of its Tweed brand in German medical cannabis market
Another Canadian cannabis producer has announced the launch of more products into the growing medical cannabis market in Germany.
Calgary passes motion to move forward with on-site cannabis sales at events
Calgary City Council voted 8-6 in favour of a motion to have city staff align the city’s bylaws to allow a permitting process and festival…
High Tide pauses plan to acquire Germany’s Purecan GmbH
High Tide Inc. has paused its previously announced acquisition of 51% of Germany’s Purecan GmbH.
Health Canada releases first results from cannabis data gathering program from legal and illegal markets
The first results from Health Canada’s Cannabis Data Gathering Program found that nearly half of the 50 samples of legal cannabis tested had THC levels…
Colombian Agricultural Institute posts draft requirements for Canadian cannabis imports
A draft resolution from the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), which seeks to create a pathway for the importation of cannabis from Canada, is raising questions…
Swiss health committee approves plan to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use
The proposal is to regulate cannabis for non-medical purposes through a new legal carve-out that keeps it defined as a narcotic through a lens of…
Cannabis sales continue to increase in Quebec
The SQDC reported a net and overall result of $40.5 million for the third quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which ended January 4, 2025….
Ontario county bylaw effective at managing designated cannabis production sites
Norfolk County in Ontario has concluded five years of bylaw enforcement of cannabis production sites, according to a new report.
Calgary city councillor wants to allow cannabis sales at events in the city
A city councillor in Calgary is trying to bring the city’s rules about cannabis sales at events in line with provincial rules put in place…
Cannabis Xpress to open new location in Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Private retail chain Cannabis Xpress is opening its fourth private retail store in New Brunswick, located in the town of Dalhousie, about a three-hour drive…
Producers can now enter into private label agreements with multiple retailers for the same product in Alberta
Effective immediately, licensed cannabis producers may enter into a private label agreement with multiple retailers in Alberta for the same product or products.
The Australian Capital Territory’s home grown cannabis laws are serving the community
A recent Australian study found that decriminalizing home grown cultivation and possession in the ACT met community needs and had minimal unintended consequences.
Cannabis tech company taking part in Canadian trade mission to Australia
GrowerIQ, a Canadian cannabis ERP company, will represent Team Canada in an upcoming trade mission to Australia.
Village Farms’ first Leli Holland harvest to reach coffee shops soon
Following its first commercial harvest in January, Canada-and-US-based Village Farms says it has now started processing orders and deliveries into the Dutch market from its…
Wholesale flower prices expected to continue to rebound in 2025, domestic market will continue to slow
The Bulk Wholesale Cannabis and Distillate Pricing Report provides an overview of the 2024 market and looks ahead at what 2025 holds.
Canadian CEO sues US agencies over harassment at the border for connections to cannabis industry
The CEO of a BC-based company has sued the United States Department of Homeland Security, saying they detained, interrogated, and harassed him over the cannabis-related…
Wholesale cannabis sales in BC remain relatively stable in Q3 2024, direct delivery sales rebound
Wholesale cannabis sales in BC in the last three months of 2024 (Q3 2024) were $146.9 million, up 7.5% from the same period in 2023,…
Province raids two unlicensed cannabis stores in Vancouver
Two unlicensed cannabis stores in Vancouver were raided by the BC Community Safety Unit on January 29, according to store owner Dana Larsen, in a…
Court rejects CRA’s concerns in Delta 9 application
A Justice of the Court of Alberta has approved Delta 9’s sanction order and stay extension while rejecting the CRA’s recent objections to parts of…
New government could mean big delays in cannabis industry demands
The Canadian cannabis industry faces uncertainty with a potential federal leadership change, early election, and possible delays in addressing key industry concerns.
New Brunswick issues RFQ for several new private cannabis stores
The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (NBLC) has issued four new Requests for Quotations (RFQ) for four new privately-run cannabis stores in the province.
True North and associated companies file for creditor protection
On January 24, 2025, the parent company of True North Cannabis Co., as well as Bamboo Blaze, and real estate holding company 888, filed for…
Green Acre finds success with living soil craft cannabis
Nestled on one acre on a 1,200-acre farm east of Edmonton sits Green Acre, a micro cultivator run by a small family team in St….
Ontario cannabis retailers frustrated after recent string of robberies
Some Ontario cannabis retailers are again calling on the provincial government to make changes to provincial rules that they say are making them targets for…
Researchers at UBC measure hits from the bong
Researchers at the University of British Columbia say they have created a new way to quantify what constitutes a single serving of cannabis.
Expand legal market to better compete with illegal online sales, says U of M researcher
A survey study from researchers at the University of Montreal found that the majority of illicit cannabis websites in Canada prefer e-transfers to using cryptocurrency.
First harvest from Village Farms’ Netherlands facility to reach stores in coming weeks
The first legal cannabis from Village Farms’ facility in the Netherlands will be available to consumers in the coming weeks, according to local news.
Canada’s medical cannabis market remains steady, exports continue to increase
The number of client registrations with federally licensed sellers of cannabis for medical purposes continued to remain fairly stable from March 2023 to June 2024.
Hand-crafted Hash Holes a hit in the Canadian market
Two BC companies are bringing a joint experience to the market as the nation’s cannabis industry continues to mature and evolve.
Cannabis sales and inventory figures through June 2024
The Government of Canada recently released newly updated sales and inventory figures for the cannabis industry, highlighting changing trends as the industry continues to mature.
Micros again the most popular licence type in 2024
The number of new micro cultivators and processors licensed in 2024 outpaced standard licenses by almost a two-to-one ratio.
Tilray Medical wins tender to supply Luxembourg with medical cannabis
Tilray Medical, a division of Tilray Brands, Inc., announced on January 6 that its German subsidiary, Tilray Deutschland GmbH, has secured a tender to supply…
Manitoba’s home grow cannabis bill could come into force in April
The Manitoba government is seeking feedback on its proposed repeal of the prohibition on adults growing up to four cannabis plants at home. The law…
Health Canada expects to publish cannabis sampling program results in coming months
In 2023, Health Canada announced it would launch a new data-gathering program for cannabis markets in Canada. The program would include sampling and testing of…
What could an early election mean for the cannabis industry and pending regulatory changes?
Exploring the potential impacts of an early federal election on the Canadian cannabis industry.
RCMP in Nova Scotia shut down unlicensed cannabis storefront
A public hearing for nine cannabis retail store applications in Surrey will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025. The stores, if approved, will be…
BC’s third cannabis farmgate store plans to open in early 2025
BC’s third cannabis farmgate store received provincial approval recently, with plans to welcome customers in February.
BC researchers looking at impacts of cannabis use on driving abilities
Dr. Jeff Brubacher of UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute is using driving simulations to explore the impacts of medical cannabis on road safety…
Federal government “exploring” single harmonized cannabis excise stamp
The federal government will explore a single, harmonized federal excise duty stamp as part of a red tape reduction measure outlined in its 2024 Fall…
Health Canada may request supporting evidence for some medical cannabis authorizations
Health Canada recently sent a memo to provincial colleges of physicians advising them that it may contact health care practitioners to ask for evidence to…
New retail cannabis project in Germany could be good news for Canadian cannabis exporters
A new research project could allow for cannabis to be sold in retail stores in up to 25 different German cities, supplied by authorized cannabis…
Federal government fails to implement “ambitious” program to streamline cannabis pardons by deadline
Canada’s Bill C-5, passed in 2022, mandates sequestering simple drug possession records, including cannabis, by 2024, removing them from criminal background checks—a complex process across…
BC businesses team up to research effects of e-beam irradiation on cannabis
A cannabis education group has teamed up with a cannabis testing lab in BC to look into the impacts of remediation on cannabis.
BC’s Community Savings provides support for cannabis industry
BC’s Community Savings Credit Union president and CEO Mike Schilling says his phone has been ringing off the hook with queries from cannabis businesses following…
Health Canada: Only about 5% of cannabis purchases in Canada come from irregular sources
The vast majority of cannabis purchases in Canada continue to come from legal sources, according to Health Canada’s annual cannabis survey.
PEI amends 2021 vaping legislation to note it doesn’t apply to cannabis products
However, there has been no change in policy in regard to what products PEI Cannabis Management Corporation (PEICMC) can sell.
Nova Scotia sells $32.6 million worth of cannabis in Q2 2024
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) saw $32.6 million in cannabis sales in the three months ended September 29, 2024 (Q2 2024), a 3.9% increase…
Group seeking to enrol 1,000 Canadian medical cannabis patients for observational study
Canadian cannabis company Avicanna recently announced their participation in an observational study looking at the potential therapeutic use of medical cannabis for issues like pain,…
AGLC makes several updates, clarifications to retail cannabis and cannabis representative policies
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has made amendments to its Retail Cannabis Store Handbook and the Cannabis Representative Handbook Cannabis.
Cannabis vapes coming to SQDC by fall 2025
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) is adding vaping products to its product offering, but consumers will have to wait a year or so to…
More than $20 million in cuts to Health Canada’s cannabis program over next three years
Health Canada’s cannabis program will see about $20.5 million in cuts over the next three years as part of the federal government’s goal of finding…
Australian Senate rejects cannabis legalization bill
The Australian Senate voted to discontinue debating a cannabis legalization bill on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Trudeau, Poilievre trade barbs in QP over cannabis legalization
During a debate in the House of Commons regarding issues Canada is facing with the incoming US President, Justin Trudeau and Pierre Polievre briefly squared…
Canadian Cannabis Council, Global Affairs Canada question Israel’s Canadian cannabis report
The Canadian Cannabis Council (C3) says it continues to be surprised by the allegations of “product dumping” of cannabis from Canada by the Israeli government.
Health Canada grants cannabis testing licence to Brock University
Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, has received an analytical testing license from Health Canada.
Israel’s Ministry of Health says tariffs on Canadian cannabis will harm patients, benefit illicit market
Israel’s Ministry of Health takes issue with tariffs proposed by Israel’s Ministry of Economy on cannabis imported from Canada.
Cannabis NB launches Good To Know cannabis awareness campaign
Cannabis NB has launched an education campaign aimed at informing consumers about the risks of illegal cannabis products.
Monthly retail cannabis sales in Canada continue to hold under the $500 million mark
Retail cannabis sales in Canada continue to hold relatively steady year-over-year, with the summer peak in sales in August reaching $4.76 million, up slightly from…
Alberta sold $673.5 million worth of cannabis in 2023-2024
The AGLC brought in $63.9 million in net revenue from $673.5 million worth of cannabis sold in the province for the year ended on March…
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek seeks negotiations with Ontario on retail cannabis
Ontario NDP MPP France Gélinas urges provincial response on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek’s request for retail cannabis negotiations during Bill 223 debate.
Two Chinese nationals in UK jailed for importing cannabis from Canada in “significant criminal enterprise”
Two Chinese students were jailed in the UK for their part in a conspiracy to import cannabis from Canada.
CRA has written off nearly $5 million in cannabis excise tax
The Canada Revenue Agency has written off nearly $5 million worth of excise tax on cannabis as uncollectable, as of September 21, 2024.
Ontario cannabis retailer fined $100,000 for illegal “data deals”
A cannabis retailer in Ontario will have to pay a $100,000 fine for pursuing and accepting prohibited payments from licensed cannabis producers.
Ontario introduces legislation that would impose new penalties for advertising and promoting illegal cannabis
Ontario proposed legislation to combat illegal cannabis sales by prohibiting advertising and promotion of illicit cannabis under provincial law.
Cannabis industry takes steps to manage Canada Post strike
Following a strike announcement by the union representing Canada Post workers, cannabis companies in Canada say they are taking steps to ensure customers can still…
Law firm says SQDC broke provincial rules with “rotating” SKU pricing
A law firm in Quebec has modified an application for a class action suit against the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) relating to how the…
BC Gov seeks to seize two properties they say are connected to cannabis trafficking
The BC Government filed a civil lawsuit in the BC Supreme Court on November 12 against a Kelowna business they say was purchased with and…
One man’s journey to grow the cheapest cannabis in Canada
Todd Veri, a long-time cannabis grower in BC’s Kootenay region, pursued a federal license for outdoor cannabis farming after legalization. His initial co-op venture faced…
Tilray’s Aphria RX facility launches its first German-grown cannabis
Tilray Medical has launched its first commercial-grown medical cannabis flowers from its Aphria RX GmbH facility in Germany.
SQDC records record profits as consumer demand shifts to lower-margin products
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) recorded a new record for net revenue in its second quarterly report for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board issues first micro cannabis production licence
The Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board has issued their first cannabis production licence, a micro cultivator called MSJ Cultivation.
Israel: Report now proposes up to 175% tax on Canadian cannabis imports
Israel’s Ministry of Economy has proposed levies of up to 175% on Canadian cannabis products being sold in the country’s medical cannabis program.
Conservative BC MLA blames legalization for illegal weed bust
A recently re-elected BC MLA is in hot water with the province’s legal cannabis industry following a recent comment she made on social media platform…