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…
One Toronto cannabis retailer’s success with delivery
Toronto’s 1922 Cannabis is successfully making delivery their main focus by streamlining operations, partnering with Uber Eats, and simplifying product choices to enhance customer trust…
OPP provincial enforcement team again raids unlicensed cannabis store in London
Ontario Provincial Police say they raided an unlicensed cannabis store again in London on October 24, seizing cannabis, cash, and tobacco, charging one.
Winnipeg staff report recommends keeping designated production licensing in place
A new report from city staff in Winnipeg says there have been no public complaints or licence applications following the designated medical cannabis production zoning…
Legal pot shops in Vernon see surge in customers following recent raids
Cannabis retailers in Vernon, BC, say they’ve seen an increase in new customers following recent raids of several unlicensed stores operating just outside city limits.
BC wholesales nearly 40,000 kg of cannabis in Q2 2024, while direct delivery sees big declines
BC’s LDB sold nearly forty thousand kilograms of legal cannabis in Q2 2024 (July, August, and September), for a wholesale total of $147.2 million, a…
Surrey City Council to consider 12 cannabis stores, the first in the city
City Staff are recommending that Surrey City Council initiate rezoning applications on behalf of the eight successful applicants at twelve locations to permit Cannabis Retail…
Details emerging in CSU raids on OKIB land near Vernon, BC
BC’s Community Safety Unit, which focuses on enforcement of provincial retail cannabis rules, shut down several unlicensed cannabis stores in the Vernon area this week.
Ontario affirms $31 million commitment to take on illicit cannabis market
The Ontario government has affirmed their plan to invest $31 million over the next three years to take on illegal cannabis stores.
RCMP seize more than 120,000 cannabis edibles in large raid on Vancouver Island
RCMP Federal Investigators take down organized crime group, seize thousands of illicit “copycat” cannabis edibles.
Some Australian cannabis companies growing weary of Canadian imports
As Australia’s domestic medical cannabis market evolves, some companies are becoming frustrated with the country’s ongoing reliance on cannabis imports from Canada.
New Brunswickers prefer convenient cannabis products
According to a new annual report from Cannabis NB, New Brunswickers prefer more “convenient” cannabis products as the market continues to shift to products like…
Manitoba brings in almost $40 million in revenue from cannabis sales in 2023-2024
Manitoba sold $153.6 million worth of cannabis in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, bringing in $39.5 million in net revenue for the province.
Cannabis sales up 24% in Newfoundland and Labrador from last year
There was $87.6 million worth of cannabis sold in Newfoundland and Labrador in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, a nearly 24% increase from the previous year.
PEI sold nearly $25 million worth of cannabis in 2023-2024
PEI Cannabis sold $24,966,165 worth of cannabis in the year ended March 31, 2024, a total of 5,074 kilograms of weed.
BC pot shop fined for selling cannabis at too low of a price
A cannabis store in BC has been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for selling cannabis at too low of a price.
High levels of pesticides found in illegal cannabis vapes
A new study reveals high levels of chemical contaminants in illicit cannabis vape cartridges in Canada, including high levels of pesticide contamination.
AGLC quickly corrects course on sampling rule change
Alberta’s cannabis regulator is walking back a recent rule change for cannabis sampling, saying some of the messaging in an industry memo was incorrect.
Manitoba extending pause of “controlled access” licensing another 18 months
Manitoba is extending its review of licences that allow some convenience stores to sell cannabis until December 31, 2025.
AGLC says sampling restricted to retail store owners in Alberta (This decision has now been reversed)
The provincial cannabis regulator (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis) sent out a memo on October 18 to all cannabis licensees, representatives, and suppliers, reminding them…
Yukon cannabis report highlights need for cannabis consumption spaces for tourists
Municipalities in the Yukon say there is a need for public consumption spaces in the Territory to provide a legal space for tourists to smoke…
BC cannabis nursery and university collaborate on cannabis barcoding project
Life Cycle Botanics has teamed up with BC’s Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) to develop affordable methods for growers to more accurately identify what cannabis cultivars…
Six years in, Canada’s illicit cannabis market is making a comeback
Unlicensed cannabis stores are making a comback in parts of Canada, despite efforts to transition operators to the legal market. We examine how provinces are…
Week in Weed – October 12, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of cannabis industry news for the week ending October 12, 2024.
Bedrocan is returning to Canada
The Netherlands-based producer of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis for medical purposes received their licence to cultivate from Health Canada on September 27.
Streamlining excise stamps could go a long way to relieving regulatory burden, costs
Changing the federal excise rate has been at the top of the industry wish list since legalization began, but making logistical changes to how the…
OCS to open illegal pop-up “cannabis shop” in Toronto
The OCS will be hosting a fake cannabis store in Toronto on the sixth anniversary of legalization to highlight the need for consumers to distinguish…
BC Budtenders’ Union gives strike notice to Vancouver Canna Cabana
The BC Budtender’s Union says they have served a strike notice at a Canna Cabana store in Vancouver.
Study looks at impacts of cannabis legalization on organized crime in Canada
A recent study highlights how the illicit cannabis markets in Canada, especially in British Columbia and Ontario, have changed since cannabis was legalized in 2018.
Edmonton cannabis beverages company calls for more accurate testing
Bubble Bud Inc. is calling on Health Canada to do more to address what they say are flaws in potency testing for cannabis products, especially…
Lessons learned on choosing a processor, from one outdoor micro grower
A Vancouver Island micro cannabis cultivator who recently rescinded their federal license, cites challenges in finding a reliable processing partner as their biggest hurdle, not…
Are Canadians consuming less weed?
After four years of growth, Canadian cannabis use declined in 2023. Sales are cooling off and daily or near-daily use is down. Tobacco and heavy…
Mother Labs to bring branded cannabis to German market
A German pharmaceutical company says it will be partnering with Canadian cannabis nursery Mother Labs to bring a line of branded cannabis flower to the…
Aurora and UBC partner on research to breed fruity-smelling cannabis
The University of British Columbia (UBC) has received a grant to help improve the breeding of more fruity-smelling cannabis.
Police in Edmonton want help identifying man in fake beard robbing cannabis stores
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect who robbed two South Edmonton cannabis stores in the course of…
Report calls for more cohesion, public health focus to US cannabis laws
A new report from researchers in the US is calling on that country’s federal government to take the lead in more strictly regulating cannabis with…
Manitobans may finally be able to grow cannabis at home in 2025
Manitobans may finally be able to grow cannabis at home beginning in 2025, according to a new announcement from the provincial government.
Cannabis is no longer an election issue
Cannabis has lost its status as a major election issue. As the next federal election approaches, industry needs to re-engage the public and politicians to…
Cannabis sales continue to show signs of levelling off in Canada
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. In a…
Canadian Cannabis Leadership Summit 2024 in Ottawa
The Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is hosting its Canadian Cannabis Leadership Summit 2024 in Ottawa on Tuesday, October 1.
Arbitrator rules cannabis detection was not impairment
A federal arbitrator recently ruled that a train engineer who was found to have had cannabis in his system did not need to face penalties…
Aurora Cannabis receives patent related to autoflower cannabis
Following years of research, Aurora Cannabis received a patent that allows the company to better identify and select for autoflowering traits in cannabis plants.
Personal and designated medical registrations increase in early 2024 following years of declines
The number of people registering to access medical cannabis in Canada continues to decline, according to Health Canada’s most recent quarterly report. Those registering for…
Health Canada cannabis inspections: 2023-2024
Health Canada conducted a total of 662 inspections of cannabis licence holders in the year ending March 31, 2024, including 160 inspections of registered personal…
Unpackaged inventory of dried cannabis continued to decline in the first four months of 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….
New cannabis distribution warehouse coming to NWT
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. In a…
Cannabis farmgate in Canada: From farm to joint
While there are several thousand cannabis stores in Canada, consumers can purchase cannabis directly from the grower at just a handful of locations.
Four arrests in connection with cannabis store break-ins in Toronto and Durham Region
Toronto Police say they have made four arrests in connection with a series of break-ins of cannabis, electronics, and cellular phone stores in the Toronto…
Community Savings and We Can Capital expand factoring program
A BC-based credit union that has partnered with a BC financing agency to provide invoice factoring to BC cannabis producers says they have already provided…
Rifflandia’s “Splifflandia” to include official cannabis consumption space this year
BC Cannabis retailers Seed & Stone and Songhees Cannabis are providing the cannabis space at Victoria’s Rifflandia this year, at the Matullia Lands in Rock…
Safari Flower successfully exits creditor protection
Although entering into creditor protection can sometimes mean the end of the road for a business, one cannabis company used the process to successfully restructure…
SQDC sold $162.9 million worth of cannabis in Q1 2024-2025
In the first quarter of its 2024-2025 reporting period, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) brought in $23.9 million in net sales from $162.9 million…
Surrey wants cannabis store applications by September 17
Those interested in opening a cannabis store in Surrey, BC, have until Tuesday, September 17, to send in their application.
Cannabis sales increased in BC in 2023-2024
The BCLDB sold 135,348 grams of cannabis in the year ended March 31, 2024, a 27% increase from the previous year.
SNDL announces successful bid to purchase Indiva
SNDL Inc. has announced that its stalking horse bid has been chosen as the successful bid to acquire Indiva’s business and assets.
New Brunswick’s Crystal Cure to close up shop in hopes of a future reset
Crystal Cure Inc., a micro cannabis producer in Shediac Cape, New Brunswick, says it will cease its cannabis operations at the end of September, primarily…
SQDC opens new store outside Montreal with new product array
This week, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) opened its 100th cannabis store, in a suburb just outside Montreal.
Week in Weed – August 24, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of cannabis industry news for the week ending August 24, 2024.
OCS launches more detailed sales metrics for producers
Following an announcement in June, the OCS now confirms that starting August 23, it will begin providing more detailed wholesale metrics to cannabis producers.
Retail cannabis sales continue to cool off in Canada
Retail cannabis sales continued to cool off in Canada, with sales in April hitting a year-over-year low, with $518 million in sales compared to $525…
Edmonton Fringe Fest gets cannabis consumption space
An Edmonton festival welcomed its first official cannabis consumption space at this year’s Edmonton Fringe Festival from August 15-25th.
OPP raid two Indigenous-owned cannabis stores in London
Police in London, Ontario, closed at least two Indigenous-owned cannabis stores on August 21 as part of an enforcement action. Ontario Provincial Police say they…
Cannabis sales continue to increase in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia brought in $31.2 million in cannabis sales in the three months ended June 30, 2024, a 7.3% increase compared to the previous year…
Cannabis sales stay strong in New Brunswick
Cannabis sales bounced back in New Brunswick in the three months that ended June 30, 2024, following seasonal declines in the previous quarter from January…
Wholesale cannabis sales increase in BC while prices decline
LDG’s quarterly report indicates the amount of cannabis sold in BC continues to increase while the price continues to decrease.
Canada’s wholesale cannabis market shifting from buyers’ to sellers’
While the beginning of cannabis legalization in Canada was characterized by a surplus of product, many in the industry now say that trend has been…
Arrests, cannabis and tobacco seized in several raids in Moncton area
Department of Justice and Public Safety peace officers in New Brunswick conducted several raids at two Indigenous owned cannabis stores in the Moncton area.
Paradise Valley Botanics draws on decades of experience
Adam Mint of Paradise Valley Botanics wants to see the cannabis growers of the Kootenays to showcase decades of experience growing craft cannabis to the…
US governor blames legalization efforts in Florida on Canada
Florida Governor and failed US Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently lashed out at US cannabis MSO TruLieve, calling them a “Canadian company.”
Behind the recent “intoxicating cannabinoid” product recall
The company behind a recent recall of cannabis oils due to the “presumed presence” of HHC says they had no knowledge about or intention of…
Ontario needs coordinated approach to deal with growing number of unlicensed cannabis stores
Cannabis retailers in Toronto want to know what the city is going to do about a growing number of unlicensed cannabis stores.
Cannabis sales rebound in April/May following post-holiday declines
Retail cannabis sales continued to rebound in May following declines from a peak last summer.
Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club receives $3.2 million fine from BC gov
The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, an unlicensed medical cannabis dispensary that has been operating in Victoria since the 1990s, has been issued a $3.2 million…
Delta 9’s monitor files sale and investment process notice
Following Delta 9 Cannabis’s recent CCAA filing, the court-appointed Monitor has begun an investment process seeking interest in, and opportunities for, a sale of, or…
OCRC gets new board chair
OCS Board Chair Connie Dejak has resigned, ending her three-year term early. Former Toronto City Councillor Gary Crawford replaces her.
Health Canada plans to share document about health products containing CBD this fall
Health Canada plans to share a policy consultation document about health products containing cannabidiol (CBD) this fall.
Uber Eats and Leafly announce cannabis “delivery” expanding to Alberta
Uber Eats, in partnership with Leafly, announced that it would begin accepting orders from licensed AB cannabis stores at the end of July.
Changes coming to Canada’s largest cannabis market
The Ontario Cannabis Store is planning to begin reducing the number of products it carries in its warehouse by several thousand in the coming year…
CBSA seizes 140 pounds of cannabis at Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Border officers at Halifax Stanfield International Airport say they seized 140 pounds of suspected cannabis on Monday, July 22, in luggage destined for the UK.
Judge gives psilocybin store employee 60-day conditional sentence, calls for courts to emphasize deterrence and denunciation
A judge in Ontario issued a 60-day conditional sentence order, to be followed by a year of probation and 100 hours of community service, to…
Cannabis industry, Global Affairs Canada disappointed with Israel’s preliminary report
Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Cannabis Council say they are dismayed by the recent preliminary decision from the Israeli government to consider imposing import…
New federal cannabis licences continue to slow, micros take top spot
Micro cannabis licences were Canada’s most commonly-applied licence type, according to new figures from the agency.
Cannabis farmgate store in Victoria moves one step closer to reality
Victoria City Council has voted to support the application from the Victoria Cannabis Company (VCC) cannabis farmgate store at 340 Mary Street, in Victoria West.
Federal government responds to edibles petition
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. In a…
Alberta and BC reach agreement over wine sales. Cool, now do cannabis
BC and AB now allow BC wineries to ship directly to Alberta consumers, benefiting winemakers after severe crop damage. This move highlights the disparity in…
Adverse reports associated with cannabis declined for third year in a row
The number of reports received by Health Canada of adverse reactions associated with cannabis has declined for the third year in a row.
BC provides updates to cannabis sampling rules
BC’s cannabis branch has provided updates on its cannabis sampling rules for cannabis marketing licensees.
Large increase in volume of medical cannabis products supplied in New Zealand
A new quarterly report from the New Zealand Ministry of Health shows a significant uptick in the volume of cannabis products supplied for medical purposes…
Red Deer RCMP recover $19,000 worth of stolen cannabis
RCMP in Red Deer, Alberta, say they recovered some $19,000 worth of stolen cannabis, along with firearms, ammunition, and other stolen property, while executing a…