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
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…
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…
Preliminary report: Israel might apply import fees on Canadian cannabis
The Israeli Government has issued a preliminary decision on accusations that Canadian cannabis companies are dumping low-cost products in Israel’s medical cannabis market.
OCS shortens payment processing timelines for Flow-Through products
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) is reducing its payment processing timelines for products sold through its Flow-Through ordering program.
Expanding micro processing can benefit all micros
While some micro cultivators see little need for an expanded canopy, some micro processor believe the changes could benefit smaller craft producers.
Cannabis consumption space at Calgary music festival grows into its third year
Chinook Cannabis is hosting its third cannabis consumption space at the Badlands Music Festival, July 4-14, 2024.
Five private cannabis distributors now fully licensed by Manitoba’s LGCA
Manitoba has several private cannabis distributors now available for producers selling into the market and looking for an alternative to direct-to-retail shipping or cross-docking.
MediPharm to close Canna Farms facility, move medical sales to Ontario
Long-time BC cannabis producer Canna Farms is closing shop as its parent company shifts its medical platform to its Ontario facility.
Cannabis-related complaints to Ontario’s Ombudsman lowest since legalization
Ontario’s Ombudsman reports a near-record number of complaints in its recent 2023-2024 report, but a record-low amount of issues related to the province’s cannabis industry.
Australia’s cannabis regulator has issued more than $600,000 in fines
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued 35 infringement notices for the alleged unlawful advertising of medicinal cannabis on their websites and social media platforms.
Manitoba announces new cannabis product freshness criteria
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries announced new “product freshness criteria” effective July 15 to ensure fresher cannabis, including flower, edibles, extracts, and topicals.
Micros question proposed increase in canopy space
Health Canada recently proposed numerous changes to the federal cannabis regulations, including increasing capacity for micro cannabis cultivators and processors, as well as cannabis nurseries.
Nova Scotia sold $121 million worth of cannabis in 2023
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) released their most recent year-end financial report on June 25 covering April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024.
OCS plans to provide sales data to producers
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) says it plans to begin providing cannabis producers with more specific cannabis sales data, including access to store-specific information.
“Indige-Smoke” re-opens in Ontario, but without cannabis—for now
A chain of Indigenous-branded retail stores in Ontario that police have targeted in two series of raids for operating without a licence has re-opened—but without…
Ninth private retail store coming to New Brunswick
Retail Chain Cannabis Xpress says it plans to open its third store in New Brunswick soon, the first cannabis store in the small town of…
Vancouver VR company teams up with local retailer to create virtual cannabis store
ARCannabis, a cannabis retailer is partnering with a Vancouver-based Web3 company to develop a virtual cannabis store experience.
Retail cannabis sales year-over-year growth continues to slow, retail stores decrease
Retail cannabis sales rebounded in February and April after dropping to their lowest in nearly a year in January 2024, according to the most recent…
Atlas Global Brands granted CCAA protection
Atlas Global Brands, the company behind cannabis brands like D*gg Lbs, GreenSeal and Electric Lettuce, along with its subsidiaries, have been granted an initial order…
New cannabis patio opens in Mission, BC
Cheeky’s Cannabis store in BC is taking a second swing at hosting a cannabis-friendly patio space, this time in Mission.
Nova Scotia court rejects First Nations cannabis sovereignty argument
A Nova Scotia court has rejected a claim that the members of a First Nation can operate cannabis stores outside of provincial and federal cannabis…
Manitobans still waiting for right to grow cannabis at home
Although Manitoba recently passed legislation to allow people to grow cannabis at home, they could be waiting several months before the law actually comes into…
Study finds inaccurate labelling on some cannabis oils in Ontario
A study from researchers in Ontario says that some cannabis oils on the market in Canada are inaccurately labelled for THC and CBD.
Health Canada proposes numerous, significant regulatory changes
Health Canada released numerous proposed regulatory changes to the federal cannabis rules and regulations on June 7, as part of a 30-day consultation process ending…
Legacy Supply Chain’s new processing licence expands service capability in Ontario
Legacy Supply Chain, connected to OCS’s distribution warehouse ,recently received a federal cannabis processing licence.
Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke shares feedback on new cannabis regulations
The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Commission in Quebec released a report on its Cannabis Control Law draft Regulation Concerning Suppliers, and Regulations concerning alternate Board Members Feedback.
The SQDC contributed $258.8 million to Quebec in 2023
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) reports $662.1 million in sales for the fiscal year ending March 30, 2024, with a net income of $104.1…
Conservative MP says he would vote to recriminalize cannabis if given a chance
In a recent interview on a podcast, Alberta MP Arnold Viersen told host and Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith that he would vote for a bill…
Health Canada issues recall for cannabis products containing undeclared intoxicating cannabinoid
An Alberta-based cannabis company has recalled several cannabis oil and softgels due to the “presumed presence” of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), considered by Health Canada to be…
Manitoba passes legislation to allow growing cannabis at home
Bill 34, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act, which repealed Manitoba’s ban on growing up to four cannabis plants at home, passed on…
Alberta now allowing private label cannabis products
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) announced on May 31 that it will now allow private label cannabis products, effective immediately.
Study finds driving impairment was not correlated with blood THC
A recent study in Ontario looking at the effects of edible cannabis on simulated driving and blood THC levels found that driving impairment was not…
More budtenders joining unions in Canada
A “green wave” of cannabis store employees has been joining a union representing more than 40,000 workers across multiple sectors in Ontario.
Second cannabis store opens in Nunavut
A second cannabis store opened in Iqaluit, Nunavut, in April, to help serve the Territory’s population of around 33,000 people.
BC’s T’iitsk’in Spirit Ventures revive production at former CannTrust facility in Ontario
A company owned by a First Nation in BC is looking to grow cannabis in CannTrust’s old facility in Ontario.
Break-in at West Kelowna cannabis store
A cannabis store in West Kelowna was broken into in the early hours of Friday morning, leaving behind extensive damage and making off with a…
AGLC delisting more than 500 cannabis SKUs
The AGLC has notified several licensed producers that they will soon be de-listing more than 500 slow-selling SKUs from their central warehouse.
Hospital visits for cannabis among older Ontarians were increasing even before legalization
A study released this week shows that the annual rate of Emergency Department visits among older people in Ontario increased post-legalization.
New authority for inspectors in New Brunswick to deal with more than 100 illegal cannabis stores
New Brunswick recently passed new legislation to give provincial inspectors more authority to target a growing number of illegal cannabis stores.
Medical cannabis registrations continue to decline in Canada
Participation in Canada’s cannabis for medical purposes access program continues to decline in the wake of legalization, with about 5,000 fewer medical client registrations and…
Island Genetics takes scientific approach to living soil
Island Genetics in Ladysmith, BC, is one of a handful of cannabis producers in Canada growing in living soil. They are part of an even…
Alberta makes changes to retail secure storage, “simulated or actual mixing” of cannabis, and more
New cannabis stores in Alberta may have a chance to save money on their secure storage rooms after recently announced regulatory changes from the AGLC.
Cannabis stores in Ontario sold nearly $2 billion worth of cannabis in 2023
Cannabis stores in Ontario sold nearly $2 billion worth of cannabis in 2023 to more than 10 million people, a 12% increase in sales from…
BC again raids unlicensed cannabis shops on K’ómoks First Nation
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…
Organigram recalls small batch of its Big Bag o Buds for having too much THC
Organigram has recalled one lot of its dried cannabis sold in Ontario due to a labelling error.
OCS to allow farmgate stores to sell exclusive products
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) has plans to soon allow cannabis farmgate stores to sell cannabis products that are exclusive to their location.
Where is provincial cannabis tax revenue going?
When the Federal, provincial, and territorial governments discussed the federal excise tax rate in the lead-up to legalization in 2017, provinces successfully lobbied to receive…
Manitoba businesses caught off guard by province’s recent “pause” on “controlled access” retail cannabis licences
Two Manitoba businesses say they were caught off guard by a recent change to the province’s cannabis store licensing program, impacting their business plans.
Cannabis sales continue to cool off in BC for second quarter in a row
Cannabis sales declined in BC in the first three months of 2024 compared to the last three months of 2023 but still showed year-over-year growth.
Salt Spring too small for two cannabis stores, proposed location inappropriate, say residents, council
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…
Cannabis growers gearing up for spring
With this year’s outdoor planting season rapidly approaching, home cannabis growers will once again be looking for seeds and clones for their gardens.
OCS published its Social Impact Report
The Ontario Cannabis Store’s (OCS) Social Responsibility Strategy has distributed and invested over three-quarters of a million dollars and provided more than two dozen equity…
Farm Products Council of Canada seeks industry feedback on Industrial Hemp Promotion-Research Agency
The Farm Products Council of Canada is seeking industry feedback on its regulatory impact analysis statement (RIAS) for the creation of the Canadian Industrial Hemp…
Manitoba to pause issuing controlled access retail cannabis licences
The Manitoba government says it will be placing a temporary freeze on any new licences that allow convenience stores to sell cannabis.