Canada tables final Report of the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act
The Government of Canada released its final report on its review of the Cannabis Act, identifying 54 recommendations and 11 observations on how to strengthen…
Ontario Chamber of Commerce calls on province to modernize cannabis sector
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has called on the province to modernize the Ontario cannabis market as part of its 2024 provincial budget submission.
Kelowna cannabis store takes one week suspension for failure to ID minor
A cannabis store in Kelowna, BC, will have to close for a week in April after an employee was alleged to have sold cannabis to…
Cannabis sales increased in Nova Scotia to more than $111 million, driven by sales of local products
The figures, shared in the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation‘s annual report for 2022-2023, show a 9.3% increase in sales from the previous year and a…
Cannabis industry wonders when their relief is coming, too
On March 9, the Canadian government said it plans to provide thousands of dollars in alcohol excise duty relief to Canadian businesses, particularly local craft…
Ontario bans home grows in (some) child care settings, allows for agreements with First Nations cannabis stores
Ontario passed legislation this week that, among other things, bans growing cannabis in homes where childcare services are provided and further allows the province to…
AGLC reports its first cannabis profits
Alberta’s cannabis distribution agency posted its first year of profits for fiscal year 2022-2023, bringing in over $18 million from over $600 million in sales…
Cannabis sales continued to increase in 2022-2023, with extracts leading the charge
Stats Canada reports that cannabis sales and related activities brought in $1.9 billion for the provincial and federal governments in the year ending March 31,…
Manitoba group files appeal against cannabis home grow ban
The group challenging Manitoba’s ban on growing cannabis at home filed an appeal on March 1, 2024, against a recent court decision to uphold the…
Ontario cannabis store finds creative way to get around social media restrictions
Ontario cannabis retailer Stok’d Cannabis has released a series of ads it says circumvent social media platforms’ restrictions on cannabis advertisements by promoting neighbouring brands.
House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance calling for changes to cannabis tax
The Government of Canada released its final report on its review of the Cannabis Act, identifying 54 recommendations and 11 observations on how to strengthen…
The SQDC pulls back on operating hours of twelve branches
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) says it will be adjusting the closing time of a dozen locations across the province.
Infrastructure is key to hemp industry’s growth
Industrial hemp is beginning to get a foothold in North America, but the emerging industry still has a long way to go before it becomes…
Week in Weed – February 17, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 17, 2024
BC allows smoking, vaping cannabis on public patios, cannabis stores can now promote places to consume
BC has announced changes to its cannabis regulations that allow retail cannabis stores to promote a place to consume cannabis or to spend time after…
BC CSU raids cannabis stores on K’ómoks First Nation
BC’s Community Safety Unit (CSU) conducted several raids of cannabis stores operating in K’ómoks First Nation on Wednesday, February 14.
Health Canada confirms cannabis samples are allowed
Despite some concerns posted online recently, Heath Canada has confirmed that cannabis producers can provide samples to provincially licensed cannabis retailers and their employees.
Week in Weed – February 10, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 10, 2024
Beaumont, Alberta passes new rules for medical cannabis production
The city of Beaumont, Alberta recently passed new rules to restrict the production of medical cannabis to agricultural land or light industrial areas.
Canadian cannabis nursery to import unique New Zealand genetics
Canadian cannabis producer Apollo Green will carry genetics supplied by a New Zealand medical cannabis company, Rua Bioscience.
Navigating the world of bankruptcy, restructuring in the cannabis industry
Five years into Canada’s legal non-medical cannabis market, industry maturation is evident, with many companies closing despite ongoing licence issuances.
Week in Weed – February 3, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 3, 2024.
Alberta makes changes to cannabis sampling rules, event sales, and more
AGLC made several changes related to authorizations to sell cannabis at age-gated events, new guidance for cannabis sampling, and cannabis sales between retail stores, among…
C3’s George Smitherman steps down, organization seeks new President & CEO
The Canadian Cannabis Council (C3) announced today that its President & CEO is stepping down.
BC’s cannabis market continues to mature, as sales appear to plateau
The figures were released as part of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) Q3 report for 2023, covering October, November, and December.
Week in Weed – January 27, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending January 27, 2024.
Kootenay Aeroponic has deep roots in BC’s cannabis community
With several decades of experience growing cannabis, the two-person team at Kootenay Aeroponic has roots that go deep into the cannabis community in southeastern BC.
Israel opens “anti-dumping” investigation into cannabis imports from Canada
Israel’s Ministry of Economy has sent notice to cannabis producers in Canada that it is initiating an anti-dumping investigation concerning the importation of medical cannabis…
Fraser Valley Regional District holding public hearing for new zoning regs for cannabis production
The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) in British Columbia will hold a public hearing on February 6 to discuss new regulations for cannabis producers.
Surrey releases proposal for up to 12 cannabis stores in BC’s second largest city
Surrey, BC, is proposing to allow up to 12 cannabis stores. Residents are invited to complete a survey to provide feedback on the draft framework,…
Ontario Court rules “frivolous” statement of claim against cannabis retailer had no hope of succeeding
An Ontario judge has ruled a statement of claim by one cannabis retailer against another, as well as the provincial cannabis regulator, is frivolous and…
Cannabis added to Canadian Free Trade Agreement, but cross-province sales not likely any time soon
The newest version of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) has now been expanded to include trade in non-medical cannabis.
Week in Weed – January 20, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending January 20, 2024.
Waiting for Trudeau
Cannabis legalization was one of the crown jewels of Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada, but the Liberals have been almost entirely absent from the file…
Week in Weed – January 13, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending January 13, 2024.
BC continues to debate increasing 8-store cap for cannabis retailers
The BC government says it needs more time before it decides on previously announced potential changes to its retail cannabis rules, such as the number…
Week in Weed – January 6, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending January 6, 2024.
Drunk driver crashes into cannabis store in Ontario
A drunk driver crashed into a cannabis store in Ontario on January 4 in the town of Cardinal, about an hour drive south of Ottawa.
New micros outpaced standard cannabis licences in 2023, while revocations of both increased
2023 saw an increase in Canadian cannabis production licence revocations and expirations as some producers exited the industry. However, new licence holders entered the arena,…
Week in Weed – December 30, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending December 30, 2023.
Week in Weed – December 23, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending December 23, 2023.
Cannabis stores in Canada continue to be targets for robbers and burglars
Cannabis stores in Canada continue to be targets for robbers and burglars.
Eight Canadian cannabis labs team up to test accuracy of dried flower, pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls
A new research project looking at THC levels in different products on the Canadian market is once again highlighting the lack of reliably labelled dried…
Week in Weed – December 16, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending December 16, 2023.
Week in Weed – December 9, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending December 9, 2023.
Judge sides with First Nation in ownership dispute over cannabis store
The owners of a chain of cannabis stores that operate on First Nation land in Canada had one of their stores appropriated by a BC…
Wholesale cannabis prices appear to be rebounding
While an excess supply of wholesale cannabis flower has been driving prices down over the past few years, it is possible cannabis sellers are beginning…
Industry mixed on new OCS THC testing program
Many are supportive of the recent OCS announcement about testing some cannabis flower products that come through its central distribution warehouse, some say the provincial…
Week in Weed – December 2, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending December 2, 2023.
Victoria cannabis store sharing profits with employees
Starting December 1, Pineapple Victoria retail store owners have decided to become a profit-sharing business with their half-dozen employees.
OCS to begin temporary THC testing program in 2024
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) will be testing high-THC cannabis products sold in Ontario as part of a new pilot program launching in January.
Week in Weed – November 25, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending November 25, 2023.
Week in Weed – November 18, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending November 18, 2023.
Petition to increase THC limit for edibles gains traction, MP support
NORML Canada is petitioning the government of Canada to raise the THC limit on edibles from 10 mg per package to 100 mg THC.
Week in Weed – November 11, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending November 11, 2023.
High taxes, regulatory fees, low margins meant the end of the road for OGEN
The race to the bottom in prices is good for consumers but bad for growers, says Darren Brisebois, President of OGEN cannabis, which closed the…
No more “ingestible extracts” means some BC consumers discovering cannabis capsules
The brief appearance of ingestible extracts on cannabis shelves and their subsequent disappearance has potentially introduced more consumers to cannabis oil capsules, say some BC…
Week in Weed – November 4, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending November 4, 2023.
Sales, stores continue to increase in BC as prices continue to drop
The number of stores and the amount of cannabis sold in BC has continued to increase while the price of cannabis products continues to drop.
Health Canada still says cannabis intended to be consumed as food is not an extract
Health Canada says it is currently in the “redetermination process” regarding its initial ruling on Edison Jolts from Organigram.
BC has seized more than $38 million in illicit cannabis since 2019
The BC Community Safety Unit has seized $3 million worth of cannabis so far this year, for a total of $38.18 million since it began…
Organigram says Jolts coming back to several provincial markets after Health Canada considers initial classification decision on the product to be void
Organigram, the New Brunswick producer that had its Jolts lozenges taken off shelves earlier this year, says it is again offering the “ingestible extract” product…
New concerns over possible “ingestible extracts” and cannabis lozenges
Health Canada says it has again identified several edible cannabis products it deems as being incorrectly sold as cannabis extracts.
Few BC growers interested in farmgate a year after program launched
Nearly one year into the launch of BC’s cannabis farmgate program, some growers say the current cost to participate is too high for them.
BC cannabis company asking the provincial government for tax money back
Carleen Roth, the COO at CannGroup, a cannabis processor in north Okanagan, is launching a petition calling on the provincial government to provide relief to…
Week in Weed – October 21, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending October 21, 2023.
New Brunswick cannabis producer shifts to micro licence
Crystal Cure Inc., a cannabis producer in Shediac Cape, announced today that it has successfully downgraded its licences for cultivation and processing to micro licences.
Cannabis-infused restaurant opens in Edmonton
A small restaurant in Edmonton is now serving cannabis-infused food and drink through a partnership with a local licensed cannabis producer.
Manitoba court upholds province’s ban on growing cannabis at home
In a ruling posted on Friday, October 13, a Manitoba judge dismissed an application by a resident who was challenging the legality of Manitoba’s ban…
Week in Weed – October 14, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending October 14, 2023.
AGLC announces several rule changes for cannabis producers, retailers
Alberta has recently made several changes to its cannabis rules and regulations, including enabling self-attestation for age-gating for retailers, providing producers with more information about…
The Cannabis Act review will not save your business
The current review of Canada’s Cannabis Act is a legislative review focussing on public health and safety concerns, not regulatory changes.
BC First Nation utilizing new “sovereign” edibles store next to their own provincially-licensed retail store
A First Nations-owned cannabis producer and retailer is now taking what they say is a “hybrid approach” to cannabis sales on their reserve lands.
Week in Weed – October 7, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending October 7, 2023.
Monograph on cannabis flower to be published in European Pharmacopoeia
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) expects to hold a webinar for its members on December 14, 2023 to present…
Cannabis regulations add to overall administrative burden in Canada
As part of an annual report from Health Canada, the Administrative Burden Baseline, the government tracks all federal regulations that are administered by Health Canada…
OCS recalls cannabis gummies due to possible mold contamination
The OCS posted a cannabis product recall on October 4 for Port North’s Lemon Z Rosin solventless gummies.
Compliance and enforcement efforts continue to increase, especially for personal and designated growers
Health Canada increased the number of inspections it conducted in the most recent fiscal year, compared to the year prior, especially of personal and designated…
AGLC reduces SKU listing fee listing for cannabis producers
Beginning October 1, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) is reducing the SKU listing fee for cannabis producers.
Week in Weed – September 30, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending September 30, 2023.
Quebec police officer under investigation following alleged perjury in medical cannabis case
A sergeant with the Sûreté du Québec is currently under criminal investigation related to alleged false statements she made while investigating a medical production licence.
Cannabis producers can now provide samples to cannabis stores in BC
The BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) has updated its regulations to allow cannabis retail store licensees and their employees to accept samples from…
Week in Weed – September 23, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending September 23, 2023.
BC launches new data report for cannabis producers
The BC LDB will soon launch a new data report that they say will help provide licensed producers with better insight into which retailers are…
BC court rejects retailers’ lawsuit calling for enforcement against cannabis stores on First Nations land
A BC court has thrown out a lawsuit filed by several BC cannabis retailers who say the government has failed to enforce its own regulations.
Reported cannabis use in Canada not increasing with legalization
The number of Canadians who reported ever smoking or vaping cannabis did not increase from 2021 to 2022, according to new figures from the federal…
AGLC reverses decision on including CBN, THCV in THC total
In a letter to licensed producers today, the AGLC now says it will be reversing a recent policy to include CBN and THCV in THC…
Week in Weed – September 16, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending September 16, 2023.
Victoria Cannabis Co moves one step closer to their cannabis farmgate licence
In a 7-2 vote in a city council meeting on September 14, The Victoria Cannabis Company (VCC) received approval from the city to move one…
HC: 28 targeted inspections and 3 compliance verifications so far this year to verify THC levels
Health Canada has conducted more than two dozen inspections of cannabis producers this year for the purpose of verifying the THC level of cannabis products.