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.
Pitt Meadows takes final step in approving its first cannabis store
Pitt Meadows, BC, has now formally approved its first cannabis store.
BC cannabis producer Tricanna victim of break and enter
Tricanna, who works with numerous cannabis growers, was broken into in the early morning of September 11.
Proposal to abolish medical cannabis tax fails to become Conservative Party policy
A policy proposal to abolish tax on cannabis for medical purposes did not have a chance to become officially considered as party policy at the…
Week in Weed – September 9, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending September 9, 2023.
Victoria cannabis grower seeks support for farmgate application
The Victoria Cannabis Company is trying to generate support for its application with the city for a cannabis farmgate licence.
Conservative policy proposal to abolish medical cannabis tax moves step closer to party policy
The proposal calls on the Conservative Party of Canada to adopt a policy that will “abolish the excise tax on medical cannabis, fostering compassionate patient…
Week in Weed – September 2, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending September 2, 2023.
Vancouver cannabis store avoids penalties after employee sells cannabis to minor
Eggs Canna, a cannabis retailer in BC, has avoided penalties after an employee sold edibles to a minor in a sting operation.
Atlantic Cultivation purchases Tantalus brand, products
Atlantic Cultivation, a cannabis producer that also operates retail stores in Newfoundland, recently completed a purchase of cannabis from BC’s Tantalus Labs.
Week in Weed – August 26, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending August 26, 2023.
Pesticide use widespread in the illicit market, while legal market cleans up its act
Researchers at Health Canada’s pesticide lab with the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch conducted a study that took samples of dried cannabis flower from the…
Regulatory fees, paperwork, security requirements more challenging for small producers
A new review of Health Canada’s cost recovery program for cannabis licence holders found the health agency recovered less than half of the cost of…
AGLC says CBN policy based on federal guidelines, while Health Canada, provinces say otherwise
Alberta’s AGLC maintains it has considered CBN within the THC limits on cannabis products based on Health Canada guida, four other provincial cannabis agencies say…
Week in Weed – August 19, 2023
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending August 19, 2023.
Two BC cannabis companies in conflict over payment
Two BC cannabis companies are at odds over payment for a large quantity of cannabis, according to two filings in BC court this past week.
AGLC delisting some cannabis products that contain CBN
A cannabis producer says they were recently told their product would no longer be sold in Alberta due to them containing too much CBN.
ShuCanna receives cannabis farmgate store in Salmon Arm
ShuCanna Growers, a micro cultivator and processor located on the Trans Canada Highway on the outskirts of Salmon Arm, recently received their Production Retail Store…
Legal medical cannabis lowers individual market health insurance premiums in US
Recent US research reveals that legalizing medical cannabis significantly reduces health insurance premiums, saving approximately $16 billion annually.
Week in Weed – August 12, 2023
The weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending August 11, 2023.
Some Winnipeg cannabis retailers concerned with province allowing sales in gas stations
Some retailers in Winnipeg say they are frustrated by the province issuing a retail cannabis licence to a gas station/convenience store, something they worry could…
Changes to OCS privacy policy could mean customer data stored outside of Canada
The Ontario Cannabis Store is making a change to its privacy policy that could potentially result in customers’ personal information being stored outside of Canada.
BC gov reviewing cannabis sampling rules for producers, retailers
The BC government is reviewing its rules about cannabis sampling between producers and retailer stores, which some provinces already allow.
AGCO, OCS rolling out new POS data platform
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) have developed a new data platform to help simplify retailers’ cannabis…
Conservative Party policy proposal calls to abolish medical cannabis tax
The head of a regional Conservative electoral district association in New Brunswick has put forward a policy proposal to abolish excise tax on medical cannabis.
Alberta to consider white label cannabis products
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), Alberta’s cannabis regulator, is exploring the possibility of allowing white-label cannabis products in the province.
Metro Vancouver rethinking regulation of cannabis VOCs
Metro Vancouver’s Regional Board (MVRD) of Directors says they want to collaborate with other provincial agencies on any potential regulation of cannabis farm emissions rather…
Vancouver’s High Hopes launches cannabis substitution project
High Hopes Foundation in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside exploring cannabis as a substitute for several alcohol dependence.
Media continues to misreport issues of edibles, kids, and hospitalizations
While media reports on hospitalizations of young people due to ingesting cannabis edibles, a recent study confirms that the source of these products is unclear.
Surrey city council votes to refer report on cannabis back to city staff
Surrey city council has voted to send a report on cannabis retail stores back to city staff to be retooled before it will be considered.
Surrey City Council to consider framework to approve cannabis stores
City Council in Surrey BC, is developing a plan to potentially consider cannabis retail store applications.
Manitoba taking steps to mitigate strike’s impact on cannabis sales
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries says that while it is “severely impacted” by the MGEU strike action, it has developed a contingency plan in advance to…
Alberta government selling off giant donair costume meant to draw attention to cannabis-impaired driving
The Alberta government is auctioning off a donair costume the government purchased in 2015 for use in a traffic safety video campaign.
Team fighting Manitoba’s home grow ban are back in court in September
The group challenging Manitoba’s ban on home-grown cannabis will head back to court in September to make new arguments for why the provincial ban is…
OCS DC now accepting deliveries from smaller vehicles
As of July 17, the OCS Distribution Centre (DC) will accept deliveries from sprinter vans carrying up to 260 master cases per delivery and “alternative…
First Nations community near Regina opens “sovereign” cannabis store
One First Nations community in Saskatchewan recently opened retail store Miyo Askiy Cannabis Co. under their own local regulations.
Pitt Meadows, BC now accepting retail cannabis applications on a case-by-case basis
Pitt Meadows in BC, which had previously banned cannabis stores, has now passed Seed & Stone application at third reading by city council.
BC cannabis producer loses 120 kg of cannabis in early morning burglary
BC producer Pistol and Paris, located in Agassiz, was robbed early this morning with several men in a truck getting away with 120kg of cannabis.
BC asking for feedback on changes to where people can consume cannabis
The BC Government planning several changes to provincial cannabis rules, aiming to assist the cannabis industry and cannabis tourism in BC.
Kush Mountain Craft Cannabis takes the slow road to quality weed
Kush Mountain Craft Cannabis, a micro cultivator and processor, is taking the slow road to quality weed.
Organigram blames lower sales on THC inflation and no longer being able to sell “ingestible extracts”
New Brunswick-based cannabis producer Organigram says its net revenue and margins decreased in the third quarter of 2023 due to the declining price of cannabis…
Ontario Cannabis Store launches cannabis awareness campaign
The Cannabis Made Clear campaign is part of the OCS’s mandate to promote responsible consumption of cannabis, and includes marketing campaigns across the province.
Metro Van continues to call for regulation of cannabis farm emissions
The revisions, presented in a staff report on July 6, include allowing for more flexibility for the type of required emission control technology in cannabis…
Australian cannabis legalization bill could be tabled as early as August: Senator
Australian Greens Senator David Shoebridge has been leading the charge for legalization Down Under, and hopes to table new legislation in August in federal parliament.
A BC cannabis producer wants people to know he’s not part of the government
A producer in BC, BC Cannabis Inc., is trying to let retailers know they are not affiliated with the BC government.