Taking account: The governance costs of alcohol and cannabis
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
The rocky road to excise duty reform
As drumbeats for duty reform grow louder—with the federal House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance recently recommending a switch to a 10% ad valorem…
Ontario’s independent cannabis retailers band together to tackle predatory pricing
Independent cannabis retailers in Ontario are fighting back against LPs selling products at what they say are predatory prices in discount chain stores.
Over $200 million owed in cannabis excise duty
Since legalization, Canada’s cannabis industry has delivered substantial revenue to the federal government, as well as to the provinces and territories.
What’s the ideal approach to regulating cannabis?
After five years of recreational cannabis legalization, many industry observers believe that Canada’s regulatory environment is lagging behind both industry requirements and societal expectations.
Finding success in a tough market
As many Canadian cannabis companies struggle in a tough market and black-market competition, there are companies out there that have what it takes to succeed.
The downside of too much weed
Canada’s cannabis industry faces ongoing price compression, impacting producers large and small. Major LPs contend with surplus mid-grade flower, while smaller growers strive to stand…
Cannabis companies are drowning in paperwork
Within Canada’s cannabis industry, the paperwork requirements are placing a significant burden on smaller cultivators and processors.
Processing the pain: Financial disputes in a tight cannabis market
The journey of a cannabis product from soil to consumption can be a tortuous one. Given that many cultivators and processors are feeling squeezed financially,…
Clearing the smoke on cannabis hype
Brands are fond of making grand claims that their product is somehow superior to others. Sadly, the reality doesn’t always align with the pitch.
Cannabis taxation’s multiplier effect
When assessing margins and taxation in the cannabis supply chain, the end consumer may be paying more in taxes than they think
High marks for distribution models in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
In Canada, each province and territory has a unique cannabis distribution model. Though by no means perfect, many retailers and LPs rank Saskatchewan and Manitoba…
Support for local cannabis producers varies across Canada
Canadian cannabis producers work under the same federal laws, but when it comes to provincial jurisdictions, each has a different approach. Some provinces have programs…
Overview of provincial and territorial distribution models, fees, and product call schedules
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
Cannabis emerges as promising treatment for women’s health
Cannabis holds promise as an aid to women’s health, despite lack of long-term research data of the emerging market.
Alberta cannabis producers are having trouble selling locally
As the Canadian cannabis market slogs through 2023, producers in Alberta are facing headwinds, with some concerned that overly-thorough security clearance requirements and listing fees—among…
Illicit cannabis market continues to exploit Interac and Canada Post
Canada’s regulated cannabis market operates under significant scrutiny. However, that’s not the case with the illicit market, where they aren’t subject to the same tax…
2023’s tough year in cannabis
So far, 2023 has been a difficult year for Canada’s regulated cannabis industry, with layoffs, declining revenues and lack of tax reforms.
Women in cannabis find strength in community
It’s no secret that women face challenges in the workplace. As of 2021, a female worker in Canada makes 89 cents to every dollar earned…
Cannabis retailers continue to face security challenges
Retail cannabis store owners in Canada face ongoing challenges protecting their property from break-ins. Proprietors aren’t only having to deal with the stress and financial…
Are cannabis beverages less popular in Saskatchewan?
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
Vapes and extracts continue to eat into dried flower’s market share
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
Cannabis nurseries and cultivators navigate PST confusion
When a nursery sells to a cultivator, the transaction is often understood to be B2B. However, some provincial ministries of finance have determined that, in…
Bending the rules in cannabis access and promotion
When it comes to enforcement of promotional marketing and age-gating, it is often the provincial regulators who take centre stage, operating under provincial legislation designed…
High insurance premiums a challenge for cannabis producers
Insurance is a complex topic in the cannabis space. The industry is adjusting to the new landscape, and brokering still isn’t functioning with the rationale…
When is a farm in BC not a farm? When it grows cannabis
Some outdoor grow operations in BC are feeling the stress of the ongoing stigma against cannabis. Though they have the same challenges as other farmers,…
Ontario retailers seek relief from OCS
The cyberattack last August on the parent company of Ontario Cannabis Store’s (OCS’) third-party operated distribution centre, Domain Logistics, briefly crippled the cannabis distribution system…
Getting to know you: the business of cannabis consumer data
Canada’s cut-throat retail market has many battlegrounds, with a lot of attention being paid to pricing, branding, and store appeal. But behind the scenes there’s…
Should Alberta move to a direct delivery model?
British Columbia’s direct delivery program, which allows certain BC-grown cannabis products to bypass the Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB’s) Richmond warehouse, is under scrutiny from industry…
Examining the pros and cons of provincial cannabis distribution
The provincially mandated, centralized distribution of cannabis in Canada is taking some heat and the industry is seeing a healthy debate on the pros and…
Is the price right? Retail cannabis feels the squeeze
As some markets are saturated with bricks-and-mortar outlets and intense price competition, retail cannabis is feeling the squeeze.
Microbial testing’s double standard
Microbial testing is necessary to ensure that cannabis products are safe to consume. However, the risks associated with microbial levels vary according to the product,…
How are cannabis retailers standing out in the crowd?
Cannabis retail is facing some serious challenges, with many markets in Canada reaching saturation. Locally owned stores are often in direct competition with well-resourced chains….
Paying the price in the cannabis supply chain
The supply chain for cannabis products in Canada appears to be fairly simple, however, there are many processes within this chain – such as lab…
Building cannabis brands with creativity and innovation
Despite the popular narrative that government regulations make it almost impossible for licensed providers (LPs) to brand their products, many LPs are finding creative and…
Ontario’s “flow-through” program prepares for prime time
Ontario’s flow-through program, which will allow retailers to order products not stocked in OCS warehouse, has been undergoing a complex platform development phase that involves…
The quest for the best pre-roll
According to Headset Canadian Insights, last year pre-rolls were the second-largest product category in Canada, with a 17% market share. As of June 2021, pre-rolls…
Canadian Vets Push for Cannabis Regulation Changes
Medical cannabis for humans is well-established. But when it comes to treating animals – and in particular companion pets – the regulatory system in Canada…
Meeting the challenge of vape recycling
The cannabis industry has been criticized for poor environmental practices. One area where there’s been some buzz has been around vape recycling. However, this is…
Educating Canada’s Cannabis Industry
There’s a burgeoning training industry to help people interested in participating in the sector, with courses offered by private businesses – and even by some…
Why cannabis has no expiry date
In Canada, there are a variety of products to serve both the recreational and medical market, but determining the shelf life can be a guessing…
The Kids Are All Right: Unpacking Health Canada’s Regulations
After Canada legalized cannabis, Health Canada rolled out packaging regulations with strict requirements for logos, colours, and branding. The industry has complied, and some think…
The Hop Latent Viroid’s warning shot to the Canadian cannabis industry
The hop latent viroid (HLVd) is an infectious pathogen which causes disease in cannabis plants. It first came to the cannabis industry’s notice in California…
Industry pushes back against cannabis tax
In Canada, cannabis is taxed at 10% of the dried flower selling price. Approximatelh 25% of this revenue goes to the federal government, and 75%…
Not all THC analysis is created equal
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
The Wild West of Organic Cannabis
Organic cannabis is at a crossroads in Canada. The lack of federal legislation is slowing market growth, with producers following different rules. This can cause…
When jurisdictions collide: Some First Nations on collision course with provincial, federal law
When Canada legalized cannabis the federal government hoped that the regulated market would take the wind out of the sales of organized crime. Since then, there…
In Search of Better THC Reporting
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
Comparing the business of craft brew and micro bud
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
First Nations make tough choices in cannabis market
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
Understanding the meaning of full spectrum extraction
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
THC Obsession Distorts the Cannabis Supply Chain
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
What’s in a strain? The Wild West of Cannabis names
Cannabis consumers are often attracted to specific, so-called “strains” of cannabis flower, with the name becoming the brand. That’s great – except that there’s a…
Labs must adapt to deliver process and product improvement
The cannabis industry has many vital players, yet people are often unaware of how growers, processors, and labs work together to build strong brands. As…
In Ontario, Farmgate Brings Opportunity for Brand Engagement
Across Canada, cannabis is being sold legally in retail outlets and online. However, there’s one model that, to date, has had limited uptake: farmgate, wherein…
Changing the face of Canada’s cannabis industry
Women and people of colour have made significant contributions to the Canadian cannabis industry, both before and after legalization. However, the industry still has a…
The Cannabis Supply Chain’s THC Problem
The cannabis market in Canada is a dynamic place, with multiple companies jockeying for market share, including a host of smaller producers eager to get…
Manitoba and Saskatchewan expand retail footprint with store-in-store licences
As Saskatchewan and Manitoba open to more cannabis retail licence applications, companies large and small are assessing the opportunity. Manitoba greenlit applications for new cannabis…
Retailers concerned with palm oil in cannabis products
The cannabis industry is often compared to alcohol in that the two have experienced periods of prohibition and are both now legally available, though highly…
