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September 25, 2023

Four ways to solve the potency inflation problem

A deep dive into potency inflation, symptomatic of a lack of universal standards in an industry that is only 5 years old.

September 18, 2023

Dried flower price outline August 2023

A comprehensive analysis exploring average whole-flower product prices between January 2021 to August 2023.

August 30, 2023

The case for government to help fund cannabis emissions testing

Unless Health Canada crafts new regulations, it’s up to LPs and scientists to pioneer work in the area of emissions testing, which requires a major…

August 22, 2023

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

Latest Insights

Four ways to solve the potency inflation problem

September 25, 2023

Four ways to solve the potency inflation problem

A deep dive into potency inflation, symptomatic of a lack of universal standards in an industry that is only 5 years old.

Dried flower price outline August 2023

September 18, 2023

Dried flower price outline August 2023

A comprehensive analysis exploring average whole-flower product prices between January 2021 to August 2023.

The case for government to help fund cannabis emissions testing

August 30, 2023

The case for government to help fund cannabis emissions testing

Unless Health Canada crafts new regulations, it’s up to LPs and scientists to pioneer work in the area of emissions testing, which requires a major…

Cannabis taxation’s multiplier effect

August 22, 2023

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

CannStandard: Dried Flower Price Outline 2021-2023

CannStandard: Dried Flower Price Outline 2021-2023

Looking at the static averages from January 2021 to June 2023, the average retail price without tax of whole flower cannabis ranged from $10.80 for…

Media continues to misreport issues of edibles, kids, and hospitalizations

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.

High marks for distribution models in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

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…

Study finds room for improvement in Canadian QA/QC standards

Study finds room for improvement in Canadian QA/QC standards

Researchers from the University of Ottawa examined the role that quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) play in both ensuring the safety of cannabis…

Support for local cannabis producers varies across Canada

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

Overview of provincial and territorial distribution models, fees, and product call schedules

There is a lot more to selling cannabis in Canada than just taking your harvest to market. Each province and territory has its own approach to managing how cannabis is bought, sold, and even consum…

BC’s cannabis Direct Delivery program is growing, but fees still too high

BC’s cannabis Direct Delivery program is growing, but fees still too high

BC’s direct delivery program for small-scale cannabis producers is beginning to mature but still receives mixed reports from the local industry.

Cannabis emerges as promising treatment for women’s health

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

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…

Crossborder cannabis: Detroit to Windsor

Crossborder cannabis: Detroit to Windsor

Windsor has been known as SIN CITY for as long as most can remember, so it was no surprise that when cannabis was legalized many…

Illicit cannabis market continues to exploit Interac and Canada Post

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

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.

THC Testing—What it says vs What it is

THC Testing—What it says vs What it is

We’ve spent decades trying to maximize THC—we even discovered that stressing out unpollinated female flowers gives us the best buzz and, presumably, the most THC…

How the THC obsession is killing classic cultivars

How the THC obsession is killing classic cultivars

As THC levels have been pushed higher since legalization, consumers have kept pace. Ask just about any retailer and they’ll tell you that one of…

Edible extracts, direct delivery make a big splash in BC

Edible extracts, direct delivery make a big splash in BC

The price of cannabis continues to decline in BC, while the number of cannabis stores increases.

Women in cannabis find strength in community

February 28, 2023

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…

Survey illustrates highs and lows of emerging cannabis market

February 7, 2023

Survey illustrates highs and lows of emerging cannabis market

A recent survey of Canadian cannabis licence holders gives some insight into the changing dynamics of the industry and the differences in perspectives and approaches…

Cannabis retailers continue to face security challenges

February 6, 2023

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…

Is there a future for cannabis consumption lounges?

January 24, 2023

Is there a future for cannabis consumption lounges?

After much consultation and a lot of waiting, BC released its What We Heard consultation report on the possibility of cannabis consumption lounges, with somewhat…

Researchers: Aroma, not THC determines quality and “subjective effect” of cannabis

January 20, 2023

Researchers: Aroma, not THC determines quality and “subjective effect” of cannabis

A study out of Oregon argues that aroma, rather than THC, is the most important factor when it comes to quality cannabis.

More changes needed to address inflated THC levels

January 13, 2023

More changes needed to address inflated THC levels

Early last December I penned an article for StratCann voicing my hope that Health Canada’s freshly announced allowance of the production and sale of new…

Netherlands to experiment with regulated cannabis supply chain

January 9, 2023

Netherlands to experiment with regulated cannabis supply chain

The Dutch government is exploring options for regulating the supply chain for its hundreds of cannabis “coffee shops,” although any possible changes to its current…

Are cannabis beverages less popular in Saskatchewan?

January 6, 2023

Are cannabis beverages less popular in Saskatchewan?

The government recently announced changes to the public possession limit for cannabis beverages, with adult Canadians now allowed possess up to 48 cans, rather than the five allowed previously. At …

The year in provincial pot politics

December 22, 2022

The year in provincial pot politics

Federal cannabis politics and regulations are often what makes for good headlines, but it’s at the provincial level where the real meat of the Canadian…

New testing standards could help challenge inflated THC levels in legal weed

December 12, 2022

New testing standards could help challenge inflated THC levels in legal weed

Last Friday, Health Canada announced several changes to the cannabis regulations. While a long-awaited change to beverage equivalency factors is getting most of the attention,…

The pros and cons of cannabis irradiation

December 8, 2022

The pros and cons of cannabis irradiation

One of the often misunderstood aspects of legal cannabis production is the quality assurance measures many licensed producers take post-harvest to ensure that their product…

How edible extracts are getting around the 10mg limit

December 5, 2022

How edible extracts are getting around the 10mg limit

The Cannabis Act attempted to take decades of global cannabis innovation and distil it into a few manageable categories that ensure Canadians remain safe and…

Crafting the perfect infused pre roll

November 7, 2022

Crafting the perfect infused pre roll

Since infused pre-rolls began to hit the Canadian market late last year, they’ve been gaining popularity. While consumers are enticed by the promise of boosted…

Bending the rules in cannabis access and promotion

November 3, 2022

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

October 21, 2022

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…

Four years later: Following Canada’s path to legalizing cannabis

October 17, 2022

Four years later: Following Canada’s path to legalizing cannabis

October 17 marks the four-year anniversary of cannabis being legal in Canada. That day marks not only a new beginning in terms of righting a…

The Good Weed Board, part two

October 10, 2022

The Good Weed Board, part two

Welcome back to the Good Weed Board! In Part One, we discovered some of the first regulated dried flower products for sale in Canada that…

When is a farm in BC not a farm? When it grows cannabis

September 27, 2022

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

September 23, 2022

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

September 12, 2022

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?

September 2, 2022

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…

The cannabis industry’s role in Canada’s waste crisis

August 26, 2022

The cannabis industry’s role in Canada’s waste crisis

Nearly 70 years after plastic was invented, 8.3 billion tonnes of it have been produced. Today, Canada produces over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste…

Examining the pros and cons of provincial cannabis distribution

August 21, 2022

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…

Cannabis retailers, producers in BC prepare for direct delivery

August 16, 2022

Cannabis retailers, producers in BC prepare for direct delivery

Cannabis producers and retailers in British Columbia are gearing up to participate in the province’s new direct delivery program.

Is the price right? Retail cannabis feels the squeeze

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.

The Good Weed Board, part one

The Good Weed Board, part one

Regulated cannabis is an entirely different beast. Instead of Growers and Dealers, we have Producers and Retailers. It’s not a person-to-person type of game anymore….

Industry happy with “next steps” towards new sales channels for CBD, but long wait expected for any regulation changes

Industry happy with “next steps” towards new sales channels for CBD, but long wait expected for any regulation changes

Many in and outside of the cannabis industry say recent recommendations from a government committee looking at new sales channels for some CBD products is…

Why is it so hard to scale cannabis production?

Why is it so hard to scale cannabis production?

What happens when the elephant in the room is the room itself? That question for investors in Aurora Cannabis was finally answered with news this…

Microbial testing’s double standard

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?

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….

SQDC President: Quebec shifting from adding new stores to refining consumer experience

SQDC President: Quebec shifting from adding new stores to refining consumer experience

The SQDC plans to shift from adding new cannabis stores to adding even more new products and refining the consumer experience to continue gaining market…

Growing cannabis: Debunking the light leak myth

Growing cannabis: Debunking the light leak myth

For those of us who are prepared to replace cannabis mythology with plant science, there are opportunities to improve yields by better understanding our plants’…

Research in Australia looks at complex world of measuring and quantifying impairment

Research in Australia looks at complex world of measuring and quantifying impairment

Researchers in Australia have recently published a meta-analysis of research looking at the complex world of measuring and quantifying cannabis impairment.

Canada’s 10mg edibles limit empowering black market, hamstringing legal industry

Canada’s 10mg edibles limit empowering black market, hamstringing legal industry

The Canadian cannabis industry says it’s time to raise the 10mg THC potency limit for edibles.

Of myrcene and mango: Questioning the entourage effect

Of myrcene and mango: Questioning the entourage effect

Mango and myrcene in particular have become so intertwined, their purported effects are so myriad in popular cannabis culture as to be bioequivalent.

Some BC First Nations share concerns around uneven enforcement policies

Some BC First Nations share concerns around uneven enforcement policies

Some BC First Nations leaders say they have become frustrated with the lacklustre enforcement of provincial rules for cannabis businesses operating on First Nations land. Leaders with Williams L…

Strict age-gate rules, inconsistent enforcement frustrates some Alberta retailers

Strict age-gate rules, inconsistent enforcement frustrates some Alberta retailers

Some Alberta retailers say they are frustrated by inconsistent enforcement of the province’s own rules around age-gates for cannabis store websites.

Paying the price in the cannabis supply chain

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

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…

Active medical registrations with LPs continue to decline, while personal and designated increase

Active medical registrations with LPs continue to decline, while personal and designated increase

The number of Canadians registering to purchase cannabis for medical purposes from licensed producers has been declining since legalization, while the number registered to grow…

Ontario’s “flow-through” program prepares for prime time

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…

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