Insight | StratCann

Skip to main content

November 7, 2024

Hybridization: The life and legacy of cannabis strains

Cannabis has adapted for millennia, evolving from wild landrace strains to modern hybrids. In Canada, legal cultivation is recent, but legacy strains remain cherished staples.

October 22, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

Ontario cannabis retailers frustrated by increasing number of unlicensed stores

As Canada marks six years of cannabis legalization, the legal industry faces stiff competition from illicit operators, impacting both cultivators and retailers. Regulatory challenges, taxes,…

October 17, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

Six years in, Canada’s illicit cannabis market is making a comeback

Unlicensed cannabis stores are making a comback in parts of Canada, despite efforts to transition operators to the legal market. We examine how provinces are…

October 15, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

A conversation with Suzanne Bergeron, President and CEO, SQDC

Quebec’s strict cannabis regulations haven’t hindered its market growth. As legalization’s sixth anniversary nears, we explore what the future holds for French Canada’s evolving landscape.

Latest Insights

Hybridization: The life and legacy of cannabis strains

November 7, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

Hybridization: The life and legacy of cannabis strains

Cannabis has adapted for millennia, evolving from wild landrace strains to modern hybrids. In Canada, legal cultivation is recent, but legacy strains remain cherished staples.

Ontario cannabis retailers frustrated by increasing number of unlicensed stores

October 22, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

Ontario cannabis retailers frustrated by increasing number of unlicensed stores

As Canada marks six years of cannabis legalization, the legal industry faces stiff competition from illicit operators, impacting both cultivators and retailers. Regulatory challenges, taxes,…

Six years in, Canada’s illicit cannabis market is making a comeback

October 17, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

Six years in, Canada’s illicit cannabis market is making a comeback

Unlicensed cannabis stores are making a comback in parts of Canada, despite efforts to transition operators to the legal market. We examine how provinces are…

A conversation with Suzanne Bergeron, President and CEO, SQDC

October 15, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

A conversation with Suzanne Bergeron, President and CEO, SQDC

Quebec’s strict cannabis regulations haven’t hindered its market growth. As legalization’s sixth anniversary nears, we explore what the future holds for French Canada’s evolving landscape.

The Good Weed Board, part seven

October 13, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

The Good Weed Board, part seven

Showcasing some of Canada’s best dried flower.

Why is it so hard to shut down illicit online cannabis sales?

October 7, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Cannabis News, Insight

Why is it so hard to shut down illicit online cannabis sales?

Despite almost six years of legal, regulated cannabis in Canada, illicit online retailers continue to prosper, seemingly with minimal interference from federal authorities.

Identify and naturally eliminate cannabis pests

September 24, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

Identify and naturally eliminate cannabis pests

In this comprehensive guide, Koppert helps growers identify and naturally eliminate cannabis pests, safeguarding your valuable crops.

Is the CCAA process being taken advantage of?

September 9, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

Is the CCAA process being taken advantage of?

The Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act is federal assistance that allows financially troubled companies to restructure their affairs with creditors and avoid bankruptcy. With more companies…

A tale of two markets: The future of retail cannabis in Ontario and Quebec

August 27, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

A tale of two markets: The future of retail cannabis in Ontario and Quebec

StratCann explores two distinct cannabis business models in Quebec and Ontario, examining strategies, challenges, and potential future trajectories with insights from industry experts.

Canada’s wholesale cannabis market shifting from buyers’ to sellers’

August 19, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

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…

Sampling for success? Analyzing the ROI of cannabis samples

July 29, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

Sampling for success? Analyzing the ROI of cannabis samples

Health Canada permits producers to offer samples to licensed cannabis retailers and employees, to aid budtender education and helps LPs stand out in a crowded…

Alberta and BC reach agreement over wine sales. Cool, now do cannabis

July 18, 2024 | David Brown | Alberta, British Columbia, Insight

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…

Cannabis clinical trials hampered by lack of GMP cannabis

July 15, 2024 | Dave Dormer | Insight

Cannabis clinical trials hampered by lack of GMP cannabis

Despite having government approvals and millions of dollars in funding, clinical trials involving cannabis are being delayed in Canada, some by several years, due to…

Industry: Cannabis rule changes a step in the right direction, but more is needed

July 2, 2024 | Dave Dormer | Insight

Industry: Cannabis rule changes a step in the right direction, but more is needed

Proposed regulatory changes to the federal cannabis framework are a good step toward bolstering the industry, but some retailers, producers, and consultants say more needs…

How long until Canadians can access medical cannabis in pharmacies?

June 10, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

How long until Canadians can access medical cannabis in pharmacies?

Earlier this year, a federal panel recommended expanding medical cannabis access to include in-person sales at pharmacies, alongside the current online model.

A better way of measuring THC in cannabis

May 28, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

A better way of measuring THC in cannabis

Humans have been using cannabis for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that we started to focus on plants producing higher and higher amounts of THC. It wasn’t until 1964 that we eve…

Rotating cannabis from Health Canada to Agriculture

May 20, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

Rotating cannabis from Health Canada to Agriculture

Many cannabis growers are frustrated that their agricultural products are entirely regulated by Health Canada, and believe that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada could take a more formal role in som…

Navigating certification for international markets

May 13, 2024 | Jonathan Hiltz | Insight

Navigating certification for international markets

Finding the right credentials to ensure products are qualified for international markets can be a daunting and confusing task.

Where is provincial cannabis tax revenue going?

May 7, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

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…

Cannabis exporters’ biggest challenges are regulations, not market demand

April 15, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

Cannabis exporters’ biggest challenges are regulations, not market demand

The biggest challenge facing Canadian cannabis companies entering the export business is getting certified under Good Agriculture Collection Practice (GACP) regulations and the Good Manufacturing…

Taking account: The governance costs of alcohol and cannabis

March 26, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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 Good Weed Board, part six

March 17, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

The Good Weed Board, part six

Part six of the Good Weed Board, showcasing Canada’s best dried flower products.

The changing landscape of Canadian cannabis events

March 11, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

The changing landscape of Canadian cannabis events

From summer camp getaways to outdoor fairs and consumption lounges, cannabis events in Canada have taken a sharp turn from conferences held in massive conference…

5 ways retailers can grow their sales

March 4, 2024 | Contributor | Insight, Retail

5 ways retailers can grow their sales

Spoiler Alert: It’s Increasing DiversityDiversity is no longer just a buzzword. It’s something that consumers actively seek in the brands and stores they support. In fact, according to a recent stu…

March 3, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

Navigating the challenges of brand partnerships

As a regulated industry, you have to work in partnership with a licensed producer to participate as a brand if you are not a licensed…

The rocky road to excise duty reform

February 28, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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…

Infrastructure is key to hemp industry’s growth

February 21, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

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…

Over $200 million owed in cannabis excise duty

February 8, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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?

January 23, 2024 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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.

Waiting for Trudeau

January 15, 2024 | David Brown | Insight

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…

Could “deli style” options address THC inflation concerns?

January 2, 2024 | Contributor | Insight

Could “deli style” options address THC inflation concerns?

Op-Ed: After 9.5 years of purchasing cannabis from Canadian Licensed Producers, one thing has remained stubbornly constant: inconsistencies and a high probability of disappointment when…

Finding success in a tough market

December 25, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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

November 27, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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…

The Good Weed Board, part five

November 20, 2023 | Contributor | Insight

The Good Weed Board, part five

Part five of the Good Weed Board, showcasing Canada’s best dried flower products.

Cultivate organic cannabis with living soil

November 19, 2023 | Contributor | Insight

Cultivate organic cannabis with living soil

Nutrient diversity fuels the biosynthesis of complex compounds like terpenes and flavonoids that contribute to cannabis quality.

CannStandard: Dried Flower Prices for October 2023

November 13, 2023 | Brad Martin | Insight

CannStandard: Dried Flower Prices for October 2023

A comprehensive analysis across nine provinces and two territories exploring average whole-flower product prices, from January 2021 to November 2023.

Cannabis companies are drowning in paperwork

October 30, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Business, Insight, Producers

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

October 23, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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,…

The Cannabis Act review will not save your business

October 11, 2023 | David Brown | Insight

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.

Clearing the smoke on cannabis hype

October 2, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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.

Four ways to solve the potency inflation problem

September 25, 2023 | Contributor | Insight, Labs

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 | Contributor | Insight

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 | Contributor | Insight

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 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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

July 31, 2023 | Brad Martin | Insight

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

July 26, 2023 | David Brown | Insight

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

July 17, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Business, Government, Insight, Manitoba, Producers, Provinces, Retail, Saskatchewan

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

July 3, 2023 | Staff | Insight

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

June 27, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Alberta, British Columbia, Insight, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Provinces, Quebec, Saskatchewan

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

June 7, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Alberta, British Columbia, Insight, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Provinces, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

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

May 29, 2023 | David Brown | British Columbia, Insight, Provinces

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

May 11, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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

May 1, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Alberta, Insight, Provinces

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

April 20, 2023 | Jon Liedtke | Insight, Ontario, Other, Provinces

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

April 14, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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

April 3, 2023 | Tim Wilson | Business, Government, Insight

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

March 20, 2023 | Contributor | Business, Insight, Products, Research

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

March 10, 2023 | Kieran Delamont | Insight

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

March 6, 2023 | Staff | British Columbia, Business, Government, Insight, Provinces

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 | Tim Wilson | Insight

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…

1
2
3
4