Last week, at StratCann, we covered the news that Toronto’s head of municipal licensing and standards says his agency no longer has the money to enforce the province’s cannabis regulations regarding unlicensed stores. We also shared a half-day cannabis insolvency conference coming to Toronto.

High Tide announced its plan to enter the German medical cannabis market by acquiring Purecan, and we examined the most recent figures for Canada’s domestic and international medical cannabis market. Stigma Grow also announced its first shipment of cannabis product to Portugal. Meanwhile, the CRA is asking the court to hold Delta 9 directors liable for more than $9 million in unpaid taxes.

In our Profile section, we looked at two new high-end Hash Hole products on the market, and in our Insight section, we shared a guest post looking at the potential of cannabis in the care of dementia patients.

In law enforcement news, one man was arrested and $3,000 in cannabis products were recovered following multiple break-and-enters in Windsor, Ontario; an unlicensed cannabis store again faced enforcement action in New Brunswick; and New Brunswick RCMP seized cannabis and equipment following a service call. 

Quebec police arrested a man following a robbery at Saint-Georges SQDC, and a cargo van from BC with 1,500 pounds of cannabis stopped in Saskatchewan en route to Quebec.

In other Canadian cannabis news

HYTN Innovations Inc. announced receiving a new set of import permits from the UK’s Home Office and corresponding export permits from Health Canada. These permits enable the fulfilment of international orders totalling over 400 kilograms of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) cannabis products, advancing HYTN’s global reach and operational capabilities. 

MediPharm Labs and Kensana Health agreed to extend the outside closing date as provided in the Purchase Agreement to January 31, 2025. The deal was initially expected to close by January 1, 2025. 

CannabisNB stores continued to be impacted by an issue with its point-of-sale system and a potential cyber threat but remained open on a cash-only basis. Spokesperson Florence Gouton tells local media that “some anomalies” were found, but she did not disclose details about what went wrong, saying the corporation will not be offering interviews as the investigation continues.

The Yukon Cannabis Licensing Board approved Happy Trails Cannabis Ltd. for a Sub-Class 2 Cannabis Retail License, provided all the relevant requirements are met. Yukon currently lists six cannabis stores in the Territory, not including Happy Trails. Four of those are located in Whitehorse. 

Kelowna City Council has approved the rezoning of a property to allow for the sale of cannabis. The retail cannabis subzone will allow for one of the units within the small strip mall to be converted into a retail cannabis outlet to be operated by Flora Cannabis, which operates three other retail stores in the city.

Avicanna announced the creation of a Canadian Scientific and Medical Affairs Committee with Singapore-based Vectura Fertin Pharma, an affiliate of Philip Morris International.

Business of Cannabis asked what Trudeau’s exit means for the cannabis industry.

The Hill Time’s Stuart Benson spoke with C3’s Paul McCarthy and Organigram’s Beena Goldenberg about cannabis excise tax again. Pollster Nik Nanos predicts the Conservatives won’t be interested in burning any political capital on cannabis until well after the election.

Sami Majadla at CertiCraft shared a white paper on the state of the cannabis industry

A new study from researchers in Canada suggests the importance of safer use guidelines tailored for medical cannabis use among veterans. The study says almost 85% of veterans engaged in daily use of cannabis for medical purposes.

Winnipeg police launched a don’t drive high campaign with a focus on cannabis edibles. During last year’s Drug Impaired Driver enforcement project, there were 243 traffic stops and 148 Oral Fluid Tests, which resulted in 64 (43%) positive for cannabis. 36 Provincial Offences Act notices were issued, including for unlawful storage of cannabis in a vehicle and consuming cannabis in a vehicle (passenger).

A Dartmouth, NS parent is upset after she says her 12-year-old son’s junior high school did not respond with enough concern after he consumed cannabis edibles and had to visit the hospital as a result. The description of the edibles (two handfuls of sour apple gummy candies) appears to have been sourced from the illicit market. 

Glow LifeTech Corp. announced the expansion of its flagship MOD drops brand into the New Brunswick market.

A New Brunswick man was in for a scary few hours over the weekend when his usually excitable 10-month-old puppy became wobbly, shaky, and lethargic and tested positive for cannabis.

Three teens were charged in connection with several cannabis store robberies in Calgary in 2023.

Radio Canada and La Presse spoke with Geneviève Giroux, the SQDC’s Vice President of Supply and Marketing, to discuss changes coming to the Quebec cannabis retail experience in 2025. 

The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) released a scoping study on self-treatment with cannabis for pain, anxiety, or sleep disturbance symptoms. 

The 2025 Nugswap Cannabis Festival and Grower’s Competition was held in Wiarton, Ontario last Saturday, January 11. The event is brought together, in part, by Lune Rise Farms, a cannabis grower in Teeswater, and High Society, a cannabis store in Owen Sound. The winners of the 2025 Nugswap will be revealed at the sixth annual Bongspiel set for Feb. 18 at the Wiarton and District Curling Club.

Barrie Today looked at the growing number of people trying to illegally export cannabis via Toronto Pearson Airport.

The Tyee examined the storied history of cannabis activism in Vancouver, especially David Malmo-Levine’s former Vancouver School of Drug War History and Organic Cultivation.

The Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) announced that Jennifer Paul has been hired as the Operations Manager for the Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Office (KCCO). Ms. Paul began her new position on December 16, 2024, and has been actively participating in an onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition into her role. 

The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) announced its second call for applications for the Social Impact Fund (the Fund) to promote social responsibility in connection with cannabis. Through the Fund, the OCS supports projects and research to benefit people, communities, and the Ontario cannabis sector by creating value and sharing knowledge.

International cannabis news

The US DEA’s refusal to comply with direct orders from the administrative law judge overseeing the marijuana rescheduling process is “unprecedented and astonishing,” said the judge.

A new study looks at compliance (and non-compliance) among medical cannabis websites in Australia. 

The US FDA is soliciting public comments on the use of cannabis-derived products in Veterinary Medicine. The focus of this RFI is on cannabidiol (CBD) products and other products derived from hemp.

A US Cannabis Roundtable is forming with backing from Cresco Labs, Trulieve, Green Thumb Industries, Verano, and Curaleaf, reports Market Watch.

A data breach notification sent to the e Maine Attorney General’s Office by a Californian cannabis brand called Stiiizy has confirmed it is alerting some 380,000 users potentially impacted by an attack against a vendor.

This past week at StratCann, we examined Manitoba’s public feedback on the proposed home grow regulations, and the expectation of results from Health Canada’s cannabis testing program later this year.

We also looked at the rise in the popularity (and sophistication) of disposable vapes, and Simply Solventless’ plan to acquire Delta 9 Bio-Tech.

For our year-end, we recapped some of our most popular Canadian cannabis news stories of 2024, as well as creditor protection, bankruptcies, and acquisitions in 2024.

In financial news, we highlighted a timeline of Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. CCAA process, CanadaBis’ Q1 2025 results, and 1CM’s annual report.

Last but not least, our first company profile of 2025 is on New Brunswick’s RPC and its cannabis testing options for Canada.

In other cannabis news

Ontario is amending regulations under the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, to reduce costs and red tape for authorized cannabis retailers who plan to sell their business and transfer their retail store authorization to another authorized retailer. The changes will streamline current licensing processes by reducing the time it takes for retailers, many of which are small independent businesses, to purchase an existing store. 

Also, new tax compliance attestation requirements for cannabis retail operator licences are now in effect in Ontario.

Due to planned upgrades, OCS.ca will be temporarily unavailable on the morning of Wednesday, January 8.

Business in Vancouver featured Hamid Shekarchi, Pure Sunfarms CFO, as part of their 40 under 40 series. 

Entourage Health Corp. announced that it entered into a definitive arrangement with 1001007762 Ontario Inc. and 2437653 Ontario Inc., pursuant to which the purchaser will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Entourage pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario). Entourage owns and operates a fully licensed 26,000F sq. ft. Aylmer, ON processing facility. 

Tilray CEO Irwin Simon was listed as the 30th highest-paid CEO in Canada in 2023 (most recent figures) in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ January 2025 report, with a salary of nearly $2.6 million, along with $6.1 million in share-based awards and  $1.4 million in non-equity incentive plan compensations.

Shortly before 4 a.m. on December 31, Nottawasaga OPP officers were dispatched to a break-and-enter in progress at the Ultramar gas station and Uplift Cannabis store located at 165 Mill St. Police say the suspects fled the scene before officers arrived. 

High Tide recapped its key milestones of 2024, as did Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation.

The BC CSU has updated its enforcement stats as of December 29. Through 115 enforcement actions, the agency has collected $1.49 million in penalties and seized over $38.62 million in cannabis. It has conducted 367 educational visits, and as a result, 238 unlicensed stores have closed. CSU has investigated 1,647 websites involved in the illegal sale of cannabis and has disrupted 1,054 of those websites.  

A hearing date has been set in the Ontario Land Tribunal case regarding a bylaw-breaking medical cannabis licence holder in Aurora. The town initially charged the owner and tenant with illegally operating the business, against the town’s zoning bylaws and official plan, in October 2022. According to a town staff report, the facility had been running for more than four years, with the town first receiving complaints about the operation in July 2020.

International cannabis news

Here’s an interesting story in The Journal about the increase in seizures of BHO in Ireland. 

The unofficial “cannabis czar” of the US Congress, Earl Blumenauer, is now leaving Capitol Hill after 14 terms in Congress, fostering uncertainty about who will fill the void on cannabis policy in DC, reports Politico.

And finally, The Economist says America’s marijuana industry is wilting.

The past year was another busy one for cannabis news in Canada. Here are a few of our most popular topics and stories of 2024. 

Wholesale prices rally

Canada’s wholesale market continues to shift from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market. While the beginning of cannabis legalization in Canada was characterized by a surplus of product, many in the industry say that trend has been shifting to a shortage in recent months. 

Regulatory changes

Another of the more significant stories of 2024 was Health Canada’s massive regulatory proposal in June. The proposed changes include regulatory amendments that align with the findings and recommendations from the federal government’s expert panel’s final report on the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act.

The final draft of these proposed changes is expected sometime in 2025, but an early election could impact them or even cause them to die on the vine.

Israel and international markets

In January 2024, Israel opened an “anti-dumping” investigation into cannabis imports from Canada.

In July, the Israeli Government released its preliminary decision regarding accusations that Canadian cannabis companies are dumping low-cost cannabis products into the Israeli medical cannabis market, with the Canadian cannabis industry and Global Affairs Canada expressing disappointment with Israel’s report.

In November, a new report suggested adding up to 175% tax on Canadian cannabis imports, with the Canadian Cannabis Council and Global Affairs Canada raising several questions and concerns regarding the report, along with Israel’s Ministry of Health, which argued that tariffs on Canadian cannabis would harm patients and benefit the illicit market.

Not to be left out, similar concerns have been raised more recently by some producers in Australia.

Meanwhile, the export market into and through Germany is heating up, while Aurora and Tilray/Aphria operate two of the country’s three production facilities. Mother Labs also announced a plan to bring branded cannabis genetics to the German market.

In addition, a new retail cannabis project in Germany could be good news for Canadian cannabis exporters, and a Danish medical cannabis company is looking to bring its unique cannabis oil to Canada.

Provincial distributors streamlining supply

In July, the OCS announced that it was planning to begin reducing the number of products it carries in its warehouse by several thousand in the coming year-and-a-half as it moves to create a more efficient supply chain amid a glut of product.

The move is expected to begin in September. It comes as several other provincial distributors have made similar efforts to handle a growing number of products in limited storage space at central distribution warehouses. This is due to slowing market growth as demand seems to be reaching a saturation point. 

To address this, provincial distributors, like the OCS, LDB, AGLC, and MBLL, have been paring down their offerings and shortening the time they give products to grab consumer interest. 

In May, some businesses in Manitoba said they were caught off guard by the province’s recent “pause” on “controlled access” retail cannabis licences. In October, the province announced it was extending that pause for another 18 months. 

Fines and other penalties

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (​​AGCO) fined an Ontario cannabis retailer $100,000 for illegal “data deals.” The decision, posted by the AGCO on November 19, came following an initial issuance of an administrative penalty to Cannabis Xpress in April 2024. The topic struck a nerve among many in the industry who are frustrated by such “data deals.”

Several other types of enforcement actions were popular among StratCann readers.

In October, a BC pot shop was fined for selling cannabis at too low of a price.

In December, the AGCO issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the Cannabis Retail Store Authorization for Montrose Cannabis in Pickering, Ontario, following inspections that revealed significant breaches of the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 (CLA) and its regulations.

The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, an unlicensed medical cannabis dispensary that has been operating in Victoria since the 1990s, was issued a $3.2 million fine from the province. 

A cannabis store in Kelowna, BC received a one-week suspension for failure to ID minor, and another was fined $7,000 for failing to check ID, while there were two enforcement actions against BC Cannabis Stores.

Politics

In federal politics, the industry has continued to fruitlessly wonder if Trudeau even remembers that he legalized cannabis. In April, Trudeau said that concerns (mostly from Conservatives) over cannabis legalization violating international treaties were unfounded.

In June, a Conservative MP said he would vote to recriminalize cannabis if given a chance. In November, Trudeau and Poilievre traded barbs over the latter’s attempt to conflate cannabis legalization with the opioid epidemic.

Many of our readers also enjoyed our satirical takes on this topic for last year’s April Fools Day. 

Unfortunately, cannabis appears to no longer be an election issue. 

Is the black market making a comeback?

Meanwhile, we looked at the illicit and unregulated cannabis market, which, despite significant declines since legalization, continues to have a foothold, especially online. Retailers in Ontario say they are frustrated by the recent increase in unlicensed stores returning to local neighbourhoods.

In addition, the CBSA has seized thousands of kilograms of cannabis in the first half of 2024-2025.

This past Christmas week was a relatively slow one for cannabis news. We looked at what an early election could mean for the cannabis industry and pending regulatory changes, shared The Good Shroom Q1 2025 results, and police in Ontario arrested a man in connection to a cannabis store robbery.

In other cannabis news

The Oz. spoke with Montrose Cannabis’ Nick Baksh about their recent 7-day suspension notice from the AGCO.

Rubicon Organics announced the promotion of Melanie Ramsey from CCO to COO.

The London Free Press ran an in-depth look at the recent $90 million acquisition of Motif by Organigram, speaking with Motif founders Mario Naric and Ian Hasse and Organgiram’s Paola De Luca.

SNDL Inc.’s Chief Strategy Officer Ryan Hellard shared an affidavit related to the $10 million Senior Second Lien Convertible Debenture issued by Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. On December 20, Delta 9’s monitor shared several new motion materials, including a Bench Brief of SNDL Inc. On December 2, 2024, the plan sponsor sought and obtained a Creditors’ Meeting, setting a date of January 10, 2025, for the hearing of the application for an order sanctioning the Plan Order.

City Councillors in Chilliwack, BC, rejected an application for a new cannabis store for being located within 300 metres of a park.

The L’Nuk Lounge, an unlicensed cannabis store in New Brunswick, posted on social media that it has been evicted from its 575 Main St. location in Moncton. The store, which opened in April 2023 and faced several enforcement actions in 2024, will remain open at a second location in nearby Riverview. 

A Post Media outlet spoke with the owner of a chain of unlicensed cannabis stores in Ontario called MyLegacy, along with others, who argue that provincial cannabis regulations don’t apply to anyone identifying as Indigenous. 

Conservative social commentary media website The Western Standard ran some reefer madness that spun recent Stats Canada consumption figures to make them seem like “young people” are consuming cannabis at a much higher rate than they actually are by including everyone under 24 who had tried it even just once in the past year.   

The Dales Report spoke with Beena Goldenberg of Organigram, Michael DeGiglio of Village Farms, and David Klein of Canopy Growth.

A faculty researcher at UBC looked at the role of cannabinoids in neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders.

Someone stole an outdoor heater from the patio at Cannabis Cottage in BC’s interior. 

Ben Kaplan shared his thoughts on the changes in the cannabis industry since the booming stock market days. 

The CBC looked at the story of a Canadian man stuck in a prison in Dubai for travelling with cannabis products he used to treat symptoms of Addison’s disease.

International Cannabis News

The German Hemp Association recently published a poll showing that 59% of Germans support full legalization of recreational cannabis, including its sale. The upcoming federal election in Germany is scheduled for February 23, 2025. Recent polls show support for the right-wing union between the CDU and CSU, as well as for Alternative For Germany (AFD). Members of the CDU and CSU have said they would repeal Germany’s recent cannabis legalization legislation.

And finally, Fortune looked at German market players like Sanity Group and Bloomwell.

This past week in weed, StratCann looked at how the Canada Post strike is affecting medical cannabis access, a group in BC is looking at the long-term effects of cannabis remediation, and a credit union in BC is helping producers survive in a challenging landscape. 

We also explored how researchers in Saskatchewan are looking at how edibles can impact driving, and we reported on how the Federal government was unable to implement an “ambitious” program to better streamline cannabis pardons. 

In financial news, a court rejected Final Bell’s equity claims against BZAM’s monitor and again extended the stay of proceedings, and Galaxie Brands announced that they have successfully exited the CCAA process.

In law enforcement news, a Health Canada referral led to a large cannabis seizure at a former designated medical cannabis production site in Ontario, and the CBSA and RCMP seized 45 kg of cannabis destined for the Netherlands. Police in Ontario also recently recovered stolen cannabis. 

In other Canadian cannabis news 

The federal government ordered the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to send Canada Post employees back to work if an agreement is not reached soon with their employer.

Tilray Brands, Inc. announced a new Holiday campaign highlighting a series of cannabis-infused beverages from two of its beverage brands, XMG and Mollo, and its JUICED XTREME Resin Infused Pre-rolls. 

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, prior to market opening, Organigram Holdings Inc. will report earnings results for its fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 ended September 30, 2024.  

High Tide Inc. announced that its Canna Cabana retail cannabis store, located at 5921 Perth Street, Richmond, Ontario, will open on Saturday, December 14. This opening will mark High Tide’s 189th Canna Cabana-branded retail cannabis location in Canada and the 75th in Ontario.

The OCS shares some of its best sellers in 2024.

The Institute for Work and Health released a report on Cannabis use by workers before and after legalization in Canada.

An Ontario court of appeals judge rejected an appeal by Aphria of a previous summary judgment for the rent owing of $638,171.40 plus interest and for future rent as it came due for commercial office premises in downtown Toronto that it vacated three years into a ten year lease. Aphria is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tilray

Cannara Biotech will host an investor webcast on Thursday, December 19th, 2024.

The Yukon government recently posted the Happy Trails Cannabis’ licence application public notice. Public feedback is open until December 27, 2024. The proposed location is 516 Adela Trail, Watson Lake, Yukon.

CannExpo is coming to Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place on March 21-22, 2025.

International cannabis news

The BBC went inside the UK’s ‘secret’ £10m medicinal cannabis factory.

In November, Philadelphia CBP officers continued to seize London-bound cannabis after grabbing a combined 179 Pounds. The parcels were being shipped from multiple addresses in California to various addresses in the UK.

And finally, research from Harvard reveals the cannabis market’s evolution has outpaced US regulations.

This week at StratCann, the biggest news was probably Organigram acquiring Motif Labs, followed by the release of Health Canada’s 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey. 

We also spoke with the OCS’ Dr. Jenna Valleriana about mindful cannabis use over the holidays and looked into a recent amendment to PEI’s vaping legislation.

On December 1 we dropped our monthly cannabis jobs report, and we spoke with a group seeking to enrol 1,000 Canadian medical cannabis patients for an observational study.

In financial news, Nova Scotia sold $32.6 million worth of cannabis in Q2 2024, High Tide is expanding its Cabana Club to an international market, and a judge rejected Final Bell’s equity claims against BZAM monitor, extending the stay of proceedings once again.

In other cannabis news

Niagara College is studying electrical conductivity and its importance in producing healthy, happy cannabis plants.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) is asking its members to review the recent updates from Health Canada regarding authorized cannabis for medical use. The memo notes that Health Canada may contact CPSM registrants directly to request evidence supporting the amount of cannabis authorized for a particular patient.

Almost five months into its court-appointed receivership, Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. creditors will have a chance to vote on the Manitoba company’s plan of arrangement later this month, reports the Winnipeg Free Press. SNDL Inc., which holds about $40 million in secured debt, will be paid in full. Co-founder John Arbuthnot said a deal should be closed on Delta 9’s 100,000-square-foot cultivation hub (with its 297 production pods) by mid-January. In November, Delta 9 selected a bidder for 17 of those grow pods. 

Pure Sunfarms announced a new infused 2.1 gram Canna Czar twax blunt from Soar.

Avicanna Inc. announced the initial delivery of its topical products into Europe as a part of a previously announced exclusive supply agreement with a multinational pharmaceutical company. The company plans to launch products in six European countries during 2025 with expectations of further expansion throughout the European region shortly after. The products use CBD and CBG from Avicanna’s majority-owned subsidiary, Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S., in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Canopy Growth Corporation will complete its acquisition of Acreage Holdings on or around December 9, 2024, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions.

Canopy also announced the launch of two holiday-inspired cannabis products from Tweed, including a sugar-free Cranberry Ginger Ale and Tweed Snowtorious 91K flower.

Several media outlets ran a story on new products available at the OCS for the holidays.

The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal ran a piece on the testing results of cannabis vape pens (covered by StratCann in October) by RPC in New Brunswick. The article also includes new comments regarding ongoing questions in the province around jurisdictional authority for the province’s retail regulations, with comments from former NB public safety minister Kris Austin, RCMP Cpl. Hans Ouellette, and Health Canada.

Rubicon Organics Inc. announced that it has entered into credit agreements where it has borrowed an aggregate of $10 million from Community Savings Credit Union and another lender. 

Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. received final acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange for its previously announced acquisition of AgMedica Bioscience Inc.

A causality analysis of legal recreational cannabis sales and opioid-related mortality in the five years following cannabis legalization in Canada found no support for that hypothesis while looking at British Columbia, Ontario, or at the national level.

Halifax CBSA officers seized a suitcase containing 20 kilograms of cannabis on a flight to the UK on Monday, December 2, and arrested an Ontario man, Alessandro Pinchera, 21, of Richmond Hill.

International cannabis news

Many people again gathered in Las Vegas during the annual MJBizCon.

The USDEA’s hearings on cannabis rescheduling will begin on January 21, 2025, continuing through March 6, meeting twice a week save for a one-week break in February. Presenters will include Village Farms International, the parent company of Pure Sunfarms in Delta, BC.

Queensland doctors and pharmacists want medicinal cannabis removed from the special access scheme, saying the pathway is being used to bypass TGA assessment. The letter was co-signed by AMA Queensland, the state branches of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and RANZCP, reports AusDoc.com.

Uruguay’s Cannabis Regulation and Control Institute (IRCCA) is recruiting a junior lawyer for its legal team. 

Politico spoke with Brian Hanna, executive director of Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency, on the successes and challenges of the state’s legalization efforts, five years in. And finally, Texas Governor Dan Patrick announced he’s launched a legislative initiative to ban all THC being sold in Texas.

This past week at StratCann, we noted that the Canada Revenue Agency has written off nearly $5 million worth of excise tax on cannabis as uncollectible as of September 21, 2024, while a chain of cannabis stores in Ontario received a $100,000 fine for “data deals”.

We also looked at how the cannabis industry is taking steps to manage the Canada Post strike and new proposed legislation in Ontario that would impose new penalties for advertising and promoting illegal cannabis. From the debate of that legislation, we also learned that the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation is seeking negotiations with Ontario on retail cannabis.

Monthly retail cannabis sales in Canada continue to hold under the $500 million mark, and the AGLC in Alberta released their 2023-2024 annual report, including $673.5 million in cannabis sales. 

Cannabis NB has again launched its Good To Know cannabis awareness campaign.

In finance news, The Hash Co completed an asset transfer and name change, and Simply Solventless released their Q3 2024 report, as did Decibel Cannabis and Herbal Dispatch.

Meanwhile, Quebec cannabis business QcGoldtech, connected to former Montreal police chief Yvan Delorme, owes more than half a million dollars in unpaid taxes, and Noya Holdings is seeking approval of a $3.8 million stalking horse deal and an extension of stay of proceedings.

In law enforcement news, police in Kingston, Ontario, raided an unlicensed cannabis store for the second time in a week, while the OPP shut down an illegal pot shop in Leamington. 

Two Chinese nationals in the UK were jailed for importing cannabis from Canada in a “significant criminal enterprise”.

Police in Quebec seized hash, cannabis, kief and equipment; police in Calgary needed help identifying a suspect related to cannabis store robberies in Edmonton and Calgary; and the BC government is seeking forfeiture proceedings for six properties they say are connected to illicit cannabis sales.

In other cannabis news 

The Gaspésie-Magdalen Islands video journal spoke with Stéphane Daigle, president of Cultures Seaweed in Carleton-sur-Mer in the Gaspésie region of Quebec, north of New Brunswick. The interview is available here. 

One of the cannabis retail applicants in Surrey, BC, for the Cloverdale location, 137 Brands, was replaced with “UEM Cannabis” with a proposed location of #100 5828 176 Street. 

InfoTel ran a story on the Cannabis Cottages, the outdoor cannabis consumption space in Penticton, BC. 

Québec’s updated Economic and Financial Situation for Fall 2024 includes a projection of $379  million in revenue from the SQDC for 2024-2027.

High Tide Inc. announced that its new Canna Cabana location in Hamilton, Ontario, would open this past week. This opening will mark High Tide’s 187th Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 73rd in the province of Ontario, and the third in the city of Hamilton.

Tilray announced the launch of its 2024 Holiday Cannabis Gift Guide. 

Pure Sunfarms Corp. launched its Super Toast All-In-One Vape.

Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced several new products from its Greybeard, San Rafael ’71, and Tasty’s brands. 

Canopy Growth Corporation announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the launch of infused pre-rolls from the California brand Claybourne in the Canadian market. According to Canopy’s data, the pre-roll joint market in Canada has grown 94% since 2022, with infused pre-rolls now totalling 9.6% of the total recreational market. 

The Kahnawake Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) set a loose timeline for retail sales of cannabis to begin in the community while it says it’s planning to issue dispensary licences by the end of the year, according to the KCCB’s interim operations manager.

Four sources in Kanesatake (Quebec) say they heard shots fired outside the Sweet Grass Lodge around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday. Sûreté du Québec and the business owner deny there were any shots fired. Store owner Normand Théoret is one of 17 people on trial for his alleged role in an illegal dumping scheme that contaminated entire sections of the Mohawk territory.  

The immediate area has seen an influx of unlicensed cannabis stores over the years, with one local cannabis store owner telling StratCann recently that they were frustrated with outsiders coming to their community to party at some new cannabis stores, two of which were constructed on the allegedly illegally dumped waste brought into the community from off-reserve.

An Ontario court has issued a two-year probation order against the landlords of an Aurora industrial property, which housed an illegal cannabis facility for more than two years.

After losing the recent provincial election, New Brunswick’s Conservative Party has named its shadow cabinet, including Kathy Bockus as shadow minister for economic development and small business, NB Liquor and Cannabis, and the Regional Development Corporation. The Croix MLA helped cut the ribbon at the opening of a cannabis farmgate store in the province in 2023.   

A new research article looks at cannabis consumption among adults aged 55–65 in Canada from 2018–2021. Cannabis use among this group increased in the first year following legalization and has remained stable since then. 

Young adults at risk of psychosis show reduced brain connectivity, a deficit that cannabis use appears to worsen, a new study from McGill University has found. The breakthrough paves the way for psychosis treatments targeting symptoms that current medications miss. 

A former cannabis cultivator from Richmond is alleging a BC investment firm founded by his uncle was a “sham” to serve as a “conduit for undisclosed payments” for chosen shareholders — some of whom are implicated in an alleged US$1-billion stock fraud scheme. 

In Espanola, Ontario, 12 kilograms of dried cannabis, 140 packages of cannabis gummies, and 50 vape pens were seized in a traffic stop, along with 10 grams of suspected cocaine. 

A Moncton judge issued an arrest warrant on Thursday when a man charged with illegally possessing cannabis to distribute didn’t show up in court. 

International cannabis news

This month, the US FDA surprised many by authorizing a clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, reported the New York Times. 

The Australian Parliament will vote on the Greens’ bill to legalize cannabis on November 27 this year, says Senator David Shoebridge, the sponsor of the bill, more than a year after it was first tabled. It’s not expected to pass. 

Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has published the medical cannabis import figures for Q3, showing that the country’s medical cannabis market is still growing rapidly, reports Business of Cannabis. 

US Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow’s proposed 2024 farm bill would tighten restrictions on intoxicating hemp products without completely prohibiting THC, reports Politico. 

Politico’s Natalie Fertig also reports that some in the US cannabis industry are excited by the possibility of Matt Gaetz becoming the US attorney general, who they say is well-informed on and friendly to the cannabis file. The article includes comments from Boris Jordan, CEO of Curaleaf, former GOP Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, and David Culver of the US Cannabis Council. 

But that was short-lived after Gaetz withdrew from the contest. Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is the new pick. She has a track record of not looking favourably upon cannabis legalization efforts or use. 

Only one organization supporting cannabis rescheduling in the US will have full standing for the highly anticipated December 2 hearing: the American National Cannabis Industry Association, reports MJBizDaily. Every party that applied to argue against moving cannabis to Schedule 3 has full standing to participate in an upcoming landmark hearing, though.

Finally, Village Farms International, Inc. (the parent company of Pure Sunfarms) and Hemp for Victory announced that they have filed a joint motion which seeks the immediate disqualification and removal of the US Drug Enforcement Administration from defending the Proposed Role to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The parties also moved to replace the DEA with the US Department of Justice.

Israel’s Ministry of Economy has proposed levies of up to 175% on Canadian cannabis products being sold in the country’s medical cannabis program. 

In a report published on November 10, Israel’s Director of Import Administration and Commissioner of Anti-dumping measures at the Ministry of Economy shared the agency’s final report. 

The report determined acceptable prices for specific Canadian cannabis companies based on their cooperation with the report and sale prices in the Canadian market. A final ruling on the proposed levies is still pending. 

The investigation, which was first announced this past January, was around allegations of “product dumping” of Canadian cannabis into the Israeli market. In July, the government agency released its preliminary report on the topic, proposing tariffs from 63% to 369%, depending on the cooperation of the companies involved. 

Initially, the commissioner recommended a floating levy or tariff of 63% for Decibel, 74% for Pure Sunfarms, 112% for Organigram, and 369% for all other producers.

The new, sprawling 126-page final report proposes fees starting as low as 2% for Decibel cannabis, 33% for Village Farms (Pure Sunfarms), 39% for Organigram, and 77% for Tilray. All other companies would face a levy of up to 175%.

The new recommendations are still subject to a final ruling from an advisory committee before potentially coming into force. The preliminary report states that the commission will also submit a report on its findings to the World Trade Organization.

During the investigation, Israeli cannabis companies said they were forced to sell products at or below cost due to competition with lower-priced Canadian cannabis. Producers also said they were forced to destroy large amounts of cannabis they could not sell, in part due to these imports.

Israel imported 78,394 kilograms of cannabis from 2020-2023, with 62,345 kilograms coming from Canada, or approximately 80%. Other countries of origin were Portugal, Uruguay, and Uganda. However, since 2020, the ratio of Israeli products compared to imported cannabis products has increased with domestic cannabis eclipsing imports in 2021, 2022, and 2023. 

According to the data from the Israeli Ministry of Health, in 2020, the country imported 14,778 kilograms of cannabis and produced 13,922. By 2023, that figure had shifted to 15,950 kilograms imported (of which 14,408 kg was from Canada) and 51,750 produced domestically. 

Israel is not the only country that has seen concerns raised about the impact of Canadian imports. Some cannabis producers in Australia have shared similar concerns. 

Many Canadian companies have touted their export sales to countries like Israel as a way to command a better price than in the domestic market and deal with the large volume of product in their vaults.

Despite the increased costs associated with exports, including special approvals and certifications, producers often find better payment terms in the export market than selling into provincial markets, where payments can take weeks or even months. 

The new Israeli report includes feedback from Canadian and Israeli cannabis producers and stakeholders. The report argues that Canadian producers sell cannabis into the Israeli market at a lower price than can be sold in the Canadian market, a claim disputed by Canadian stakeholders like the Cannabis Council of Canada and the cannabis companies they interviewed.

Related Articles

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Cannabis industry, Global Affairs Canada disappointed with Israel’s preliminary report

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This past week at StratCann, we looked at the life and legacy of cannabis cultivars, we spoke to some legal cannabis retailers who say their sales increased following recent raids of nearby unlicensed stores, and BC’s cannabis industry responded to some eyebrow-raising comments from a BC MLA who blames legalization for a recent raid. 

In Alberta, AGLC launched its Forget Bad Bud campaign.

A new report from city staff in Winnipeg says there have been no public complaints or licence applications following the designated medical cannabis production zoning amendments adopted in 2022. In related news, the province’s new cannabis home grow law is expected to come into force sometime next year. 

In our profile section, this past week, we featured one Toronto cannabis retailer’s success with delivery.

In financial news, Noya Cannabis has applied for creditor protection, Auxly reported its Q3 results, Canopy Growth released its Q2 2025 results (not actually from the future), Village Farms released its Q3 2024 report, Aurora Cannabis released its Q3 2025, and SNDL released its Q3 2024.

In law enforcement news, the OPP’s provincial enforcement team again raided an unlicensed cannabis store in London. ​​Edmonton police are seeking the public’s help identifying suspects in a cannabis shop robbery, and police shut down an illegal hash processing lab in Quebec.

In other cannabis news 

Shares in Canada’s major cannabis companies fell (a little) in early trading after the U.S. election, reports the Canadian Press. 

Surrey, BC, ran into a few errors in their new cannabis licensing efforts. An application by “137 Brands” was first greenlit to go before council but was replaced at the last minute as it would have been located too close to a school. Now, a second application, UEM, may be too close to a preschool program.

Enforcement staff at the Ontario Securities Commission failed to prove allegations of an “illegal and abusive” short-selling scheme by three market participants from an anticipated spike in demand for Canopy Growth Corp. shares. The case was launched in 2022 and revolved around a complex series of transactions in 2017, including a private placement, a securities lending agreement, and short sales.

The BCGEU ran a profile on an assistant manager at a BC Cannabis Store location. 

A man in Ontario is frustrated by the theft of some of his cannabis plants.

CannaPharmaRx says it has completed two shipments of its products to purchasers in Israel. A third shipment of approximately 300 kg is currently in the final stages of preparation and is expected to be dispatched soon. The average price for the third shipment is projected at CAD 2.10 per gram, with final pricing based on batch quality and THC results.

Greenstate ran a piece on Toronto-based Club Lit, which opened next to Body and Mind Cannabis and Lit Research in October. 

Tether announced the release of its print edition Holiday Gift Guide with gift-giving inspiration for the holidays.

The Hash Corporation (CSE: REZN) announced its intention to change its name to “Street Capital Inc.” and its ticker symbol to “STRC.”

As part of a larger drug trafficking investigation called Project Bourbon, RCMP seized 111 pounds of cannabis, 8 kilograms of hashish, and 3,500 vials of cannabis oil in Newfoundland. 

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chiefs voted against having a community-wide referendum on the community’s current cannabis policies after the topic was s raised at a Council meeting last week. The Kahnawake Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) recently informed the community of the updated list of seven applicants who have submitted applications for a Dispensary Licence with the KCCB. 

The Ottawa Citizen ran a sponsored post for an Indigenous-owned cannabis retailer, Red Roots Trading Company. With one location in Vanier, two in Ottawa, and another Ottawa location expected later this month, the business eschews provincial licensing. 

Freedom Cannabis has been granted an extension of its stay period until December 19, 2024. The company sought creditor protection in August.

Leafly reports $8.4 million in revenue (compared to $10.6 million in Q3 2023), but a net loss of $1.1 million for Q3 2024. 

Village Farms International, Inc., the parent company of Pure Sunfarms, announced it was one of 25 participants selected for the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s upcoming Administrative Law Judge hearing regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana in the United States from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Village Farms was the only cannabis industry operator selected to participate in the Rescheduling Hearing, which is expected to occur sometime in January or February 2025.

International cannabis news

A ballot question that would have legalized the recreational use of cannabis in Florida failed to clear the 60% threshold necessary to pass. It received about 56% of the vote.

Finally, a medical cannabis initiative was passed in Nebraska, but it is facing legal challenges regarding the validity of many of the votes. A decision is not expected for a few weeks.

This past week, StratCann looked at claims of product dumping and two-tiered testing from Australian cannabis producers regarding Canadian cannabis imports. 

Ontario re-affirmed a $31 million commitment to take on the illicit cannabis market, while a new annual report says ​​New Brunswickers, like much of Canada, prefer convenient cannabis products. 

Surrey City Council will consider 12 cannabis store locations, the first in the city, and we looked into some of the details emerging in CSU raids on OKIB land near Vernon, BC. Meanwhile, Decibel Cannabis is set to acquire AgMedica Bioscience.

In Financial news, we looked at the BC LDB’s and Cannabis NB’s most recent quarterly report, annual reports from Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and PEI, as well as Ayurcann’s most recent quarterly report, while a court weighed in on a dispute over Simply Solventless’s stock valuation. 

RCMP raided two unlicensed cannabis stores on Vancouver Island, seizing 120,000 “copycat” cannabis edibles, while RCMP in Nova Scotia seized cannabis and psilocybin from an unlicensed store, charging three. Police in Woodstock, NB, arrested two in a raid on October 22.

In other cannabis news

Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. announced that, further to its news release dated October 28, 2024, it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 58,333,333 common shares in capital for gross proceeds of up to $3,500,000 at $0.06 per Common Share.

Vencanna Ventures Inc., an Alberta-based go-to capital provider for early-stage cannabis initiatives, announced that the Alberta Securities Commission issued a cease trade order against the company on October 25, 2024.

Newly-elected Luke Randall is now Minister responsible for Opportunities NB, Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business, and Minister responsible for NB Liquor and Cannabis NB.

RCMP in Halifax says investigators learned that two youths each returned home to find a dozen pre-rolled joints among their Halloween treats.

Following a previously-announced breach of certain financial covenants and other obligations by Entourage Health Corp. under each of its Senior Credit Agreement and Subordinated Credit agreements with an affiliate of the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPF), Entourage is working collaboratively with LPF to agree on amended debt terms. 

Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. announced that further to its press releases dated September 26, 2024, and October 18, 2024, it expects approximately 98% of the August 2026 $0.20 warrants to be exercised for proceeds of approximately $2,950,000. SSC also announces that for administrative purposes and varying financial institution purposes, it has extended the expiry of the August 2026 warrants to November 29, 2024. 

ABLE BC reminds industry that on Friday, November 15, 2024, starting at 6:00 a.m., the BC Cannabis Wholesale website will be temporarily out-of-service to accommodate an update to the e-commerce platform hosted by Shopify. The outage is expected to last between four and 12 hours. There will be no change to the website user/customer experience with this update.

The Telegraph Journal ran a feature on Organigram. 

Delta 9 is now seeking an extension of its stay period up to and including January 31, 2025.

Yukon Liquor Corporation released its annual report for cannabis from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. The territory sold $9.2 million worth of cannabis in the most recent year, up from $7.7 million in the year prior. 

The Tokyo Smoke store at 333 Yonge Street in downtown Toronto is now going to be a One Plant Cannabis store.

The “Industrial Hemp Market Report Forecast by Type, Sources, Application, Region Companies Analysis 2024-2032″ has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.

A recent study says frequent cannabis use may improve sleep for young adults with depression and/or anxiety who have pre-existing sleep problems, but worsen sleep for young adults without depression and/or anxiety. 

Another study found that participants who used cannabis in the 30 days before the survey reported significantly higher loneliness scores than those who never used cannabis, after adjusting social-demographic, social interaction, and pandemic-related factors. 

Cannabis use during pregnancy can impact thinking and learning skills and increase aggression among children, according to this new study.

In a city council meeting on October 21, the Burnaby BC council approved a measure to allow private cannabis stores to apply in certain sub-districts in the city. Before this, only government-run BC Cannabis stores were allowed. 

International cannabis news 

Prosecutors recently indicted a Canadian dental assistant after she was caught in August trying to smuggle 32 kilograms of cannabis into Taiwan. The 30-year-old female suspect was arrested on August 4 after arriving on a flight to Taoyuan International Airport.

A Canadian woman arrested earlier this year for importing cannabis into the UK was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment on October 24.

Two major programs to combat illegal cannabis in California sent out news releases lauding their collective seizures of some $544 million worth of illicit weed. But when it comes to reigning in California’s sprawling black market, experts say it’s just a drop in the bucket, reports the LA Times.

Freakonomics Radio continued its four-part series on the cannabis industry in the US. The parallels with the issues facing the Canadian industry and market are unmistakable.

Arizona residents are now able to get recreational cannabis delivered to their homes as of Friday, marking a new milestone for a state program that until now had allowed the service only for medical cannabis patients. Recreational cannabis sales began in Arizona in 2021 under a voter-approved ballot initiative. 

A law that New York City has relied on to padlock scores of suspected unlicensed cannabis shops is unconstitutional because it violates the rights of store owners, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The German cities of Frankfurt and Hannover are model projects aimed at testing controlled retail sales in specialized stores, scheduled to launch in early 2025. Hannover’s project will involve up to three official sales locations at pharmacies, with a five-year timeline. In Frankfurt, the model project follows a similar structure but will operate within dedicated cannabis stores

.A Berlin-based cannabis company acquired and analyzed 300 samples of illicit cannabis from across Germany and several international cities. They found  32% of the illegal cannabis samples contained hairspray, 47% cocaine, and 65% had feces. Even more common are bacteria and viruses (74%) and dangerous pesticides (71%).

There’s been quite a bit of cannabis news this week. Here at StratCann, we spoke with cannabis producers about their frustration with excise stamps amid the call for a single, unified federal stamp. We also spoke with the CEO of an Edmonton cannabis beverages company, who says testing he’s done shows most beverages are inaccurately labelled in Canada. At the same time, freelancer Jon Hiltz looked into the complex issue of why it’s so hard to shut down illicit online cannabis stores.

A new study looks at the impacts of cannabis legalization on organized crime in Canada, and the BC Budtenders’ Union gave a strike notice to a Vancouver Canna Cabana. 

The OCS has a cheeky new campaign that includes a faux illegal pop-up cannabis shop in Toronto. Quebec’s Santé Cannabis launched a 3-year real-world evidence study and, as subscribers of our Monday newsletter will know, Bedrocan is returning to Canada after receiving a cultivation licence on September 27.

In financial cannabis news,  Freedom Cannabis seeks more time to resolve a lease dispute, a Court approved an RVO for Atlas Global Brands against CRA’s “emphatic” objections, and Tilray’s newest quarterly reports show the company’s adult-use cannabis and international revenue down year-over-year.

In law enforcement news, 500 kg of cannabis from Canada was seized in Hong Kong, the OPP seized thousands of cannabis plants from a Ramara property operating outside the scope of a personal or designated production licence, and three men were jailed in the UK for trying to import cannabis from Canada.

In other cannabis news…

iPolitics’ QP Briefing ran an opinion piece looking at some of the known challenges with accurate THC testing in Ontario’s cannabis industry from David Albert, a principal with Wellington Dupont, a public affairs and government relations firm. 

Brantford Micro Grow in Ontario says the province’s energy rebate program left them high and dry after he was unable to receive compensation for new LEDs.

Outdoor micro cultivator Wildwood Flowr is now New Brunswick’s seventh cannabis farmgate store.

High Tide opened two new Canna Cabanas in Toronto, bringing the total number of Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis locations to 185 in Canada. There are now 71 stores in the province of Ontario, including eleven in Toronto. 

Tilray announced the launch of the new Charlotte’s Web gummies in Canada. They come in a 30-pack bottle with two flavours. Each gummy contains 25mg of CBD, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable experience.

Rubicon Organics Inc. announced the publication of its fourth annual Environmental, Social and Governance Report (“ESG Report”) for the year ended December 31, 2023. The organic cannabis grower says they cut their carbon footprint by 48%, increased landfill waste diversion through recycling, repurposing waste as biofuel and a focus on composting, and reduced voluntary turnover by 14% year-over-year.

A woman trying to express her concerns about abortion in front of a cannabis store in Beamsville, Ontario, was joined by several people holding up signs for cannabis. 

BC Cannabis retail association ABLE BC announced they had reached 100 cannabis retail members after holding their first in-person meeting in Vancouver and welcoming new members to their recently formed Cannabis Advisory group.

Canopy Growth Corporation confirmed it has completed Canopy USA’s acquisition of Wana, including Wana Wellness, LLC, The CIMA Group, LLC, and Mountain High Products, LLC. Canopy USA now owns 100% of the outstanding equity interests in Wana.

HYTN Innovations Inc. announced that it received an additional Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification for its Kelowna manufacturing facility. This certification now includes distribution as a licenced activity under HYTN’s Drug Establishment Licence (DEL) issued by Health Canada. HYTN is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the formulation, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of products containing psychoactive and psychotropic compounds, including cannabis-derived cannabinoids and psilocybe-derived tryptamines.

A post on Psychology Today debunks the “lazy stoner” stereotype.

An appeal commission finds that a worker in Alberta is entitled to coverage for an additional 0.5 grams of cannabis a day beyond his 3-gram-a-day coverage. 

The Dales Report visited Pure Sunfarms in BC and shared a video of the experience. 

Cronos Group Inc. says its Spinach brand has risen to the best-selling cannabis brand in the Canadian market in August, according to HiFyre Retail Analytics’ National Retail Dollar Sales by Brand in Canada. HiFyre’s parent organization is Fire & Flower.

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawá:ke has extended the application deadline to the Kahnawá:ke Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) to October 18. Earlier this year, the board announced the enactment of two regulations for the Kahnawá:ke Cannabis Control Law, one concerning alternate board members and one concerning registered suppliers under the Kahnawá:ke regulations.    

A Quebec court granted an injunction to stop illegal dumping from off-reserve in Kanesatake, a Mohawk settlement on the shore of the Lake of Two Mountains in southwestern Quebec. The claims include names of two cannabis dispensaries that have been built along the filled-in shoreline, High Times Oka and Golden Star Oka. Timelapse on Google Earth shows the development of these sites in the last few years. Google Maps shows at least 13 cannabis stores within a 3 km stretch in the community. 

The Kahnawake Peacekeepers are warning parents to be vigilant after minors in the community were caught using Snapchat to buy cannabis products. A 22-year-old man from Kahnawake was arrested last month following the incident. 

A Cannabis NB employee will stand trial late next year on allegations she robbed the store where she worked after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash and product a month earlier. Ten days are scheduled for the trial, beginning November 17, 2025.

A new study found a “significant correlation” between THC dose and short-term pain relief for lower back pain, suggesting that higher THC doses were associated with greater pain reduction.

North Bay (ON) Toronto, and Vancouver were the top three cities in Canada with the most late-night cannabis orders through Uber. Uber’s cannabis listing service for delivery is currently only available in BC, Ontario, and Alberta. 

Wastewater tested in Halifax in 2023 contained almost twice the amount of cannabis metabolites compared with samples taken from other big cities in Canada, like Toronto or Montreal.

A college video project posted on YouTube from 1980 talks with young people of Halifax on perspectives toward cannabis use and legalization in Nova Scotia.

A man found guilty of conspiracy to export several hundred pounds of cannabis from Canada and conspiracy to import cocaine after he was caught up in a 2021 OPP operation called Project Southam has received a nine-year sentence. 

A judge gave him sentences of four years and nine years in relation to two charges connected to conspiracy to traffic cocaine and two years less a day for the charges related to exporting cannabis from Canada. The time is to be served concurrently.

International cannabis news…

Politico ran an in-depth piece on California’s complicated struggles in dealing with the deeply embedded and under-enforced illicit market. Many of the issues are quite similar to Canada. 

A 56-year-old woman who was caught with a quarter of a million euros worth of cannabis (no weight reported) at Dublin Airport following her arrival from Toronto, Canada, on March 27 this year has been jailed for two and a half years. She said she answered a job posting online and was promised $10,000.

Hong Kong customs officers arrested three suspects and confiscated 500 kg of cannabis in a sea shipment of soybeans from Canada, bringing the total amount of the plant seized this year to 2.6 tonnes. 

Some 48% of employers in the US don’t test for cannabis in the pre-hire process and many say this is to ensure they meet their acquisition and retention goals. And 44% of organizations that do test for weed report facing challenges recruiting qualified candidates.

The New York Times reports that cannabis and opium poppy production became national security issues in the US after supply chain disruptions that made critical medicines scarce.

Medicinal cannabis doctors in Australia are being investigated by authorities after suicide and hospitalization of patients. The pharmacist who founded a medicinal cannabis company has been banned from supplying cannabis, and two doctors have been suspended after two men with mental health conditions were prescribed medical cannabis by the business. One was hospitalized with psychosis; the other took his own life.

A New York court upheld Cayuga Nation Council’s move to shut down an unlicensed cannabis store against objections from the owner who rejected council authority. 

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) issued a health and safety recall for specific pre-ground adult-use cannabis flower, pre-rolls, and blunts due to bacteria and mould concerns.

This week at StratCann, we looked at several updated data sets from the federal government, like unpackaged inventory of dried cannabis continuing to decline in the first four months of 2024, and Health Canada cannabis inspection figures for 2023-2024, while personal and designated medical registrations increased in early 2024 following years of decline. Medical registrations with LPs continued to decline. 

Aurora Cannabis announced that they received a patent earlier this year related to their research on autoflower cannabis; a Canadian federal arbitrator ruled that cannabis detection was not impairment in a case involving a locomotive engineer; and researchers in the US said medical cannabis could save billions on US healthcare coverage.

E-commerce platform Breadstack shared how they can help retailers stand out against the numerous illicit offerings online, and the Cannabis Council of Canada is holding their Canadian Cannabis Leadership Summit 2024 in Ottawa on TUESDAY October 1.

In financial news, High Tide reported its second consecutive quarter of net income, and Tokyo Smoke began its Stalking Horse sale process.

In other cannabis news…(there’s a lot this week)

Cannabis retail sales in July in terms of dollars were down 1.8% month-over-month and 3.8% year-over-year (seasonally adjusted), likely reflecting continued price compression as well as a potential leveling-off of the market after 5 years of year-over-year growth. More on this from StratCann next week.

Avant was recognized by Business in Vancouver as one of the fastest-growing companies in British Columbia. 

Origine Nature, a cannabis production company based in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, was ranked the 22nd best workplace in Canada in the category of manufacturing companies with 50 to 99 employees.

Final Bell Holdings International Ltd. announced that its US subsidiary, Final Bell Holdings, Inc., entered into an agreement to sell all the shares of Final Bell Corp., along with its subsidiary Westside Caregivers Club LLC, to Vassar Wellness Enterprises LLC. The sale marks Final Bell’s exit from its plant-touching manufacturing business segment, comprising operations in Canada and the US. 

The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) welcomed two new vice presidents to its management team. Yves Lokossou is now Vice-President, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, and Jean-François Dulac-Lemelin is now Senior Vice-President, Customer Experience.

Retailer Rocky Mountain Roots in Barrhead, Alberta, was the target of a break-and-enter on Sunday, September 15. Mike Wilson, co-owner and manager, says he had asked RCMP to increase their presence in the area due to an increase of crime. 

A Redditor posted what they said is a email response from Saskatchewan MLA Nathaniel Teed in regard to concerns about the province’s current zero-tolerance approach to THC detection in drivers, regardless of indications of impairment, that has led to an increase in roadside suspensions. The Saskatchewan NDP did not provide a response to several requests for confirmation and comment. Teed is the Saskatchewan NDP’s Official Opposition Critic for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). The province has an election in October. 

Powell River, BC, is considering changes to its annual licensing fee for cannabis stores from a flat rate of $2,000 per year to just a few hundred, based on a store’s operational footprint and number of employees.

Trading of Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. was halted by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CRIO).

Simply Solventless Concentrates provided some figures from their upcoming Q3 2024 projected annualized gross revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and normalized net income.

MediPharm Labs Corp. announced that it has paid off its entire remaining convertible debt amount of $2.1 million, leaving the company materially debt-free.

A radio station in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, spoke with Organigram CEO Beena Goldenberg. She says that the top 10 LPs in Canada represent less than 40% of the overall market and says OGI has about a 7.5% market share.

Local media spoke with the owners of retailer Kasa Kana Cannabis and Accessories in Ontario on the opening of their fourth cannabis store, located in Gravenhurst. 

A new research paper looking at the relationship between rates of cannabis use and Covid-19 infection rates says that models show that those residing where infection rates were higher were more likely to use cannabis and use it more often. 

Tilray launched their Redecan brand into the Australian medical cannabis market with two 15-gram dried flower SKUs. 

In mid-November, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will update the back-end of its e-commerce Shopify platforms. Minimal to no disruption to service is anticipated. More detail on the updates will be provided the week of October 21. 

A property near Mission, BC, has unpaid fines of over $6,000 for an unpermitted cannabis building. The building appears abandoned. 

Aurora Cannabis Inc. says chief executive imperator Miguel Martin is adding the title of executive chairman. 

The Journal of Forensic Sciences looked at the emergence of semi-synthetic cannabinoids in cannabis products seized in Eastern Denmark over a 6-year period. 

The Agenda’s Steve Paikin spoke with James MacKillop of McMaster University and Ranjeev Dhillon, a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, about the state of the cannabis industry, highlighting some of the same cooling sales figures StratCann has covered in recent months. 

UK’s Akanda Corp received a license for hemp cultivation in Canada in connection with Akanda’s recently announced agreement with 1107385 B.C. LTD.

Edmonton Grow Up will be from Sunday, September 29–Wednesday, October 1 this year, and StratCann will be there helping to curate topics for the main stage!

RCMP and Sûreté du Québec raided at least two outdoor cannabis operations. More info to come. 

International cannabis news

A hemp farmer in Maine is offering a u-pick option this fall. Sheepscot Farm sells whole plants for $30 and is growing five cultivars this year. 

Thailand has proposed a new bill to regulate its cannabis industry and restrict marijuana use to primarily health and medical purposes—the latest effort to rein in recreational smoking after several policy U-turns, reports the Bangkok Times.

And finally, the LA Times again looked at the issue of pesticides in cannabis products in California.