Organigram receives final ruling from Health Canada: Jolts are an edible
The company says it has stopped the production of Jolts in their current format and is currently working with Health Canada on timing to sell…
Retail cannabis sales declined again in January after holiday spike
Retail cannabis sales in January 2024 dropped to their lowest in nearly a year, according to new figures from Statistics Canada.
Federal, provincial governments must address barriers for small cannabis companies
Small-scale, craft cannabis producers may choose to move back into the illicit market if the barriers to the market are not addressed, says a new…
Canada tables final Report of the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act
The Government of Canada released its final report on its review of the Cannabis Act, identifying 54 recommendations and 11 observations on how to strengthen…
SNDL reports $112 million loss from cannabis operations and $4.9 million in retail cannabis earnings
Alberta-based SNDL reported an operating income loss of $112 million for its cannabis operations and net earnings of $4.9 million for its retail cannabis operations…
Toronto police arrest man connected to cannabis store robberies
Toronto Police Services say they made an arrest in a series of robberies of four cannabis stores in the city that were conducted over the…
Younger Canadians more likely to use cannabis than older Canadians
Over one-third of adults aged 18 to 44 years and one in seven adults aged 45 years and older had used cannabis in 2023, according…
Ontario Chamber of Commerce calls on province to modernize cannabis sector
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has called on the province to modernize the Ontario cannabis market as part of its 2024 provincial budget submission.
Week in Weed – March 16, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending March 16, 2024
High Tide Inc. reports increased revenue, declining losses, in newest quarterly report
High Tide Inc. is now the second-largest cannabis retailer in North America by store count, according to the company’s newest quarterly report.
Manitoba’s LGCA plans to review Province’s cannabis consumption ban
Manitoba’s LGCA was planning a review of the province’s ban on consuming cannabis in public this year, but paused the process as it awaits direction…
High Tide to acquire Queen of Bud
The deal will bring all related IP and trademarks associated with Queen of Bud under High Tide’s umbrella. Queen of Bud’s founder, Ashley Newman, will…
Low-THC products can make brands stand out to niche demand, producers say
Brands can differentiate themselves from their competitors by offering low-THC potency products, but the demand for non-dominant THC cannabis is more complicated, three producers told…
Village Farms’ Canadian cannabis operations report net income of $4 million for 2023
According to parent company Village Farms International’s newest quarterly report, net sales for Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience increased in the last three months of…
BC’s Good Buds Company posts notice of intent, path to debt restructuring
BC outdoor cannabis growers Good Buds Company Inc. filed a notice of intention to make a proposal pursuant to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Kelowna cannabis store takes one week suspension for failure to ID minor
A cannabis store in Kelowna, BC, will have to close for a week in April after an employee was alleged to have sold cannabis to…
Cannabis sales increased in Nova Scotia to more than $111 million, driven by sales of local products
The figures, shared in the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation‘s annual report for 2022-2023, show a 9.3% increase in sales from the previous year and a…
Cannabis industry wonders when their relief is coming, too
On March 9, the Canadian government said it plans to provide thousands of dollars in alcohol excise duty relief to Canadian businesses, particularly local craft…
Week in Weed – March 9, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending March 9, 2024
Ontario bans home grows in (some) child care settings, allows for agreements with First Nations cannabis stores
Ontario passed legislation this week that, among other things, bans growing cannabis in homes where childcare services are provided and further allows the province to…
Cannabis Jobs Update – March 2024
Here’s our March round-up of just a few of the numerous cannabis job opportunities across Canada.
AGLC reports its first cannabis profits
Alberta’s cannabis distribution agency posted its first year of profits for fiscal year 2022-2023, bringing in over $18 million from over $600 million in sales…
Cannabis sales continued to increase in 2022-2023, with extracts leading the charge
Stats Canada reports that cannabis sales and related activities brought in $1.9 billion for the provincial and federal governments in the year ending March 31,…
Cannabis industry union adds new stores, loses one
Employees at a Vancouver cannabis store that joined the BC Budtenders Union in 2022 quietly voted to decertify the union a few months later.
Cannabis consumption spaces beginning to open in BC
A cannabis store in Penticton hopes to become the first cannabis store in the province with a designated consumption area.
Celebrating trailblazing women in cannabis
Celebrating the significant contribution of women leaders who are helping to share the trajectory of the Canadian cannabis industry.
5 ways retailers can grow their sales
Organigram says it has received a final ruling from Health Canada, again concluding that its Edison Jolts lozenges are an edible, not an extract. The New…
Week in Weed – March 2, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending March 2, 2024
Manitoba group files appeal against cannabis home grow ban
The group challenging Manitoba’s ban on growing cannabis at home filed an appeal on March 1, 2024, against a recent court decision to uphold the…
Nextleaf Solutions reports record revenue
Bucking industry trends, BC-based cannabis company Nextleaf Solutions reported their third profitable quarter this week.
Cronos shows declining losses, increased cost of sales in 2023
Cronos Group Inc. says it has improved its cash flow in 2023 due to lower operating expenses and increased exposure to international markets.
Avant Brands brings in $30 million in revenue with a $5 million loss
Kelowna-based Avant Brands Inc. announced its audited financial results for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023.
Household spending on legal cannabis increases while illegal decreases
Household spending on cannabis in Canada declined in the last two years, following an increase in the first three years of legalization.
Study raises questions about accuracy of eyelid tremor as evidence of cannabis impairment
A new study is questioning the accuracy of a method used by police to determine cannabis impairment.
BZAM granted CCAA protection due to ongoing financial challenges
BZAM announced today that it has been granted Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) protection to restructure its business and financial affairs.
Increased cost of production adds to growing concerns for Greenway
Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation’s nearly $1.4 million in revenue in the last three months of 2023 still saw the Ontario cannabis producer in the red…
BC cannabis company is bringing infused poutine to the Quebec market
A British Columbia-based cannabis producer is adding a new twist on a distinctly Canadian dish, a cannabis-infused poutine sauce that will be available for sale…
UBC researchers launch clinical trial exploring CBD for bipolar depression
Researchers at UBC’s faculty of medicine are launching a new, unique clinical trial to investigate the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for bipolar…
Ontario cannabis store finds creative way to get around social media restrictions
Ontario cannabis retailer Stok’d Cannabis has released a series of ads it says circumvent social media platforms’ restrictions on cannabis advertisements by promoting neighbouring brands.
Unlicensed cannabis store in New Brunswick fined $20,000
The owners of an unlicensed cannabis store in New Brunswick have been fined $20,000 following a raid in 2022, while charges against two men connected…
House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance calling for changes to cannabis tax
Organigram says it has received a final ruling from Health Canada, again concluding that its Edison Jolts lozenges are an edible, not an extract. The New…
Wayne Patrick Consumer Products pursuing a Sale, Refinancing and Investment Solicitation Process due to insolvency
Two Ontario-based cannabis companies are pursuing a Sale, Refinancing and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP) through court due to low cash flow.
Community Savings rolls out pre-approved credit cards for cannabis members
Community Savings, a BC-based credit union, has announced the launch of pre-approved business credit cards for its cannabis membership. This industry-first offer finally gives cannabis…
Canadian Cannabis Exchange facilitates sale of Ogen production facility and equipment
Canadian Cannabis Exchange Ltd., through the court appointed Receiver, Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc., announces the exclusive sale of Ogen Ltd. property, which includes a…
Week in Weed – February 24, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 24, 2024
New Brunswick’s eighth private cannabis store opens in Hampton
New Brunswick recently announced the eighth private retail cannabis store in the province, it’s located in Hampton, about a 30-minute drive from Saint John.
Burb opens store near UBC after long wait
Following a nearly three-year wait, Burb Cannabis was finally able to open its new location near the University of British Columbia on February 23.
Community Savings Credit Union announces affordable invoice factoring for cannabis licensed producers
A BC-based credit union is launching a new invoice factoring program intended to meet the needs of British Columbia’s federally licensed cannabis producers.
Cannabis Industry Forum finally formally announced
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has finally formally announced its Cannabis Industry Forum.
The SQDC pulls back on operating hours of twelve branches
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) says it will be adjusting the closing time of a dozen locations across the province.
A Manitoba cannabis brand is taking a former partner to court
TobaGrown, Inc. and TobaRolling, Inc. filed a notice of claim in Manitoba on February 16 against the owners of Kief Cannabis Company, Ltd. and Lucky…
Kelowna cannabis store fined $7,000 for failing to check ID
It was an expensive Valentine’s Day for one cannabis store in Kelowna when a judge ordered the store to pay a $7,000 fine for an…
Cannabis stores in Canada evenly distributed across different neighbourhood types
A new study from researchers at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto says retail cannabis stores in Canada are evenly distributed across…
Week in Weed – February 17, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 17, 2024
BC micro files notice of claim alleging non-payment from processing partner
A micro producer in BC has filed a notice of claim in provincial court alleging a third-party processor did not pay him for products they…
Recall of BonBon Turkish Delight cannabis edibles in Ontario
Health Canada has issued a recall for two lots of WellCann Intl. Inc.’s BonBon Turkish Delight – Lokum edible cannabis sold in Ontario.
BC allows smoking, vaping cannabis on public patios, cannabis stores can now promote places to consume
BC has announced changes to its cannabis regulations that allow retail cannabis stores to promote a place to consume cannabis or to spend time after…
BC CSU raids cannabis stores on K’ómoks First Nation
BC’s Community Safety Unit (CSU) conducted several raids of cannabis stores operating in K’ómoks First Nation on Wednesday, February 14.
SQDC sold more than $200 million worth of cannabis in Q3 2023
Quebec’s Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) brought in $33 million for its third quarter of the 2023-2024 financial year, which ended December 30.
Ontario’s independent cannabis retailers band together to tackle predatory pricing
Independent cannabis retailers in Ontario are fighting back against LPs selling products at what they say are predatory prices in discount chain stores.
Organigram reports $15 million loss due to lower international revenue and medical sale
Organigram reported a net loss of $15.8 million in Q1 2024 and a 16% decrease in net revenue compared to the same period last year.
Manitoba announces several new cannabis distributors
On February 9, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries announced five companies that successfully applied to provide cannabis distribution services in the province.
Christina Lake Cannabis completes acquisition of Midway farm
Christina Lake Cannabis (CLC) first announced the deal on February 5, which included the acquisition of outdoor cultivation facilities in Southern British Columbia, related harvesting…
Health Canada confirms cannabis samples are allowed
Despite some concerns posted online recently, Heath Canada has confirmed that cannabis producers can provide samples to provincially licensed cannabis retailers and their employees.
Cannabis Jobs Update – February 2024
Interested in joining the cannabis industry? Numerous cannabis job opportunities await across Canada. Check out just a few of them below in our February roundup
Week in Weed – February 10, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 10, 2024
314 Pure Cannabis engaged in a Sales Process
314 Pure Cannabis, a cultivation and hydroponic growing cannabis facility located in Alberta, is engaged in a Sales Process.
Evidence, charges thrown out after Hamilton police found to violate Charter rights in “no-knock” raid
The case against a woman related to a 2021 raid by police in Ontario has been thrown out of court, along with collected evidence, after…
Canopy Growth reports $216 million loss in most recent quarterly report
Canopy Growth Corporation, the company behind brands like Tweed, reported another loss this quarter of 216.8 million in the third quarter of 2024.
Beaumont, Alberta passes new rules for medical cannabis production
The city of Beaumont, Alberta recently passed new rules to restrict the production of medical cannabis to agricultural land or light industrial areas.
Net loss of $25 million for Aurora Cannabis in most recent quarterly report
Aurora Cannabis Inc. saw a net revenue of $64.4 million and a net loss of $25.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Canadian cannabis nursery to import unique New Zealand genetics
Canadian cannabis producer Apollo Green will carry genetics supplied by a New Zealand medical cannabis company, Rua Bioscience.
Quebec closing cannabis store in Montreal
Quebec will have one less cannabis store in Montreal soon, as an SQDC location is expected to close on March 2.
Formerly dry municipalities put dispensaries in industrial zones to test the waters
Municipalities that reversed their ban on cannabis dispensaries have used industrial zones as a testing ground for their first store, and two owners offered differing…
SQDC needs better online payment options, says police captain
A police Captain in northern Quebec says the provincial government’s limits on payment options for online cannabis orders are pushing people to the illicit market.
Navigating the world of bankruptcy, restructuring in the cannabis industry
Five years into Canada’s legal non-medical cannabis market, industry maturation is evident, with many companies closing despite ongoing licence issuances.
Pure Sunfarms’ sister company receives approval to begin building cannabis greenhouse in the Netherlands
Canadian owned Village Farms will be one of a handful of companies producing cannabis for Dutch coffee shops as part of a new program in…
Week in Weed – February 3, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending February 3, 2024.
Radicle Femmes celebrates women in cannabis on March 8
Unite & celebrate the extraordinary achievements of women in the cannabis industry with Radicle Femmes in Toronto on March 8th, 2024. Sponsored by the OCS,…
Nextleaf Solutions announces they are debt-free, cash flow positive
BC-based cannabis processor Nextleaf Solutions Ltd. says it achieved four quarters of consistently positive cash flow in the past fiscal year.
Canada’s cannabis production rallied in second half of 2023
Cannabis production in Canada rallied in the second half of 2023 after a seven-month decline following a high water mark in November 2022.
Alberta makes changes to cannabis sampling rules, event sales, and more
AGLC made several changes related to authorizations to sell cannabis at age-gated events, new guidance for cannabis sampling, and cannabis sales between retail stores, among…
C3’s George Smitherman steps down, organization seeks new President & CEO
The Canadian Cannabis Council (C3) announced today that its President & CEO is stepping down.
Trees Corporation seeking investment or buyers
Organigram says it has received a final ruling from Health Canada, again concluding that its Edison Jolts lozenges are an edible, not an extract. The New…
BC’s cannabis market continues to mature, as sales appear to plateau
The figures were released as part of the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s (LDB) Q3 report for 2023, covering October, November, and December.
Report: Price of legal cannabis almost on par with black market
A new report compares Canada’s legal and illegal cannabis markets, highlighting the advantages and challenges that the legal market faces.
Week in Weed – January 27, 2024
StratCann’s weekly round-up of news headlines in the cannabis industry for the week ending January 27, 2024.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic teams up with Mother Labs to tackle powdery mildew
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has partnered with Saskatchewan-based cannabis nursery Mother Labs on a breeding program focussing on screening for mildew resistance.
Israel opens “anti-dumping” investigation into cannabis imports from Canada
Israel’s Ministry of Economy has sent notice to cannabis producers in Canada that it is initiating an anti-dumping investigation concerning the importation of medical cannabis…
Fraser Valley Regional District holding public hearing for new zoning regs for cannabis production
The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) in British Columbia will hold a public hearing on February 6 to discuss new regulations for cannabis producers.