New Brunswick’s first privately-owned cannabis stores could open this summer
The New Brunswick government began the vetting process for ten new private cannabis stores following a tender process that ended in October 2022.
OCS launches Social Impact Fund, encourages organizations to apply
The Ontario Cannabis Store has launched its Social Impact Fund to provide funding for organizations working to promote social responsibility in connection with cannabis.
Organigram asks court to overrule Health Canada on edibles extract restrictions
NB producer Organigram has filed for a judicial review of Health Canada’s recent decision to require an end to sales of “edible extracts” that exceed…
UBC researcher identifies new kind of root rot affecting cannabis plants
Researchers at UBC Okanagan (UBCO) recently identified a new type of disease affecting the roots of cannabis plants, fungal pathogen Berkeleyomyces rouxiae, commonly known as…
BC announces funding to support Indigenous cannabis businesses
The provincial government announced nearly $2.3 million in additional funding for the New Relationship Trust which oversees the ICBF. This funding is on top of…
The Week in Weed – April 22, 2023
As you waded through press releases and promotional sales this week of 4/20, it was easy to miss some of the actual news happening this…
New compliance and enforcement report highlights return of in-person inspections
Health Canada has released their newest compliance and enforcement report covering April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Updated: Health Canada issues recalls for two unauthorized cannabis products sold without market authorization (DIN) in Canada
The Ontario Cannabis Store has posted a recall for “Goodnight Dream Caps” from Taima Extracts Inc., a cannabis product they say is an unapproved prescription…
Mississauga to allow cannabis stores
Mississauga City Council voted today to approve a motion to lift its prohibition on cannabis retail stores and permit cannabis retail stores to be located…
Price of cannabis in Canada continues to decline, except for medical cannabis
Although the price of many consumer goods has been increasing over the past year, the price of cannabis in Canada continues to decline.
Health Canada issues two new cannabis recalls due to inaccurate cannabinoid levels
Health Canada issued two new recalls of dried cannabis on April 18, one sold in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan.
Manitoba NDP want to take a close look at the province’s private retail cannabis model
The Manitoba NDP say they want to take a “close look” at the province’s private retail cannabis program if they form government following an upcoming…
The Week in Weed – April 15, 2023
A roundup of cannabis news from Canada and around the world for the second week of April 2023.
Supreme Court upholds Quebec’s right to ban growing cannabis at home
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Quebec has the right to ban residents from growing their own cannabis at home.
Inflated THC levels undermine cannabis industry
A new study looking in the US argues that inflated THC levels on cannabis products undermine industry credibility.
Cannabis producers, retailer team up to show support for LGBTQ+ communities
A Manitoba cannabis processor and an Ontario cannabis grower are teaming up with a cannabis retailer in Saskatchewan and Manitoba to show their support for…
BC announces cannabis policy changes aimed at helping industry
In a memo to industry stakeholders, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) says it will be implementing several policy changes aimed at supporting the cannabis…
Mississauga could vote whether to approve cannabis stores soon
Mississauga General Council voted to receive a motion today calling on the city to reverse its original ban on cannabis stores that has been in…
Cannabis use decreasing in Quebec since legalization, but vaping on the rise
Quebec’s annual survey that follows the evolution of cannabis consumption in the province shows no increase in cannabis use in the province from the previous…
Family petitions Nova Scotia to cover costs for children’s CBD oil
Parents of a six-year-old girl in Nova Scotia are lobbying the provincial government to cover the cost of using cannabis oil for the treatment of…
Week in Weed – April 8 , 2023
A roundup of cannabis news from Canada and around the world for the first week of April.
New rules will allow BC to use civil forfeiture to target illegal cannabis growers
The BC Government will soon have new tools to apply civil forfeiture rules against illegal cannabis growers.
Cannabis consumers in Canada more likely to be younger, female compared to the US
The recently-released data compares sales figures from Ontario and Alberta, as well as eight legal US states against trends from 2021 to 2023.
Study highlights ongoing gaps in medical cannabis access in Canada
A group of medical cannabis advocates, researchers, and academics are drawing attention to what they say are concerns with proper access to medical cannabis in…
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.
The Week in Weed – April 1, 2023
The federal government’s Budget 2023, Shoppers’ withdrawal from the medical cannabis market, and other news for the week ending March 31.
Health Canada issues product recall for Pure Sun Farms BC Sour Kush for inaccurate labelling
Two lots of Pure Sunfarms Corp.’s Original Fraser Valley Weed Co. BC Sour Kush dried cannabis, sold in Ontario, were recalled due to incorrect cannabinoid…
Cannabis industry disappointed by lack of tax reform in Budget 2023
The Canadian government says it will continue to monitor the evolution of the cannabis industry, but did not include any significant reforms as part of…
Shoppers Drug Mart to exit medical cannabis market
Shoppers Drug Mart, one of the largest medical cannabis platforms in Canada, announced today its plans to transition out of the business, effective May 15,…
Most cannabis is around 18-24% THC, according to one lab’s results
One cannabis testing lab in Canada says most of the cannabis they have analyzed is around 18-24% THC, with only a fraction cracking the 30…
The Week in Weed – March 25, 2023
A recap of cannabis industry news for this week in weed, ending March 25.
Health Canada seeks feedback on potential amendments to Cannabis Regulations
Health Canada is seeking feedback from industry stakeholders on potential amendments to the Cannabis Regulations.
Producers can now provide cannabis samples to Alberta retailers
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
BC raids Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club at their new location
BC’s Community Safety Unit, along with Victoria Police were seen raiding the new location of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club today.
Free market for retailers, but not consumption spaces, says Ford
Doug Ford doesn’t like the idea of cannabis smoking lounges, and also says the market should decide the fate of cannabis stores, not the government.
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…
Week in Weed – March 18
The clocks have changed, the other green holiday is in the rearview mirror (or maybe you’re still feeling a bit of it today), and the…
Trudeau says it’s time for government to “catch up” and support cannabis industry
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the need for the government to “catch up” with the cannabis industry’s concerns with issues like high taxation in a…
Sea Dog Farm becomes first Sun+Earth certified cannabis grower in Canada
A Vancouver Island outdoor cannabis farmer is the first in Canada to have their cannabis certified through Sun+Earth Certified, a US-based nonprofit third-party certification for…
Cannabis production licenses continue to come in, as licence revocations increase
There were 175 applications to grow or process cannabis commercially in Canada in 2022, the majority of them micros.
More “edible extracts” companies say they will be pausing production
Two more producers of cannabis-infused lozenges have released comments noting they will be adhering to a Health Canada notice to cease sale and distribution of…
Buying cannabis seeds and clones in Canada in 2023
As Canadians prepare for the 2023 cannabis growing season, home growers are beginning to get more options for finding cannabis clones and seeds.
The Week in Weed – March 11, 2023
A round up of Canadian and international cannabis industry news for the week of March 11, 2023. Here’s your week in weed.
Global Cannabis Partnership launches Global Cannabis Trade Association
A Canadian group is launching what they hope will be a global trade organization for the cannabis industry.
BC company ships 20 kg of cannabis to Jamaica
A BC company says they recently completed the first shipment of legal cannabis from Canada to Jamaica.
Challenges for some small producers shipping products to provinces
Cannabis producers outside of Ontario are trying to make shipping to the Ontario Cannabis Store work for them, although high costs to ship small-batch orders…
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.
Lab owner calls for more oversight of cannabis testing standards
The owner of one analytical testing lab is calling out what he says is a serious problem with the accuracy of THC levels on cannabis…
Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority pushes back against concerns with imported Canadian cannabis
Jamaica’s cannabis licensing agency is firing back after a controversy following several articles raised concerns about recent imports of cannabis from Canada.
The Week in Weed – March 4, 2023
A round up of Canadian and international cannabis industry news for the week of March 4, 2023. Here’s your week in weed.
BC company clarifies that they are not authorized to sell cocaine, psilocybin to the general public
BC-based cannabis company Adastra has issued a press release clarifying that they are not going to be selling coca leaf, psilocybin or cocaine to the…
Health Canada warns public to consume “non compliant” edible extracts with caution
Health Canada issued a press release today warning Canadians of edible cannabis products like gummies and hard candies that they say are incorrectly marketed as…
Full spectrum vs distillate. What’s better and who decides?
Consumers shopping for vape products in the Canadian cannabis market are now faced with a somewhat dizzying array of terminology, with more and more products…
Surrey Board of Trade says its time for cannabis stores in the city
The Surrey Board of Trade released a report today calling on the local government to begin allowing cannabis retailers to operate in Surrey.
A BC-based cannabis company approved to produce and sell cocaine, psilocybin
BC-based cannabis company Adastra Labs recently announced it has received Health Canada approval to include cocaine under its controlled substances dealer’s license.
The Week in Weed – Feb 25, 2023
A round up of Canadian cannabis industry news for the week of February 18, 2023. Here’s your week in weed.
Canadians purchased $4 billion worth of cannabis in 2021-2022
Federal and provincial governments have earned $1.6 billion from legal cannabis sales in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022.
Few if any harms associated with moderate cannabis use and lung function
Researchers in Australia say they have found no consistent association between cannabis use and measures of lung function.
Cannabis businesses rally behind banking lawsuit
The Canadian cannabis industry is reacting to a recent lawsuit filed against several Canadian lending institutions.
Nova Scotia sold $27 million worth of cannabis in Q3 as local product sales increase
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) says cannabis sales were $27.6 million for the third quarter of 2022/23, an increase of 9.2 percent from the…
Ghost Drops closes Toronto store after purchasing production facility
Following the acquisition of a processing facility in 2022, popular cannabis brand Ghost Drops says they have closed their flagship Toronto retail location.
SQDC in Q3: Net income of $32.2 million from $187.3 million in sales
During its third reporter quarter of 2022, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) recorded an overall net income of $32.2 million from $187.3 million in…
The Week in Weed – Feb 18, 2023
A recap of news making the headlines this week in weed, February 18, 2023.
The Good Weed Board, part three
In part three, I showcase four more products from the Good Weed Board. I also speculate about why good weed is so hard to find…
OCS to reduce margins, move to fixed-pricing mark-up later this year
The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) will be reducing its margins and moving to a fixed markup pricing model later this year.
The importance of safe cannabis purchase and consumption
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Canada assessed more than $500 million in excise taxes for fiscal year 2020-2021
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Sundial Cannabis announces layoffs as part of “rightsizing” efforts
Alberta-based cannabis producer Sundial announced today that it will be laying off about 85 people as part of a financial “rightsizing”.
Advocates concerned with lack of separate medical cannabis review
Advocates with a prominent medical cannabis organization say they are concerned that Health Canada is going back on their past commitment to undertake a review…
The Week in Weed – Feb 11, 2023
This week in weed is a round-up of cannabis industry news for the week of February 6, 2023.
Lawsuit alleges banks in Canada are discriminating against cannabis industry
A class action lawsuit is targeting several Canadian banks that it alleges have engaged in financial discrimination against legal cannabis businesses.
“Data scraping” concerns some Ontario cannabis retailers
Some Ontario retailers say they are concerned about a new type of “data leak” that appears to be showing their sales, circulating within the industry.
Canopy Growth closing Tweed’s Smiths Falls facility, laying off 800 workers
Canopy Growth has announced they are laying off 800 workers and will be closing its flagship facility at the former Hershey factory in Smiths Falls.
Peace Naturals recalls Spinach GMO Cookies pre-rolls from Ontario, Alberta due to inaccurate labels
Peace Naturals Project Inc. has recalled two lots of Spinach GMO Cookies pre-rolls, sold in Ontario and Alberta.
Cannabis retailers continue to face security challenges
Retail cannabis store owners in Canada face ongoing challenges protecting their property from break-ins. Proprietors aren’t only having to deal with the stress and financial…
The Week in Weed – Feb 4, 2023
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Peace Naturals recalls CBG infused pre-rolls due to inaccurate labels
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Ontario cannabis retailer group calls out “kickbacks”
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Can regulators reign in THC inflation without driving consumers to the illicit market?
A pair of papers in the most recent issue of the journal Addiction consider the question of elevated THC levels, and what—if any—policy responses might…
BC has brought in more than $157 million in cannabis excise tax since legalization
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
New Brunswick cannabis producer Eco Canadian Organic teams up with Green House Seed Co
Eco Canadian Organic Inc, a New Brunswick cannabis producer, has teamed up with Green House Seed Co to offer exclusive seeds through Canada’s medical cannabis…
The Week in Weed – January 28, 2023
A round-up of industry news and stories from the past week, including the future of consumption lounges, what’s happening with extracts, and a whole lot…
Some BC retailers unable to place orders from LDB due to system error
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
Cannabis company tried to intimidate employees interested in union
Alberta’s labour relations board has found that Calgary-based Sundial Growers attempted to intimidate employees attending a union information session.
What is actually happening with “edible extracts”?
The industry has been abuzz with speculation following reports of Health Canada telling some cannabis producers they can no longer sell so-called “edible extracts.”
Community college in New Brunswick cancels cultivation course
A Community College in New Brunswick had to cancel a cannabis cultivation course this winter due to a lack of enrollment.
The Week in Weed – January 21, 2023
It was a relatively quiet week in cannabis this week, and here at Stratcann we covered changes at the CRA that will make intra-provincial B2B…
What’s the big stink? Rural Okanagan LP addresses odour concerns
A Vernon cannabis grower says they have addressed some neighbours’ odour concerns with the installation of new air filtration equipment.
Group said to be taking over annual Vancouver 420 event at Sunset Beach
Some of New Brunswick’s smaller communities could see privately-owned cannabis stores opening as early as June, with additional stores opening throughout the summer.The provincial government,…
OCS bug gives some retailers early access
An error in Ontario’s new ordering system for cannabis retailers experienced a glitch in recent weeks that led to 115 retailers getting access to 94…