This past week at StratCann, we looked at the double standard in cannabis advertising and the industry’s call to open up interprovincial cannabis sales.
Quebec has begun outreach for their 2025 cannabis survey, while the SQDC sold $40.5 million worth of weed in their most recently reported quarter.
Norfolk County in Ontario released a new report on five years of bylaw enforcement of designated cannabis production sites, and the OCS released a recall notice for 7ASHISH brand Lebanese Blonde hash.
Simply Solventless closed on $6M financing for its Delta 9 Bio Tech deal, Organigram released its Q1 2025 results, and MediPharm terminated the proposed deal with Kensana Health.
We also looked at a new Swiss health committee plan to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use.
In law enforcement news, police in Quebec shared info on two recent seizures of cannabis, one in the Yamachiche region and one involving arrests across Quebec and New Brunswick. Police in Edmonton are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a cannabis store robbery suspect.
In other cannabis news
Rubicon Organics Inc. announced that its Delta Facility has received its CUMCS Equivalency IMC-G.A.P. certification, a certification standard for medical cannabis cultivation, harvest, and primary processing. Rubicon expects to begin exports in 2025.
Tilray Brands, Inc. announced the completion of Phase I of its accelerated growth plan for its cannabis supply chain, which began with increased planting in late 2024. Phase II of the growth plan includes planting the outdoor cultivation site in Cayuga, Ontario, in spring 2025. The company expects an additional 60 metric tonnes of cannabis annually from this, plus its Aphria One and Aphria Diamond facilities, both operating at capacity.
Aphria Inc. has agreed to pay $30 million to settle a class-action lawsuit by shareholders alleging the company made misrepresentations to capital markets in 2018. The lawsuit alleged Aphria made misrepresentations in 2018 in connection with its acquisition of a company called Nuuvera Inc. Aphria was acquired by Tilray Inc. in 2021. The settlement requires court approval. A hearing at the Ontario Superior Court is set for March 26.
A 955-square-foot cannabis retail store in a high-traffic area of NE Calgary is for sale for $169,900.
Monthly wholesale cannabis inventories averaged $265 in 2023 and 2024.
The general manager of Kindling Cannabis Leaside in East York, Ontario, told the CBC her $10,000 OCS delivery was sent to the wrong store, left outside, and quickly stolen. An OCS spokesperson told CBC Toronto that incidents like these are “rare.” Toronto police and the AGCO both confirmed they are currently investigating.
The Telegraph Journal spoke with Cannabis Xpress owner Chris Jones about his new private retail store in New Brunswick, as well as Cannabis NB spokesperson Tanya Greer.
The owners of Dawson City, Yukon’s first and only cannabis shop, High North, are moving their store from its Second Avenue location to a larger space on Front Street. However, some residents are pushing back against the idea due to proximity to young people, reports the CBC.
The Stay Period for 420 Investments Ltd.’s CCAA proceedings has been extended up to and including March 31, 2025.
High Tide Inc. announced the opening of its 192nd Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 77th in the province of Ontario and the 6th in the City of Hamilton.
Hi Cannabis announced its second location in Summerland, BC.
Due North Cannabis in Ontario spoke with local media about using its new Spark Delivery marketplace app to enhance delivery services.
The owner of 99 North Cannabis in Squamish, BC, reflects on his decade-long journey from an illegal dispensary to a raid, to legalization, legitimization and awards.
The owner of Cannabission Cannabis in Kelowna, BC, is looking to open a second location.
Novem Pharmaceuticals, which provides services that include storage and processing of cannabis, has announced it closed on a final purchase agreement on the former BC Tree Fruit cold storage facility in Kelowna.
The Micmac Rights Association held a meeting on February 11, 2025, to discuss recent RCMP raids on February 4-5 of multiple Mi’kmaw truck houses that were allegedly selling cannabis. “Should any attempt be made to enter our community to execute any such warrants related to cannabis against our members or their privately owned businesses on our lands, we will take steps to engage Public Safety Canada and the Department of Justice to pursue self-administered policing services.” writes Chief Michelle Glasgow.
A BC Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal of the June 2023 denial of a retail cannabis application by the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee to Canna Northwest Enterprise Inc. in the Village of Ganges. Canna sought judicial review of the LTC’s decision, arguing it was unreasonable and procedurally unfair. You can read more about the background of that case here.
After four years on the run, a man who helped run a group called the Medical Cannabis Consumers Association in Quebec was sentenced to 38 months in prison (26 with time served) for fraud and cannabis trafficking.
In International cannabis news
Brazil’s agricultural research agency Embrapa expects the country’s health agency Anvisa to give a green light this year for a cannabis research program. Embrapa’s plans include creating a cannabis seed bank, adapting varieties to the Brazilian soil and climate, and helping to identify and develop regional cannabis production hubs nationwide.Bloomberg looked at the challenge state-legal operators in the US cannabis industry face when undergoing bankruptcy.
