The big news that wasn’t news this past week was that the Federal Budget 2024 did not include any changes to cannabis excise rates, a move that wasn’t surprising to anyone following this website, despite the silly predictions by some Pubco CEOs.
We also looked at some of the realities and complexities of cannabis exports.
In a story we’ve been quietly following for several weeks, Manitoba is expected to table legislation that will lift the province’s home grow ban soon. The news is still not confirmed.
Stats Canada released some cannabis data snippets just in time for 4/20, which show that two out of every five dollars spent on legal cannabis in Canada went to government coffers.
Avant Brands shared their newest financial report with $1.2 million in net income.
BZAM and Final Bell are set to face off in court next week, and We Grow BC Ltd. and Westleaf Labs are taking a shipping company to court after it had cannabis seized at the US border.
Another cannabis patio space in BC has opened in time for 4/20, and a former Aurora Cannabis CIO faced questions in a House Committee.
In other cannabis news
The folks at the Deep Dive called out what they deem as hypocrisy from well-compensated corporate execs decrying the lack of excise tax reform, noting Tilray’s president and CEO brought in more than $15 million in wages, stock options, bonuses, and other compensations in 2023, while Canopy’s CEO brought in nearly $6.5 million.
Motif Labs announced the opening of its new manufacturing, distribution, and packaging facility in London, Ontario. The 75,000-square-foot site will help support Motif’s brands like BOXHOT, DEBUNK, Boondocks, and Rizzlers.
Mississauga-based dispensary The Woods Cannabis is offering free delivery on all of their products ordered from their online store on 4/20.
City council in Timmins, ON approved a request from local cannabis store Casa Bliss to close a nearby parking lot for two hours on Saturday for a 4/20 celebration.
Leafly and Uber Eats Canada pushed a campaign promoting some of the “Dopest cities” in BC as a way to highlight that Uber Eats offers cannabis delivery in the most bestest province.
Canadian chain Pizza Pizza also ran a 4/20-themed promotion for their pizza “pre rolls,” leaning heavily on the hot, cheesy innuendo.
Lifeist Wellness Inc. announced a shipment of cannabis products to Australia, including vape carts plus two extracts from its own Roilty brand.
Winnipeg police raided several foster homes operated by Spirit Rising House following allegations that the operator was giving cannabis to children in the care of Child and Family Services, reported CBC/Radio-Canada.
CAA Manitoba released results from a survey looking at people who consume before driving. According to the survey, 61% of cannabis-impaired drivers in Manitoba wait less than three hours before getting behind the wheel.
The Vancouver Park Board is closing a parking lot and bathrooms in an attempt to dissuade people from attending the annual 4/20 event on Sunset Beach.
The BC “Craft Farmers Cannabis Summit” is happening over the 4/20 weekend in beautiful Prince George. Over in Ontario is the Niagara Falls 420 Expo at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.
And finally, Manitoba’s Delta9 Cannabis Inc announced the third anniversary of the launch of their mobile cannabis store. Delta 9 has plans to attend between 8–10 events in the 2024 season.
