This week at StratCann, we looked at the current state of cannabis sampling. This was one of the last pieces written for us by longtime contributor Tim Wilson, who is stepping away from the cannabis beat for a bit. We hope to hear from him again sooner than later!
We also ran our monthly cannabis jobs overview, looked at a recall from Canna Farms due to a labelling error, and checked in on Health Canada’s commitment to providing updates on the state of CBD and NHPs.
Uber Eats and Leafly announced they were expanding their delivery menu options for cannabis stores into the Alberta market, and the OCRC has a new board chair.
It was also a busy week for financial reports from the pubcos. We looked at Cannara Biotech’s Q3 2024 results, Tilray’s Q4 2024, MTL’s 2023-2024 report, Greenway’s annual report, Nova Cannabis’ Q2 2024, and SNDL’s Q2 2023.
Lastly, Delta 9’s monitor filed a sale and investment process notice for Delta 9 Bio-Tech.
In other Cannabis news
ROSE LifeScience Inc. received a Cannabis Research Licence from Health Canada, authorizing non-therapeutic research on cannabis, permitting in-house sensory and other consumer preference testing. ROSE is majority-owned by Village Farms International.
Just months after a successful 4-20 event that saw strong community support, downtown Prince George was once again home to a cannabis street festival on Saturday, July 27. The Street Summer Fest had a 19+ safe consumption site, as well as live music, dancers, food trucks, local businesses, and more.
High Tide announced the closing of $15 million in subordinated debt facility and opened four more stores in Alberta and Ontario.
Christina Lake Cannabis reported a loss and comprehensive loss of nearly $1.6 million from $3.3 million in sales in the three month period ended May 31, 2024
Statistics Canada examined the cannabis industry’s impact on GDP over the past five months. There were modest gains in the legal sector and declines in the illicit sector.
Aurora Cannabis Inc. announced a collaboration with a company that will launch its newly developed CBD lozenge on Aurora’s Canadian medical cannabis patient platform. The agreement between Aurora and Cogent International Manufacturing Ltd is expected to have an initial term of 24 months, and the first SKU is targeted for later in 2024.
A recent study compared the effects of oral THC, microdose LSD, and methamphetamine on brain activity. Although only LSD was said to have significantly increased neural complexity, oral THC did, unsurprisingly, induce an altered state of consciousness with strong subjective effects.
Psychology Today also looked at some of the hype around CBG.
Law enforcement
Eco Green Leaf Bar in Diamond Valley, Alberta, has reopened after being rammed by a truck during a burglary.
Two Cannabis NB employees have been charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of cash and product from their employer, with one then falsely reporting the store had been robbed, reports the Telegraph-Journal.
Officers in New Brunswick used new inspection powers to seize products from an unlicensed store in Saint John.
Police in Saskatchewan intercepted four pallets of cannabis en route from BC to Ontario.
An Ontario farmer found 538 cannabis plants on his land, alerting the OPP.
During July 30 searches on Commercial St. in Nova Scotia, officers found and seized hundreds of small quantity packages of illegal cannabis, tobacco, and vape products, as well as a quantity of psilocybin. Two men were arrested.
A PEI man also landed in jail for driving to work while impaired by cannabis.
In international cannabis news
New Zealand recently approved changes to its Medicinal Cannabis Scheme, allowing companies to export cannabis immediately. Trade Minister Todd McClay said the changes provide opportunities for New Zealand cultivators and manufacturers. The article also includes comments from Helius Therapeutics, the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Council, and Regulation Minister David Seymour.
Czech Republic is considering cannabis legalization. While growing up to three plants at home and possessing up to 600 kg of cannabis is being considered, clubs or shops appear to be off the table for now.
New York City’s sheriff’s office says it has shuttered around 700 illegal stores since new state regulations passed in April. Officials had estimated some 2,900 unlicensed vendors throughout New York City—compared to around 60 licensed dispensaries currently operating. New York still has only 150 dispensaries statewide.
And finally, Missouri is banning the sale of drinks, candy and other foods made with hemp-derived Delta-8 THC and other unregulated CBD products.
