This past week at StratCann, we looked at some of the new products hitting shelves following Health Canada’s recent rule changes and explored what craft and micro producers are doing to stay profitable in a turbulent market.
The OCS’ “Ontario Grown Cannabis” badge highlighted local cannabis producers, national cannabis sales reached new highs in April, Nova Scotia shared its 2024 sales figures, Simply Solventless shared its Q1 2025 results, and Mercanto Holdings reported on its Q3 2025.
In other cannabis news
High Tide Inc. says it will launch a new initiative in its Canna Cabana retail stores to showcase products grown or produced within the province of each specific store in honour of Canada Day. The initiative will roll out across all 200 of the Company’s Canna Cabana retail stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario as of June 24, 2025, and will continue throughout the summer.
Cannabis Xpress is opening its newest store in New Brunswick on July 1 in St. George. The grand opening will take place on July 4. Owner Chris Jones tells StratCann they hope to open more locations this summer.
Avant has entered into two multi-year international supply agreements serving the European medical cannabis market. Under the terms of the agreements, Avant will export up to 2,000 kilograms per year of GACP-certified, non-irradiated dried flower across several proprietary cultivars from its flagship Flowr and 3PL facilities.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, FL Group, Tilray has received official authorization from the Italian Ministry of Health to import and distribute proprietary Tilray Medical-branded medical cannabis flower for therapeutic use in the country.
A vehicle crashed through cannabis store in Brantford, Ontario
Aurora Cannabis Inc. recently expanded the eligibility of its medical compassionate pricing program in Canada. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to making medical cannabis more accessible to patients, the yearly income eligibility for the program has increased from CAD$40,000 to $60,000 for Aurora patients through AuroraMedical.com.
The OPP say they seized more than $12.7M in illicit cannabis and cannabis products in 2024.
An Alberta court found that an Aurora Cannabis investor met the class definitions as he purchased shares after an alleged misrepresentation and held them during the relevant period.
A write-up on Canlii Connects highlights an April ruling in Ontario that says Indigenous cannabis stores are subject to the Cannabis Control Act.
The owners of an unlicensed Moncton cannabis shop, L’Nuk Lounge & Co., say Molotov cocktails were thrown at the store and an employee earlier this month.
The Government of Nunavut is seeking part-time contract liquor and cannabis inspectors in Cambridge Bay.
Concerns related to the use of high-potency cannabis products continue to make headlines. CBC Saskatoon spoke with an employee at an unlicensed store and several public health and safety experts.
International cannabis news
MJBiz reports that the cannabis industry in the US experienced a 3.4% decline in employment, shedding 15,000 jobs to settle at 425,000 workers. While many cannabis businesses in mature US state markets are cutting jobs, emerging state markets are still experiencing job growth.
Thailand’s government is moving to recriminalize cannabis. The country’s health ministry issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use and making it mandatory for any retail purchase to require a doctor’s prescription.
And finally, Jones Soda Co. announced that it has sold its cannabis beverage business, including all related cannabis-specific assets under the Mary Jones brand, to MJ Reg Disrupters LLC, a privately held company.
