This week at StratCann, we looked at the nine retail cannabis locations that will move to public hearing in Surrey in April and checked in with federal cannabis licence approvals and revocations in the first three months of 2025.
We also looked at a US Cannabis industry organization that is looking to appeal to Trump by blaming Canada for the US cannabis industry’s woes. BC announced its plans to reduce direct delivery reporting requirements.
In financial news, a US court dismissed a Tilray/HEXO shareholder lawsuit, BZAM seeks another extension in its CCAA proceedings, (which was approved) Herbal Dispatch completed $600,000 in debt financing, and the CRA seeks to hold Freedom Cannabis directors liable under the Excise Act.
In law enforcement news, two teens were charged in some Calgary cannabis store robberies, and police in Ontario dismantled a large illicit cannabis network.
In other cannabis news
Organigram announced that it is changing its name to Organigram Global Inc. The name change remains subject to regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX.
MTL Cannabis Corp. began trading on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol “MTLNF” as of the opening of markets on Tuesday, March 25.
Northern College in Ontario is offering a course on the legalization of cannabis in Canada. Students will examine the history of cannabis within Canada, develop insights into the factors behind the decision to legalize, discuss Bill C-45 and the Cannabis Regulations, and explore the emerging and dynamic infrastructure surrounding the legal recreational use of cannabis.
A local publication noted that the Canna Farms facility is listed for sale in Hope, BC, for $4.5 million. StratCann has confirmed with Rubicon that the company is still moving forward with plans to purchase the facility from MediPharm Labs.
Canada has done more for cannabis, both medical and non-medical, than any other country in the world, said Miguel Martin, CEO of Aurora Cannabis.
CKPGToday spoke with Tyson Wall of Kush Mountain Craft Cannabis and Tara Kirkpatrick of Backwoods BC Bud about some of the new changes to the federal cannabis regulations.
HYTN Innovations Inc. announced that it entered into strategic supply agreements and successfully completed vendor qualification with two cannabis cultivators under its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) system, qualifying a minimum of 4000 kg of cannabis for the German market.
The Cannabis East consumer event will be in Charlottetown, PEI, on April 11th and 12th at the Eastlink Centre.
On March 22, 2025, Fisher Branch RCMP in Manitoba, with the assistance of several RCMP support units and Peguis First Nation security officers, executed three search warrants at residences located within the community. The search of the properties resulted in the seizure of a large sum of cash, several firearms, a handgun, ammunition, cannabis, and other drug paraphernalia. RCMP arrested two men, aged 27 and 26, both from Peguis First Nation, and subsequently released them for a scheduled court appearance on August 5, 2025.
OPP in Ottawa stopped a vehicle while the driver was smoking cannabis while driving.
On March 25, 2025, Tilray Brands Inc. received notice from Nasdaq notifying the company that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share requirement.
Sûreté du Québec officers from the Matawinie MRC auxiliary post, in collaboration with the SQ’s Organized Crime Investigation and Coordination Division, conducted an operation today in Saint-Michel-des-Saints concerning drug trafficking and cannabis smuggling. A 51-year-old man from Saint-Michel-des-Saints was arrested as part of this operation.
A driver in Ontario was fined $215 for having cannabis improperly stored in his vehicle.
International cannabis news
The US Court of International Trade denied an attempt by a BC-based cannabis equipment company to expedite its case, saying the business has not shown that good cause exists.
A California bill aims to prevent a cannabis tax increase, which is set for July 2025.
Cal Poly Humboldt’s Cannabis Studies Program is hosting a Symposium on Cannabis and Environmental Stewardship to empower regenerative cannabis agriculture and best practices for licensed cannabis production.
South Africa’s Health Minister will withdraw the gazetted regulations prohibiting the sale of cannabis and hemp products to facilitate a public participation process.
A court heard that a west Belfast man stopped in a car with £165,000 in suspected criminal cash may be linked to intercepted shipments from Canada.
And finally, Virginia’s Republican governor again vetoed a bill that would have created a regulated and taxed adult-use cannabis retail market in the state.
