This past week at StratCann, we spoke with Ghost Drops CEO Gene Bernaudo about the company’s fight with Health Canada over marketing restrictions. We looked at Ontario’s 2025 budget, which included some cannabis announcements, and the AGLC announced a large seizure of cannabis from an unlicensed online retailer.
We also looked at a recent study that helped verify Statistics Canada’s estimates of the size of the legal and illegal cannabis markets in Canada.
In financial news, Avicanna released their Q1 2025, as did Auxly, MediPharm Labs, and Pure SunFarms, while Organigram shared their Q2 2025 and Ayurcann Holdings Corp released their Q3 2025.
In our company profile, we spoke with the folks at United Craft Growers in Weedon, Quebec.
In other cannabis news
The Globe and Mail Editorial Board published a piece on Ontario’s rules for cannabis retailers, based on the province’s interpretation of federal regulations that prohibit cannabis branding from being visible to minors.
GrowerIQ, a cannabis compliance and cultivation technology company, announced its selection to represent Team Canada on an upcoming trade mission to Thailand. Organized by Global Affairs Canada, this delegation showcases innovative Canadian companies poised for international growth. GrowerIQ says it is the only cannabis-related business selected to participate.
MediPharm Labs Corp. raised concerns about the six “dissident” nominees for its board of directors submitted by Apollo Technology Capital Corporation. MediPharm has proposed seven individuals for election to the Board, as well.
Apollo fired back by saying MediPharm Labs is “dangerously low on cash”.
Rubicon Organics Inc. announced the appointment of Glen Ibbott, a former Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Cannabis Inc., as its Interim Chief Financial Officer, replacing current CFO Janis Risbin.
Brenton Raby will be forced to sell the Yaherb Culture Café in Nelson after he was denied a temporary use permit (TUP) by city council last week.
LGCA shared a campaign to promote legal cannabis called “Buy legal – avoid the buzzkill.”
Nextleaf announced its entrance into the Quebec market.
A man was arrested in a retail robbery investigation at a location near Sheppard Avenue East and Morningside Avenue in Toronto, where the suspect produced a knife and made a demand for cash and cannabis products. Google Maps lists two licensed stores near that intersection.
Police in Ottawa shut down an unlicensed cannabis shop.
Castanet covered raids at two unlicensed cannabis shops and a home on Tk’emlúps reserve land near Kamloops, BC, seizing cannabis, tobacco, and cash.
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) confronted a local business and filed a police report after receiving information that a cannabis vape was allegedly sold to a 14-year-old in the community.
International cannabis news
The National Health Surveillance Agency in Brazil has reportedly passed the management of the cannabis cultivation file on to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Activists in Prague held a peaceful protest outside the Czechia Ministry of Health by watering cannabis plants outside the Ministry’s headquarters.
About 500 members of UFCW Locals 5, 135, 324, 770, 1167, and 1428 who work at STIIIZY cannabis dispensaries across California ratified a landmark contract that strengthens wages and benefits.
And finally, Uruguay’s former president Jose Mujica, who helped push the country to become the first to legalize cannabis, has died.
