Week in Weed – November 30, 2024

| Staff

This past week at StratCann, we reported on newly tabled documents showing a plan for more than $20 million in cuts to Health Canada’s cannabis program over the next three years, and we looked at some comments between Trudeau and Poilievre in QP that referenced cannabis legalization. 

We also heard from the Canadian Cannabis Council and Global Affairs Canada on their questions about Israel’s Canadian cannabis report. At the same time, Israel’s Ministry of Health said the proposed tariffs on Canadian cannabis will harm patients and benefit the illicit market.

Health Canada granted a cannabis testing licence to Brock University, the Australian Senate rejected a cannabis legalization bill at second reading, and we looked at several new THC-infused oral pouches from Canadian cannabis producers. 

In financial news, CanadaBis Capital and The Good Shroom shared their year-end reports, while MTL Cannabis shared its Q2 2024 report and Cannara Biotech shared its Q4 2024. Entourage Health released its Q3 2024 and Ayurcann released its Q1 2025.

Tokyo Smoke has emerged from creditor protection with around 57 “go-forward” store locations.

In law enforcement news, Halifax RCMP executed two search warrants at an illegal cannabis storefront, Surrey RCMP dismantled a large illicit cannabis distribution group, seizing 700 pounds of illicit cannabis, guns, and psilocybin, and Renfrew OPP are looking for three suspects in a cannabis store robbery

A Canadian man is said to be imprisoned in Dubai over CBD oil, and the CBSA continues to seize cannabis making its way to foreign shores

In other cannabis news

Health Canada’s Cannabis Tracking and Licensing System (CTLS) User Guide is now available online.  

Markham, Ontario’s 1CM have been issued their Cannabis Distributor Licence from the Manitoba cannabis regulator the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA). They join Open Fields Distribution, Maqabim Distributors Inc., Lineage Distribution, and 100 LBS in offering distribution services to the Manitoba cannabis retail market on behalf of MBLL.

The owner of a liquor store and cannabis store in Innisfail, Alberta is looking to sell. The owner operates the liquor store and receives rental income from the cannabis store, Revive Cannabis.

Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. announced the appointment of Tairance Rutter from ANC to Vice President, Marketing & Product Development with SSC. SSC also provided Q4 2024 guidance, including record projected gross revenue, adjusted EBITDA and normalized net income, and the graduation from TSXV Tier 2 to TSXV Tier 1 status. The company also issued a correction of this press release.

A recent survey conducted by CAA South Central Ontario found that 19% of Ontario drivers admit to consuming cannabis and driving a vehicle, a 5% increase from last year.

Jesse Lavoie from Toba Grown posted an update on Instagram about the Manitoba government’s efforts to finally allow people to grow cannabis at home. Lavoie says there should be more info from the government in the coming weeks, and expects seeds to be available for purchase legally as early as next February. 

Truro Police Service patrol officers in Nova Scotia conducted a traffic stop on Robie St. that resulted in a 32-year-old New Brunswick male being arrested for possession of cannabis for the purpose of distribution. A large amount of cannabis and a large sum of cash were seized in this investigation. 

A Moncton business owner was fined $20,000 after admitting his business continued to illegally sell cannabis products even after being warned repeatedly not to by the province. 

Police in London, Ontario, are investigating an early morning shooting that damaged an unlicensed, “sovereign” Indigenous Dundas Street cannabis shop but saw no one injured.

Police seized $16,000 in cash, illegal drugs, and 265 cannabis plants following a search of two Calgary residences.

Police charged a 17-year-old Lloydminster, Alberta youth after investigations into a break-and-enter at a south side cannabis store where about $15,000 worth of items was stolen. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a home and took a male youth into custody, as well as recovering items taken during the break-and-enter.

The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op (BCCFC) wants the federal government to reconsider its new GST policy that does not include cannabis among the list of exempt items.  

Canopy Growth Corporation has named Luc Mongeau as the next CEO of Canopy Growth, effective January 6, 2025. Mongeau was previously CEO of ESolutions Furniture and President of Weston Foods.

Cannabis represents about 2.8% of total farm cash receipts so far in 2024. 

A new research paper looks at Canadian cannabis researchers’ perspectives on the conduct and sponsorship of scientific research by the for-profit cannabis Industry, underscoring the issue of industry-academic relationships as a structural problem.

The monitor for Delta 9’s CCAA process has shared an Application for a Restricted Court Access Order and an Application for a Creditor’s Meeting, as well as the Fifth Report of the Monitor and the Third Affidavit of Mark Townsend.

International cannabis news

A series of cannabis recalls in short succession in Maine has industry members questioning the effectiveness of the state’s cannabis testing protocols, saying the standards for yeast and mould are simultaneously too tight and too broad. 

The US Farm Bill 2025, which has previously come under intense scrutiny from the country’s hemp industry, has been released by the Senate Agriculture Committee. The updated draft now redefines hemp to include “total THC” levels, incorporating all variants like delta-8, delta-10, delta-9 and THCA, and keeping to a 0.3% limit.

Denmark’s six-year medical cannabis pilot scheme could soon be expanded into a fully legalized market following a recent surprise announcement from the government, reports Business of Cannabis.

And finally, Australia’s ‘booming’ medicinal cannabis trade is on track this year to quadruple 2022 sales, reports The Guardian.


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