The Snuneymuxw First Nation in BC is near completion of a micro cannabis facility on Vancouver Island that will add to the Nation’s retail cannabis brand, Coast Salish Cannabis, in Nanaimo.
Built with funding from the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund, the 13,000 sq. ft. facility will enable them to grow, produce, and distribute their own cannabis products, including edibles, in their own stores and across BC and Canada.
The fund, provided through New Relationship Trust (NRT), provides non-repayable contributions to First Nation communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs in British Columbia that are pursuing opportunities in the federally and provincially regulated cannabis sector.
The fund supports equity, diversity, and Indigenous-led participation across the cannabis value chain—from production and distribution to retail and ancillary services.
Snuneymuxw Nation got into the cannabis industry to generate profits for the Nation so we could provide dividends directly to the Nation for the services that our Nation provides to our members.
Ian Simpson, CEO of Petroglyph Development Group (PDG)
BC First Nation governments, businesses, and economic development corporations can apply for the funding as long as they have a minimum 51% Indigenous ownership of the business, proof of community engagement and First Nation government support for on-reserve projects, and have the financial capacity to contribute 25% to 60% of project costs through cash equity or financing. First Nations must also stop any and all unregulated cannabis operations before funding disbursement, if applicable.
“Snuneymuxw Nation got into the cannabis industry to generate profits for the Nation so we could provide dividends directly to the Nation for the services that our Nation provides to our members,” says Ian Simpson, the CEO of the wholly-owned corporation of the First Nation, Petroglyph Development Group (PDG). “We’ve been able to generate a lot of high quality employment opportunities and career opportunities through our retail outlets. Something like 90% of our retail employees are Nation members.”
“The NRT funding allowed us to access capital that was a lot cheaper than what was otherwise available to us and allowed us to execute on this project a lot quicker than we had initially anticipated,” he adds.
Snuneymuxw (pronounced Snuh-NAY-mow) opened its first Coast Salish cannabis store in early 2022, following an agreement with the province in late 2021. That agreement, a Section 119 allowance, is one of a handful that the BC government signed with First Nations in the province to encourage those communities to operate under the umbrella of provincially-authorized cannabis stores and federally-licensed production.
The province has also established a program called BC Indigenous Cannabis Product (BCICP), intended to highlight BC cannabis products from First Nations producers.
Jason Guild, operations manager for the facility, says the funding gave the Nation the chance to move forward with the project.
“For the facility, it’s given us an ability to get out of the ground and get us to where we are today,” explains Guild. “We’re currently building a 13,000 sq ft facility to house 200 meters squared of canopy space to grow cannabis. The facility will also house an area to produce our own edible line. Once this facility’s complete, on this same property, we have the ability to expand into four more micro grow buildings.”
The facility itself is housed adjacent to Coast Salish’s first retail store on Snuneymuxw reserve land on MacMillan Rd in Nanaimo, on the same property as the Snuneymuxw Gas Bar.
The second Coast Salish Cannabis store is located near the Departure Bay Ferry in Nanaimo.
Former Canadian Senator Dan Christmas is working with his home community of Membertou First Nation to help efforts to regulate the sale of cannabis in the Nova Scotia community.
According to the Cape Breton Post, the former Senator, who represented Nova Scotia from 2016 to 2023, was approached about 18 months ago by Membertou leadership to see if he could lead the community’s efforts to create rules for cannabis sales.
The Membertou First Nation is located near Sydney, Nova Scotia, on the northeastern edge of Cape Breton Island.
In April, the community’s cannabis council began gathering feedback from Membertou community members on a proposed cannabis law that will seek to address some community concerns that the unregulated sale of cannabis in residential areas has had significant impacts on the safety and quality of life in Membertou.
Google Maps lists around a dozen such unlicensed shops in the small community of about 1,700 people. The only licensed cannabis sales in the province are through the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) stores, and only one such location is within walking distance of the community. There are 50 NSLC Cannabis locations in the entire province.
According to the Cape Breton Post and Saltwire, Christmas says an initial engagement process raised community concerns about having a large number of customers, some from off-reserve, visiting retail cannabis stores that operate 24-hours-a-day within its residential areas.
“Basically the streets were blocked and there was so much traffic coming in and out that our own residents – the elders and the kids – don’t feel safe on the street,” Christmas explains.
Some of the cannabis stores operating in Membertou neighbourhoods. Images via Google Maps
Further highlighting the diversity of opinion about cannabis rules and regulations in First Nations communities, a cannabis rights group, a Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw rights group, the Micmac Rights Association, has been pushing back against what they say is the Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia’s efforts to ban cannabis sales in their community.
Rather than banning stores outright, Christmas says the chief and council would rather designate that those sales take place in commercial areas. Chief and band council say they intend to incentivize cooperation with such a law by offering legal protection to these operators. Membertou would then potentially act as the wholesaler and distribution centre for cannabis that comes onto the reserve.
Symone Marshall, a Communications Officer with the Membertou Governance Committee, tells StratCann that a valid Distribution License will permit the license holder to sell cannabis to the holder of a Retail License.
This License can only be held by Membertou, or an entity created by Membertou specifically for this purpose, she explained via email.
“Once the holder of a Distribution License is established, it will be up to Membertou Chief and Council and the holder of the Distribution License to determine the inventory of cannabis products sold as well as where they are sourced.”
Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Symone Marshall.
Engagement sessions with community members are scheduled to take place throughout June.
New regulations introduced in Nova Scotia in April will allow Mi’kmaw communities to open legal, community-owned cannabis retail stores on reserve by agreement with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC).
There is currently one on-reserve NSLC location that sells cannabis in Nova Scotia. It opened in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, in September 2022.
Earlier this year, an Associate Chief Judge in Nova Scotia sentenced a man to a six-month conditional sentence for operating a cannabis store within the territory of nearby Millbrook First Nation without a licence.
The man’s lawyer had argued that the Millbrook First Nation had a historical connection to cannabis and cannabis trade prior to contact with Europeans, that the development of federal and provincial cannabis regulations did not include consultation with the First Nation, and that Millbrook First Nation is on unceded territory.
In a provincial court ruling from June 2024, a judge said the defendant’s case did not make an effective argument for the existence of aboriginal and/or Treaty rights attached to their cannabis store operations, siding with the Crown, who argued the case was “frivolous” and a waste of the court’s time.
In deciding on the man’s sentencing, in a March 31, 2025 ruling, the Associate Chief Judge said the sentencing was based on general and specific deterrence, noting that this type of offence is proliferating in Nova Scotia in contradiction of provincial and federal cannabis regulations.
Cannabis rules in other First Nations communities
How to regulate cannabis sales and production has been a hot topic in another First Nations community in Canada in recent months. An ongoing dispute has been simmering in the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, with vocal opposition from the community against a large cannabis facility called Legacy Farms that was recently licensed by local council.
The Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board also issued their first micro cannabis production licence in late 2024 to a business called MSJ Cultivation.
This is the second licence the agency has issued. The first was for a standard cultivation and processing licence. The standard cultivation licence and the standard processing licence from KCCB were both issued to 9076484 Canada Inc. on December 3, 2021 and February 14, 2023, respectively.
The micro cultivation licence authorizes MSJ to cultivate, possess, and test cannabis, as well as sell cannabis to holders of a valid distribution licence or export from the Territory to a licensed processor or retailer in another jurisdiction. Only a distribution licence holder is authorized to distribute cannabis products within Kahnawà:ke territory (Kahnawake) to a retail dispensary licence holder. The board has stated that they will only issue one such distribution licence.
The business also has a micro cultivation licence from Health Canada, which is one of MCK’s licensing requirements for producers. In 2021, the band agency announced a memorandum with Health Canada regarding their cannabis production regulations. The process was years in the making, Tonya Perron, who has led the cannabis file for the MCK for several years, explained to StratCann at the time.
The Okanagan Indian Band in British Columbia began issuing its own retail cannabis licences in 2024, as well, including two to Timix Wellness Inc. and one to Nature’s Own Cannabis, while law enforcement has conducted raids against unlicensed stores within the community.
A Canadian cannabis consultation service has partnered with a second Ontario cannabis retail chain to offer pharmacist-led cannabis consultations for cannabis consumers.
Apothecare, a pharmacist-led consultation service, is now partnering with FIKA Cannabis, a cannabis retailer with 21 stores across Ontario, to provide its customers with direct access to licensed pharmacists who provide personalized, evidence-based guidance to support health and wellness.
Apothecare announced a similar program with another Ontario cannabis retailer, Stok’d Cannabis, earlier this year. The company, which was cofounded by two licensed pharmacists holding Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Toronto, has also previously partnered with numerous individual retailers.
The program gives cannabis consumers who visit these stores a chance to connect with the Apothocare portal, either online or over the phone, to provide them with more information about specific cannabis products, any potential issues to watch out for with other medications, etc.
FIKA’s COO says the retail chain is expecting to deepen its wellness focus, helping guests explore how cannabis can support therapeutic concerns such as sleep, anxiety, and chronic pain.
“At FIKA, we’ve always believed cannabis retail should be welcoming, informed, and empowering,” said Ryan Dymond, President and COO of FIKA Cannabis. “Our partnership with Apothecare elevates the educational support we offer—connecting guests with healthcare professionals who can help them navigate their cannabis journey safely and confidently. It’s a natural extension of our commitment to community, quality, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.”
Since budtenders are unable to communicate health and wellness information to consumers, access to pharmacists provides a solution, explains Apothecare’s co-founders.
“FIKA Cannabis has built something truly unique—modern retail spaces where people feel at ease, informed, and cared for,” said Anushya Vijayaraghevan, cofounder of Apothecare. “We’re excited to support that vision by offering clinical support that helps people integrate cannabis safely into their wellness plans with confidence and clarity.”
Vijayaraghevan also noted in a conversation with StratCann that, with an increasing number of wellness-focused cannabis products in the market, giving consumers a chance to talk about them with a pharmacist makes sense.
“This is where healthcare professionals are needed and where they should intervene,” she adds. “You can even look at the different wellness products on the market that are zero THC products. There are many topical products available, and no one is using a topical product recreationally. So we’re really just filling this gap in care and ensuring that cannabis is safe for someone after doing a proper assessment.”
Lisa Bigioni , the CEO at Stok’d, explains how the process works in her stores.
“We have marketing materials in store to help start the conversation and the staff talk about the partnership whenever they have the opportunity. I actually just recommended Apothecare today. I ran into an old friend who asked about sleep aids for her husband who’s concerned about cannabis interacting with his medication.”
A press release from FIKA and Apothecare notes that a national survey conducted by Health Canada in 2023 found that nearly 6 in 10 Canadians who used cannabis for medical purposes did so without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
“Many Canadians are turning to cannabis for therapeutic relief, but most do so without access to credible medical advice,” says Ajay Chahal, also a cofounder of Apothecare. “Through this partnership with FIKA, we’re bridging that gap— offering expert, evidence-based consultations that only a few Canadian cannabis retailers have legally been able to provide.”
The most reported reasons included managing chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Despite growing demand for therapeutic cannabis, the survey revealed that only 27 percent of respondents consulted a medical professional before use, highlighting a critical gap in support. Apothecare aims to meet that need by offering private, pharmacist-led consultations that help Canadians use cannabis safely and effectively as part of their wellness plans.
“People who don’t have medical authorization are more likely to obtain cannabis from a recreational store or the unregulated market rather than a federally licensed medical seller, which means they have limited access to medical advice on things like dosage, potency, and type of product,” said principal investigator in the study, Dr. Lynda Balneaves, associate professor at the College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba. “It raises concerns about whether people are using medical cannabis safely and effectively, and if there could be potential harms to their health.”
A 2019 study found that three-quarters of Canadian medical trainees wanted more cannabis education to feel confident authorizing its use. Similarly, 91% of nursing students identified significant gaps in their curriculum regarding both medical and recreational cannabis.
A 2024 peer-reviewed study in BMC Medicine surveyed 5,433 Canadians using cannabis for therapeutic purposes and found that chronic pain (67%), anxiety (63.6%), and sleep issues (61.8%) were the most common conditions treated. Despite these medical needs, only 54.1% of participants had medical authorization, highlighting the need for professional guidance in cannabis use.
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) recorded $741.5 million in sales for the fiscal year ending March 29, 2025.
The 149,223 kg of cannabis sold in provincial stores and on SQDC.ca in 2024-2025 resulted in $118.1 million net profit. This, combined with additional taxes, resulted in $295.9 million going back to the provincial government.
This was an increase from $662.1 million in sales and net income of $104.1 million in the previous year, with $258 million going back to the province. The amount of cannabis sold in the province also increased by 21.8%, from 122,478 kg in 2023-2024.
The corporation generated $243.2 million in gross profit, up from $214.0 million in 2023–2024. Net expenses in the most recent fiscal year were $125.1 million, while staff compensation totalled $67.1 million.
The SQDC attributes the increase in sales to the addition of new retail locations. At the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, there were 104 such retail locations. Seven branches were opened during the year, and six were renovated to provide a better consumer experience. The most recent fiscal year also had one less week than the previous year.
The average selling price in the most recent fiscal year was $5.71 per gram, including taxes and for all cannabis products combined. This is down from $6.22 per gram in 2023-2024.
While most sales were in brick-and-mortar stores, sales through the SQDC’s website were $32.8 million. This was down from $40.0 million in 2023–2024. A postal strike in the third quarter of the most recent fiscal year could explain all or some of the decline in online sales.
The Société québécoise du cannabis was recently listed as one of 14 winners of the Retail Council of Canada’s 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards for its 90-minute delivery service from orders placed online.
Launched in 2022, the service accounts for 43% of all online orders from SQDC. There were 133,640 orders with this delivery type during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Two new territories were added during the year, Drummondville and Saint-Hyacinthe, bringing the number of regions where the service is now offered to nine.
For products sold in the dried flower, pre-rolls, ground cannabis, hashish, and kief categories, 381 certified products were grown in Quebec, representing 61.4% of the total product listings in the province. The SQDC sells these under the “Cultivé Québec” label.
Cannabis vapes are still expected in the fall of 2025, and in 2024, the SQDC also expanded its range of available accessories, including water pipes and torches, pipe screens, and adapters for concentrates.
“With a view to expanding its market coverage and being even more accessible, the Corporation plans to open new points of sale during the next fiscal year,” said President and CEO Suzanne Bergeron. “With customer satisfaction at the heart of its priorities, the SQDC will continue to take advantage of the opening of its new branches to optimize the experience with better adapted customer journeys and an improved product offering.”
Manitoba has approved new legislation that will limit cannabis sales to age-restricted stores in urban areas of the province.
First tabled in March, Bill 9, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act (2), prohibits the issuance of any new “controlled-access” retail cannabis licences in major urban areas. Existing controlled-access retail cannabis licences are not affected by this amendment.
Controlled access stores will continue to be allowed in rural and northern areas of Manitoba. The Act defines major urban areas as cities, towns or other urban municipalities with a population over 5,000 people.
Manitoba legislation allows for such controlled access stores, which allow cannabis to be sold in mixed-use convenience stores where minors are permitted inside. Initially, these types of licenses were intended for more remote, rural locations, but they had begun being applied in more urban settings.
At the time of the initial pause on that type of licensing, Domo, which operates a chain of more than a dozen gas stations and convenience stores in Winnipeg, had been in plans with a Manitoba retailer to supply the chain with their locally-produced cannabis products.
Manitoba’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Matt Wiebe, who first introduced the legislation, said during its final reading that the bill is about keeping cannabis away from young people.
“Bill 9 is about ensuring that cannabis stays out of the hands of our youth by allowing its sale in urban areas to be limited to only age-restricted retail locations,” said Wiebe. “Numerous studies have suggested that early exposure to cannabis can affect brain development, cognitive function and mental health, and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their developing brains.”
However, Trevor King, the MLA for Lakeside, said the bill was unfair to convenience store and restaurant owners in the province, saying such rules should be left to the municipalities, not the province.
“Where businesses locate and what kind of businesses are operating and selling cannabis should be decided locally by municipalities through their own zoning and urban planning bylaws,” King said during the final debate of the bill. “This legislation will allow the minister and the Liquor Gaming Control Act to discriminate against some business owners and pick the winners and losers based on their own biases.
“Many convenience stores are owned by newer Canadians that have come to Manitoba to invest in our province, and the NDP are telling them that they will discriminate against their convenience store and restaurant operations, prohibiting them from competing in the cannabis retail business with other business owners and licensees.”
A raid on an unlicensed cannabis store in Windsor, Ontario led to one arrest and the seizure of cannabis and cash.
The Windsor Police Service say they have arrested a 24-year-old man and seized over $200,000 in cannabis following the search of an illegal cannabis dispensary on May 29, 2025.
In a press release on June 2, Windsor Police says members of the Windsor Police Drugs and Guns Unit (DIGS) assisted the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (PJFCET) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in executing a search warrant at an unlicensed cannabis dispensary located in the 100 block of Tecumseh Road West.
The store was closed pursuant to an interim closure order under section 18 of the Cannabis Control Act. The man was charged with ·Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, Possession of illicit cannabis, and Possession of proceeds of crime.
The store in question, Rose City Kush, was located at 125 Tecumseh Rd. W. in a location that previously held a licensed cannabis store called Green Light District. Rose City Kush identifies itself as an Indigenous owned store, and a sign on the store says it opened in 2024.
A sign on the window also claims that the store is operated by sovereign people on sovereign land and is protected by Sections 25 and 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act. Section 35 of the Constitution Act says that the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are recognized and affirmed. Section 25 ensures that the designated rights and freedoms of Indigenous peoples are protected.
Some Indigenous store owners and other legal experts have argued that federal and provincial cannabis laws don’t apply to Indigenous-owned cannabis businesses. While the majority of these stores have opened on recognized treaty territories, some have opened on traditional lands outside of those treaty territories. The latter tend to be more likely to face enforcement by police or bylaw officers.
People looking to grow their own cannabis in Ontario this year now have the option of buying cannabis clones directly from two of the province’s cannabis farmgate locations.
Kingston Cannabis Inc. in Kingston and Level Up Infusions in North York, two of a handful of cannabis farmgate licenses in the province, are partnering with a local micro cultivator to sell cannabis clones through their stores.
Jonathan Pilon, the president of Kingston Cannabis, says he believes the two stores are the first in Ontario to do so.
Roots on Tire Fire clones from Torrcann
“It’s been something we’ve been trying to do for years, we just had to have everything aligned,” says Pilon, who says he sees it as a way to help bring attention to the two farmgate stores in such a highly saturated retail market.
“[Farmgate’s] a really nice opportunity to show the market what we can do,” he adds. “We can form our own individual menus and really offer much more fresh product right out our door. And you can’t get more fresh than live plants.”
He expects the first sales in early June with a few dozen of the cultivar Tire Fire. He is also exploring more options down the road, especially for pre-orders, depending on consumer interest.
Daniel Torres, the owner of Torrcann, a micro cultivator located just down the road from Kingston Cannabis, says Tire Fire is a cross of High Octane and Do-Si-Dos, from Archive Seeds. It’s one of the many different genetics he has worked with for many years, bringing them in when TorrCann was first licensed in 2021.
“We decided to launch Tire Fire first because we figured it’s suitable for outdoors in Ontario. We thought it was a strong genetic that people would enjoy for their four outdoor plants,” Torres tells StratCann. He also notes that they have extensively grown and tested Tire Fire, learning how the plant grows, testing the flower, and testing the plants for diseases like hop latent viroid.
Only about a dozen of these provincially-licensed cannabis farmgate stores operate in Canada, allowing consumers to engage more directly with the cannabis grower or processor. Even fewer stores offer consumers the opportunity to purchase clones directly.
Moncton, New Brunswick, is home to Canada’s only cannabis farmgate nursery, Klonz, with a focus on starting material for growers. Hidden Harvest, the producer behind the Klonz store and brand, has also worked with retailers in New Brunswick and PEI to offer clones to consumers at retail stores and even special events.
Other farmgate stores in the province, like Eco Canadian Organic, have also offered clones for sale at their store in Rexton.
British Columbia’s direct delivery program has also allowed cultivators and nurseries to sell clones directly to retailers, bypassing the provincial distribution warehouse.
Two new cannabis stores will be coming to Burnaby, BC.
The city of around 250,000 people, located just east of Vancouver, has until now only allowed for two provincially-run BC Cannabis Stores within its boundaries. In July 2024, council recommended a policy change to also allow up to four privately run stores.
Four applications were received by the city during an intake period in the winter and spring, one for each of the city’s four quadrants.
At a city council meeting on May 27, city staff recommended two of those applications, but did not recommend two others due to their proximity to stores in neighbouring cities. Burnaby zoning bylaws don’t allow cannabis stores to be within one kilometre of another location.
Based on those recommendations, council voted to approve two locations, the first at 180-4112 Lougheed Highway (Seed & Stone – northwest quadrant) and the second at 5906 Kingsway (Seed & Stone – southwest quadrant).
The city council also approved an amendment to clarify that Burnaby’s distance requirements only relate to stores located within city limits, and to hold off on the Austin Rd and Canada Way locations, pending the outcome of the proposed changes to city zoning bylaw.
One councillor noted that the distance bylaw was always intended to apply only to stores within Burnaby city limits, not to locations in neighbouring cities like Vancouver to the west and Coquitlam to the east.
Those two applications were for 204-9855 Austin Road (Kelo Cannabis – northeast quadrant), which is near a store in Coquitlam, and 3722 Canada Way (Local Cannabis – southeast quadrant), located near a store in Vancouver, as well as the application at 5906 Kingsway.
Another BC city in the Metro Vancouver area recently began allowing cannabis stores. Surrey, the second largest city in the province behind Vancouver, with around 700,000 people, recently approved 11 private cannabis stores, the first legal cannabis stores in the city.
Richmond, BC, located west of Surrey and home to more than 200,000 people, does not allow any cannabis retailers.
Wholesale cannabis sales in BC (From the provincial distributor to cannabis stores) in the first three months of 2025 (Q4 2024) were $144 million, up 9% from the same period in 2023, but down slightly from the previous quarter ($146.9 million).
Featured image of a Seed & Stone location in Coquitlam, just outside Burnaby city limits.
Health Canada has issued a recall notice for one lot of Exka Inc.’s Terroir – Royal Gorilla cannabis extract sold in Quebec.
The recall is due to a container (jar) with a defective child-resistant mechanism. Health Canada states that the lack of a functioning child-resistant package could result in unintentional exposure to the product, leading to serious illness.
Exka Inc. has only received one complaint related to the recalled lot to date. Health Canada has not received any complaints related to the recalled lot. Neither Exka Inc. nor Health Canada have received any adverse reaction reports for the recalled cannabis product lot.
There were 3,648 units of recalled product sold in Quebec from April 29, 2025, to May 27, 2025.
Consumers can return the product to the retailer where it was purchased, or dispose of it. Opened products should be disposed of safely and out of the reach of children and young persons.
This is the third cannabis recall listed by Health Canada in 2025. The first two were in February: one for a labelling error and one for concerns with potential mould contamination.
Cannabis tax revenue was among the topics Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar brought up in a debate with BC’s Minister of Finance, Brenda Bailey, in the legislature on May 26.
Milobar, a member of the BC Conservative Party, was questioning BC NDP MLA Bailey on several issues related to the BC 2025 budget released in March.
Milobar’s questions about cannabis related to the province’s 75% share of the federal cannabis excise tax, which was forecast to be about $110 million a year over the next few years, and how it is being spent, as well as double standards in the province’s enforcement of its own retail regulations.
First, in reference to BC’s expected $110 million for its share of the federal cannabis excise of $1 a gram, Milobar asked if the provincial government was sharing this with BC municipalities.
The Minister of Finance responded that it does not share this revenue with municipalities, which the Kamloops Centre MLA said was an expectation of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), which has been calling on the province to share that revenue since legalization began.
BC’s Minister of Finance disputed that this was ever a part of the agreement it made with its municipalities, or with the federal government. Although not officially part of the federal/provincial/territorial agreement, Canada’s Department of Finance has said in the past that its expectation is “that a substantial portion of the revenues” be transferred to local communities.
Several other provinces, such as Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, have shared this revenue with their municipalities.
In 2020, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) reported that a survey of its membership revealed $11.5 million in incremental local government costs per year for the three years following cannabis legalization.
A representative from BC’s Ministry of Finance has previously told StratCann that cannabis excise tax revenue goes into the province’s Consolidated Revenue Fund for programs like health care, education, and child care.
As of May 1, 2025, the BC government has received $419.3 million in their share of those taxes, based on sales through December 2024.
Milobar’s second line of questioning in regard to cannabis was about the apparent lack of enforcement of the province’s own retail cannabis regulations when it comes to many on-reserve stores. The Conservative MLA wanted to know how much lost revenue this relative lack of enforcement represented for their province.
“What is the revenue loss that the Minister of Finance has calculated on a yearly basis by not enforcing the rules as they pertain to cannabis, unlike trying to enforce the rules as they pertain to tobacco or liquor?”
Bailey avoided directly answering the question by noting that the Ministry of Finance does not investigate cannabis like they do tobacco, and deflecting to the federal government when it comes to their collection of the cannabis excise tax. The federal government distributes this tax based on reported sales in each province, except for Manitoba, which opted out of the tax-sharing agreement signed by all other provinces and territories.
“The investigation unit within the Ministry of Finance does not investigate cannabis. I previously mentioned Kamloops-area enforcement. We were involved because of the tobacco side. It was a work with the police, and they were involved in regards to the cannabis and tobacco. Also, it’s actually the CRA who collects the excise tax in cannabis, not the province, so they’re responsible for the enforcement from the tax perspective. In the province, the Solicitor General is responsible for looking at enforcement from a legal perspective.”
RCMP in Milobar’s riding recently raided two unlicensed cannabis stores on or near First Nations reserve lands, although such enforcement actions remain relatively uncommon. While the BC government has maintained that only cannabis stores that it has licensed are allowed to sell cannabis in the province, enforcement against unlicensed stores operating on First Nations reserve lands tends not to be a priority for provincial enforcement officers.
Google Maps currently lists a half dozen such stores on First Nations lands near Kamloops, and dozens more operate around the province, especially in the interior region around Kamloops.
In 2023, the BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General said that the provincial cannabis enforcement agency, the Community Safety Unit (CSU), had also conducted nine enforcement actions on First Nations reserves in the province, seizing about $12 million worth of products.
As of January 2025, the CSU has conducted 368 educational visits, resulting in the closure of 238 unlicensed stores. CSU has investigated 1,657 websites involved in the illegal sale of cannabis and has disrupted 1,054 of those websites. It has seized a total of $39.24 million worth of cannabis, the bulk of which was from 2019-2022.
Cannabis stores in Ontario sold nearly 409 million grams of cannabis in 2024, worth more than $2.15 billion in sales, an 11.3% increase from the previous year.
The 432,495,489 grams of cannabis the OCS shipped to cannabis stores in the province was a 16% increase compared to 2023, and 106,691,440 units, a 14% year-over-year increase. The price of cannabis continued to decline in 2024, while the number of Ontarians who say they only buy legal cannabis has continued to increase.
Cannabis pre-rolls were the most commonly distributed unit, followed by dried flower and then edibles. Edibles surpassed dried flower in terms of units shipped to retailers for the first time in the last few months of 2024.
Infused pre-rolls and vapes continued to compete for the fourth and fifth most distributed units, followed by beverages, concentrates, caps and oils, topicals, and then seeds.
While the amount of units of (infused and non-infused) pre-rolls increased in 2024 compared to 2023, along with edibles, vapes, beverages, and concentrates, dried flower SKUs decreased.
Chart via OCS.ca
Vapes once again received the most complaints by product category, with 71% of the 2,334 complaints received by the OCS. This was followed by dried flower at 16%, extracts at 9%, and edibles at 4%. The most commonly sold vape product was again 510-thread vape carts, with 76% of vapes sold, while disposables were 22%, up from 12.7% in 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, there were 5,192 active SKUs listed by the OCS. There were 3,380 new SKUs added and 2,171 dropped.
One-half of those active SKUs are dried flower (26%) or pre-rolls (24%). Another 15% were vapes, 11% were infused pre rolls, 7% were edibles, 5% were other concentrates (distillate, hash, kief, shatter and wax), 4% were beverages, 4% were extracts (capsules, bottled oils, softgels and oral sprays), and 2% were topicals.
Dried flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and infused pre-rolls sales all increased year-over-year.
On average, the wholesale price per gram of dried flower (without HST, including dried flower and pre-rolls) was $3.81 in Ontario in 2024, down from $4.05 a gram in 2023.
There was also an increase in the percentage of Ontarians reporting buying only legal cannabis in 2024, according to Statistics Canada, with 61% of Ontario cannabis consumers saying they only buy legal cannabis, up from 54% in the previous year.
The number of cannabis stores increased by just six in 2024, totalling 1,720. The most significant change was the GTA, which saw 40 new stores in this period, while Toronto had 43 fewer stores than the previous year.
The Ontario portion of the Federal Cannabis Excise Duty from 2022-2024 brought in $656 million ($310M in 2022-23 and $346M in 2023-24). The province projects another $376 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The Ontario Cannabis Store’s income was $234 million in 2022-2023 and $244 million in 2023-2024. It was projected to decline in 2024-2025 to $215 million.
Vancouver-based Segra International has acquired Klonetics Plant Science Inc., a licensed cannabis nursery and cultivation company based in Kelowna, BC.
In an announcement shared on May 20, the cannabis company says the acquisition will “significantly bolster” the company’s position as a cannabis tissue culture nursery and pathogen testing lab.
Klonetics operates a 25,000 sq. ft. indoor facility with a focus on custom cannabis solutions such as genetic licensing, white label services, HLVd testing, and much more.
Leveraging Klonetics’ existing licences and infrastructure, Segra plans to expand its nursery capacity and operational capabilities, utilizing its tissue culture and molecular laboratories. The company adds that the utilization of Klonetics’ flowering capacity will also support research and development, cultivar characterization, and performance validation of new genetics.
By integrating with Klonetics, Segra will elevate the quality and diversity of cannabis genetics available to all our clients—from small boutique growers to large-scale producers—equipping them with superior cultivars tailored to market demands, says Jamie Blundell, CEO of Segra International, adding that the collaboration will also enhance Segra’s agronomic services, ensuring customers receive comprehensive support to maximize yields and optimize cultivation practices.
Segra is in the process of initiating facility upgrades to ensure immediate operational readiness. This strategic alignment underscores Segra’s commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and plant quality, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for cannabis cultivators and producers worldwide.
“The amalgamation with Klonetics marks an important milestone in our growth,” says Blundell. “By combining Klonetics’ facility with Segra’s advanced tissue culture, genetics, and global sales force, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth and service to the global cannabis industry.”
Segra International, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, specializes in cannabis tissue culture, DNA fingerprinting, pathogen detection services, and flower brokering. Its proprietary technologies enable clients to enhance financial performance and mitigate disease risks while optimizing cultivation practices.
Segra operates industrial-scale laboratories producing Verified Segra Stock™ cannabis plantlets in collaboration with leading breeders, shipping to licensed producers in Canada and internationally.
Klonetics also offers several unique cultivars such as Animal Mints, White Hot Guava, Sherb Cream Pie, Mango Crush, Dream Catcher, Specimen X, Permanent Chimera, Ravens Revenge, Car Crash, Animal Tsunami, and Oreo Mint Kush.
United Craft Growers is a micro cultivator and processor located a few hours north of Montreal at their Weedon Botanique farm, located in Weedon, Quebec.
An outdoor and greenhouse grower, the small team focuses on growing and processing flower into live hash rosin. Grown using organic and living soil practices, David Selema, the company’s founder and president, says the company has primarily focused on serving its small-batch products in Canada’s medical cannabis market.
The choice not to grow inside under lights was both a financial one as well as a quality one, Selema says.
“We would not have been able to afford an indoor facility, but our goal was to produce organically, under the sun,” he explains. “Sungrown, organic, living soil makes for great rosin. We wanted to grow for rosin, so this really was the only way for us at the end of the day.”
First licensed in 2022, Selema says he and his small team were able to hit the ground running quickly, drawing on their experience in the legacy and medical markets, as well as their legacy-era brand, Pharmabee.
Although the product was briefly available in the Ontario market, Selema says he had to make the decision to move to selling only through a handful of medical platforms like Mendo or Spectrum because it was a better fit for a smaller company. With not only smaller batches of product, but also a smaller team with a limited marketing budget, navigating the complexities of a market like Ontario, he said, was just not the right fit.
“As a small company, I don’t have the marketing budget and team to go into a market like Ontario, especially with the pay-to-play market being so common and our limited inventory, so we have found the medical market a better fit.”
The micro grower also sells their fresh frozen flowers in bulk to micro-processors such as Lady Jane Labs who produce concentrates under the brand Sauce Rosin Labs.
Another benefit is that Selema has operated a medical cannabis access platform, Cover Leaf, since 2017, where they help people seeking to access cannabis for medical purposes connect with a physician, which has given them brand awareness among a large patient base of over 8,000 people across Canada.
Still, he says if the company can scale up—something he’s seeking investors for at the moment—he would look at re-entering provincial markets, with his eye on Ontario’s flow-through distribution system.
Scaling up for United Craft Growers would mean adding more greenhouses and replacing some of their current outdoor space, both things Selema says he and his team have found are necessary, given the micro-climate their farm is located in. They currently produce around 2000kg/year, and hope to scale up to about four times that.
“We wanted to do the outdoor model in a way that was adapted to the shorter seasons here, a colder season, so our simple greenhouses give us that opportunity while still giving our plants and terpenes the natural light they want.”
United Craft Growers’ Weedon Botanique farm
He adds that the lower cost also helps them ensure they can deliver a high-quality product at a reasonable price.
In addition to Selema, who operates much of the administration, marketing and front end of the company, United Craft Growers consists of his partner Angelo Servedio, who handles facilities operation and their master grower and hash maker, Louise Bennet. Selma’s mom also helps manage the books, and the company brings in some local help for planting and harvest duties.
“We’re a small company, and we want to stay small. That is where we find our strength. But we believe we can scale up a bit to meet demands while keeping that integrity. That is the most important.”
“We grow it, process it, we fill the vape, package the vapes, and then bring them to one of our medical partners. We really do it all here.”
This adherence to a strict quality is what may keep Pharmabee out of Quebec’s market, which is expected to begin allowing sales of vapes by the Fall of 2025, due to the province’s 30% THC limit on extracts.
“I would like to, but I’m not willing to compromise on my product, and 30% means I would have to compromise. Still, perhaps there is something unique we can find for that. We’ll have to see.”
The Ontario government is looking to assist the province’s cannabis sector by introducing a new Ontario Grown Cannabis badge and making changes to store visibility rules.
Announced as part of the 2025 Ontario budget, the new Ontario Grown logo seeks to help retailers and consumers identify and purchase locally grown products in Ontario.
The badge will launch in the summer of 2025 and be issued by the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) on specific products with at least 75% grown-in-Ontario inputs.
Store visibility rules
The province also says changes are being made to allow stores to improve their outside visibility. British Columbia and Alberta have made changes to their provincial regulations in the past few years, removing the requirement for window coverings that prevent cannabis products from being seen outside the store.
Although the province’s announcement was light on specifics about what kinds of changes the province will be making for store visibility, Omar Khan, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at High Tide Inc., which owns and operates the largest chain of cannabis stores in Canada, with more than 80 in Ontario, says he expects more details from the province soon.
“We commend the Ontario government for its decision to update cannabis store window covering rules,” Khan tells StratCann. “This proposed change will not only enhance the appearance of our local streetscapes, but also improve employee safety and play a critical role in combating the illicit market. The existing policy inadvertently created security vulnerabilities for licensed stores, benefiting criminals and illegal operators. By allowing for more transparent storefronts, the updated rules will help mitigate these risks and strengthen the integrity of the regulated cannabis system.”
Many cannabis retailers in the province have called for such changes to Ontario’s cannabis regulations. However, the relevant regulatory authority, AGCO, has maintained that its regulatory standards do not specifically require cannabis retail stores to cover their windows. Federal regulations state that cannabis products cannot be visible to young people, such as through a store window.
Jazz Samra, the owner and founder of Sativa Bliss Cannabis, with five locations in Ontario, says he was happy to see the announcement after he and others have lobbied the province for these types of changes.
“It’s great from a harm reduction standpoint, but it’s also great for making a difference for removing the stigma, and now the general public can have a chance to accept us as members of the community.”
Excise stamp reform
In the 2025 budget, Ontario also says it welcomes a 2024 federal announcement to explore a transition from cannabis excise duty stamps specific to each province and territory to a single national stamp, something Ontario has also advocated for.
“A single national stamp would make it easier for cannabis producers, especially smaller producers, to sell their products across Canada. Ontario is committed to collaborating with federal partners to continue assessing opportunities to reduce red tape and support Canada’s legal cannabis industry,” notes messaging in the budget.
Beena Goldenberg, the CEO of Canadian cannabis producer Organigram, has highlighted their support for such a move and was supportive of Ontario’s stance.
“Organigram Global applauds the Ontario government for recognizing the legal cannabis sector as a key driver of economic growth in today’s budget,” said Goldenberg. “Their support for a single national excise stamp is timely as federal and provincial governments work to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers by July 1, 2025.”
The budget also notes several amendments that are being proposed to various statutes administered by the Ontario Minister of Finance, or other statutes, to improve administrative effectiveness or enforcement, maintain the integrity and equity of Ontario’s tax and revenue collections system, or enhance legislative clarity or regulatory flexibility to preserve policy intent.
These include amendments to the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017, to ensure ministerial oversight over bylaws of the Ontario Cannabis Store, and amendments to the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017, to provide the Minister with authority to direct payments of the Ontario Cannabis Store’s net profits into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Cannabis sales and excise revenue
The Ontario portion of the Federal Cannabis Excise Duty from 2022-2024 brought in $656 million ($310M in 2022-23 and $346M in 2023-24). The province projects another $376 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The Ontario Cannabis Store’s income was $234 million in 2022-2023 and $244 million in 2023-2024. It is projected to decline in 2024-2025 to $215 million.
Assistance to other industries
In a similar move, the province also says it will be providing up to $35 million in annual support to eligible wineries over five years, beginning in 2025–26 until 2029–30, with total program funding amounting to $175 million to support Ontario grape farmers and wineries.
The province will also introduce legislation to reduce the basic tax rates applicable to beer made by Ontario microbrewers.
The province’s tax revenue from beer, wine and spirits sales was $600 in 2022-2023 and $593 million in 2023-2024. Taxes from tobacco brought in $864 million and $813 million over the same time periods, respectively.
A new investigation unit run by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) says they intercepted a large quantity of cannabis headed to an address in Calgary on April 30.
With the assistance of other AGLC investigative units and the Calgary Police Service, over 162 kilograms of cannabis were seized. AGLC says information provided as part of the investigation indicated the cannabis was meant for online sales.
Two BC residents were arrested at the Calgary home in the neighbourhood of Dover and were later released at the conclusion of a search warrant. Charges related to the Cannabis Act and the Criminal Code are pending. Law enforcement values the cannabis at $1.5 million, or about $10 a gram.
“This initial seizure underscores AGLC’s firm commitment to addressing the illegal online cannabis market. We are committed to a coordinated illegal cannabis enforcement program in Alberta to uphold the integrity of the legal cannabis framework in the province,” said Dave Berry, Chief Regulatory Officer, AGLC, in a press release.
Close-up of some of the intercepted packages. Image via AGLC.
In 2024, the Alberta government granted AGLC the authority to investigate illegal cannabis operations, noting that illegal cannabis funds organized crime, reduces government revenue, and unfairly disadvantages law-abiding Alberta retailers. The agency says there continue to be illegal online sellers operating websites in the province, often connected to organized crime groups.
“Illegal cannabis sales threaten public safety, fuel organized crime, and undermine law-abiding businesses across Alberta,” added Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. That’s why in 2024, the government granted AGLC the authority to investigate these operations, and we are incredibly pleased with the work of their investigative unit. Their efforts are making a real difference in holding illegal sellers accountable and protecting Albertans.”
AGLC reminds the public that provincially licensed cannabis retailers are the only source of legal online cannabis sales in the province. The province currently lists 710 licensed cannabis stores. More than 300 of them are listed as offering online sales. The AGLC moved online sales from its own platform to private retailers in 2022.
In 2023-24, the Alberta government collected $210 million in cannabis tax revenue from $673 million in sales, reporting $10.8 million in net income after expenses.
Despite more than six years of legal, regulated cannabis in Canada, illicit online retailers continue to prosper, seemingly with minimal interference from federal authorities.
These unlicensed sellers operate without regulation, with limited retail expenses, and almost no tax obligations compared to the rigorous requirements expected of licensed stores.
Also in 2022, FINTRAC released a report that analyzed a sample of approximately 5,000 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) related to illicit cannabis activities received from March 2020 to March 2021. The majority of these reports involved the “suspected sale and distribution of illicit cannabis by way of unlicensed online dispensaries.” In addition, FINTRAC also identified STRs concerning “the suspected production of illicit cannabis.”
One of the owners of a cannabis company facing a quarter-million-dollar fine from Health Canada says he feels the company has been unfairly targeted.
Gene Bernaudo, the CEO of Ghost Drops—a company that recently filed legal action against the federal cannabis regulator—says they are challenging a $500,000 fine (later reduced to $250,000) because he feels they are being made an example of.
The industry has become bolder in the last few years in terms of pushing the boundaries when it comes to packaging and marketing, says Bernaudo, and he believes Health Canada needed to issue such a hefty fine to frighten the rest of the industry into compliance.
“I think they needed to make an example of someone. And they needed to make an example of a brand that is out there, that is well known. And I believe the goal is to show the rest of the industry, who have now started to cross that line, that Health Canada is watching.”
Bernaudo tells StratCann that Ghost Drops has been facing “ongoing” scrutiny on different regulatory issues from Health Canada since early 2022, relating to their brand and marketing.
This scrutiny has included issues with packaging and labelling such as a pink jar they released, to different marketing efforts the company has undertaken, like a charity event they held in Toronto, a golfing event, and culminating in their participation in a Halloween-themed event in Ontario in 2024 where Health Canada inspectors showed up at the event, confronting employees operating a branded booth.
He explains that the federal regulator then later scored the company based on these different compliance issues, arriving at the two $250,000 fines in early 2025, one for both he and another director at Ghost Drops. Health Canada later reduced that to a $250,000 fine.
Bernaudo says he and his partner are challenging this ruling by taking Health Canada to court because they feel the regulations themselves are overly restrictive and that the enforcement of those regulations is inconsistent, leading to an uneven playing field. He says that he was informed that Ghost Drops were 30% of the marketing complaints the regulator received, which he says could often be from competitors rather than the concerned public.
“I think they needed to make an example of someone. And they needed to make an example of a brand that is out there, that is well known. And I believe the goal is to show the rest of the industry, who have now started to cross that line, that Health Canada is watching.”
Gene Bernaudo, the CEO of Ghost Drops
“They are not really enforcing the rules in a way that is fair and equitable for the industry.”
Pointing to similar marketing approaches by other producers, brands, and retailers, Bernaudo asks why Ghost drops faced enforcement while it appears many of those companies have not. It’s complaint-driven, he says, and Health Canada should take into account where those complaints are coming from, which may often be from competitors.
He also says he’s not objecting to all rules, and acknowledges there is a need to keep cannabis and cannabis branding away from the eyes of young people. However, he does want rules that allow companies like Ghost Drops to have a way to more directly connect with consumers.
Without that, he argues, producers have very little option but to pay retailers for shelf space, something he says Ghost Drops has refused to do.
“I think the biggest thing in the industry, and what all these companies have a very difficult time achieving, is developing a direct relationship with the consumer.
“We do want to be a brand that is noticeable to consumers. It’s already difficult to compete with the packaging the way it is. You’re relying on the budtender to sell your product, and unless you’re paying a manager or a store owner, nobody’s pushing your product.
“There’s really no other way to get a consumer to understand or have any knowledge about the products you are putting in the market, what you‘re doing as a brand.
“All these other industries have an open window to do exactly what they want. But our hands are tied behind our back.”
The Halloween-themed event that Bernaudo says Health Canada inspectors attended, which ultimately resulted in the large fine, was called the Haunting of Hexwood, held on November 3, 2023, in Pickering, Ontario.
“They are not really enforcing the rules in a way that is fair and equitable for the industry.”
Gene Bernaudo, the CEO of Ghost Drops
Ghost Drops believes it did not engage in any rule-violation activities and, while the event was open to the public, it had several cannabis companies attending with promotional displays in an age-gated area. He also says that the event was billed as a 19-plus event by the event organizers, and only changed later, after Ghost Drops had already set up an activation space.
A Senior Media Relations Advisor for Health Canada told StratCann that in March 2024, Health Canada issued two notices of violation for non-compliant promotion and sponsorship by Ghost Drops at an all-ages event at which youth were present, for a total penalty amount of $500,000. They note this fine was later reduced to $250,000.
“The company requested a review of the notices of violation, as is permitted under the Cannabis Act. The review, which was completed in March 2025, determined the Company did commit the violations but reduced the total penalty amount to $250,000,” noted the media relations advisor.
“Health Canada is aware of the recent application for judicial review filed by Ghost Drops and will be responding in due course. As the matter is current before the court, Health Canada has no further comment at this time.”
The federal Cannabis Act contains several enforcement tools that the regulator can consider when determining the appropriate actions to prevent or address non-compliance. These tools range from calls and/or letters, all the way up to suspension or cancellation of a federal licence, the issuance of a ministerial order, or even the issuance of administrative monetary penalties (AMP) (up to $1 million).
A 19+ MMA event at the Rebel Nightclub in Toronto. Image credit: Max Kirsh
Information on the approach to AMPs under the Cannabis Act was published in September 2019 and can be found here. Penalties are determined based on various factors such as: the licence holder’s history of compliance or non-compliance with the provisions of the Act or regulations, the nature and scope of the violation, whether the person made reasonable efforts to mitigate or reverse the effects of the violation, and whether the person derived any competitive or economic benefit from the violation.
Based on the individual circumstances of the alleged violation, each determining factor is then calculated using a score, and a cumulative score is determined.
Between October 17, 2018 and March 31, 2024, Health Canada assessed 1,541 cases of potential non-compliance related to promotions. This resulted in 648 actions taken, the vast majority of which were compliance emails, letters, or compliance promotion emails or calls.
Between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, Health Canada assessed 243 cases of potential non-compliance related to promotions. This resulted in 134 actions with regulated parties, which may include one or more of the following: warning letters, compliance emails or letters.
Despite all of this activity, as of the end of March 2024, the federal agency has only issued two Notice of Violations (NOV) associated with potential violations of promotion prohibitions since October 17, 2018.
Health Canada also says that they conducted five inspections at promotional events from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019: two in Toronto, one in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, one in Victoria, BC, and one in Regina.
The federal Cannabis Act includes several enforcement tools that can be considered when deciding on the appropriate enforcement actions to prevent or address non-compliance. While these tools do include options, from calls and/or letters to suspension or cancellation of a federal licence, the issuance of a ministerial order, or the issuance of administrative monetary penalties (AMP) of up to $1 million, the federal government tends to take a soft-touch approach, focusing more on first informing licence holders of their potential violations of federal rules before escalating to more significant penalties.
Health Canada uses information from both internal and external sources to help identify any possible risks to public health and public safety. However, a spokesperson for the agency told StratCann in the past that they do not collect data that shows how they became aware of any potential issues.
Featured image via Ghost Drops. Image credit: Max Kirsh
A man in Winnipeg who was swept up in a recent police effort to target people shopping at cannabis stores says his driver’s licence was suspended despite not being under the influence of cannabis.
Despite testing positive for cannabis in the roadside stop, Vipond says he was not impaired by cannabis, not having consumed it for nearly a full day prior to being pulled over in February after stopping at a cannabis store.
“[Police] told me to my face that there was no visible reason for suspicion,” Vipoind told CBC. “It was just purely on the basis of I had bought weed and then drove.”
“To see [Winnipeg police] boasting about this and acting like everybody who was caught was … recklessly smoking during the day and driving high, when that’s really not the reality of it — it’s humiliating,” he added.
In April, Police in Winnipeg said they had been targeting cannabis store customers as part of an ongoing impaired driving enforcement campaign.
Between January and March 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service Central Traffic Division launched an enforcement campaign that they say focused on drivers under the influence of cannabis and other illicit drugs.
During the campaign, officers conducted 302 traffic stops and administered 207 drug screening tests using approved screening equipment. Nearly half of those drivers (97) tested positive for recent cannabis consumption. This was similar to the rate of those tested in a similar campaign in 2024.
All drivers, including Vipond, faced an immediate roadside suspension of their licence. Only one driver was said to have been charged criminally for refusing to be tested.
During a press conference in April, Winnipeg Police Patrol Sgt. Stephane Fontaine said that he focused the campaign on areas around the more than 100 cannabis stores in Winnipeg.
“There are over 130 or so dispensaries throughout the City of Winnipeg, so what I did was I made a plan to basically target those areas where there’s dispensaries and we watched the traffic coming to and from those known shops,” Fontaine said. “The officers still have to form the proper grounds to make all of their lawful demands… but that’s where they spent their time.”
He also noted that many of these individuals were testing positive on their way to a cannabis store, although he did not indicate how officers knew their destination. Fontaine added that most drivers who tested positive for THC were found between 3 pm and 6 pm, which he notes is different from enforcement against those impaired by alcohol.
StratCann sent a request for further information to the Winnipeg Police Service in April, asking for more info into how Winnipeg Police selected vehicles for drug screening tests, or how they had determined if a driver was on their way to a cannabis store, but was told that as the questions speak to “operational tactics” they will not be able to respond.
Winnipeg Police say they used an oral swab to detect cannabis. The accuracy of oral swab tests and blood tests has been challenged by different researchers. A 2014 study found that THC could be detected in oral fluid for up to eight days after admission, leading to false positives.
Police in Winnipeg recommend not driving for 12 hours after consuming edible cannabis products.
Penalties for driving while impaired by cannabis can include: criminal charges, loss of one’s driver’s licence, vehicle impoundment, and fines. Police can use both oral testing equipment and assessments by Drug Recognition Officers.
In Canada, drivers with over two nanograms of THC but under five nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood can face a straight summary conviction offence.
Drivers found with at or over 2.5 ng of THC per ml of blood combined with 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood can face a hybrid offence.
The penalty for the summary conviction offence is a maximum fine of $1,000.
The penalties for the two hybrid offences are the same as for alcohol-impaired driving. These include mandatory minimum penalties of a $1,000 fine for a first offence, 30 days imprisonment for a second offence, and 120 days imprisonment for a third offence.
Harrison Jordan, the managing lawyer of Substance Law, a law firm focusing on regulated substances, including cannabis, tells StratCann that he could see future attempted challenges to the law behind such charges, but notes that court decisions thus far have not struck down the law.
”While consumption may not necessarily equal impairment when it comes to cannabis, it’s the best corollary law enforcement has right now,” he explains, noting the evidence on such testing determining impairment is mixed.
“Unless and until the science becomes crystal clear or there is some better, more reliable, scalable and deployable way to measure impairment instead of just blood levels more precisely, we’re likely to have this framework remain in place. A judge is going to be super-cautious about removing a tool that law enforcement says is effective at detecting and deterring risky driving. Someone charged with at least 2 nanograms but less than 5, which is a straight summary offence, may have a slightly easier time attempting to challenge that offence, as the degree of evidence that blood level is correlated with impairment or increased risk of vehicular accidents is likely lower than the evidence for 5 nanograms and above, which is viewed as a more serious hybrid offence.”
The owners of a cannabis store in Calgary have won an appeal of a decision to refuse an application based on a distance requirement from a nearby school that opened two years after the store opened.
The store, listed as licensed by the Alberta government since 2020, operated without interruption until May 10, 2024, when the Development Authority of the City of Calgary issued an infraction notice for operating within 150 metres of a school.
Court records say the store, Magic Buds, located at 2105-19605 Walden Boulevard SE in Calgary, operated with no problem for 25 months with no notice that its development permits had expired. The store had continued to renew its business licence annually.
After the development permit had expired—but before the infraction notice was issued—the city’s development authority approved a private school, Bearspaw Christian School, at 20200 Walden Boulevard SE, 82.31 metres from Magic Buds, requiring a relaxation of 67.69 metres.
The Development Authority also approved a daycare next to the store location, placing it within a 10-metre setback identified in Alberta’s Cannabis Store Guidelines.
Following this, the owners of Magic Buds had sought a development permit, but in January, the city refused the application of Jasvir Korotane, on behalf of Magic Buds, for a Change of Use to Cannabis Store at that location in the community of Walden.
The Development Authority had refused the application due to non-compliance with the 150-metre minimum separation distance from a private school, as required by the Land Use Bylaw. The relaxation of the distance requirement would have been by more than 45% from the 150 metres. The land use bylaw says the Development Authority is not authorized to grant the relaxation and is therefore required to refuse the application if the proposed separation is less than 90 percent of the required 150-metre distance, even though there were no objections to the application.
Screenshot from Google Maps shows the distance between the school and cannabis store
The cannabis store owner—who operates two locations in Calgary, including the Walden Boulevard location—submitted that the retail location is otherwise compliant with the bylaw and that the school parcel in question is “unusually large,” which they argued should be considered in assessing the requested relaxation.
The store owners noted, through legal counsel, that a liquor store is operating in the same commercial plaza where the cannabis store is located. It was already in operation prior to the approval of the school and has continued to operate since that time.
The school building is also set back an additional 195 metres, meaning the actual physical separation between the store and the school building is over 275 metres. The properties are also separated by a major four-lane roadway with significant traffic volume.
The board of appeal found that there is no evidence of any negative community impact, and the school operator did not oppose the development.
Because of this, the store owner’s appeal was granted, finding that the proposed cannabis store is compatible with the surrounding area and aligns with the city’s planning objectives.
The decision of the development authority to refuse the application was overturned, and a development permit shall be issued, subject to certain conditions.
Nelson City Council rejected an application for a temporary permit for cannabis consumption on the patio of a local cafe in a meeting on Tuesday, May 6.
Despite a recommendation from city staff to approve the Temporary Use Permit (TUP) that would have authorized Yaherb Cafe to allow cannabis consumption on an outdoor patio, city council voted against the measure, citing concerns from the public.
Following a staff presentation about the application and a brief discussion, Councillor Rik Logtenberg brought forward a motion to deny the temporary permit, which was seconded by Councillor Kate Tait.
Logtenberg said he was not opposed to the application “in principle” but felt the location was not appropriate, citing community feedback. A city staff report detailed numerous letters of support and opposition to the location.
“I think smoking cannabis is quite different from even smoking cigarettes,” said the councillor. “The smell is so strong, and many people… especially the people in the neighbourhood, I think they have a right to clean air, and it’s the same as sound and everything else.”
“I’m not opposed to this in other locations,” he added. “I think this location is really problematic. There’s kids in this neighbourhood.”
Councillor Tait added that she didn’t want Nelson to be the first location in BC to formally allow such a space, preferring to wait for other jurisdictions to tackle the issue first.
Councillor Leslie Payne, who suggested changing the TUP to one year from three but supported the overall approach, said she sees the application as a “continuation of our heritage” in the Nelson community, noting that those who live in areas next to commercial districts have to accept these types of activities. She also expressed surprise at some of the community feedback that she said equated cannabis users with “disreputable” behaviour.
“We don’t do that with drinking and alcohol,” she noted.
“What other area are we going to find where this is going to be more acceptable?”
Mayor Janice Morrison also chimed in to add that she also opposed the TUP, siding with councillors Tait and Logtenberg, saying that she doesn’t believe cannabis consumers need to smoke cannabis in order to use it, and agreeing that she wanted to wait to see how other municipalities handle the issue.
“I think people have a right to clean air,” said the Mayor, adding that she felt that allowing such a business could open the city to potential litigation.
In 2020, when Morrison was a Nelson City Councillor, she endorsed a resolution that called on the provincial government to remove a provincial barrier to allowing the promotion of cannabis consumption spaces. The resolution referred to the “historical legacy of cannabis cultivation and a clear acknowledgement that the cannabis industry is a pillar of our regional economy” in the Kootenay Region.
Brenton Raby, who owns the Yaherb Cafe and had worked with the city of Nelson to file the TUP application, said he was prepared to address concerns from some councillors, but was surprised by some of the types of opposition raised.
“We went from a community that permitted unlicensed federally prohibited medical cannabis dispensaries to now a community where applications for cannabis consumption spaces are going to be confused with the criminal element and to be avoided at all costs.”
Without such an officially authorized space, Raby says there is technically nowhere to legally smoke or vape cannabis in downtown Nelson, something he highlighted in his submission to the city.
“It seems that the trend is that there is no traction for legal cannabis here in Nelson. Without any exceptions, there is nowhere in downtown Nelson where consumption spaces can be permitted.”
Council noted that Raby can reapply for another permit in the future.
Four councillors provided enough votes to refuse the application, although the recorded video did not indicate all who voted to oppose.
The vote was not recorded, but Councillor Leslie Payne asked that her vote opposing the motion to deny the Temporary Use Permit be recorded. Six city council members, plus the Mayor, make up the Nelson City Council.
The newest quarterly wholesale cannabis figures from the BCLDB show the market continuing to slow following six years of rapid growth.
Direct delivery sales declined somewhat in the first three months of 2025, while disposable cannabis vapes continue to show meteoric growth.
Wholesale cannabis sales in BC in the first three months of 2025 (Q4 2024) were $144 million, up 9% from the same period in 2023, but down slightly from the previous quarter ($146.9 million).
The province wholesaled 37,994,784 grams of cannabis in January, February, and March 2025. The average price of all cannabis products stayed level at $3.79 per gram, after several consecutive quarters of declines. The average price of dried flower was $3.15 a gram, a one-cent increase from a historic low set in the previous quarter.
At the end of the reporting period, there were 513 retail cannabis stores in BC, up from 512 in the previous quarter and 501 in Q4 2023.
Seven-gram SKUs showed the most year-over-year growth in the first three months of 2025. One gram and 3.5 gram SKUs saw declines in terms of dollars and grams sold, while lower-priced (>$5/gram) 7-gram SKUs again showed an increase, as 14-gram SKUs under $3 a gram and over $5 a gram.
One-ounce SKUs of dried flower showed modest growth for those priced below $3 a gram, but declined for those above that price per gram.
Wholesale sales of edibles and beverages also showed increases (20% and 15% sales YOY volume, respectively, and 15% and 35% units sold).
Vape pens and pre-rolls also showed growth, while ingestible extracts (oils and caps) and seeds declined, although this year-over-year decline was driven by the disappearance of products like Jolts and Glitches. Cannabis topicals showed very modest increases.
Disposable or All-In-One (AIO) vape pens again showed a massive increase in sales in the most recent reporting period, with a 171.4% increase in sales and 92.7% in terms of units sold compared to the first three months of 2024. Units of AIOs sold in the first three months of 2025 (278,489) increased 7% compared to the last three months of 2024.
Despite this rapid growth, this is still a much smaller market share than the 510 vape market, with 977,769 units sold in the first three months of 2025, with $23 million in wholesale sales.
Sales through BC’s Direct Delivery program, which allows some small-scale BC cannabis companies to ship directly to retailers, declined year-over-year and in comparison to the previous quarter.
There were 490,887 grams of cannabis sold through the program in the first three months of 2025, down 18.5% from the same period in the previous year and down 12.9% from the previous quarter.
This also brought wholesale sales figures down, with a 19.8% YOY decline and a 6% decline from the last three months of 2024.
Unlike the overall pricing trend of cannabis sold in BC, the per gram price in BC’s direct delivery program increased 1.6% YOY to $4.87 a gram and a 6% increase from the previous quarter.
The price of dried flower sold through the program also increased, up 1.9% YOY to $4.50 a gram, and a 13.1% increase from the previous quarter.
One of the new locations is in Cloverdale at 5828 176 St, while the second is in North Surrey at 104-12499 88 Ave. The city had initially planned for up to 12 locations.
As with the first nine locations, the council voted 5-4 on each of the nine applications, with councillors Mandeep Nagra, Rob Stutt, Gordon Hepner, and Mayor Brenda Locke all voting against both locations.
Council now sends their recommendations to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for final approval to issue a Cannabis Retail Store License. (h/t Surrey Now-Leader)
BC currently lists 534 cannabis stores in the province, including 39 BC Cannabis Store locations. Surrey is BC’s second-largest municipality, with a population of close to 700,000 people.
Richmond, BC, located west of Surrey and home to more than 200,000 people, also does not allow any cannabis retailers.
Over the past six years, many cannabis retailers have located themselves along Surrey’s border in neighbouring municipalities like Langley and Vancouver.
Nelson city staff are recommending that the city council approve an application for a temporary permit for cannabis consumption on the patio of a local cafe in downtown Nelson, British Columbia.
In an agenda for a Nelson City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 6, city staff recommend approving an application from Yaherb Culture Cafe for a three-year Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to allow cannabis consumption on its patio and balcony.
A TUP provides the city with an opportunity to host an open house and seek public feedback on the proposal, allowing the city to then set site-specific conditions to manage and mitigate any concerns.
The plan for the business has been in the works for years, explains Brenton Raby, the owner of the cafe and the building it is located in, which has undergone extensive remodelling with plans to create a cannabis consumption space. Raby initiated the process with the City of Nelson in November 2024 and began exploring the TUP process in early 2025.
The TUP is valid for three years, with the option for a three-year renewal, and provides an opportunity to apply for a more secure zoning variance. Additionally, it would allow the business to avoid the city’s Clean Air Bylaw and restrictions on cannabis consumption spaces outlined in the City Zoning Bylaw.
“Although confident, I am a bit nervous, as stigma and prejudice can still influence decisions,” Raby tells StratCann.
“I have been so involved in political policy, activism, and building renovation for so long that sometimes the business plan has been in the background. I already have a business licence, a health permit, a registered trade mark, and a full cafe built and ready to go. I am hoping that with the TUP in hand, I can find a partner and/or operator to help get to the opening.”
Raby acquired the building that is home to Yaherb Cafe in 2010. The building had previously been home to The Holy Smoke, a storied business in Nelson known as an unofficial headshop long before cannabis was legalized.
Raby says his vision for the building has long been one that can build upon that sort of legacy, but in a way that fits the current and future needs of cannabis consumers and tourists in the Nelson area.
“The space is an ultra-modern space that is going to serve the tourist market and local cannabis consumers alike.
“It’s a different market than when cannabis was illegal. There’s a huge, pent-up need for social expression from the cannabis community, locals and tourists here in Nelson, so we’re trying to have a real authentic experience.”
Raby adds that he is cautiously optimistic about the chance the council approves the recommendation.
“Cannabis consumption spaces are driven by consumers’ desire to socialize, and often times they are not able to consume cannabis where they live, so we are a business that senses this latent demand within the cannabis community for social spaces and a space where we can educate and move people forward in how they consume cannabis.
“Nelson and the Kootenays are a tourism mecca, both summer and winter, so to be able to finally serve that element in Nelson would be great.”
If approved, the Yaherb Cafe would be one of the only officially approved cannabis consumption spaces in British Columbia, and possibly all of Canada. BC began allowing businesses like cafes, restaurants, bars, and casinos in 2024 that have approved smoking areas to allow cannabis smoking in those same areas.
However, municipal bylaws can still be a barrier. Only a handful of spaces have opened, although many municipalities in the province do not allow these types of smoking areas, regardless of what is being smoked. One opened in Maple Ridge briefly in 2024, and another has been operating in Mission, BC, since the summer of 2024.
BC first engaged the public about these proposed changes in 2023 as part of a broader industry outreach initiative.
Previously, these were both specifically not allowed under BC’s regulations. The restrictions on associations with another business in Section 5.1.7 of the CRS and PRS Licensee Handbooks have been removed. The language restricting the promotion of a place to consume cannabis or spend time after consuming cannabis is also removed from the CRS and PRS Licensee Handbooks.
The provincial government notes that cannabis consumption is still not allowed in cannabis stores. Licensees must ensure that any cannabis consumption near their store is not within their establishment.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all workplaces and indoor public spaces in BC. Tobacco and vapour products can be used on an outdoor hospitality patio, such as the patio of a bar, casino, or café, as long as it is within a buffer zone and there are no open windows, doors, or active air intakes between the patio and the hospitality venue.
BC has been increasingly focusing on the issue of consumption spaces and cannabis tourism, launching a province-wide engagement paper last year. The What We Heard report from that engagement process was released in January 2023. The report revealed significant public support for consumption spaces, balanced with concerns from law enforcement and public health agencies.
Cannabis NB has announced two new store openings, with one more set to open in early June, bringing the total number of provincially run cannabis stores in the province to 30.
The first of the three, located in Saint John, opened on Friday at 147 McAllister Dr. The second, located in Monton at 824 Mountain Rd, opened earlier this week. The third, located at 1735 Hanwell Rd. in Hanwell, is expected to open in June.
The Hanwell store will be the thirtieth Cannabis NB location in the province. The three locations are for underserved parts of the province, says the agency.
“By offering quality cannabis products, regulated and approved by Health Canada, we are fulfilling Cannabis NB’s goal of educating consumers about the responsible use of cannabis, and working to reduce the illicit market,” said Lori Stickles, CEO of Cannabis NB, in a Tuesday news release, as reported by CTV News.
New Brunswick also has nine privately-run cannabis stores*, supplied through the provincial distribution system, and seven farmgate locations in which federal cannabis producers also operate their own retail store, on-site. A tenth store recently opened, but another private store, Cost Cannabis in Blackville, recently closed.
Cannabis sales in New Brunswick were $25.4 million in the three months ended December 29, 2024 (Q3 2024).
Sales in New Brunswick were up 6.3% year-over-year but declined from the $27 million worth of cannabis sold in the three months ended September 29, 2024.
Cannabis NB reported 398,000 transactions in the most recent quarter, with an average ticket size of $59.91. This represents a year-over-year increase from more than 382,000 transactions, but a decline in the average ticket size to $62.37.
In its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, the provincial cannabis agency also says it’s looking to increase opportunities for private sector participation in the legal cannabis market in New Brunswick and explore possible options for “on-site consumption opportunities” that can increase legal access and “meet the needs of current and potential customers.”
A recent annual report from Cannabis NB shows that while dried cannabis flower continues to make up the majority of sales, its market share, like in many other provincial markets, is shrinking as concentrate sales increase. New Brunswickers prefer more “convenient” cannabis products as the market continues to shift to products like vape pens, concentrates, and pre-rolls, especially infused pre-rolls, notes the report.
Note: This article has been edited to include info about the closure of the Cost Canna Blackville location.
A BC cannabis retailer says access to capital from a local credit union has been a game changer, allowing his small business to grow.
Randy Tingskou, founder of A Little Bud, which will soon open its fourth location in the province, says that access to credit through Community Savings has helped him to better manage the uncertainty of the industry.
“The cannabis industry is run on a pay-to-play model, where cash is often the only option, even for placing orders to BCLDB,” says Tingskou. “This creates major barriers for retail businesses like ours looking to expand into new markets and open more storefronts. Community Savings actually fought to get us access to credit. Now we’ve shifted to credit payments for everyday expenses. This has been a game-changer in streamlining our operational costs and freeing up cash flow for growth.”
“It’s enabled us to do a lot more with a lot less.”
He explains that regulatory roadblocks, cash flow headaches, and financial stigma have made running a cannabis business needlessly difficult. One way Tingskou suggests the provincial distributor in BC address some of these needs is by offering stores better payment options, such as net-30 or net-60, rather than only cash on delivery.
Six years into legalization, the industry should convey more security to lending institutions, which, other than credit unions like Community Savings, often do not want to deal with cannabis because of concerns with financial risks.
“I would really like to see our distributor step up and provide us with some type of payment options outside of cash on delivery,” he adds. “I think that it’s going to help the banking system if our sole distributor shows faith in us as retailers. I think if we can get the confidence from our distributor, it’s going to help banking regulators with their confidence, as well.”
Mike Schilling, President and CEO at Community Savings, notes that the organization is BC’s largest cannabis banker, with 233 cannabis-related business clients and over $22 million in commercial loans and working capital.
“Legal cannabis entrepreneurs have been overcharged, overregulated, and overlooked,” explains Schilling. “We’re putting money back in their pockets with smarter, fairer financial tools, because it’s long past the time the cannabis industry got treated like real businesses. We’re eliminating red tape and providing real financial support to help cannabis businesses scale and succeed. Over the last six years, we’ve made sure our cannabis members have the same banking privileges as any other industry. This community needs a financial partner that rolls at their speed, and we’re here to deliver that.”
Community Savings has also waived additional fees that other banks charge, he adds, like a fee to open an account. The credit union has provided 38 credit cards and, in partnership with We Can Capital Inc., has advanced funds against invoices from the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB), Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) and the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).
“What Community Savings is doing isn’t flashy or new—it’s foundational,” says Joshua Reynolds, Director of Partnerships at We Can Capital. “They’re giving businesses the tools to function like any other industry. That shouldn’t be revolutionary, but in cannabis, it is.”
Adults in Manitoba may be able to begin growing up to four cannabis plants at home this May.
The Manitoba government has now listed May 1, 2025, as the coming into force date for its repeal of the prohibition on adults growing up to four cannabis plants at home
That is the date that the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act (S.M. 2024, c. 22) comes into force.
That legislation will allow a person who is 19 years of age or over to cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their residence. In a notice in January, the proposed regulations required cannabis to be grown in an indoor location that is inaccessible to young persons.
The ban on growing cannabis at home had been put in place by the former Progressive Conservative government in Manitoba in 2018. The Manitoba NDP committed to repealing the bill and did so after forming the government following the October 2023 election.
The proposed regulations will allow a person who is 19 years of age or older to cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their “ordinary residence.” However, a person will not be allowed to cultivate cannabis plants in different residences at the same time, and only four plants can be in a home, regardless of how many adults reside there.
All cannabis plants will be required to come from seeds or plant material that is not illicit cannabis, and all plants must be cultivated indoors in a room or container that is securely locked or in a location that is not otherwise accessible to young persons.
In a recent memo from Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL), retailers were informed that they would soon be able to add cannabis seeds to their product offerings.
Tina Jansen, the buyer at Farmer Jane Cannabis, which has six locations in Manitoba, says she hopes to have seeds in store by early June, following a product call from the MBLL.
“I’m hopeful we will not be waiting long after that May 1 date before we will be able to purchase seeds, because I do think there will be an initial rush of people very excited to try their hand at growing cannabis.”
Jesse Lavoie, who helped to spearhead a lawsuit targeting Manitoba’s home grow ban with his group TobaGrown, says he is happy to see the law progressing, but has concerns with some of the proposed regulations.
“Manitobans deserve, and we at TobaGrown are beyond excited to watch the homegrow community grow and thrive in Manitoba,” Lavoie told StratCann via email. “If a ban on growing four plants outdoors is set in place, I will move forward with a challenge in court. Although we hope to avoid further legal battles, we’ve come too far to accept half-measures. Let’s make home growing truly accessible.”
Calgary City Council’s Executive Committee have forwarded a plan to allow cannabis sales at age-gated events in the city.
The Planning & Development Services Report, which was created at the behest of council on February 25, was forwarded to city council during a committee meeting on April 15 for consideration on April 29, 2025. The committee voted 6-4 to send the recommendation to council, with councillors Dan McLean, Andre Chabot, Jennifer Wyness, and Sonya Sharp voting against.
Council had directed city staff to present any proposed changes to any relevant city legislation to allow for licensed cannabis sales at 18-and-up events in the city. Alberta first changed provincial law to allow such activities in 2024, allowing cities to then permit such sales in their jurisdiction. Edmonton enacted similar changes last year.
Calgary’s proposed amendments, approved by the committee on April 15, bring the city’s business licence bylaw into alignment with provincial policy and provide the opportunity for cannabis store operators in Calgary to take part in these kinds of sales at events.
The city’s proposed amendments will allow an existing cannabis store licensee to sell cannabis at a mobile business unit and conduct temporary sales at a minors-prohibited entertainment event. An existing cannabis store licensee will not be required to get a separate licence to operate such a business.
Provincial regulators with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will be in charge of inspecting and enforcing the temporary retail cannabis store at any minors-prohibited events.
City of Calgary event approvals and inspection processes will remain unchanged by the new rules and will continue to be coordinated across business units and partner agencies, such as inspection of the cannabis consumption area and issuance of the temporary occupancy load card.
Cannabis purchased from a licensed mobile retailer at an event will only be allowed to be consumed in an approved cannabis consumption area.
City staff noted public health concerns from officials with Alberta Health Services (AHS), whose recommendations include limiting sales to cannabis or alcohol, but not allowing both, and limiting cannabis sold at events to low THC products.
City Councillor Kourtney Penner, who first brought the motion to council earlier this year, previously told her council members that the goal of the bylaw change was to ensure the city can better regulate these activities.
“What this isn’t, is creating an open and permissive environment to use cannabis at those festivals,” said Penner. “We already have regulation that defines where it can be used. So it’s not about a puff of smoke or a waft of smoke that you’re walking through. It is simply about creating a safer environment for sales on sites, just as we create a safe sales environment for alcohol. This is a legal substance where adults are making adult choices on what they choose to consume.”
Surrey City Council has finally approved a handful of cannabis stores in BC’s second largest city, more than six years after sales became legal in Canada. The applications now head to the BC government for final approval.
On April 14, the council recommended nine retail cannabis locations to the BC government for approval. The council voted 5-4 on each of the nine applications, with councillors Mandeep Nagra, Rob Stutt, Gordon Hepner, and Mayor Brenda Locke all voting against each location.
The stores, if they receive final approval from the BC government, will be the first in the city. Surrey City Council first released a proposal for up to 12 cannabis stores in early 2024, approving the plan in April.
At the time, the city had said it would consider up to two locations for each of its six distinct communities: Whalley/City Centre, Newton, South Surrey, Guildford, Cloverdale, and Fleetwood. Three of those original stores were not included in this round of approvals.
The nine applications are:
Burb Cannabis on Croydon Drive
Dutch Love Cannabis on 24 St
Dutch Love on 102 Ave
Imagine Cannabis on King George Boulevard
Imagine Cannabis Co on 152 St
1486965 B.C. Ltd dba Inspired Cannabis on 152 Street
1181168 B.C. Ltd dba Inspired Cannabis on Fraser Highway
R. Basran on Fraser Highway
1486965 B.C. Ltd on 150 St
BC currently lists 534 cannabis stores in the province, including 39 BC Cannabis Store locations.
During the meeting, the COO of a BC cannabis retailer called for the City of Surrey to suspend and review its new cannabis retail licensing process, calling into question some of the city’s processes.
In a letter presented to the city, Chris Grzywacz, the Chief Operating Officer at Seed & Stone, a cannabis retail chain in BC with six locations, calls on Surrey City Council to pause its current licensing process for a handful of retail stores, suggesting that another group of retail chains seems to be the primary beneficiary of the city’s recently-changed cannabis store rules. (Note: This article was edited to correct the number of stores Seed & Stone has in BC from eight to six).
Specifically, Grzywacz’s letter highlights what he says are questionable alignments between the interests of retail chain Inspired Cannabis, such as the removal of a distance criteria from parks and playgrounds and the inclusion of experience in pharmacy operations as part of Surrey’s cannabis retail scoring criteria. The owners of Inspired have such experience, says the letter.
It also alleges that Imagine Cannabis “shared comments related to what appeared to be internal details of Surrey’s initial cannabis retail framework” at a Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) cannabis industry event held on March 31, 2023, which were similar to the framework the city announced a year later.
“The degree of overlap raises questions/concerns that certain industry participants had undue access to, or influence over, the City’s internal decision-making process,” states the letter.
The letter also states that it’s “a remarkable coincidence” that Inspired Cannabis and another retail chain, Dutch Love, submitted applications in different neighbourhoods, while alleging, with examples, a connection between Inspired, Dutch Love, and another retail chain, Imagine Cannabis.
“Either it is a remarkable coincidence that they did not compete head on, or there was a coordinated approach by individuals and companies that share a common history to maximize market share in Surrey.”
Inspired, Imagine, and Dutch Love all have two accepted applications, each seeking approval from the city, accounting for half of the twelve locations the city opened for a potential cannabis store.
Inspired, Imagine, and Dutch Love were not available for comment as of press time.
Featured image shows an Imagine Cannabis in Delta, BC.
The wholesale markup on cannabis sold in Manitoba will increase on June 1, 2025.
In a memo sent out to retailers on April 15, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) instructed licensed cannabis retailers in the province that the 9% markup on cannabis products retailers buy will increase to 11%.
According to the MBLL memo, the increase seeks to balance impacts on retailers and consumers with investments in public services for the benefit of all Manitobans.
The net revenue from Manitoba’s wholesale cannabis markup is returned to the province to help fund social responsibility and law enforcement programs related to the sale and consumption of cannabis and invest in public services, such as healthcare and education.
“We will continue working with the local cannabis industry to explore further improvements to cannabis wholesale, distribution and retail processes in Manitoba,” says the memo, in part. “These efforts have already led to a significant reduction in lead times with new delivery standards, new in-province distribution services, improvements to MBLL’s cannabis customer online portal, and soon retailers will be able to add seeds to their product mix.”
The MBLL also tells retailers that they will be able to order cannabis seeds soon and that the provincial government is looking into relaxing Manitoba’s window cover requirements for cannabis stores. The province passed legislation in 2024 that repealed a ban on growing cannabis at home, which is expected to come into force soon.
Manitoba has one of the lowest wholesale markup rates in Canada, even after this increase. By comparison, Alberta’s AGLC has the lowest markup at 6%. British Columbia’s LDB adds an across-the-board 15% markup, while the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) has a 23% markup on wholesale cannabis flower.
The owner of a former cannabis production facility in New Brunswick recently discovered a September 2023 federal briefing note to then-finance minister Chrystia Freeland that said markups were causing producers “financial distress” and had gone “beyond what was envisioned” in 2018.
Police in Winnipeg say they are targeting cannabis store customers as part of an ongoing impaired driving enforcement campaign.
Between January and March 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service Central Traffic Division launched an enforcement campaign that they say focused on drivers under the influence of cannabis and other illicit drugs.
During the campaign, officers conducted 302 traffic stops and administered 207 drug screening tests using approved screening equipment. Nearly half of those drivers (97) tested positive for recent cannabis consumption. This was similar to the rate of those tested in a similar campaign in 2024.
All drivers faced an immediate roadside suspension of their licence. Only one driver was said to have been charged criminally for refusing to be tested.
Officers also issued 86 Provincial Offence Act notices during this year’s campaign, including 19 for the improper storage of cannabis within a vehicle and four for consuming cannabis inside a vehicle.
Similar to alcohol, cannabis in a vehicle must be stored out of reach of the driver and any passengers unless it is in its original, unopened packaging.
Winnipeg Police Patrol Sgt. Stephane Fontaine said during a press conference that he focused the campaign on areas around the more than 100 cannabis stores in Winnipeg.
“There are over 130 or so dispensaries throughout the City of Winnipeg, so what I did was I made a plan to basically target those areas where there’s dispensaries and we watched the traffic coming to and from those known shops,” Fontaine said. “The officers still have to form the proper grounds to make all of their lawful demands… but that’s where they spent their time.”
He also noted that many of these individuals were testing positive on their way to a cannabis store, although he did not indicate how officers knew their destination. Fontaine added that most drivers who tested positive for THC were found between 3pm and 6pm, which he notes is different from enforcement against those impaired by alcohol.
Police in Winnipeg recommend not driving for 12 hours after consuming edible cannabis products.
Penalties for driving while impaired by cannabis can include: criminal charges, loss of one’s driver’s licence, vehicle impoundment, and fines. Police can use both oral testing equipment and assessments by Drug Recognition Officers.
In Canada, drivers with over two nanograms of THC but under five nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood can face a straight summary conviction offence.
Drivers found with at or over 2.5 ng of THC per ml of blood combined with 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood can face a hybrid offence.
The penalty for the summary conviction offence is a maximum fine of $1,000.
The penalties for the two hybrid offences are the same as for alcohol-impaired driving. These include mandatory minimum penalties of a $1,000 fine for a first offence, 30 days imprisonment for a second offence, and 120 days imprisonment for a third offence.
Quebec’s annual cannabis consumption survey shows overall cannabis use increased slightly in 2024, but rates of consumption among younger Quebecers declined.
The Québec Cannabis Survey—conducted by the Institut de la statistique du Québec in 2024 among 15,197 people aged 15 and over—found that those over 35 who said they had consumed cannabis in the past 12 months increased from 12% to 13.4%, but declined by similar rates for those under 35.
Quebecers aged 21-34 years who had consumed cannabis in the past 12 months declined from 34.4% in 2023 to 32% in 2024, while those aged 15-20 years declined from 22.6% in 2023 to 21.9% in 2024.
In 2024, the most commonly reported purposes for consuming cannabis were for fun (80%), to relax (79%), to socialize (69%), to get high (49%), and to sleep better (45%).
The share of cannabis users who consume it because they feel they are addicted increased from 9% in 2022 to 12% in 2024.
The survey is the sixth annual version, first conducted in 2018, and had the largest number of respondents thus far. The survey frame was constructed from the Insured Persons Registration File (FIPA) of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.
In 2024, about 17% of people who used cannabis in the previous 12 months said they did so on a daily basis, while nearly 23% used it 1 to 6 days a week (“regularly”).
Another 18% used it “occasionally” (1 to 3 days a month), and nearly 42% used it less than once a month.
This means that around 3% of people aged 15 and over in Quebec used cannabis daily, 4.1% used it regularly, 3.2% used it occasionally, and 8% used it less than once a month over that period.
Smoking was once again the most common form of consumption at 81%, while 32% said they consumed it in food, and 21% said they used cannabis oil or capsules.
About 25% of survey respondents said they vaped cannabis, or about 4.5% of the total Quebec population. This number declined among Quebecers aged 15-20, from 62% in 2023 to 57% in 2024, the first annual decline observed in this age group so far.
Of those who vaped cannabis in the 12 months preceding the 2024 survey, nearly three-quarters did so no more than 3 days a month, while around 19% vaped cannabis 1 to 6 days a week, and about 9% vaped it every day.
At the Quebec population level, though, there was no increase in the proportion of people who vaped cannabis between 2022 and 2024.
In 2024, nearly 69% of Quebecers aged 15 and over who used cannabis in the 12 months preceding the survey obtained at least some of it from SQDC, which was down slightly from 71% in 2023.
Around 36% of users sourced cannabis from a family member, a friend, or an acquaintance, and about 13% got their cannabis in person from a legal source in another province.
In 2024, of those who reported consuming cannabis in the past year: 69.1% said they got it from the SQDC; 35.8% said they got it from a family member, friend, or acquaintance; 12.9% got it in person from a legal source in another province; 7.6% from an illicit supplier; 4% from a dispensary or compassion club (which would also not be licensed); 3.6% grew it themselves; and 2.1% got it from a legal medical producer.
New regulations introduced in Nova Scotia will allow Mi’kmaw communities to open legal, community-owned cannabis retail stores on reserve by agreement with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC).
The provincial government made the announcement on April 4. The new regulations will allow a band, or a band-owned corporation, to become an authorized seller within their community through an agreement with NSLC to set up a legal retail store.
The NSLC remains the only authorized cannabis seller in Nova Scotia. Any cannabis stores in Mi’kmaw communities will sell cannabis purchased through the NSLC. The NSLC currently operates the only 50 legal cannabis stores in the province. The provincial government says it currently has no plans to authorize other third-party cannabis sellers.
Eight First Nations in Nova Scotia are part of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmak. “Mi’kmaq” refers to the Indigenous people of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. “Mi’kmaw” is the singular form, which can also be used as an adjective, as in “Mi’kmaw communities.” Representatives from these communities were not immediately available for comment as of press time.
There is currently one on-reserve NSLC location that sells cannabis in Nova Scotia; it opened in Eskasoni in Cape Breton in September 2022.
“We’ve spoken with Mi’kmaw leaders across the province, and they have raised concerns about the sale of illegal cannabis in their communities,” said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of John Lohr, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. “These changes will allow bands to open a legal store for those who wish to buy and use cannabis.”
The regulations require cannabis to be retailed in a socially responsible manner. Authorized Mi’kmaw sellers must:
sell cannabis in its original package
sell no more than 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent, in one transaction
only sell at the authorized, permanent location
allow no sampling on the premises
display a certificate issued by the NSLC indicating they are authorized cannabis sellers
follow the NSLC’s responsible retail training and guidelines, ensuring cannabis products aren’t sold to minors or those who are impaired
A man from the Millbrook First Nation recently received a conditional sentence from a Nova Scotia court in relation to his operation of an unlicensed cannabis store in his community, which was operated against the wishes of some in the community. Millbrook is a Mi’kmaq First Nation band government.
In a similar ruling posted in 2024, the same judge also rejected efforts to have charges thrown out related to the three raids of unlicensed cannabis stores in the province in 2021.
“There is no treaty right protecting them in regards to selling, growing or distribution of cannabis whatsoever,” Gloade said at the time. “It’s not a treaty or an aboriginal right because it does not state that anywhere. Our treaty rights basically focus around hunting and gathering not growing and distribution,” he said. “Individuals feel that it is a right and they’re extending it beyond the meaning of how the treaties are laid out in black and white and it puts us in a difficult situation.”
“Since that time, council has debated and discussed how to advance a cannabis strategy that is respectful of, and a benefit to, all community members, carried out in a way that prioritizes community sovereignty, safety, and well-being of everyone,” Gloade said in 2021.
“This is consistent with our inherent right to govern and our fiduciary duty to exercise jurisdiction over matters such as the community’s health and safety as a whole,” he said. “We continue to discuss the development of a cannabis regime and measures necessary for the Millbrook First Nation residents’ safety and enjoyment of life.”
Last year, the Assembly of First Nations called on federal politicians to “recognize First Nations jurisdiction over cannabis and remove regulatory barriers that exclude First Nations from the marketplace.” Thus far, federal and provincial governments have held that Indigenous communities can harmonize their regulations with Canadian law, and governments have attempted (to varying degrees of success) to help with that process.
Millbrook First Nation finds itself in just such a position, and they have had a rocky relationship with the legal cannabis industry. Initially hopeful that legalization would be a source of economic opportunity for the community, in 2018, the band council invested $5 million in licensed producer Zenabis’ growing facility in Stellarton, NS, which opened in 2019 but was decommissioned in 2022, less than three years later. Financial statements show that Millbrook had lost more than $4.2 million on that investment, amidst a broader market downturn for public cannabis companies.
In 2022, Millbrook First Nation published a report following a community consultation exploring the idea of sovereign cannabis regulations, concluding that there was significant community support for “developing Millbrook laws and regulations.” A group called the Mi’kmaq Cannabis Association has also formed in the wake of the raids and has argued that “cannabis can be regulated informally by the customs and conventions of the Mi’kmaq people.”
An almost identical case in Cape Breton, where an Indigenous man was arrested for operating a dispensary on reserve land, was dropped by the crown suddenly in 2022, averting a planned constitutional challenge. “I’m kind of upset about it,” said defendant Albert Marshall. “I would have liked to have gone all the way to the end of it—right to the Supreme Court—to justify our inherent right to trade medicine, to trade plants.”
An Indigenous man in BC sued the provincial government in 2023, arguing that both federal and provincial cannabis laws ignore First Nations’ and Indigenous peoples’ jurisdiction.
The issue of jurisdiction around cannabis laws is contentious in Canada as it relates to First Nations and Indigenous authorities. Canada’s Cannabis Act and Regulations provide the authority to regulate the sale of cannabis to provinces and territories. Many provinces, including BC, along with the federal government, have said that their respective cannabis regulations are laws of general application, meaning they apply to all areas in those jurisdictions, including Indigenous land.
Outdoor micro cultivators in New Brunswick can now apply for financial assistance under a provincial program to help farmers.
New Brunswick’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)—part of a five-year, $3.5-billion agreement between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments—was recently extended to now include micro cannabis cultivators growing outdoors. The program aims to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector.
The cross-jurisdictional agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities funded by federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Adam Hicks, founder and head grower at Green Rose Farms, a micro located near Sackville, NB, told StratCann he recently learned the program now includes micro cultivators after reaching out to the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, Pat Finnigan.
In a reply to an email that Finnegan sent to Hicks on March 10, Hicks said the department recently determined that holders of federal micro cultivation licenses are eligible to apply for financial assistance under New Brunswick’s Strategic Initiative SCAP Programs.
The provincial program provides support for New Brunswick fruit and mixed vegetable producers who want to increase production by providing financial assistance for the adoption of season extension and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies, the enhancement of storage capacity, and investment in on-farm equipment to improve efficiencies and build production capacity.
A media representative with the provincial Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries agency confirmed to StratCann that the decision to include micro cultivators was recently shared by Minister Hicks, and that no micros have yet applied under the program.
“Outdoor micro-cultivators can apply for non-repayable financial assistance under New Brunswick’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Strategic Initiative Programs,” confirms Heather Pert, the department’s Director of Communications, via email. Each program has specific eligibility criteria. Program details can be found here.
Pert adds that applications can be submitted anytime, but some programs have an application deadline, noting that the program applies to outdoor micro cultivators only.
Organigram Global Inc. announced the acquisition of a Canadian cannabis beverage company with a footprint in the US market.
The deal includes Organigram’s acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Ontario-based Collective Project Limited for upfront consideration of approximately C$6.2 million, potential milestone payments and potential earnout payments totaling in the aggregate up to C$24 million for the twelve-month periods ending September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
“The acquisition of Collective Project marks yet another strategic milestone towards Organigram’s global leadership ambitions,” said Organigram’s CEO, Beena Goldenberg. “Not only does this acquisition represent our first commercial entry into the fast-growing hemp-derived THC beverage market in the U.S., it also fast tracks our entry into the cannabis beverage category in Canada, a category that we believe is on the cusp of growth at home as well.”
Collective Project is a brand launched by Collective Arts, a Hamilton, Ontario-based company founded in 2013, featuring over 2,000 artists from 40 countries on its cannabis and hemp-derived infused sparkling juices, teas and sodas.
“We are pleased to be working with Organigram on this transaction as not only Canada’s leading cannabis company but also one that is deeply committed to high-quality products backed by R&D and science-backed innovation,” said Matt Johnston, Collective Project co-founder. “The Collective Project brand is under good stewardship, and we expect it to flourish as US and Canadian market expansion unfolds.”
In Ontario, Canada’s largest cannabis market, beverages were just 4% of active SKUs per category for the first six months of 2024, according to the most recently available data.
Organigram says it believes that cannabis beverages are the most likely cannabis product to become eligible in the future for on-premise consumption, expanding distribution beyond the current retail-only framework. A change many in the industry have been asking for, neither the federal government nor provincial governments have indicated any such changes are on the horizon.
The US, however, does feature hemp-derived THC beverages sold in traditional retail venues in some states. Collective Project is listed at Top Ten Liquors in Minnesota and Total Wines in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Indiana.
In the U.S., Collective Project products launched in late 2024 and are currently available for sale in Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky, including in key retailers such as Total Wines and Top 10 Liquors. By the end of the year, it is expected that products will also be distributed in Connecticut, New Jersey, Illinois, and Alabama. In Canada, the products are currently available in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with distribution in additional provinces to follow in the coming months.
In early 2024, The Collective Project signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Peak Processing Solutions to manufacture six cannabis-infused beverage products on a contract manufacturing basis for Collective Project for a term of 3 years to serve the Canadian adult-use market.
The Collective Project also sells cannabis edibles through a partnership with Loosh Inc. Organigram Inc. recently announced a name change to Organigram Global Inc.
A company that specializes in medical cannabis access is partnering with an Ontario cannabis retailer to address consumer questions about medical cannabis.
Apothecare, a cannabis consultation service, has announced a collaboration with a growing network of cannabis retailers, including Ontario’s Stok’d Cannabis.
Stok’d operates four cannabis stores in Ontario: three in Scarborough and one in Niagara Falls. The partnership will bring Apothecare’s pharmacist-led cannabis consultations to Stok’d customers, providing “personalized guidance tailored to their health and wellness needs,” Apothecare shared in a press release.
The move addresses a limitation in Canada whereby retail cannabis employees are not allowed to provide medical advice to customers. The Apothecare-Stok’d partnership will launch immediately, offering virtual and phone consultations for Stok’d customers. Customers can book appointments through the Apothecare website or visit any Stok’d location to learn more.
“With this partnership, Stok’d customers can now connect with Apothecare’s licensed pharmacists, who specialize in integrating cannabis into individualized treatment plans,” notes the press release. “Whether customers seek advice on pain management, sleep disorders, anxiety relief, or other medical concerns, Apothecare will provide professional, evidence-based support in a safe and informed environment.”
Stok’d Cannabis CEO Lisa Bigioni said the partnership will bring added value to their in-store customer experience.
“At Stok’d, we believe in creating a cannabis retail experience that makes everyone feel comfortable and supported,” says Bigioni. “Partnering with Apothecare allows us to enhance that experience by providing access to professional advice for our customers. Whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned user, having a pharmacist’s guidance ensures cannabis products are safe for you.”
Ajay Chahal, Co-Founder of Apothecare, emphasizes the importance of professional oversight in cannabis use.
“Many Canadians are turning to cannabis for therapeutic relief, but they often struggle to find credible advice. Our partnership with Stok’d bridges that gap, ensuring their customers have direct access to licensed pharmacists who can provide clear, evidence-based recommendations tailored to their individual health goals.”
A 2024 peer-reviewed study in BMC Medicine surveyed 5,433 Canadians using cannabis for therapeutic purposes and found that chronic pain (67%), anxiety (63.6%), and sleep issues (61.8%), were the most common conditions treated. Despite these medical needs, only 54.1% of participants had medical authorization, highlighting the need for professional guidance in cannabis use.
A new report says young people in BC who have tried cannabis were at the lowest rate in 25 years in 2023, with youth less likely to consume cannabis five years into cannabis legalization. However, those who do report using cannabis appear to be using it more often.
The Blunt Talk report is the third of its kind to look at cannabis use among youth in British Columbia, drawing upon data from the BC Adolescent Health Survey. That survey is conducted every five years, with the most recent previous data coming from 2018.
Findings from the newest 2023 BC AHS report showed that the percentage of youth aged 12-18 who reported trying cannabis decreased from 25% in 2018 to 22% in 2023.
Of those who did report trying cannabis, fewer say they smoked it, while more said they consumed it in the form of an edible (73% vs. 88% in 2018 and 23% vs.16% in 2023).
Of those young people who reported consuming cannabis, fewer said they did so prior to driving or to being a passenger in a vehicle.
Cannabis use became more common as age increased. Just 3% of youth aged 12 or younger reported trying cannabis, compared to 22% of 15-year-olds and 42% of 18-year-olds. The most commonly reported age to begin using cannabis was 14.
Despite these decreases, though, young people who did report using cannabis were more likely to use it regularly (20 times within the last month) and were more likely to say they needed help addressing their cannabis use, compared to 2018. Young people in BC were more likely to have tried alcohol than cannabis, but of those who reported cannabis use, they were more likely to have used it regularly.
While young British Columbians who reported never having tried cannabis reported the most positive health and well-being, those who had used it six or more days in the past month reported the least positive health and well-being.
While cannabis use has often been more common among males, 2023 was the first year females were more likely to have reported trying cannabis. They were also more likely to have first used it at age 14 or younger (58% vs. 53% of males; among those who had tried it), and to say they needed help to address their use.
Those young people who were born in Canada were more likely to have reported trying cannabis than those born outside the country. Those with an Indigenous family background were more likely to have reported trying cannabis, followed by European and Caribbean. The least likely to report using cannabis were from Middle Eastern or Asian family backgrounds.
Young people in BC’s North and Interior regions and Vancouver Island were more likely to report cannabis use than those in coastal Vancouver or the Fraser Valley.
Youth who tried cannabis were also more likely to have experienced challenges in their life, like housing instability or the death of a loved one, as were those who worked a paid job outside of the home.
The 2023 BC AHS was the seventh iteration of the survey, and was completed by youth aged 12–19 in 2,316 classrooms in 59 of BC’s 60 school districts.
Beginning May 1, 2025, cannabis companies selling through BC’s direct delivery system will only be required to report sales once a month, rather than on a bi-weekly basis.
The move, announced by the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) on March 28, will reduce administrative fees for companies participating in the direct delivery program.
BC’s direct delivery program, which allows some small-scale BC cannabis producers to ship products directly to retailers, bypassing the LDB’s central delivery warehouse, was first launched in 2022.
Starting May 1, 2025, eligible cannabis producers will be required to report cannabis direct delivery sales occurring in a calendar month within 15 days of the end of that month. Prior to May 1, these businesses need to continue their regular bi-weekly reporting schedule, ensuring that all sales to that point are reported by May 15.
It is also important that companies report sales only once, since adding sales to two reports will result in those sales being processed twice.
Alannah Davis, the founder of Dabble Cannabis on Vancouver Island and a founding member of the BC Cannabis Alliance, told StratCann that the organization, which represents small-scale producers in BC, lobbied the provincial government for these changes.
Although the organization, and many others in the industry, have been calling for more substantial changes to the system, such as lowering the province’s 15% “proprietary fee”, Davis said the Alliance felt this change in filing requirements was at least a more immediately-achievable win for the industry.
“We are pleased to hear that BC LDB listened to the ask of small producers like those represented by the BC Cannabis Alliance,” Davis tells StratCann. “Focusing our efforts on tangible wins with the directly responsible departments is how we believe we will make steady progress that benefits license holders. We’re happy to see that BC is hearing the concerns of the Alliance and others on these key issues.”
The total grams sold of cannabis (including equivalence) through the direct delivery program in the last three months of 2024 were 554,102 grams (the most up-to-date figures available), worth $2.5 million. This figure was up from the 484,000 grams sold in the previous quarter.
This compares to a total of $146.9 million in wholesale sales in BC in the same reporting period.
A public hearing for nine cannabis retail store applications in Surrey will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025.
The stores, if approved, will be the first in the city, BC’s second-largest. Surrey City Council first released a proposal for up to 12 cannabis stores in early 2024, approving the plan in April.
At the time, the city had said it would consider up to two locations for each of its six distinct communities: Whalley/City Centre, Newton, South Surrey, Guildford, Cloverdale, and Fleetwood. Three of those original stores were not included in this round of approvals.
In a council meeting on land use on March 10, Surrey City Council members voted to move those nine applications to the public feedback stage of licensing. All councillors approved each one, except for Councillor Nagra and Mayor Locke, who opposed them all. (h/t to surreyleadernow for first noticing the vote.)
One of the original cannabis retail applicants, 137 Brands at 17608 56 Avenue, was replaced with “UEM Cannabis” with a proposed location of #100 5828 176 Street. It was suggested that the location would be too close to a school. That application was not scheduled for the April 14 meeting.
The second original Cloverdale location was Queensborough Cannabis at 19581 Fraser Highway. That location is also not scheduled for the April 14 meeting.
The third, Surrey Cannabis Connection at 15148 Fraser Highway, was also not included.
Surrey is the second-largest municipality in British Columbia, after Vancouver, with a population of more than 560,000 people. Vancouver, which has more than 660,000 people, currently has 80 cannabis stores according to the city’s document (83 listed as open or in the queue according to BC).
Researchers at Langara College’s Applied Research Centre in Vancouver recently began collaborating with BC-based cannabis producer Pure Sunfarms to discover what makes the best pre-roll.
The work, which launched in January, is one of several announced projects at the college’s Applied Science for the Canadian Cannabis Industry (ASCCI, which are supported by $4.7 million in grants from federal, provincial, and private funders, including companies operating in the cannabis space like Pure Sunfarms, Avicanna Inc., and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis researcher Markus Roggen tells the Langara Voice that this cutting-edge research is relatively unique since few companies test the consumption process of their products.
“If you smoke the same joint five times, you’ll see that they behave slightly differently, burn slightly differently,” Roggen said. “You don’t see that with a cigarette.”
Roggen and his fellow researchers are using a “mechanical lung” they call KARL to mimic the act of smoking in a controlled setting. One of the goals, he explains, is to balance the effects of THC and terpenes throughout the whole joint.
“[We can see] how much THC, how much CBD, how many terpenes you inhale, per puff and for the whole joint,” Roggen said.
“The research addresses questions of importance to industry such as: what is the genetic basis of cannabis varietal designation? What is the relationship between varietal and compound production? How can new varietals be developed in a targeted way?” said Kelly Sveinson, Chair, Applied Research Centre, Langara College at the time. “Connecting industry, College researchers, students, and other institutions, this program will leverage federal funds to build global competitiveness in the sector and develop skilled people in the field.”
Tricanna, also based in British Columbia, initially filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) on February 5, listing $3.2 million in liabilities. The company listed $2.9 million in unsecured debt and $1.7 million in secured debt, for a total of more than $4.6 million.
On February 2, 2025, Tricanna entered into a subscription agreement with Rossi, reflecting a renegotiated offer that was said, at the time, to be intended to close by way of an RVO.
“This move brings our vision full circle: an amazing house of brands, cutting-edge pre-roll technology, and a fully licensed processing facility in the Lower Mainland, BC,” said Rossi in a post on Linkedin on March 17. “With three Blackbird by RollPros, two PreRoll-Er, infused pre-roll equipment, and pallets of product already moving through the facility, TRYGG Collective has cemented itself as the dominant pre-roll and co-manufacturing player in Western Canada.”
“A huge thank you to our partners who stood by us through this gut-wrenching process, and a special recognition to the Tricanna Industries Inc. team for their dedication and resilience in ensuring another cannabis venture didn’t fade into the night.”
Founded in early 2022, TRYGG provides packaging and processing options for Canada’s small, craft cannabis growers.
TriCanna’s NOI in February stated that Rossi had been discussing the possibility of purchasing Tricanna since early January 2025, for $200,000.
Between January 2 and February 2, 2025, Tricanna founder Dayna Lange negotiated with Rossi to increase the purchase price. The renegotiated offer was expected to pay out Community Savings Credit Union, which had previously provided a total approved credit facility for Tricanna worth $250,000. Even though Community Savings is the first secured holder, they have clarified with StratCann that they are not owed any money.
Tricanna says it has recorded operating losses since its June 18, 2018 incorporation. The company was first licensed by Health Canada in 2020 and has provided cannabis processing services for numerous cannabis companies, many of which are listed as unsecured creditors of Tricanna.
This article has been updated to clarify that Community Savings Credit Union has no outstanding debt with Tricanna.
A BC Court of Appeal judge has sided with a man who previously had an insurance claim denied due to a small, legal cannabis grow site in his home.
In a ruling posted on March 14, 2025, the judge found that a previous court decision that sided with the man’s insurance company was incorrectly interpreted, allowing the appeal.
The man had appealed an order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 2021 (Busato v. Gore Mutual Insurance Company) that denied his coverage after a 2017 kitchen fire that was unrelated to his cannabis grow operation.
The appellant, Anthony Busato, lost his home in Peachland, BC, to the fire. A claim he made to his insurance provider, Gore Mutual Insurance Company, was denied due to the discovery by the insurer that the man was growing approximately 25 cannabis plants in his home.
Although the plants were authorized under a licence from Health Canada and he had been insured by Gore since 2014, the insurance provider denied his claim for compensation for his loss. Gore, in their denial, pointed to an exclusionary clause in the policy that did not allow cannabis cultivation on the property.
Busato sued his insurer, but the judge in the case sided with the insurance company. In the appeal, the new judge ruled that the first judge erred in their ruling, saying it was based on a previous court case, which the appeal judge said was not relevant as they dealt with illicit cannabis production. The first of those cases involved the illicit production of cannabis extracts rather than a legal, licenced medical grow operation, while the second dealt with a 300-plant operation that the owners made efforts to hide.
Busato made no such efforts to hide his small grow operation. In addition, even after denying his claim for a supposed breach of policy, Gore did not cancel Busato’s policy and continued to collect payments.
“Since the appellant’s cultivation was not illegal nor did it create unusual risks, the appellant could reasonably expect the exclusion did not apply,” wrote the Honourable Justice Winteringham, in part, in their decision. “I accept that the appellant did not give evidence about his expectations but it is reasonable for an insured party to expect that an exclusion, which is drafted in a way that targets illegal activity, would not apply to their legal use of property.”
“The appellant was using medicinal marijuana to relieve chronic and debilitating pain experienced following back surgery,” the judge continued later in his ruling. He sought and obtained a license that permitted him to grow up to 73 marijuana plants. He had 25 plants at the time of the fire. While not determinative, the cause of the fire had nothing to do with his marijuana plants, as the trial judge found, and there was no suggestion that the appellant misled or misrepresented the insurer in any way. Further, the judge relied heavily on the underwriter’s evidence from an Ontario case where the same exclusion was at issue in different circumstances. In my view, these circumstances support a finding that it would be unjust or unreasonable to give effect to the exclusion.”
Rubicon Organics Inc. has announced its first shipment of dried cannabis flower into the international market with a shipment to Poland.
Rubicon is a certified organic greenhouse cannabis producer in Delta, British Columbia. The company recently announced plans to acquire an indoor production facility in Hope, BC, the former Canna Farms facility from MediPharm labs.
The company says the new facility, with an incremental 4,500 kgs of annual production capacity, will help Rubicon to supply both the domestic and international markets. Rubicon says that Poland’s medical cannabis market has more than 90,000 registered patients, with the country representing a “key entry point” into the European cannabis markets, where medical cannabis adoption is expanding rapidly.
“This inaugural international shipment marks a pivotal moment for Rubicon as we bring our premium cannabis products to patients beyond our borders,” said Margaret Brodie, CEO of Rubicon Organics. “As we scale up our production capabilities, I’m excited that Rubicon will be able to deliver more of our premium cannabis to both our customers in Canada and fill the high demand for BC Bud internationally.”
In their most recent quarterly report in November 2024, Rubicon Organics brought in $13.5 million in net revenue, its highest revenue in eight consecutive quarters, but still reported a relatively small net loss of $168,498.
Rubicon sells three flagship brands: their “super-premium” Simply Bare Organic, premium brand 1964 Supply Co, cannabis wellness brand Wildflower, and the Homestead Cannabis Supply brand. The company says it currently has over 294 unique SKUs available for sale across Canada, with over 99% coverage of the addressable market in both non-medical and medical sales channels.
New proposed amendments to Manitoba’s regulations would limit cannabis sales to age-restricted stores in urban areas of the province.
As part of the provincial government’s spring agenda, proposed amendments to the province’s Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act would, if enacted, ensure that the sale of cannabis in Winnipeg and other urban areas is confined to age-restricted stores.
The province previously paused their “controlled access” licensing twice in 2024, which allowed cannabis to be sold in mixed-use convenience stores where minors were permitted inside. Initially, those types of licenses were intended for more remote, rural locations but had begun being applied in more urban settings, prompting concerns from some cannabis retailers.
At the time of the initial pause on that type of licensing, Domo, which operates a chain of more than a dozen gas stations and convenience stores in Winnipeg, had been in plans with a Manitoba retailer to supply the chain with their locally-produced cannabis products.
Update: In an email with the press secretary for Cabinet Communications on March 7, it was confirmed that the legislation is not retroactive. It would not apply to existing controlled-access stores in Winnipeg or other urban areas. About ten such shops currently operate in Winnipeg.
In a media scrum on Wednesday, March 5, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Matt Wiebe said the issue was about keeping the general public safe, keeping store employees safe, and making sure cannabis stays out of the hands of young people.
“My opinion is that gas stations should sell gas and convenience stores should stick to Slurpees,” said Wiebe. “We want to make sure that there’s access to the market, but we don’t want our children exposed to this.”
BC-based cannabis processor Tricanna Industries Inc. filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) on February 5, listing $3.2 million in liabilities, including $1.1 million owed to the Canada Revenue Agency and $31,408.26 in GST.
The company lists $2.9 million in unsecured debt and $1.7 million in secured debt, for a total of more than $4.6 million.
Since filing the NOI, the company says it has continued its normal operations and intends to continue to carry on business with its suppliers on terms which are acceptable to Tricanna, its suppliers, and regulatory bodies.
As a result of filing the NOI, all proceedings against Tricanna and its assets were automatically stayed until March 6, 2025, which may be extended by further Court approval.
Tricanna offered semi-automated pre-roll production, packaging for cannabis products, trimming, and distribution services for cannabis cultivators and other producers. The company operated from a leased production facility in Mission, British Columbia. The facility is owned by a separate holding company and is not subject to these proceedings.
In its first report to its creditors, the company reported net losses for the year ended December 31, 2024, and further reported that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) informed Tricanna that it may initiate action against the company with respect to the outstanding balance owed to the CRA for excise tax.
The actions threatened by the CRA included freezing bank accounts, as well as suspending or not approving a renewal of Tricanna’s excise tax license, a move the CRA has used against other companies in recent years. Without this licence, a company cannot operate in the cannabis industry.
As a result of what Tricanna says are significant operating losses and the pending action from CRA, the company’s Management decided to seek creditor protection to permit a restructuring of Tricanna’s financial affairs.
Tricanna’s management filed the Notice of Intention to Make a Proposal (NOI) pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act on February 5, 2025, and MNP Ltd. consented to act as Licensed Insolvency Trustee in the proposal proceedings.
The company is currently seeking to extend the deadline to file a proposal until April 20, 2025, as well as the approval of a Reverse Vesting Order (RVO) to vest all of the company’s excluded assets, excluded contracts and excluded liabilities.
The subscription agreement includes that a portion of the secured liabilities owing to investors Victor Neufeld, Gary Leong and Thomas Tardi will be retained by the company as documented by a non-interest bearing, demand promissory note and will be satisfied from the Subscription price upon closing. Neufeld is a retired executive from Aphria Inc., while Leong was previously the chief scientific officer at Aphria, along with several other subsequent cannabis industry positions.
The subscription agreement also includes that in the event that a balance is owed to Community Savings Credit Union, it would also be retained by the company.
In the weeks leading to Tricanna’s NOI, the company underwent an informal sales process, contacting various parties to solicit an offer to purchase the company. Tricanna approached parties that its directors believed could benefit from acquiring Tricanna and had sufficient cash reserves to be able to close a transaction quickly.
Several parties engaged in the informal sales process did not present offers, citing concerns with Tricanna’s “limited working capital” and the company’s requirement to close a transaction quickly.
Another party was approached by Tricanna, but they did not proceed with an offer as the prospective purchaser lacked experience in the cannabis industry.
Tricanna continues to employ four full-time employees, which it intends to retain, with one employee’s hours being reduced.
The federal excise arrears include an additional $280,042.02, which relates to excise duties that were assessed against a significant amount of cannabis inventory that was stolen from Tricanna’s premises on September 1, 2023.
In an affidavit, the president and director of Tricanna, Dayna Lange, says the insurance proceeds did not compensate Tricanna for the excise duties on the stolen inventory.
Tricanna says it has recorded operating losses since its June 18, 2018 incorporation.
On February 2, 2025, Tricanna entered into a subscription agreement with Fabrizio Rossi, the CEO of cannabis company the Trygg Collective, reflecting a renegotiated offer that is intended to close by way of an RVO.
Tricanna was first licensed by Health Canada in 2020.
The purchase price for the Hope Facility is $4.5 million. It is subject to several conditions including the company’s satisfaction with due diligence, financing, and approval of Rubicon’s board of directors. The Company intends to use the Hope Facility to increase its production capacity. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, with Rubicon projecting a first harvest in 2025.
“Acquiring the Hope Facility is a milestone for Rubicon Organics and further strengthens our premium production capacity, setting up Rubicon Organics to service the growing demand for our leading brand portfolio, and accelerating our growth beyond our existing footprint,” said Margaret Brodie, CEO of Rubicon.
The former Canna Farms facility was one of a handful that received a commercial production licence in early 2014. It was also one of the first of these companies to post a profit while large pubcos continued to spend more than they brought in.
Keith Strachan, president of MediPharm Labs, told StratCann in 2024 that the decision to ramp down production at the Canna Farms facility was made in 2023. This decision reflected, at the time, the declining price of cannabis and the small facility’s inability to compete with larger-scale growers, especially greenhouse growers.
“We slowly stopped cultivating there due to existing inventory and market conditions and just the ability to buy bulk flower at a better price than what we can grow it for,” explained Strachan.
Rubicon operates a 125,000-square-foot hybrid greenhouse, certified by the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA) for organic cannabis cultivation, located in Delta, BC, about an hour from Hope.
In its most recent quarterly financials, Rubicon Organics reported $13.5 million in net revenue in Q3 2024, the three months ended September 30, 2024, the company’s highest revenue in eight consecutive quarters.
Rubicon sells three flagship brands: their “super-premium” Simply Bare Organic, premium brand 1964 Supply Co, cannabis wellness brand Wildflower, and the Homestead Cannabis Supply brand. As of the end of September 2024, Rubicon had over 294 unique SKUs available across Canada, with over 99% coverage of the addressable market in both non-medical and medical sales channels.
Featured image of the former Canna Farms facility in Hope, BC via Google Maps
Calgary City Council voted 8-6 in favour of a motion to have city staff align the city’s bylaws to allow a permitting process and festival applications to allow for the sale of cannabis at minors-prohibited events.
The notice of motion was brought to council by councillor Kourtney Penner, who told councillors the goal was not to promote cannabis use but to align the city’s bylaws with provincial regulations. This is similar to changes made by Edmonton.
In 2024, Alberta began allowing cannabis retailers to apply for a licence extension for the purposes of selling cannabis at a minors-prohibited entertainment event or cannabis industry trade show. Municipalities must also sign on to the change, which Edmonton did last year.
“What this is is creating a legal business process that is in line with legislation from the provincial government,” Councillor Penner told her fellow councillors before today’s vote. “What is already happening is cannabis is being consumed at 18 plus, adult-only festivals and events.”
“What this isn’t is creating an open and permissive environment to use cannabis at those festivals. We already have regulation that defines where it can be used. So it’s not about a puff of smoke or a waft of smoke that you’re walking through. It is simply about creating a safer environment for sales on sites, just as we create a safe sales environment for alcohol. This is a legal substance where adults are making adult choices on what they choose to consume.”
“This is really about [regulation] and policy and not about the judgement we should be passing on people for what they choose to do as adults,” she added.
Councillors Mclean, Wyness, Dhaliwal, Chu, Sharp, and Chabot voted against the motion.
City staff will now need to bring such proposed changes back to council for consideration at a future date. That is expected April 15.
Currently, cannabis sales at events in Calgary must be made through an order-and-delivery method. In 2024, a Calgary cannabis retailer hosted a cannabis consumption space at the Badlands Music Festival, which included the ability to buy cannabis. Festival-goes could place an order on the retailer’s website, and the product would be delivered to the festival’s cannabis garden.
Marigold PR is proud to announce the return of Radicle Femmes on March 6, 2025 – an event series that is all-in on the empowerment, celebration, and advancement of women in cannabis.
Radicle Femmes has quickly become a popular platform for women driving change in the cannabis sector. Since its launch in 2024, the community has partnered with more than 20 brands and attracted over 500 attendees from events held nationwide. This year, its International Women’s Day event promises to deliver even more value with thought-provoking panel discussions, industry data, and valuable B2B networking opportunities.
“Green Monké was built on community, and as a woman-led brand with a passion for the plant, we know the power of connection,” says Jen Lockwood, CMO and Co-founder of St. Peter’s Spirits. “This women-focused cannabis event matters to us as a brand—fostering authentic, supportive industry relationships helps us all thrive.”
The name “Radicle” was chosen with intention by event organizers. The radicle is the first part of a plant seedling to emerge, developing into the root and laying the foundation for growth. Much like its namesake, Radicle Femmes is about sparking growth in the cannabis industry. The event’s tagline, “I can’t believe we still need these events,” also captures a powerful reality. Despite the strides women have made, gender equality remains a work in progress in cannabis and beyond with only 20.9% of private sector businesses in Canada being women-owned.
Radicle Femmes Schedule of Events
Retail Revolution: Women Transforming Cannabis Retail From women-led stores to crafting retail strategies that resonate with women consumers, we’ll hear from powerful women who lead this space and how businesses are targeting this growing demographic. Panellists include Janani Nadesananthan, National Director of Retail Sales at IRCC; Katy Perry, Founder and CEO of Toke Cannabis; Ritika Kumar, Director of Marketing at High Tide; and Zaira Gaudio, Co-founder and Creative Director of Curious Cannabis Co.
Women and Weed: Unveiling the Trends and Expectations of Consumers Sarah England, Director of Market & Customer Experience Intelligence at the OCS, will share survey findings and trends that offer a deep dive into the intersection of women and the retail sector.
Crafting the Future: Women Shaping Cannabis Brands Hear from women who are redefining the industry on topics like building authentic connections with consumers, creating products that resonate, and fostering inclusive brand communities. Panellists include Emma Andrews, CEO of Nextleaf Solutions; Jen Lockwood, CMO and Co-founder of St. Peter’s Spirits; Marina Gorin, Senior Director of Sales at Weed Me; and Maude Arsenault, Advisor, Communications & Content Creation at SQDC.
Lunch and Networking The networking lunch at Radicle Femmes offers a relaxed, welcoming environment where attendees can engage in meaningful conversation.
“Radicle Femmes has become a space where people can find opportunity. We’ve seen women land new roles, businesses close deals, and attendees walk away feeling re-energized about the industry,” says Katie Pringle, CEO and Co-founder of Marigold PR. “It’s a reminder of the importance of community in driving real progress.”
Since 2017, Marigold PR has been at the forefront of hosting impactful events for women in cannabis, bringing together thought leaders and tastemakers from all corners of the country. Radicle Femmes has evolved into a cornerstone event for both the agency and the broader cannabis community, offering a platform that not only amplifies diverse voices but also creates strategic, targeted opportunities for partnering brands.
Attendance at Radicle Femmes is strictly limited to those aged 19+, and pre-registration is required. To stay updated with event details, follow @radiclefemmes and secure tickets early!
Two Edmonton-based cannabis companies—Plantlife, a cannabis retail chain, and Token Naturals, a cannabis producer—and US-based technology company, Metrc, are launching a pilot project in Alberta designed to improve the transparency and safety of cannabis products.
First shared in the trade publication Cannabis Equipment News, as part of the public-private partnership, Metrc will employ quick response (QR) codes using Retail ID to provide consumers with real-time access to data such as lab test results, Certificate of Analysis (COA), product origin, potency, authenticity, and supplemental information, including cannabinoids, terpenes, cultivar, and photos. Ultimately, this will help consumers identify legal cannabis products and learn more about them.
“Alberta is leading the charge in making government and markets more efficient by reducing red tape and unlocking the potential of private enterprise,” said Dale Nally, the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. “This pilot is yet another example of that effort: using technology to increase consumer confidence and transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and keep Albertans safe.”
“Metrc Retail ID unlocks existing data from across the supply chain and makes it available to consumers.”
Health Canada proposed amendments in 2024 to expand labelling options by permitting the use of QR codes on any container used to package a cannabis product. The proposed changes would authorize QR codes on cannabis products for any purpose, such as inventory and tracking purposes, or providing consumers access to websites or other information.
“Metrc Retail ID unlocks existing data from across the supply chain and makes it available to consumers,” said Metrc’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Johnson. “Instead of product information being siloed within businesses, we’re creating transparency for the consumer.”
Keenan Pascal, CEO of Token Naturals, says the Metrc system will help the company make buying cannabis a more consumer-friendly process.
“Token Naturals works to make the cannabis industry more accessible to participate in,” said Keenan Pascal, CEO of Token Naturals.
“By adopting Metrc’s Retail ID system, we would be ushering in the next generation of the cannabis industry, one that is transparent, responsible and engaging by leveraging existing information to enhance consumer awareness.”
Token Naturals will use Metrc’s software to generate and print product-specific QR codes and ship them with select products to Plantlife dispensaries. When a consumer purchases the selected product, Plantlife will provide a QR code sticker for the consumer to scan with their phone. Once scanned, the QR code navigates to a landing page that provides additional product information in a user-friendly format.
Plantlife Cannabis’ vice-president of operations, Ian Scott, says the company often receives inquiries from customers who wish to better understand label and packaging information.
“The technology reinforces why consumers should be buying from the legal, regulated market,” said Scott. “These products are rigorously tested and safe for consumption, and with Retail ID, consumers will now know exactly what they’re putting into their bodies—something the illicit market can’t compete with.”
Throughout the pilot project, Metrc says it will look to streamline the evaluation process by bridging the gap between cannabis growers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and regulators. Metrc has previously announced several track-and-trace partnerships with cannabis businesses in the US and internationally.
The OCS issued a product recall notice for 7ASHISH brand Lebanese Blonde hash from CanWe Growers Inc. on February 12 for incorrect packing and labelling.
The recall was initiated by CanWe Growers because 500 units of 7ASHISH Lebanese Blonde (SKU#: 315124_1g) with the Lot Number CW24LBD0001HS and package dates of 3 January 2025 and 22 January 2025 were mistakenly packaged and shipped with the 7ASHISH Pink Afghan (SKU#: 317157_1g) product inside.
The affected products were incorrectly labelled as Lebanese Blonde with a THC of 355.54 mg/g (35.55%) when in fact the product inside is Pink Afghan with a higher THC of 424.55 mg/g (42.46%).
The product’s Universal Product Code is UPC#: 00628233340122.
Edit to add: On February 17, Health Canada issued a recall notice for the same product, which states that the product label has incorrect cannabinoid values, where the total THC labelled is lower than the actual THC.
Health Canada also adds that as of publication of their notice, CanWe Growers Inc. has received three complaints regarding the labeling. Health Canada has not received any complaints related to the recalled lot. Neither CanWe Growers Inc. nor Health Canada have received any adverse reaction reports for the recalled cannabis product lot.
There were 4176 units of recalled product were sold from January 10, 2025 – February 12, 2025.
Cannabis sales in the province in the most recent quarter were $235.9 million, up year-over-year from $201.6 million in Q3 2023-2024 and up from $173.7 million in the previous quarter.
The SQDC saw a 17% year-over-year increase in sales compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, and sales volume increased by 28.6% year-over-year. Quebec moved 47,843 kg of cannabis in the most recent three-month reporting period, up from 34,675 kg in the previous quarter and 37,215 kg for the same quarter of the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The provincial cannabis agency attributes this increase in sales to the growing demand for cannabis extracts, which includes cannabis oils and capsules, as well as the limited number of resins, rosins, and hash that can meet the province’s 30% THC limit. The province is also looking to allow sales of cannabis vapes by the end of 2025.
In the last quarter, SQDC sold more cannabis at a lower price than in the same quarter last year. In Q3 2023-2024, there were 6 million transactions for all cannabis products combined, with an average selling price of $5.67 per gram, including all taxes. This is compared to 4.9 million transactions in the same quarter last year at an average selling price of $6.23 per gram.
The vast majority of sales were from brick-and-mortar stores at $226.5 million, compared to $189.3 million for the third quarter of the previous fiscal year. Online sales were $9.4 million, down from $12.3 million in Q3 2023-2024, which SQDC attributes to the postal strike last November.
The SQDC currently has 101 brick-and-mortar retail locations open in the most recent quarter and currently lists 104 as licensed, with plans for more in 2025
The $40.5 million in revenue from the SQDC’s cannabis sales, in addition to the $51.5 million it brought in from its 75% share of the federal excise tax applied to cannabis, mean that the province brought in $92 million, which it says was reinvested into health-related issues like prevention and research into cannabis.
Norfolk County in Ontario has concluded five years of bylaw enforcement of cannabis production sites, according to a new report.
The southern Ontario county says it was the first in Canada to take steps to manage personal and designated medical grow licenses through local zoning bylaws, leading to significant enforcement measures and an apparent end to any new, similar production sites.
The county estimates its efforts led to the removal or destruction of more than 400,000 cannabis plants.
When cannabis was legalized in late 2018, Norfolk County established a new zoning bylaw to address concerns with setbacks from neighbouring residences and site plan control issues such as parking, lighting, and odour emissions.
The new report, shared with council on February 11, details enforcement actions over the previous five-year period, which concluded in October 2024.
Under local bylaws, cannabis facilities without filtration systems are required to have a 300m setback from neighbouring homes, while those with suitable filtration require a 150m setback.
The county first issued warning letters to locations suspected of operating a non-commercial cannabis operation. The county says these letters were mostly ignored, so it began issuing fines under its zoning bylaw.
The report says that ten federally licensed commercial cannabis producers (LPs) operating in the county complied with the requirements, but not one of the many other designated producers did.
Over the five years of bylaw investigation, the county fielded complaints about 130 locations. Of those 130 complaints received from 2019 through 2024, 80 locations (61%) were found to be producing cannabis by the time the investigations were finished.
Three locations were reported to the OPP for minor Cannabis Act violations, and three others were determined to have Legal Non-Conforming status under the county’s bylaw.
Forty properties were found to be producing cannabis in violation of zoning, leading to charges, with 82 property owners facing 166 charges. Four of those property owners were charged twice because they were found to still be growing cannabis after the first charges were laid by county bylaw. Only one of the 40 locations was found not guilty, as they claimed to be growing hemp and not cannabis.
There were also 33 court orders issued to property owners to cease production of cannabis, and 38 owners received fines ranging from $1,000 to $120,000. There were over $800,000 in fines handed out by the courts.
Inspections also led to Norfolk County Bylaw executing five search warrants for evidence of cannabis production that led to the destruction of 82,520 cannabis plants. Another 270,920 cannabis plants are said to have been taken out of production voluntarily by growers.
In addition, county bylaw also provided information to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), leading to the execution of police search warrants where another 82,000 cannabis plants were located and destroyed, with criminal charges filed. The report estimates a total of $430 million worth of potential cannabis destroyed as a result of these bylaw efforts, based on an estimate of a “finished street value” of about $1000 per mature cannabis plant.
Norfolk County received $237,000 from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund, which it used to help pay for these enforcement services.
So far, there have also been approximately $800,000 in cannabis-related fines given out through various provincial offences. A total of $220,000 of these fines have been collected as of the end of January 2025, a collection rate of about 27%. These payments go to county bylaw to further offset enforcement costs.
Norfolk County is the most prominent example of this kind of bylaw enforcement, an approach encouraged by Health Canada for several years in response to complaints about personal and designated production sites.
Managing the issue of such licences has been politically contentious for many years, with many law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and counties claiming they don’t have the time or ability to deal with such locations. For its part, Health Canada notes that the system that allows such personal and designated sites has been repeatedly upheld by the courts in Canada.
Federal regulations allow for cannabis to be grown for medical purposes by someone authorized by a medical professional, or to assign a designated grower to do so for them. Such designated sites can allow for up to four different production licences, often leading to a large number of plants being grown in a commercial capacity, at times even in residential settings. This has led to complaints about the smell of cannabis, light pollution, and concerns about crime.
In the report, Norfolk County claims that not one of the designated producer locations in Norfolk County was ever inspected by Health Canada for compliance with Cannabis Act regulations, adding that Health Canada has said that they have no capacity to do so.
However, Health Canada has ramped up inspections of such licences, with more than 300 in the last two years. The most recent annual report also included 20 compliance and enforcement activities (other than inspection) for registered personal and designated production of cannabis for medical purposes, such as conducting seizures and destructions.
Such inspections often need to be accompanied by local law enforcement to ensure the safety of inspectors.
Of the 160 inspections of registered personal and designated production of cannabis for medical purposes locations in 2023-2024, 74 were in British Columbia, 63 in Ontario, 18 in Quebec, and 5 in New Brunswick. In the previous year, the majority of such inspections (115 out of 170) were in Ontario.
Health Canada also recently sent a memo to provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons, advising them that it may contact healthcare practitioners to ask for evidence to support the amount of cannabis they have authorized for their patients. The memo highlights the regulator’s ongoing efforts since 2019 to address authorizations of large amounts of cannabis several times over the industry average.
The federal regulator has also refused or revoked over 1,400 registrations, including more than 700 for public health and safety reasons. This represents a 113% increase in refusals and revocations, and a 423% increase in the number of refusals and revocations made on the grounds of public health and public safety since March 2022.
In 2024, police in Ontario seized 345 kilograms of cannabis and thousands of cannabis plants from an address in Elgin County after a referral from Health Canada. The referral from the inspectors noted that the address was associated with three expired Health Canada registrations to produce or designate someone to produce cannabis for medical purposes.
Many municipalities in Canada have long expressed frustration at what they feel is an inability to manage these non-commercial, personal and designated medical cannabis licenses, which often operate in residential zones. Despite not allowing for commercial sales, these licences can allow for very large plant totals based on a doctor’s recommendation.
In 2020 in British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast Regional District tabled a resolution at the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities meeting calling for more power for municipalities to deal with personal and designated medical grow licenses in residential communities.
Because they are not commercially regulated like federally licensed cannabis growers and processors, there are no federal requirements for things like odour control. However, municipalities and counties can establish their own zoning bylaws to address this issue, as is the case in Norfolk County.
A 2024 report from Winnipeg city staff says there have been no public complaints or licence applications following the designated medical cannabis production zoning amendments adopted in 2022. The city adopted its new bylaw to regulate designated medical cannabis production sites in April 2022 following community concerns about such operations occurring in residential areas.
In 2020, Diane Finley, the MP from Haldimand-Norfolk raised the issue in the House, saying the current regulations create a “ loophole” that large-scale growers are taking advantage of.
Quebec has begun outreach for an annual survey to understand the perceptions of and experiences with cannabis among people in the province.
The Québec Cannabis Study is managed by the Institut de la statistique du Québec. The 2025 survey is the sixth year the survey has been held since 2018, targeting people aged 15 and over living in Quebec.
The questionnaire will ask about prevalence and frequency of cannabis use, forms and methods of consumption, reasons and context of use, sources of supply, and risk of problematic use. It will also examine social norms and perceptions towards cannabis, driving and use, and cannabis consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several different publications will be published based on the results of these annual surveys on the Institut de la statistique du Québec website. The first results of the 2025 study will be published in the form of highlights in October 2025, while more detailed results will then be released in a full report in April 2026.
Publications from previous editions of the study can be found here. The results from the 2023 survey were first shared in April 2024. That survey found a decrease in the proportion of people who consumed cannabis in Quebec between 2022 and 2023 and an increasing use of cannabis vapes.
The institute will provide results to the provincial Ministry of Health and Social Services, excluding the respondent’s name, address, and telephone number.
DiversityTalk, a Black-led health and social development consultancy, is hosting an immersive four-day Black History Month event at the Worth Gallery in Toronto from February 25 to 28, 2025, in partnership with the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).
The four-day event will focus on storytelling, resilience, and the vibrant cultural heritage of Black communities, inviting thought leaders, advocates, and influencers to engage in meaningful conversations and experiences.
“We are proud to host an event that not only celebrates the vibrant heritage of Black communities but also highlights the importance of reclaiming our narratives in all aspects of life, including within the cannabis industry,” said Ika Washington, the founder of DiversityTalk.
The event will spotlight the intersection of creativity, resilience, and heritage. It will feature visual exhibits, artistic showcases, and community discussions designed to foster inclusion, engage storytelling, and address important cultural conversations.
With a special emphasis on the history and stigmas surrounding cannabis in Black communities, participants can expect to leave feeling informed, empowered, and inspired, adds Washington.
“Through this event, we aim to foster dialogue, create awareness, and inspire action toward a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable future for all,” she says.
The event includes a multimedia exhibition chronicling cannabis’s East African origins and its role in modern Black communities through curated videos, photography, historical artefacts, and original performances and exhibits from Black creators exploring themes of identity, perseverance, and cultural heritage.
A community discussion will also take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The three-hour session will feature panels, personal storytelling from leading thinkers and cultural activists, and an audience-led Q&A.
The organization says this event is an example of DiversityTalk’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive spaces for education and meaningful conversations in partnership with the Crown corporation Ontario Cannabis Store.
“We invite all community leaders, advocates, and influencers to join us in this journey of celebration, empowerment, and education,” remarked Ika. “Together, let’s reclaim the power of storytelling and of history.”
A city councillor in Calgary is trying to bring the city’s rules about cannabis sales at events in line with provincial rules put in place in 2024.
As reported by the Calgary Herald, councillor Kourtney Penner says she will present a notice of motion at the city’s executive committee meeting on Tuesday, February 11. The motion will ask city administration to propose bylaw and business licence amendments to allow for cannabis to be sold at adult-only events.
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) made regulatory changes in January 2024 to allow licensed cannabis retailers in the province to apply to the AGLC for a licence extension for the purposes of selling cannabis through a temporary store licence at minors-prohibited entertainment events or cannabis industry trade shows.
AGLC rules, however, also require municipal approval for the location of the temporary cannabis store and documentation from the event entity/organization, providing the cannabis licensee care and control of the location.
If passed, the proposed changes in Calgary would pave the way for those kinds of licenses in the future.
Penner tells the Calgary Herald that she wants to help “level the playing field” between alcohol and cannabis, since such sales are already allowed for alcohol sales at events.
“If we look at alcohol sales, you can sell alcohol on site and consume on site,” she said. “That rule doesn’t exist for cannabis. For cannabis, you can’t bring your own but you’re allowed to purchase from a designated retailer who then has to walk through the site and bring it to you.”
“I think the irony (of me bringing this forward) is that these are not events I attend, nor do I use cannabis,” she added. “But this is really about enabling business and creating opportunities for businesses that are legally permissible.”
Update: On February 11 the executive committee voted 9-1 to forward the motion to the to be forwarded February 25, 2025 council meeting for consideration. Councillor Dan McLean was the only nay vote.
Private retail chain Cannabis Xpress is opening its fourth private retail store in New Brunswick, located in the town of Dalhousie, about a three-hour drive north of Moncton.
The new store at 448 William St is scheduled to open on February 21. It will be the first licensed cannabis store in the town of about 3,000 people and the tenth private retail store in New Brunswick since the province began accepting applications in 2022.
This will be the 18th Cannabis Xpress (stylized as CANNABIS XPRESS) location in Canada. The retailer also has 14 locations in Ontario.
New Brunswick also recently announced Requests for Quotations (RFQs) for four more private stores.
“Our experience in New Brunswick has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Chris Jones, the owner of Cannabis Xpress. “Since entering the market, we have grown rapidly and now operate four out of the ten private cannabis retail stores in the province, making us the largest private retailer in New Brunswick.”
“This success has reinforced our commitment to further expanding in New Brunswick while maintaining our focus on customer service and accessibility,” he tells StratCann. “We have built a strong and positive relationship with Cannabis New Brunswick, which has been instrumental in our success in the province. Their structured and strategic approach to cannabis retail sets them apart from other provinces, ensuring a well-regulated and sustainable market that benefits both retailers and consumers”
Jones also adds that his experience operating retail stores in New Brunswick has been more positive than his experience in Ontario, especially given the highly saturated nature of the Ontario retail cannabis space.
The New Brunswick government’s goal with adding private stores was to bring cannabis to smaller, underserved communities. The province currently operates 27 public Cannabis NB stores, nine (soon to be ten) privately run cannabis stores, and seven cannabis farmgate stores.
The Cannabis NB FarmGate program allows licensed New Brunswick cannabis producers to sell their own products on-site at their facilities. However, privately operated cannabis stores in the province still must purchase their products from Cannabis NB, which controls distribution in the province.
The other private cannabis stores in New Brunswick are Cost Cannabis, which has two locations, and Green Timber Cannabis, Le Marchand Du Cannabis, McCannabis, and Pinnacle, which each have one location.
In its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, the provincial cannabis agency also says it’s looking to increase opportunities for private sector participation in the legal cannabis market in New Brunswick and explore possible options for “on-site consumption opportunities” that can increase legal access and “meet the needs of current and potential customers.”
A recent annual report from Cannabis NB shows that while dried cannabis flower continues to make up the majority of sales, its market share, like in many other provincial markets, is shrinking as concentrate sales increase. New Brunswickers prefer more “convenient” cannabis products as the market continues to shift to products like vape pens, concentrates, and pre-rolls, especially infused pre-rolls, notes the report.
The Ontario Cannabis Store posted a product recall notice for Cloudz 7g from Blizza Brands due to a potential issue with visible mould spores.
The OCS recall notification, posted on February 5, states that the 7-gram SKU’s lot number is BA25DF1. It was packaged on January 25, 2025, and has the UPC code 00628090000245.
The recall was initiated by Blizza Brands Inc., which also sells under the Volo and Keff brands. The reason provided for the recall was: “Product potentially infected with visible mold spores as it came from the same batch of bulk cannabis flower.”
On February 27, Health Canada issued a recall notice for this product, noting that, to date, Blizza Brands Inc. and Health Canada have not received any complaints related to the recalled lot. Neither Blizza Brands Inc. nor Health Canada have received any adverse reaction reports for the recalled cannabis product lot.
There were 120 units of recalled product sold from January 27, 2025 – February 4, 2025.
This article has been updated to include new information from Health Canada on February 27.
Effective immediately, licensed cannabis producers may enter into a private label agreement with multiple retailers in Alberta for the same product or products.
Under Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) rules, a “Private Label” cannabis product, also known as “Store Brand cannabis products,” is a cannabis product that is manufactured for a retail licensee or a licensed premises and may include features like a licensee name or logo or a licensed premise’s name or logo; a licensee trademarked name or logo or a licensed premise’s trademarked name or logo; or a statement such as “manufactured exclusively for name of licensee or licensed premises.”
Private label products may only be sold by the licensed premises or licensee whose name appears on the label.
The AGLC first announced on May 31, 2024, that it would begin allowing private-label cannabis products, effective immediately. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) began allowing such products in 2022 after a brief opposition to the program.
Wholesale cannabis sales in BC in the last three months of 2024 (Q3 2024) were $146.9 million, up 7.5% from the same period in 2023, but down slightly from the previous quarter ($147.2).
The province wholesaled 38,727,543 grams of cannabis in October, November, and December 2024. The average price of all cannabis products continued to decline to $3.79 per gram, while the average price of dried flower also reached its lowest yet at $3.14 a gram.
At the end of the reporting period, there were 512 retail cannabis stores in BC, up from 510 in the previous quarter and 496 in Q3 2023.
Sales of 1, 3.5, and 14/15 gram SKUs declined year-over-year by 8.4%, 24.3%, and 0.9%, respectively, while sales of 7-gram SKUs increased by 26% and 28-gram SKUs increased by 7.2%.
The total grams sold for 1-gram and 3.5-gram SKUs declined by 9.6% and 19.8%, respectively. However, the total grams sold for 7-gram SKUs increased by 33.4%, while 14/15-gram SKUs increased by 6.8%, and 28-gram SKUs increased by 8.3%.
Inhalable extracts sales were $55.4 million, cannabis flower was $44.2 million, and pre-rolls were $31.9 million.
Edibles sales totalled $7.8 million, while ingestible extracts (capsules and oils) were $4.2 million, and beverages were $2.7 million.
Topicals sales were $751,403, and seeds were just $5,600.
Inhalable extract sales increased by 15.7% year-over-year, and units sold increased by 13.8%. Dried flower sales increased by just 0.8%, while units sold decreased by 1.7%.
Beverage sales increased year-over-year by 18.5% and 12% by units sold, while pre-rolls sales increased by 8.2% and units sold increased by 9%.
Edibles sales increased year-over-year by 2.1%, while units sold increased by 18.9%.
Disposable vape pen sales increased by a whopping 193.9% year-over-year and 92.6% in terms of units sold (258,418 units sold), continuing an ongoing trend. Sales of infused pre-rolls increased by 19.3%.
Sales in BC’s direct delivery program, which allows some BC cannabis companies to ship directly to retailers, bypassing the provincial central warehouse, showed quarterly increases following several previous declines.
While the total grams sold of cannabis (including equivalence) through the program were down 21.1% year-over-year at 554,102 grams, this figure was up from the 484,000 grams sold in the previous quarter, reversing an earlier trend.
Similarly, wholesale sales through the direct delivery program were down 19.8% year-over-year to $2.5 million, up from the $2.3 million sold in the previous quarter.
The average price of cannabis sold in the program was $4.58, up from $4.51 in Q3 2023, but down from $4.79 in the previous quarter.
The average price of dried flower in direct delivery was $3.91, down from $3.93 in the same quarter last year, but down from $4.34 in the previous quarter of 2024.
Sales of cannabis edibles and beverages were $57,047 in Q3 2024, up from $47,831 in Q2 and $16,169 in Q3 2023.
Sales of cannabis flower were $1.20 million, down from $1.24 in the previous quarter and $1.9 million in the same quarter last year.
Ingestible extracts sales in terms of dollars sold increased by 20.9% year-over-year, inhalable extracts increased by 89.9%, pre-rolls declined by 38%, seeds declined by 67.4%, and topicals increased by 94.5%.
The New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (NBLC) has issued new Requests for Quotations (RFQ) for several new privately-run cannabis stores in the province.
On January 27, NBLC posted RFQs for retail cannabis store locations in Cap Pelé, Saint John, Rogersville, and St George. New Brunswick has already issued nine different private retail cannabis store licences.
Note: On February 3, Cannabis NB added a RFQ for a fifth retail location, this one in Belle Baie.
The provincial government, which first announced its plans for around a dozen new stores in 2021 under the previous PC government, began the vetting process for ten new private cannabis stores following a tender process that ended in October 2022. The first, a Cannabis Xpress, opened in the summer of 2023. The tenth, located in Dalhousie, is expected to be licensed later this year. The Liberal Party of New Brunswick formed government in the province in late 2024, following the most recent provincial election.
The provincial government’s goal in adding private stores was to bring cannabis to smaller, underserved communities. The province currently operates 27 public Cannabis NB stores, nine privately run cannabis stores, and seven cannabis farmgate stores.
The Cannabis NB FarmGate program allows licensed New Brunswick cannabis producers to sell their own products on-site at their facilities. However, privately operated cannabis stores in the province still must purchase their products from Cannabis NB, which controls distribution in the province.
Cap Pelé has a population of around 2,500 and is located about a 30-minute drive from Moncton. Rogersville has a population of about 1,200 and is located about an hour’s drive north of Moncton. St. George has a population of about 1,500 and is located in the southwest corner of the province, near the border with Maine.
Loch Lomond Rd. is in east Saint John, NB, with a population of around 71,000 and four current CannabisNB locations.
Cannabis NB also recently posted a job listing for a new store in Fredericton.
The closing date for four of potential new private cannabis stores in New Brunswick is currently listed as February 26, 2025. Questions must be submitted by 4:30 PM AST on February 10, 2025. The fifth RFQ, shared on February 3, has a close date of March 3, 2025, at 1:30 PM AST.
In its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, the provincial cannabis agency also says it’s looking to increase opportunities for private sector participation in the legal cannabis market in New Brunswick and explore possible options for “on-site consumption opportunities” that can increase legal access and “meet the needs of current and potential customers.”
A recent annual report from Cannabis NB shows that while dried cannabis flower continues to make up the majority of sales, its market share, like in many other provincial markets, is shrinking as concentrate sales increase. New Brunswickers prefer more “convenient” cannabis products as the market continues to shift to products like vape pens, concentrates, and pre-rolls, especially infused pre-rolls, notes the report.
Nestled on one acre on a 1,200-acre farm east of Edmonton sits Green Acre, a micro cultivator run by a small family team in St. Paul, Alberta.
Derek Severin and his brother Clayton began growing their first crops at Green Acre in 2021, selling through third-party partners into the Alberta and Ontario markets. They’re now entering their fourth year of operation, and Derek says he feels they’ve really begun to hit their stride.
The two brothers manage most of the day-to-day operations at the small facility, tending to plants, handling paperwork, connecting with buyers, and keeping the lights on. In addition, the two brothers get help from Derek’s father-in-law, Brent Becker, a shareholder in the company who also helps with tasks like harvest.
The two first began looking at a cannabis cultivation licence around 2017, at a time when they were seeing a downturn in the oil patch where they both worked. They had a passion for cannabis, explains Derek, and were looking for a career change. With legalization on the horizon, they began looking into different licence types and decided to pursue a micro licence.
This was partly because of the lower cost of such a licence and also because Severin felt this would allow Green Acre to focus on a high-quality product. He says this has allowed them to not only stand out in the market but even thrive in a time when many in the industry are facing challenges.
“We really focus on quality over quantity and that’s worked out really well for us,” says Severin. “We also do everything by ourselves, and we like it that way to maintain quality.”
Part of that focus on quality has been learning how to master living soil in their three 700-square-foot flowering rooms. Severin, who operates as Master Grower at the company—one of the many hats he and his brother wear—says he became interested in living soil and has found it has lived up to the hype in terms of quality, especially once he and his brother got over the initial learning curve.
“We made the decision to grow in large raised beds,” he explains. “We’ve seen others making it work commercially and it was something we wanted to learn. That was quite a learning curve, and it took about a year and a half to really understand that and begin to dial that in. But once we did, I think we’ve just hit the ground running. And the market is reflecting that, I think. People really seem to like what we grow.
The Green Acre facility in the summer
“It’s a way for us to stand out in the market, and we’ve found that the plants tend to thrive and find their full potential, with deeper flavours and very smooth smoking and clean effects.”
It wasn’t always easy, though. Due in part to that initial learning curve, they were often lucky to just break even in the first few years. But in 2024 they began seeing a real shift in the market, with prices becoming a little more reasonable.
“It was pretty tough to survive the first two years. We were selling at around our cost, or just below it, just to be able to pay the bills. But more recently, we’ve seen more demand at better prices. I attribute that to our focus on quality and getting to where we want to be with a quality product.
“About nine months ago, we felt a change in the market. Before that, we were really struggling. It was tough, with price compression being right around what it costs us to produce. Then about nine months ago we just saw a real uptick in demand.”
Currently, Green Acre sells its products through third-party partners in Alberta and Ontario, including Peachey Keen, Slurricake, AK Funk, and Gastropop.
Severin says staying small-scale is part of the key to their success. Although it’s been difficult, he says he would gladly do it all over again, especially with some of the increased interest in craft quality product and a slight increase in wholesale prices.
“Even just an extra fifty cents a gram can make a big difference. It’s been extremely hard. But if I knew we could be where we are today, yes: I would absolutely do it again.”
“I think there will always be a place for the small batch guys. We only put plants in our rooms we know we can tend to. And it’s really tough to do the quality we’re doing on even a medium size scale. So I think we’re growing on another level than a lot of the bigger guys and there will always be a consumer looking for that extra level.”
Toronto’s head of municipal licensing and standards says his agency no longer has the money to enforce the province’s cannabis laws.
In a meeting of Toronto City Council’s budget committee on January 15, Carleton Grant, executive director of municipal licensing and standards, told council that his agency can no longer afford to handle retail cannabis enforcement.
“We no longer have funding for cannabis enforcement,” Grant told the committee in response to a question from Jennifer McKelvie, Toronto City Councillor for Scarborough Rouge-Park. McKelvie was asking about provincial funding from cannabis sales to deal with enforcement, something the province provided in the first few years of legalization.
Grant says his department has received $8.5 million in funding from the province over the last three or four years, which was used to help lower the number of illegal stores in the city from over 100 to “less than ten.” He says the number of illegal stores in the city is now back up to around 70.
“This industry has changed significantly. It is criminal. It is organized crime. It is not appropriate for me to send my staff into these locations where there are weapons and there is criminal activity taking place. No other city in the province of Ontario does this with bylaw enforcement. This budget signals my exit from cannabis enforcement.”
It’s not safe to send officers into these illegal establishments, he added.
Grant added that their enforcement efforts are often not effective because these businesses can afford to just keep paying the fines, and enforcement should be done by provincial police.
Councillor Chris Moise, Ward 13, asked Grant for more details about the efforts his department has made, in coordination with Toronto police, to shut down unlicensed stores and why stores so often quickly reopen following enforcement.
“We do not go into these locations without Toronto police,” Grant noted.
“What I’m saying is we’ve made efforts over the last five, six years to close them down, to put up concrete blocks that are only to be removed within 24 hours. We have boarded up buildings. We have been counter-sued for locking a tenant into a business. We have used every tool available to us. What I’m saying is they are reopening because of the financial benefits to them, and what I want to stress is that we are not the right level of enforcement to do this work.”
He went on to say that the province has identified $31 million for the OPP to do this work, and that’s where it needs to go.
“The city of Toronto is where the bulk of the stores are because of the population, [police and OPP] should get the bulk of the money.”
Toronto’s 2025 budget includes $86.9 million for Municipal Licensing & Standards, a 10.1% increase from the previous year. The budget also includes $1.4 billion for Toronto Police Services.
As part of Ontario’s 2024 economic and fiscal outlook in brief, the provincial government committed to investing $31 million over the next three years to support the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Teams (PJFCET). This OPP-led centralized enforcement unit focuses on the cannabis file.
This investment, says the government, would enable the PJFCET to “respond to the challenge of illegal online operators and crack down further on the production, sale and distribution of illegal cannabis in the online and offline space.”
The economic and fiscal outlook, in brief, affirms the province’s previous 2024 budget, which had referenced the $31 million commitment.
Earlier in 2024, Toronto City Council passed a motion asking the province to undertake a comprehensive review of the Provincial Cannabis Control Act, 2017. The motion states that a review is “imperative to ensure the effective regulation and enforcement of cannabis-related matters” in Ontario.
Municipalities need more tools and resources to address these illegal cannabis businesses, the motion read, including “exploring options to strengthen enforcement measures, increase penalties for non-compliance, and improve collaboration between municipalities and provincial authorities.”
The illicit market in Ontario has grown considerably in the past year, and many retailers and other cannabis industry participants have been calling on the province to do more. By some estimates, several hundred new, unlicensed retailers have begun operating in different parts of Ontario, with close to 100 in Toronto alone. While some have faced enforcement, many have not, causing frustration for licensed retailers who incur numerous fees in order to operate with the province’s approval.
Grant’s comments to council echo those of Toronto cannabis store owner Paul McGovern, a former police officer with Toronto Police Services who stepped down in 2018 to open Vertie Cannabis. McGovern told StratCann last year that he believes Ontario needs more of a province-wide approach to enforcement, similar to the approaches provinces like British Columbia and New Brunswick have taken.
StratCann reached out to representatives at the City of Toronto in 2024, and their response revealed a need for the province to review the Cannabis Control Act, which has not been updated since before legalization.
“In March 2024 Toronto City Council requested the Province of Ontario undertake a comprehensive review of the Cannabis Control Act, 2017, in consultation with municipalities, including roles and responsibilities, funding, and enforcement, and addressing unlicensed cannabis establishments,” said Shane Gerard, Senior Communications Coordinator. “The Cannabis Control Act, 2017 has not undergone a comprehensive review since it was introduced seven years ago.”
He added that the province is responsible for licensing and regulating private cannabis retail stores through the AGCO, which in turn enforces the regulations. Further, Gerard said that the city does, in fact, go after property owners.
“The City can, and does, file charges against property owners who are in contravention of the Cannabis Control Act. Individuals charged can face fines of up to $250,000 and face imprisonment of two years (minus one day).”
The city also pointed out that the current Cannabis Control Act provides limited authority to municipal by-law officers.
“These officers do not have arrest powers and are not permitted or trained to use force while carrying out enforcement activities. This makes the enforcement of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries challenging and presents health and safety risks to officers.”
The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) has sent a notice out to stakeholders regarding policy changes to cannabis secure storage requirements in the province.
As of January 7, 2025, permitted retailers and wholesalers in the province are no longer required to build separate cannabis secure storage areas within their stores and warehouses.
Other aspects of the province’s facility security requirements such as alarms and camera systems remain in place.
In addition, retail and wholesale permittees are no longer required to store cannabis in a separate secure storage area within the store or warehouse outside of operating hours.
Type 2 integrated stores that operate 24 hours a day will need to keep all cannabis products locked up after authorized cannabis retailing hours. Integrated cannabis retail store permits are able to sell cannabis, cannabis accessories, and cannabis ancillary items alongside other goods or services, and a type 2 integrated permit is one that allows minors.
The SLGA says the changes are in response to industry feedback and a review of other provincial policies. Alberta recently made similar rule changes for retailers.
The Manitoba government is seeking feedback on its proposed repeal of the prohibition on adults growing up to four cannabis plants at home. The law will require plants to be grown indoors only.
The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) has now shared an opportunity for public feedback on the regulatory changes, with a proposed Coming into Force Date of April 1, 2025.
Bill 34, The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Amendment Act, which repealed Manitoba’s ban on growing up to four cannabis plants at home, passed on June 3, 2024. The ban on growing cannabis at home had been put in place by the former Progressive Conservative government in Manitoba in 2018. The Manitoba NDP committed to repealing the bill and did so after forming government following an election in October 2023.
The proposed regulations would allow a person who is 19 years of age or older to cultivate up to four cannabis plants in their “ordinary residence.” However, a person will not be allowed to cultivate cannabis plants in different residences at the same time, and only four plants can be in a home, regardless of how many adults reside there.
All cannabis plants will be required to come from seeds or plant material that is not illicit cannabis, and all plants must be cultivated indoors in a room or container that is securely locked or in a location that is not otherwise accessible to young persons.
The proposed regulations state that a person who is cultivating cannabis in their residence may possess cannabis that they have cultivated that is not packaged, labelled, and stamped while that cannabis is in their residence. However, a representative with LGCA told StratCann in an email on Monday, January 6 that this section of the proposed amendment to the Cannabis Regulation is not stating that an individual cannot bring cannabis they’ve grown legally in their home outside of their home.
“Individuals will be able to carry the equivalent of 30 grams or less of cannabis, which could include their home-cultivated cannabis, outside of their home, in accordance with possession limits under The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act,” confirmed the communications analyst via email.
Note: This article has been updated to include comments form LGCA.
The move will make Quebec the only province that still does not allow residents to grow cannabis at home. In 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the province’s right to ban growing cannabis at home.
In September 2024, the provincial government completed targeted stakeholder consultations. The LGCA invited First Nations organizations, industry and business organizations, law enforcement, Manitoba Health and Addictions, The Residential Tenancies Branch and other stakeholders to submit feedback on the proposal and the potential safety and security requirements for doing so.
The LGCA and Manitoba Justice will also jointly communicate with municipalities to provide a summary of the laws and regulations and answer questions about where complaints can be directed.
Jesse Lavoie, who helped to spearhead a lawsuit targeting Manitoba’s home grow ban with his group TobaGrown, says he is happy to see the law progressing but has concerns with some of the proposed regulations.
“Our initial excitement about the passing of this Bill has been tempered upon reviewing the preliminary draft, which proposes restrictions requiring plants to remain indoors. This is a critical moment for Manitobans to engage and provide constructive feedback to the Government of Manitoba. We are committed to doing so.”
Kirk Tousaw, a lawyer who has worked with TobaGrown on the campaign to change the provincial law, shared a similar sentiment with StratCann.
“We are pleased that Manitobans will finally be able to grow their four plants like almost all other Canadians have been permitted to do since 2018,” says Tousaw. “That said, it is disappointing that Manitoba will continue to prohibit outdoor cannabis cultivation on the misguided belief that doing so will protect young people. Cannabis has been grown outdoors throughout Canada, legally for decades when you consider medical cannabis cultivation, and there are virtually zero incidents in which young people have accessed it. This is just continued fear mongering that has no place in modern Canadian society.”
Ontario-based Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis Corporation has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Choice Growers Cannabis Inc. to acquire the company’s consumer brands.
Under the December 17 purchase agreement, Greenway acquired all of Alberta-based Choice Growers‘ consumer packaged goods brands, SKUs and listings of the brands, trademarks, goodwill, and other associated intellectual property.
The deal includes a write-off for the amount Choice Growers owes Greenway and a royalty payment equal to varying percentages of net revenue over a period of six years.
The acquisition includes all of Choice Growers’ brands, including Grapefruit God Bud (also known as Grape God), The Jeffrey, Watermelon Pebbles, Pink Lemonade, Duke Nukem, Tangerine Dream, and Blackberry Cheesecake.
In a press release, Greenway says the acquisition will enable it to expand further into the CPG sector of the Canadian cannabis market and introduce its products to a broader audience nationwide.
Jamie D’Alimonte, CEO of Greenway, said: “Acquiring the brands from Choice Growers will help Greenway grow the number of SKUs we have in Ontario and bring Greenway products into new provinces. The Choice Growers team have built strong brands that have demonstrated real consumer appeal. As with many cannabis brands, future success will depend on delivering great products and ensuring they reach consumers at an affordable price.
“We are excited to combine our high quality, low cost cultivation with the consumer brand recognition of Choice Growers’ products. Our team is looking forward to bringing these brands under the Greenway banner, to enhance profitability and introduce Greenway’s quality cannabis to new consumers across Canada.”
Greenway recently reported net revenue of $1.8 million in Q2 2025, but an operating loss of $770,347 and comprehensive loss of $1 million.
Greenway’s primary business model is to cultivate, bulk package, and wholesale dry flower to other cannabis companies. In addition to wholesale sales, Greenway sells cannabis through its brands EPIC Cannabis Co. and MillRite, with pre-rolls and 7-gram SKUs of flower. MillRite saw a 71% increase in total units sold from the previous quarter (Q1 2025).
The company has a licensed indoor nursery and a separate licensed greenhouse for standard cultivation. The nursery is currently used to store and maintain mother plants and genetics and to propagate clones and vegetative plants for production.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend the Cannabis Retail Store Authorization for 12473291 Canada Inc., operating as Montrose Cannabis in Pickering, Ontario.
The seven-day suspension has been proposed following AGCO inspections that revealed significant breaches of the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 (CLA) and its regulations.
In May, AGCO inspectors attended the retail store located at 1755 Pickering Parkway and determined that the store had been unlawfully using a third-party delivery service – a violation of regulations under the CLA, which require that cannabis be delivered only by the licence-holder or an employee who has successfully completed the required education and training.
During that inspection, evidence was also discovered that the store had been unlawfully selling its product to customers in Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Yukon. Under the CLA, licensees are not permitted to sell cannabis outside of Ontario, which may also constitute a violation of the Cannabis Act (Canada).
Finally, Montrose Cannabis was also determined to have been selling cannabis in quantities exceeding the legal maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent in a single transaction.
The AGCO says it worked with the licensee to educate them on their obligations and to bring them into compliance. Inspectors conducted a follow-up inspection last month, where it was determined that despite a commitment to coming into compliance, the licensee had continued to operate in violation of the CLA.
An establishment served with a Notice of Proposal has the right to appeal to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.
The AGCO says it will continue to take all appropriate actions to ensure compliance and that the safety of Ontarians is not jeopardized.
“Cannabis retail laws and regulations are in place to protect the public and ensure the legal cannabis market operates responsibly,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, registrar and CEO of AGCO. “When licensees fail to meet their obligations, the AGCO will take decisive action to uphold the integrity of Ontario’s cannabis retail system.”
Nick Baksh, the founder of Montrose Cannabis, tells StratCann that retailers need more delivery options.
“Alberta and British Columbia allow cannabis retailers to offer parcel delivery, but Ontario lags behind in making cannabis accessible—particularly in rural areas. This gap is pushing consumers back to the illicit market. If the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) can ship products directly, why can’t licensed retailers?
“I’ve raised this issue with the Minister of Finance, the Attorney General, local policymakers, and even the mayor, but no progress has been made,” he adds. “Allowing licensed retailers to ship directly to customers would not only curb the illicit market but also enhance public health and safety while fostering healthy competition in the industry.”
If a cannabis retail licence is suspended, the store must post a sign about the suspension in a place where people can easily see it from outside the store.
The AGCO also recently issued a $100,000 fine to a retail chain for disallowed “data deals” that amounted to paying for shelf space.
This article has been updated to include comments from Montrose Cannabis.
BC’s third cannabis farmgate store received provincial approval recently, with plans to welcome customers in the new year.
Weeds International Inc., a micro cultivator in Pitt Meadows, BC, received its producer retail store licence, i.e. cannabis farmgate, from the BC government on Friday, December 13, after a lengthy application approval process.
In addition to their micro cultivation site, Weeds’ owners Don and Devon Briere and Carol Gwilt also operate retail locations in Vancouver and Sechelt. The Weeds brand has been part of BC cannabis culture for more than two decades, with a former chain of retail stores that operated across the province years before legalization.
Weeds’ new farmgate licence is the third such licence issued in the province since it began accepting applications for Producer Retail Stores (PRS) in November 2022. Only three companies have applied for such a licence. The province has also licensed two similar stores, one in Williams Lake and one in Chilliwack, under special arrangements with local First Nations called Section 119 agreements.
The company is now waiting on their final business licence from the city of Pitt Meadows, where they are located.
Gwilt says she and the Brieres were very excited to get the final provincial approval. They are now working on putting the final touches on the store, with the goal of a soft launch in February.
“It’s been a vision for a long time for us,” she tells StratCann. “To be able to grow and sell and share weed with our community is an honour. We love being in Pitt Meadows and we’re happy to have the community come to our farm and experience this with us.”
Don Briere says the Weeds team has several other pieces of the puzzle they hope to bring about later in 2025, including an outdoor consumption space and, more long term, the possibility of a more focussed tourist experience by creating nearby guest houses, where people can visit their farm and buy and sample products over several days.
“It’s been a long time coming; there’s been a lot of slowdown and turns and roadblocks, but we’re here now,” says Briere. We just have to persist and keep on truckin’.”
BC’s first cannabis farmgate location, ShuCanna, located in Salmon Arm, opened in the summer of 2023. The second, the Victoria Cannabis Co (VCC), opened its cannabis farmgate store in October 2024 after a lengthy approval process with the city.
A researcher with the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and the University of British Columbia is recruiting people who use cannabis for medical purposes for a driving simulation study.
The study, which plans to begin recruiting for participation in early 2025, is being led by Dr. Jeff Brubacher, the director of the Vancouver General Hospital Emergency Medicine Research Program. Brubacher is also director of the Road Safety and Public Health Research Lab at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and professor in the UBC Department of Emergency Medicine.
The goal of the study is to look at two separate streams of medical cannabis users: Those who are just starting to use cannabis for medical purposes and those who have been using it for this purpose prior to the study.
In the first stream, those with no prior medical cannabis use will be tested before beginning their use of cannabis, then again after the onset of use after one month and four months.
Brubacher explains this will help provide a baseline of participants’ driving abilities, giving a better understanding of how cannabis use might impact them. While impairment from cannabis is one factor to consider, he also notes that some who are using cannabis for medical purposes are doing so to help transition away from opioids or benzodiazepines, which could mean impairment could potentially decrease following cannabis use.
“The question is, what happens to your driving after you start medical cannabis,” he explains. “Did you get better or did it get worse?”
The second stream of study participants will be recruited from people already using cannabis for medical purposes with authorization from a medical professional. Similarly, the goal with this cohort will be to measure the impact of cannabis use on their abilities to drive, as well as taking specific cognitive tests.
Cannabis users will be asked to abstain from taking any cannabis products the night prior to the study. On the day of the study, they will take the tests before using cannabis and then again after 30 minutes, two hours, four hours, and six hours.
“The question there is, after I take my regular cannabis, do I have some driving impairment or not,” said Brubacher. “And if I have it, when does it occur and how long does it last?”
Driving abilities will be monitored using the High Fidelity Driving Simulator, measuring for things such as speed, weaving, reaction time, and collisions. The study will be conducted at the Vancouver General Hospital campus in Vancouver.
In addition, researchers will take blood samples from participants to determine the level of detectable THC in their system. This will not only provide researchers with a correlation between participants’ results on the driving simulator but also give participants a better understanding of their blood/THC levels at any given time, especially after they have abstained overnight.
This is especially important, he notes, since THC can linger in the blood sometimes well after any impairing effects have passed. The allowable legal limit in Canada is less than 2 nanograms (ng) of THC per millilitre of blood.
“How many people are driving around with a THC level that is illegal—above 2 nanograms per millilitre for example— but are totally unimpaired?” he asked. “I think we have to look at that because it’s not fair or just for someone to be on prescribed medication and be at risk that if anything happens and they get tested, there could be legal implications. So I think knowing their THC levels when they’re not impaired will be interesting.”
The Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) is funding the research. It is seeking to recruit 360 medical cannabis users for the study, which is expected to take around three years.
Brubacher and his team are also working with Vancouver-area medical cannabis clinic Green, Leaf Medical Clinic to recruit participants for the study.
Working with the clinic’s medical director, Dr. Carolyn MacCallum’s patients who fit the parameters of the study will be given a chance to participate.
Fonda Betts, the clinic’s CEO, says she and her team are excited to be a part of the project and highlight the need for this type of research. While there has been similar research looking at non-medical cannabis users, building a set of data that looks at how cannabis use impacts driving abilities, if at all, is important.
“It’s a little different when you’re using it as a medical patient compared to recreational cannabis use. A medical patient is using it for symptom management, a better quality of life, whereas a recreational user may be used to being impaired, using cannabis to get high.”
The goal for a medical cannabis user under the guidance of a medical professional at Green Leaf is to achieve what she says is a goal of finding beneficial effects for the user before reaching a level that impairs the person.
“This study, I hope, will help show that medical cannabis will have little to no impact on driving abilities. That’s our hope. So if we can provide the data to support that, it can reassure patients, health care professionals, and the public that medical patients are using it safely.”
Those interested in taking part in the study can reach out here: [email protected].
On Friday, November 29, 2024 members of Durham Regional Police North Division in Ontario recovered more than 60 pounds of stolen cannabis and approximately 550 cannabis plants.
The information was shared in a post on December 6 by Durham Regional Police. The cannabis was found during a traffic stop that led to a search of the vehicle while patrolling in the area of Scugog Line 14 and Highway 12 in Brock.
An investigation revealed that an “out of region” licensed cannabis grow operation had been broken into and the cannabis was stolen. All items were seized and the two men were arrested.
A 30-year-old male from Richmond Hill was charged with Criminal Code and Cannabis Act offences, including: Break and Enter – Commit; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 and Adult Possess Illicit Cannabis. He was released on an Undertaking.
A 57-year-old male from Toronto, is charged with Criminal Code and Cannabis Act offences, including: Break and Enter – Commit; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000; Fail to Comply – Release Order and Adult Possess Illicit Cannabis. He was held for a bail hearing.
On Friday, November 29, 2024 members of North Division were proactively patrolling in the area of Scugog Line 14 and Highway 12 in Brock.
A traffic stop was conducted, leading to a search of the vehicle. Approximately 550 marijuana plants and over 60lbs of dried processed… pic.twitter.com/TgzDqoupZW
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s Driving Research and Simulation Laboratory will begin looking at how cannabis edibles impact people’s ability to drive in 2025.
“There’s a lot of research on smoked cannabis and the impacts on driving, but very little on the effects of edibles,” Alexander Crizzle, the lab’s director and an associate professor of public health, tells the CBC.
Participants in the study will get to eat a 10 mg THC edible and will be provided with snacks and cab fare home.
The research team will then measure participants’ impairment utilizing their in-house driving simulator, Crizzle tells the CBC in Saskatchewan.
“We also have a battery of tests where we can look at how people think and we kind of stress them out a little bit to see how well they perform under a certain amount of stress. That kind of gives us a good indication of how much the edibles are impacting their ability to think and drive.”
The Driving Research and Simulation Laboratory (DRSL) at the University of Saskatchewan is directed by Crizzle and contains state-of-the-art driving simulators to study the impact of technology, rehabilitation, road design (e.g., intersections, roundabouts, bicycle lanes), and training. Among other features, the DRSL also has a full array of clinical assessments such as vision, cognition, and motor tests.
The lab is also a co-investigator in the multi-year “Don’t Drive High” campaign from 2021-2024, with funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). This Canada-wide project partnered with young Canadians to better understand the factors that influence their decision to drive high.
In new figures from 2024, the number of people who reported using cannabis before driving (18%) increased slightly from the year prior (15% in 2023) but is still lower than the 27% who reported doing so in 2018.
This included 16% who reported driving within 2 hours of smoking or vaporizing cannabis and 10% who reported driving within 4 hours of ingesting cannabis.
Of those who reported using cannabis in the past 12 months, 78% said they believe that cannabis use impairs one’s ability to drive, while 13% responded that it depends, and 6% responded that it did not impair one’s ability to drive.
A cannabis education group has teamed up with a cannabis testing lab in BC to look into the impacts of remediation on cannabis.
Francis Hall and Tom Rothmeier, the team behind Urbanistic, a cannabis education and quality grading company based in BC, recently launched a study looking into how cannabis is affected by the e-beam remediation process, not just immediately after remediation but also several months later.
While there have been studies done on the effects of irradiation on cannabis, those results were only looking at the immediate impacts, not long term, says Hall. He and his partner Rothmeier wanted to better understand how that process can change cannabis after it’s sat on shelves.
Hall says the idea is one he has been looking at for a while, and it finally came together once they found the right partners, with both a local producer providing cannabis samples and a local lab to test those samples.
The unnamed producer is providing two 160-gram samples from the same lot/batch, one that will go through a standard e-beam remediation process and one that will not. Those samples will then be shared with analytical cannabis testing lab Northern Scientific, also in BC, which will test them for things like cannabinoid and terpene levels, as well as microbes like mould and mildew.
Those samples will be tested right after the e-beam remediation process, done at a facility in BC, and again after three, six, and, ideally, nine months. This will give a better real-world look at how the e-beam process impacts both product quality and shelf stability for microbials.
“It just struck me that a big thing we’re missing is we’re not reflecting the average supply chain that a product actually goes through until it reaches the consumer,” he explains. “So that was more the point that I was coming from. Is this research fit for purpose and an accurate representation of how a product typically gets remediated and moves through the supply chain?”
Zack Paul, the CEO and founder of Northern Scientific, Inc., located in Langley, BC, says he was eager to participate in the research when approached by Urbanistic. Not only is he interested to see the long-term effects of remediation on cannabinoids and terpenes, but also the long-term implications of the effect of microbials on shelf-life stability.
This is important not only for cannabis sold in Canada—which might wait weeks or months from harvest to being sent to a distributor, then to a store, before a consumer buys it—but also for cannabis sold on the international market. These products, he says, can often take an even longer and more circuitous route to consumers, making it especially important to ensure the remediation process helps hold back unwanted microbial growth not just immediately after but several months later.
“We’re very happy to be on board, and it’s fascinating, the information we’re going to see at the end of this,” says Paul. “It’s valuable research that we just don’t have.”
“No one really does testing post-e-beam or irradiation for potency or terpenoids, so to be able to see what degradation, analytically, we can find is going to be fascinating.
“As well, with microbiology, we know that with irritation or e-beam, it more or less stunts or puts those microbes dormant. It doesn’t kill them completely. So you will start to see regrowth, it’s just a matter of when.”
Urbanistic is hosting a GoFundMe campaign to help raise $15,000 to pay for the research. Although the page refers to research on irradiation, Hall reiterates that the research is specifically on the e-beam process, which differs somewhat from the irradiation process. Both are used by cannabis companies in Canada for the purpose of remediating their crops for shelf stability, although e-beam has become the more commonly used process in recent years.
Acknowledging this important distinction, Hall says he chose the term “irradiation” because it’s the most commonly understood term among consumers.
In addition to lab testing, Urbanistic will also apply their own in-house grading system to the product, which includes blind sensory examination as well as product sampling to see if there are any noticeable effects of the e-beam process, either visually, from the aroma, or taste or even overall effect and experience.
I think that will complement the lab testing really well,” says Hall. “I think it’s going to give us an understanding of how the remediation has changed everything from the curing and freshness of the plant to the colours of the plant, the robustness of the trichome heads, the colour of the trichome heads, all the way through to the actual consumption of the product.”
In the simplest sense, irradiation works by exposing harvested cannabis to radiation—commonly either gamma, electron-beam (e-beam), or x-ray—to render contaminants like mould spores and other microbes inert and harmless to the consumer.
At the outset of legalization, gamma irradiation was the most common method of decontamination, but since then, some producers have moved to e-beam remediation, a shorter and cheaper process than gamma that produces comparable results. Irradiation is a general term for when radiation interacts with an object, while e-beam irradiation is a specific type of irradiation that uses high-energy electrons to sterilize products.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has made amendments to its Retail Cannabis Store Handbook and the Cannabis Representative Handbook.
In a November 28 bulletin, the provincial cannabis regulator noted several updates to the two relevant handbooks to cannabis retailers and registered cannabis representatives. AGLC is responsible for overseeing relationships among cannabis suppliers, cannabis representatives, and cannabis licensees.
One change allows cannabis retailers to now use their secure cannabis rooms for more than just the storage of cannabis, and another allows cannabis stores to now sell lighter fluid refills. The policy that previously didn’t allow the off-site sales of non-cannabis items has also been removed.
The rest of the changes are related to advertising and promotion, primarily to clarify existing policies.
For example, cannabis suppliers, cannabis representatives, and licensees are now specifically responsible for ensuring their advertising, including any advertising conducted jointly or by a third party, complies with all legislation and these policies.
Other changes/clarifications include:
Advertising may not include content that displays or identifies a cannabis product or accessory.
The definition of “Product Promotion” now includes activities not only within licensed premises.
Clarification on how cannabis representatives and retail cannabis store licensees are permitted to promote cannabis products.
Promotion outside of places where persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering by law must: a) be directly communicated (i.e. mail-outs, email, etc.) to an individual, by name, who has been confirmed to be 18 years of age or older; or b) include reasonable steps in online promotion to ensure that persons under the age of 18 cannot access the promotion (i.e., age verification).
Free cannabis or cannabis accessories are now prohibited in the promotion of cannabis products and accessories (this does not apply to sampling to retailers).
The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) is adding vaping products to its product offering, but consumers will have to wait a year or so to buy them.
In an information note to all suppliers posted on November 28, the provincial cannabis wholesaler and retailer says it has decided to finally allow the sale of vape products in order to provide a lower-risk alternative to Québec customers compared to unregulated vape products that are easily purchased across the country.
The SQDC company will hold an online meeting on December 10 to explain to suppliers its requirements for batteries and cartridges. To ensure products comply with regulations and that the new process goes smoothly, the SQDC says it is giving itself approximately one year before beginning to sell these products.
“In a year or so, Québec consumers will have access to quality regulated products, will know exactly what they are inhaling, and will be guided by knowledgeable trained advisors,” reads the bulletin, in part [translated].
The new category will be introduced gradually, with an initial rollout of around 20 products. The SDQC has confirmed with StratCann that all provincial rules for cannabis products will apply to cannabis vapes, including Quebec’s 30% THC limit. In addition, no additional flavours can be added to these products except for cannabis-derived terpenes that are already in the product.
The SQDC will hold two separate product calls, one for batteries and the other for cannabis vape cartridges. The first online meeting on December 10, 2024, will also be the opening date of the battery product call, with an end date of January 31, 2025.
The SQDC will then open up a product call for cannabis vape carts on March 31, 2025, which will end on April 25, 2025.
The planned start of sales will be fall 2025.
A Media Relations Team representative with SQDC told StratCann via email: “We took this decision in response to the rising popularity of this method of use (vaping) and the risks associated with vaping products from the illegal market. These products frequently contain banned chemical substances, THC levels that exceed Quebec standards, appealing flavors and aromas, especially for young people, and make inaccurate claims. ”
Despite a provincial ban, a quarter of cannabis-using Quebecers report using cannabis vapes, according to a survey from the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) in early 2024. Twenty-five percent of Quebecers who reported consuming cannabis in the past year said they have vaped it.
Quebec banned cannabis vape pens in 2019. Since there is no legal source for cannabis vapes in Quebec, residents told ISQ that they sourced their vapes from family and friends, from legal sources in other provinces, from illicit suppliers, and/or online. Newfoundland and Labrador had also previously banned the sale of cannabis vapes but began allowing them in 2022. Prince Edward Island has also banned cannabis vapes. The provincial online cannabis store did recently list a few cannabis vapes but they are now listed as out of stock.
The survey results come from the 2023 Quebec Cannabis Survey (EQC), collected between February and July 2023 from 13,209 people. The first results from the survey were released in October 2023.
Most Quebecers who consume cannabis do so by smoking it (81%), while 31% reported using edibles and 23% consuming oral cannabis drops such as cannabis oils. These oils have the same active ingredient as in cannabis edibles.
About three-quarters (71%) of Quebecers over the age of 15 who consumed cannabis in the last year reported getting at least some of their cannabis from legal stores in Quebec (SQDC).
Note: This article has been edited to include additional information from SQDC.
Testing will take place using equipment within the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI).
“The cannabis analysis license truly opens the doors for the types of support that the VPMI can provide for the industry across the Niagara region, Ontario, and Canada,” says VPMI Scientific Director and Associate Professor of Chemistry Paul Zelisko.
“The licence will also permit the VPMI to support stakeholders in typing cannabis strains for more targeted and personalized applications and to help those within the industry to find value added compounds in waste materials to promote a more circular economy,” he adds.
These waste materials can include cannabis leaves, stems, and roots. Zelisko says.
“Discovering valuable compounds in this waste material can help a company mitigate costly disposal fees and/or develop new revenue streams,” he says.
The testing will also help companies look into the addition of particular flavours and scents to their cannabis edible, beverage, and vaping products to ensure products remain within Health Canada’s allowable THC limits.
Brock’s Acting Vice-President of Research, Michelle McGinn, says the new license is “a milestone” for the University and the Niagara region.
“It opens a new frontier for cannabis research that has immense implications for public health and economic growth,” says McGinn. “Consistent with VPMI’s mission, we are applying our specialized knowledge and state-of-the-art equipment to solve real-world challenges and thereby demonstrating how science and business flourish together.”
Health Canada has also renewed a research-related cannabis license granted to Brock University in 2019, one of the country’s first universities to receive a cannabis-related research and development license.
That license allowed Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) researchers and local industry partners to identify plant virus infections in cannabis and to develop cannabis-infused drink technology.
An analytical testing licence from Health Canada allows for activities such as testing for chemical contaminants, microbial contaminants, cannabinoid content, dissolution or disintegration, sterility, stability testing, and/or pesticides.
Health Canada currently lists 136 laboratories as being authorized to conduct analytics testing under the federal Cannabis Act. Brock’s new licence was issued on October 24, 2024.
Cannabis NB, the provincial cannabis regulator and retailer in New Brunswick, has launched an education campaign aimed at informing consumers about the risks of illegal cannabis products.
The campaign, called Good To Know, uses recent findings by the Research Productivity Council (RPC) of New Brunswick, which showed chemical contaminants, including pesticides, found in illicit cannabis samples, particularly vaping cartridges, in the province.
The provincial agency first launched the Good To Know campaign in 2022, which at the time focussed on similar testing by RPC that looked at samples of several cannabis products obtained from markets in New Brunswick, including dried flower and edibles, and tested them for things like THC levels, moulds, heavy metals, and pesticides.
This year’s iteration of the education campaign focuses on sharing information through digital displays and billboards, video ads, and Snapchat, targeting New Brunswickers 19 years and older. The campaign messaging will also be leveraged in Cannabis NB stores and on social media.
“Our commitment to safety and education is the foundation of Cannabis NB’s culture. It’s built into the sales experience and training of our teams,” says Lori Stickles, President and CEO of Cannabis NB. “While legal cannabis must be tested for contaminants, illicit cannabis does not comply with Health Canada’s Good Production Practices. It is important that consumers have access to information, understand the risks associated with illegal cannabis, and make educated choices on quality and safety by turning to Cannabis NB and its certified private retail stores.”
In 2024, Cannabis NB also participated in awareness and education activations at two major festivals, the Moonlight Bazaar in Saint John in August and the Harvest Music Festival in Fredericton in September.
Nova Scotia also recently launched a similar public education campaign. The Ontario government launched their Buzz Kill campaign in October, which included a pop-up store made to look like an illegal pot shop.
In Alberta, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently launched its Forget Bad Bud campaign as well, drawing attention to the differences between the legal and illegal cannabis markets in Canada.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) brought in $63.9 million in net revenue from $673.5 million worth of cannabis sold in the province for the year ended on March 31, 2024, reporting $10.8 million in net income after expenses.
This is up from the $60.4 million in net revenue in the previous year but down from the $18 million in net revenue for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This is due to higher operating expenses and significantly lower profit from operations in the most recent year.
This figure does not include an additional $210 million in cannabis tax revenue collected by the Government of Alberta for the year ending March 31, 2024. The province’s additional 6% markup on cannabis products contributed to net revenue of $38.1 million.
Net income for the AGLC for all the files it manages (cannabis, liquor, and gaming) was $2.3 billion in the most recent fiscal year.
The number of licensed cannabis stores at the end of March 2024 was down slightly from previous years, with 752 compared to 756 in the two previous years.
Every product category except for dried flower, milled flower, beverages, topicals and seeds saw total dollars sold increase.
Sales of dried flower were relatively flat at $207.4 million compared to $206.9 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, and down from $226.5 million in 2021-2022, likely reflecting ongoing price compression as well as a shift in the market to concentrates and vape pens.
Despite this decline in total revenue, the volume of dried cannabis sold continued to increase, reflecting declining retail prices. The province sold 65,127 kg in the 2024 fiscal year, up from 59,121 in the previous year and 59,490 in 2022.
The number of vapes sold and total sales also increased, as did pre-rolls, extracts (significantly so), edibles, and beverages.
Other highlights from the AGLC’s 2023-2024 fiscal report:
The AGLC estimates it saved the cannabis industry more than $4 million through the reduction of listing fees for cannabis SKUs, among other procedural changes.
Another nearly $3 million in estimated cost savings for the industry through the amendment of storage requirements.
Alberta expanded access to legally regulated cannabis with temporary retail sales at events (i.e. festivals) and extended hours of operations approved, increasing revenue-generating opportunities.
The AGLC conducted 3,442 inspections of cannabis retailers, with a 98% compliance rate.
The province spent $2.1 million on its Cannabis Sense education program.
The province is currently developing a recycling plan that will allow for cannabis containers to be recycled.
As of March 31, 2024, Alberta had 2,356 cannabis SKUs listed for sale, up from 2,085 in 2023 and 1,664 in 2022.
The Ontario NDP’s Opposition Spokesperson on Health is asking the provincial government to respond to a First Nations government request to enter into negotiations with the provincial government regarding the operation of a retail cannabis store.
The comments came during the debate of Bill 223, the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024, which includes a potential ban on the advertisement and promotion of cannabis that is sold unlawfully. France Gélinas, the NDP MPP for the riding of Nickel Belt, read the letter from the government of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, formerly known as the Whitefish Lake First Nation, an Ojibway First Nation in northern Ontario. Gélinas is also the Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
The MPP says Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is waiting on a response to a letter signed by the chief and sent to Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General. The MPP’s comments also state that she suspects that the proposed legislation that amends the provincial Cannabis Control Act to ban the advertisement and promotion of cannabis that is sold unlawfully is intended to target First Nations.
“When a First Nation takes the time—and this is signed by the chief, and copied to me and to everybody else—please make sure that you treat them with respect and that you answer their letter, so that they can be partners with the provincial government and not have the Cannabis Control Act and schedule 1 go after First Nations communities.”
However, Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey responded to Gélinas’ comments, assuring her that the section of the bill that references the advertising and promotion of illicit cannabis is not intended to target First Nations.
“We are providing another tool for police to go after those who are online, marketing and advertising illegal cannabis,” said Downy, directing his comments to the Speaker of the House.
“I did listen to my colleague from Nickel Belt and concerns around First Nations. This is not a tool focused on First Nations. This is a tool focused on the bad actors in the online space, because it is a little bit of Whac-A-Mole, where they sometimes put up a site and then switch over to another site, and the public is not protected in that unregulated market. So this is a tool for the police to go after them with provincial measures, in addition to the existing tools that are there federally, the Criminal Code and otherwise. We want to go after the advertising and promotion of the sale of illegal cannabis as part of our plan to go after the black market, protecting our communities and looking after our children.
“I don’t think anybody thinks that we should be ignoring the illegal cannabis market and the bad actors behind it, and I would look forward to my colleagues across the way supporting us on this piece and others.”
The comments were made during the second reading debate of Bill 223 on November 19. The letter from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, as shared by MPP Gélinas, reads:
“Please accept this letter as our formal request to enter into negotiations regarding the operation of a retail cannabis store in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
“As a First Nation, it is important to us that we regulate and control businesses that operate on Atikameksheng lands. To that end, we would always reserve the right to control and administratively run those businesses to protect the interests of members of our community.
“It is necessary to point out that we reserve the right to license, as a governing body, those who wish to conduct all businesses, including distribution of cannabis.
“As such, formal approval from the provincial government is not a requirement for us to proceed with this process. Having said that, it is in everyone’s interest that we strive to harmonize rules and regulations between Atikameksheng, its citizens, and the policies and procedures set out by the provincial government.
“It would only be in matters where our interests may diverge that Atikameksheng would seek an independent path. At this stage, we do not foresee such a divergence.
“It is important for us to move forward expeditiously as we wish to ensure that the sale and distribution of cannabis within Atikameksheng lands is properly regulated so as to prevent third-party black market enterprises from establishment (sic) in our community.
“As we move forward, we are open to discussions with you to harmonize our processes and policies with those of the provincial government.
“We welcome your suggestions as to how we might best achieve the intended harmonization.”
The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Cannabis Vending Bylaw 2018 banned the sale of cannabis in the community. In 2023, the community voted in favour of its proposed 2023 Cannabis Control Law. The law authorized and directed the Gimaa (Chief) & Council of the First Nation to make any changes as necessary to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Cannabis Control Law.
In 2021, members of the Anishinabek Police Service carried out a raid on an unauthorized cannabis store, with two charged with possession for the purposes of distributing and selling cannabis and the store’s cannabis seized by police. According to a media report, the store quickly reopened.
Representatives from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek were not immediately available for comment.
The 2023-2024 Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Annual Report refers to the completion and implementation of the community’s Cannabis Control Commission.
The cannabis retailer, which operates 14 locations in Ontario and three in New Brunswick, had appealed that decision. Cannabis Xpress has now withdrawn its appeal, says the AGCO, with the retailer admitting that some of the “data agreement” effectively induced it to purchase the relevant products from Canadian cannabis producers.
The provincial regulatory agency began investigating after receiving information about possible “inducement activity.” The AGCO investigated Cannabis Xpress, including a review of over 82,000 relevant documents. The agency found that Cannabis Xpress’ “Data Services Program” and/or other agreements with licensed cannabis producers are actually an inducement program.
“Ontario’s anti-inducement rules exist to protect small businesses and consumers from predatory ‘pay to play’ schemes,” said Dr. Karin Schnarr, registrar and CEO of AGCO. “The AGCO will continue to monitor business arrangements between licensed retailers and producers and will take strong action against any licensee found to be engaging in illegal behaviour.”
A representative from Cannabis Xpress was not immediately available for comment.
The AGCO says that between January 2021 and July 2023, Cannabis Xpress entered into agreements or arrangements with at least 61 LPs, the majority of which were referred to as “Data Sharing Agreements” or “Data Agreements.” Data on cannabis sales, especially from larger chains with numerous locations, can be valuable to producers, allowing them to better understand what products are selling well and where.
Although Cannabis Xpress’ agreements appeared, on the surface, to be related to the sale of such sales data, the AGCO says that the fees to be paid under some of the agreements were based on the number of Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) to be carried at Cannabis Xpress stores.
Cannabis Xpress’ communications with cannabis producers, continues the AGCO, implied that these companies could expect to enhance sales volumes in their stores by entering into these “data deals.”
According to the AGCO, the company represented to the cannabis producers that: “our goal is to have long-term relationships with a limited number of suppliers, and pump as much volume as we can out of the stores.”
An email shared with StratCann from Cannabis Xpress by a cannabis producer confirms the same language, which also stated that the fee for the data depends on a few factors, such as the product category and total number of SKUs.
The AGCO also alleges that some Canadian cannabis companies (LPs) were told that the retailer was not willing to purchase their cannabis products without entering into a data agreement. Other cannabis companies that tried to renegotiate, terminate, or alter the terms of their data agreements with Cannabis Xpress say they saw the purchase of their cannabis products decline in volume and frequency.
Cannabis Xpress retail staff were also allegedly informed that, before they stocked new products, they were to confirm whether the LP had a data agreement in place.
Cannabis Xpress retail staff were also said to have been told not to “mention deals of any sort to customers or brand reps we don’t have a deal with” and “[i]f someone asks why we don’t stock a certain brand, just politely say we have the maximum amount of SKUs we’re able to get at the moment, or something along those lines.”
Some publicly traded cannabis companies report sales of their own data programs. Ontario’s rules allow retailers to sell data to producers, allowing them to better understand product sales trends.
Nova Cannabis, a company behind one of Canada’s largest chain of cannabis stores, Value Buds, recently reported revenue from its own “proprietary data licensing arrangements” of $12.4 million for 2023, an increase of 125% from $5.5 million in 2022.
High Tide, another sizeable retail cannabis business in Canada with more than 150 Canna Cabana locations across the country, reported sales from its own “Cabanalytics business data and insights platform” increased to $6.5 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2023 from $5.5 million during the same period in 2022.
A law firm in Quebec has modified an application for a class action suit against the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) relating to how the provincial cannabis retailer priced their products.
On November 15, 2024, lawyers at Groupe SGF amended an application for authorization to include what they say is a claim that the SQDC admitted they sold “rotating” SKUs at a lower price than regular SKUs, potentially violating provincial cannabis rules.
Groupe SGF first filed a class action suit against the SQDC earlier this year on behalf of the plaintiff, Gabriel Bélanger, alleging the provincial cannabis agency does not comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). In that case, Bélanger argues that the SQDC forces people to make “blind purchases” of cannabis products listed on their website.
In a press release last May, the SQDC said it was taking the time to look into the issue properly but noted that its initial comment was that it disagreed with the applicant’s claims and intended to contest the application.
Lawyers at Groupe SGF say they believe that the class action is now open to all cannabis consumers who purchased so-called “Non-Rotating” products from the SQDC, whether online or in-store. Groupe SGF says this would have meant consumers paid a higher price for the same product than if it had been put in a product with a variety displayed as “in rotation.”
The lawyers for the plaintiff, Mr. Gabriel Bélanger, believe that all of this is in violation of the prohibition on providing a discount to the consumer on the price of cannabis as per Quebec’s Cannabis Regulation Act.
This amendment may still require approval by the Court, notes Bélanger’s lawyers, who believe that at this stage, such a request should be granted. If not granted, they say they will file a new class action.
The original class action includes anyone who has purchased cannabis in the “dried flower” and “pre-rolled” categories for which the strain displayed on the SQDC website has been “strain rotating” since October 17, 2018.
A media representative for SQDC tells StratCann that the agency will take the time to review those allegations.
“However, we remain confident that we comply fully with the law and that we respect our customers’ interests,” the representative added in an email.
The BC Government filed a civil lawsuit in the BC Supreme Court on November 12 against a Kelowna business they say was purchased with proceeds of crime and operating as a money laundering operation for drug trafficking, primarily cannabis.
The government is seeking to seize two properties connected to the business that it says are connected to finds from illegal drug trafficking.
The province’s director of civil forfeiture says All Out Customs & Collision Ltd. in Kelowna is a front operation that does not conduct any legitimate business.
Police raided the business in December 2023 following an investigation that began in February of the same year. Police seized 8.2 kilograms of cannabis and about three kilograms of cannabis oil, as well as smaller amounts of cocaine, MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms. Police also seized $17,000 in cash. The owner of the business and the two properties the province seeks to seize, Richard Kelly Madore, was arrested at the time.
Madore has a previous cannabis-related arrest from 2012 when he was found on a logging road with $100,000 in cash and 20 kilograms of cannabis. Those charges were later downgraded to possession, a conditional sentence, and a fine, but police contend he is a “high-level” cannabis trafficker.
The BC Civil Forfeiture Office contends that one of the properties it wants to seize, Madore’s home, was purchased with the proceeds of crime, along with his All Out Customs business and property.
In December 2023, the BC Supreme Court put a pause on the province’s efforts to seize $12 million in properties connected to illegal cannabis and psilocybin dispensaries.
In May 2024, The BC Civil Forfeiture Office began civil forfeiture proceedings against two properties following investigations into the sale and distribution of illicit cannabis by a company operating in Surrey, BC.
The investigations by Surrey RCMP into the illicit sales and distribution of cannabis took place from April 2020 to February 2022. The two properties are located in Maple Ridge and Mission
The BC government filed its fourth unexplained wealth order (UWO) application in September 2024, seeking to seize $5.6 million worth of properties connected to what police say was a large, illegal cannabis production and distribution business.
Todd Veri has been working with, and adjacent to, cannabis in BC’s Kootenay region going back decades.
When legalization lumbered its way into Canada, like many in his walk of life, he decided to take a crack at getting a federal license to grow cannabis on outdoor farms in the region.
What began as a co-op with two different farms (with plans for more) has been pared down over the years through layers of regulations and business and interpersonal challenges into a one-person operation on a small farm about one hour north of Nelson, BC.
Todd Veri on his cannabis farm
Among the goats and cows and the hay he feeds them, Todd Veri grows four acres of cannabis varieties at Cedar Bug Farms, as he’s done there for several years. Now, after more than five years of trying, learning, and adapting, Veri says he hopes this will finally be his year to bring a crop fully to market.
“This year was all about trying to put the pieces together that worked. We had a lot of challenges in previous years, but I also learned a lot along the way.”
One of those lessons was not to over-build and to see how the plants respond to being left more to their own devices. In the first few years, the farms had multiple employees working all season long to plant, weed, tend, and harvest. This year, Veri has done most of this work on his own. And that has meant learning to let a lot go.
“Weeds were a big part of it. I learned to let a lot of the wild plants just grow, which created a more beneficial micro-ecosystem that seemed to support itself, rather than spending a lot of time and money weeding and mowing.”
This move alone meant he could handle on his own what would have been handled by a team of ten in the first few years. He says that keeping costs down was always part of the plan, which is one of the reasons he chose outdoor production.
“We chose outdoor because I saw the drive to the bottom in terms of prices. The amount of overproduction was predictable. I still see outdoor as the best way to deliver something of high quality and value for people to smoke.”
Though, over the years, the entire process has taken its toll on Veri and the farm. Not only did the co-op model unravel in the first few years, but he now needs to sell the farm to cover the ongoing expenses he’s incurred to get to this point.
Despite these challenges and obstacles, Veri is one of the more optimistic people in the industry. He says he prefers to own and learn from his mistakes rather than focusing on the things he cannot change or finding external situations to blame.
“It’s been very hard. Having to sell the land I’ve been growing on is hard. But I have to stay positive, and that perspective is why I think this is still a viable business. Every year, I’ve learned what to do right and what not to do next time.
“My hope is to find someone who will buy the farm and I can continue to operate it for them, so this year’s harvest will be what I hope will prove that model.”
Veri has about one-third of his field planted this year and expects 50-80kg to be ready for sale in the coming months.
His dream has been to sell into the BC market as an outdoor, BC-grown product, but he’s also exploring other options, including the export market. Finding a market for outdoor product in Canada can be difficult, he says, but he believes that growing at a lower cost than indoor, and with a better terpene profile from the natural light, will win over consumers who may be more accustomed to indoor product.
“BC has a long history of great outdoor cannabis, especially in the Kootenays. We need a way to bring that to the legal market.”
Rubicon Organics brought in $13.5 million in net revenue in Q3 2024, the three months ended September 30, 2024, its highest revenue in eight consecutive quarters, but a net loss of $168,498.
Net revenue was up compared to the same period in the previous year ($10 million) and the previous quarter ($12.1 million). Net losses have steadily declined over the last three quarters.
The BC-based certified organic cannabis producer has seen year-over-year quarterly revenue growth from Q1 2022 until Q2 2023, which the company attributes to increased demand in key provinces. In the most recent quarter, for the three months ending September 30, 2024, the company reported its highest net revenue achieved in one quarter.
Rubicon sells three flagship brands: their “super-premium” Simply Bare Organic, premium brand 1964 Supply Co, cannabis wellness brand Wildflower, and the Homestead Cannabis Supply brand. The company says it currently has over 294 unique SKUs available for sale across Canada, with over 99% coverage of the addressable market in both non-medical and medical sales channels.
Total operating expenses increased year-over-year from $3.4 million to $3.7 million, but general and administrative expenses decreased by $19,887. The company expects to continue its year-over-year growth in net revenue, much of this from its branded products that are produced using external capacity and thereby deliver lower gross margins.
In the last two quarters of 2023, Rubicon saw a decline in net revenue, which it says is due to softened demand and price compression in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as overall economic challenges facing consumers.
The company incurred $4.3 million in excise taxes from $17.8 million in product sales, up from $2.9 million in excise taxes from $13 million in sales in the three months that ended September 30, 2023.
“Rubicon Organics record net revenue for both Q3 and year-to-date 2024 reflects our strength and position as Canada’s leading premium House of Brands,” said company CFO Janis Risbin. “Rubicon Organics continues to innovate and expand our product offerings, solidifying a strong market share in premium flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and more. I’m particularly proud of the success of our 2024 vape launch, which has already achieved 55% distribution in just six months. Looking ahead, we expect to drive further growth in Canada and beyond, as we intend for new market entry in 2025.”
Rubicon’s 125,000-square-foot hybrid greenhouse is certified by the Fraser Valley Organic Producers Association (FVOPA) for organic cannabis cultivation.
A marketing campaign by Nova Scotia’s cannabis regulator is catching flack from a clinical psychologist for what he says is the promotion of cannabis use.
The marketing campaign by Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation’s cannabis branch (NSLC) that seeks to draw a distinction between legal and illegal cannabis products based on product testing refers to legal cannabis as the “safe” choice.
Clinical psychologist Simon Sherry, a psychology professor at Dalhousie University, tells media in Nova Scotia that the campaign is in the wrong for what he says is promoting cannabis use and the idea that cannabis is a safe product.
“Representing cannabis as a safe and a no-risk product, … that simply is inaccurate,” Sherry told CTV News Atlantic.
“It flies in the face of an extensive research literature that links cannabis up to depression, anxiety, psychosis, impaired concentration, impaired memory, respiratory problems, and a host of other difficulties.”
A representative for NSLC tells CTV news that the goal of the campaign was to highlight the risks of using unregulated cannabis products rather than encouraging people to use cannabis.
“As the responsible retailer for beverage alcohol and cannabis in the province, NSLC has a duty to share messages to help consumers understand the risk in making cannabis purchases from the illicit market,” said an NSLC spokesperson.
“The goal of the awareness campaign is to help consumers understand the importance of safe, regulated cannabis, by focusing on product quality and public safety.”
Several other provinces have recently launched similar campaigns aimed at informing cannabis consumers of the difference between legal and illegal cannabis products, including the lack of testing and quality assurance standards in the unregulated industry.
In October, the Ontario government launched their Buzz Kill campaign, which included a pop-up store made to look like an illegal pot shop. The OCS’ goal was to help educate consumers on the difference between legal, tested cannabis products and those that can be found in an array of illegal and unlicensed stores operating in the province.
In Alberta, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently launched its Forget Bad Bud campaign, as well, drawing attention to the differences between the legal and illegal cannabis market in Canada.
The campaign focuses on issues like quality control, strain selection, and education. It also seeks to educate consumers on how to identify an illegal cannabis store, especially the prolific number of illegal cannabis websites that ship cannabis products across the country.
The Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board has issued their first micro cannabis production licence, a business called MSJ Cultivation.
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) has spent several years creating its own licensing program for cannabis production and retail. The new micro licence was issued by MCK on November 8 and expires in five years. MSJ is licensed by Health Canada under the name Michael Stalk.
This is the second licence the agency has issued, the first was for a standard cultivation and processing licence. The standard cultivation licence and the standard processing licence from KCCB were both issued to 9076484 Canada Inc on December 3, 2021 and February 14, 2023, respectively.
The micro cultivation licence authorizes MSJ to cultivate, possess, and test cannabis, as well as sell cannabis to holders of a valid distribution licence or export from the Territory to a licensed processor or retailer in another jurisdiction. Only a distribution licence holder is authorized to distribute cannabis products within Kahnawà:ke territory (Kahnawake) to a retail dispensary licence holder. The board has said they will only issue one such distribution licence.
The business also has a micro cultivation licence from Health Canada, which is one of MCK’s licensing requirements for producers. In 2021, the band agency announced a memorandum with Health Canada in relation to their cannabis production regulations. The process was years in the making, Tonya Perron, who has led the cannabis file for the MCK for several years, explained to StratCann at the time.
The territory’s cannabis regulations essentially mirror Health Canada’s production regulations while affirming the Band’s jurisdictional authority within their community. The community has no such relationship with Quebec’s provincial retail licensing authority. The Kahnawake Mohawk Territory is a First Nations reserve of the Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke, located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada.
In October, the Kahnawà:ke Cannabis Control Board (KCCB) also posted notice of six cannabis retailers that submitted applications for a retail licence, which are currently under review
In her conversation with StratCann in 2021, Perron said the process of creating such regulations has been one of balancing the interests of those who want to operate in the industry with those who have concerns about the impacts of cannabis on the community.
“It’s a fine line to walk between all of those differing opinions, but that’s what makes our community so beautiful and so unique. People come from different places in the way that they think,” said Perron. “But one thing that’s for sure is that everybody in the community definitely states that it’s up to us to decide what needs to be done here and not for anybody else to tell us what should be done here.”
Earlier this month, MCK chiefs voted against having a new community-wide referendum on cannabis after the topic was raised at a Council meeting last week.
Kahnawà:ke is not the only community to issue cannabis licences. The Okanagan Indian Band in British Columbia recently issued at least three retail cannabis licences, two to Timix Wellness Inc. and one to Nature’s Own Cannabis.
On November 11, The Special Enforcement Section of the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at an illegal cannabis store located on Lucasville Rd., seizing cannabis products and arresting two.
Police seized edibles, pre-rolled joints, resin, shatter, and vape products.
The search came the day after Halifax Regional Police (HRP) received a report of an aggravated assault by a man armed with a knife at the same location. The victim suffered serious injuries and attended hospital. The two men are known to one another.
A 51-year-old man from Annapolis Royal and a 59-year-old woman from Chester were arrested. They will be facing charges of Possession for the Purpose of Distributing and Possession for the Purpose of Selling under the Cannabis Act.
The man and the woman were released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 30, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
The assault and cannabis investigations are being led by the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment and Halifax Regional Police.
On October 17, the Cumberland Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (CISCEU) arrested two people before executing a search warrant at a location on South Albion St. The search warrant followed public complaints about the ongoing sale of cannabis from the illegal storefront.
A recently re-elected BC MLA is raising eyebrows with the province’s legal cannabis industry following a recent comment she made on social media platform “X” that said cannabis legalization is fuelling the illicit market.
“Great work by police confiscating drugs marketed to kids,” wrote Sturko on X. “More proof that legalization does not eradicate the illicit market, but instead fuels more drugs & crime.”
Neither Sturko nor the BC Conservatives replied to a request for comment on the issue or if the party itself is supportive of the province’s legal cannabis industry as of press time. Sturko is a former Surrey RCMP officer.
Sturko was first elected to the riding of Surrey South in September 2022. Surrey, the second largest municipality in BC after Vancouver and eleventh in Canada, has a traditionally socially conservative voting base. The city itself only recently began the process of allowing companies to apply for a handful of cannabis store licences, one of the last prohibition-era holdouts in a region that has otherwise embraced cannabis legalization.
“It’s disappointing to see that. Whether this is in BC or any other province, the intention of legalization was to create a safe and regulated product and keep it out of the hands of youth. By raiding illicit operators, really what they’re trying to do is take away that unregulated product that is shown time and again to be untested and have toxic ingredients.”
Cory Waldron, Mood Cannabis
The issue highlights one of the challenges facing the cannabis industry in BC, where a large portion of the voting public is at best uninterested in industry concerns, if not still outright hostile or dismissive to them.
Cory Waldron, the owner of Mood Cannabis, a cannabis retailer in Nanaimo, BC, and president of the Licensed Retail Cannabis Council of BC (LRCCBC), says he thinks the MLA misunderstands the issue.
“It’s disappointing to see that,” says Waldron. “Whether this is in BC or any other province, the intention of legalization was to create a safe and regulated product and keep it out of the hands of youth. By raiding illicit operators, really what they’re trying to do is take away that unregulated product that is shown time and again to be untested and have toxic ingredients.”
The comments, he says, reflect a broader issue in BC politics where neither major party seems to be listening to the concerns of the legal industry. The industry is at a “critical point,” he explains, in terms of the sustainability of legalization. Companies are facing considerable challenges and not getting support from the government, be it provincial or federal.
Screenshotvia the platform formerly known as Twitter
“I think both parties [in BC], the Conservatives and NDP for the most part, don’t really want to deal with the problems that we’re seeing in BC. Not only as retailers but at the producer level as well. The file is kind of treated like the bad kid in the corner. We’re forgotten.”
“Statements like these make me wonder if our policymakers are completely unfamiliar with how our industry works. The popularity of unregulated edibles is evidence that we need better regulations, not proof that legalization fuels more crime.”
Walker Patton, BC Cannabis Alliance
Walker Patton, from the BC Cannabis Alliance, representing cannabis producers in BC—especially craft producers—shared a similar sentiment.
“Frankly, it’s disappointing,” Patton tells StratCann. “Statements like these make me wonder if our policymakers are completely unfamiliar with how our industry works. The popularity of unregulated edibles is evidence that we need better regulations, not proof that legalization fuels more crime. Or maybe I’m being naive in taking a comment like that at face value.”
When elected in 2020, Sturko replaced BC NDP MLA Mike Starchuk, who served as MLA for Surrey Cloverdale from 2020-2022. Before that time, Starchuck was a member of Surrey City Council from 2014-2018. In 2018, he came out in support of cannabis legalization, noting his municipal party, Surrey First, had a plan for limited cannabis retail in the city rather than an outright ban.
Ridings in BC like Surrey Cloverdale are often dominated by more socially conservative politics, which highlights one of the challenges the legal industry faces in the province. The provincial government under the BC NDP have for years now been largely unresponsive to many industry concerns regarding provincial regulations and policies and their impact on the health of the legal cannabis sector in the province.
With an opposition apparently still stuck in the land of reefer madness and a voting public that appears to support this sentiment, there is little incentive for the BC NDP government to listen. MLA Sturko’s comments shouldn’t be surprising but instead should serve as another healthy reminder of how much further the industry has to go to shift this narrative among voters.
Even six years into legalization, there are still many who outright oppose the legal industry or, at the very least, don’t prioritize the industry’s concerns.
Alberta’s cannabis regulator has launched a campaign to encourage cannabis consumers to not use the illicit market.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) launched their Forget Bad Budcampaign in October, drawing attention to the differences between the legal and illegal cannabis market in Canada.
Similar to a recent campaign launched in Ontario, AGLC’s Forget Bad Bud campaign focuses on issues like quality control, strain selection, and education. It also seeks to educate consumers on how to identify an illegal cannabis store, especially the prolific number of illegal cannabis websites that ship cannabis products across the country.
From the website:
“When you buy illegal, you can’t be sure what you’re getting. A website could look like the real deal but open you up to identity theft and fraud. The same old bud you’ve bought for years may look legit, but instead come loaded with ingredients that cause a dangerous reaction, and potency levels that could result in unwanted effects.”
The campaign includes several short videos with people “breaking up” with their illicit cannabis dealers, as well as an online quiz to test people’s knowledge about cannabis and Canada’s legal cannabis program.
A new report from city staff in Winnipeg says there have been no public complaints or licence applications following the designated medical cannabis production zoning amendments adopted in 2022.
The city adopted their new bylaw to regulate designated medical cannabis production sites in April 2022 following community concerns at such operations occurring in residential areas within the city. Health Canada allows the licensing of designated individuals to grow cannabis for others who are authorized to access cannabis for medical purposes.
As part of Winnipeg’s 2022 bylaw, city staff were also required to put together a report two years later on the effectiveness of the new licensing program. Staff were given an extra six months in April 2024 to complete the report, which is scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on November 8.
The report notes that since the program’s implementation, there have been no licence applications for designated cannabis production facilities. It also points out that the city has not received any calls from residents about such licences during this time.
City staff also note that while Health Canada’s public portal said at one point there were around 2,000 designated and personal medical growers operating in Manitoba, as of October 2022, these numbers now show fewer than 20 designated growers in the province.
While personal and designated production licences had seen several years of steady declines, a recent report from Health Canada notes an uptick in licence issuances in 2024, including in Manitoba.
The number of personal and designated medical grow inspections conducted by Health Canada has been increasing in the last few years. There have been more than 300 such inspections in the previous two years.
All such designated growers of cannabis for medical purposes in the City of Winnipeg are required to be licensed under, and comply with, the bylaw. The licensing program allows city officials to conduct inspections, suspend or revoke a licence, or issue a fine if there are health and/or safety concerns.
Manitoba also recently passed a law that will allow people in Manitoba to grow up to four cannabis plants at home, although the law is still not in force. The staff report says that public consultation will be launched through Manitoba’s online consultation platform, EngageMB in the fall of 2024, with proclamation expected to be in early 2025.
City staff does not recommend any changes to the city’s bylaw.
Cannabis retailers in Vernon, BC, say they have seen an increase in new customers in the days following recent raids of several unlicensed stores operating just outside city limits.
Provincial inspectors recently closed down a handful of unlicensed cannabis stores operating on Okanagan Indian Band Land near Vernon over a few days at the end of October. Although those stores have reportedly now reopened, some owners and managers at licensed retail shops in the Vernon area say they saw an increase in new customers following those temporary closures.
“Yes we have seen an increase in customers, especially new customers,” says Sarah Ballantyne, the owner of Spiritleaf Vernon. Ballantyne says her store even had to place a larger weekly order to respond to this increased demand.
She says she has seen similar cycles of new customers following other enforcement actions in the past, which can ebb and flow depending on how fast the raided stores restock and re-open.
“We go through this every once in a while when it happens. It can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but we get restocked every Thursday.” Lower-priced ounces, she notes, have been in particular demand.
Lance Ashlin-Mayo, the manager at Lucid Cannabis in Vernon, says he’s seen a similar increase, if only briefly.
“I have noticed an uptick in sales,” Ashlin-Mayo tells StratCann.
Still, not all of the new customers passing through his doors stick around, he says, as some still balk at the prices in the legal market, as well as the restrictions on edibles that don’t exist in the unregulated or illegal market.
“There’s some things with a legal store, we just cannot compete with them, and that’s flower and concentrates.” he continues. “They can sell flower for like $60 an ounce. I can’t even buy it from the government for $60 an ounce, and that’s before I mark it up. And the government ties my hands on the edibles, while they’re selling gummies with 100 milligrams [THC].”
“I’ve got people coming in and looking at my prices and yelling at me. And then I have people coming in and seeing the 10 mg edibles and turning around.”
“The people that were going to the Green Mile are on the low end of the pay scale. They like their weed, but they only have so much money. A lot of people on disability would go to the Green Mile to get as much as they could for the lowest price. People who have money, go to the legal stores.”
Some of these new people he’s seeing through his front doors stick around; others return to the illegal market as soon as they can.
“I’m a pretty good salesman, but people only have so much money.”
Ounces for sale at an unlicensed cannabis store near Vernon, BC
Earlier in October, members of the Woodstock Police Force’s Integrated Enforcement Unit (IEU) initiated the investigation into an illegal cannabis dispensary that had set up shop in Woodstock.
Following the initial investigation, members of the Woodstock IEU, Street Crime Unit, and Community Engagement Unit, along with officers from the Department of Justice and Public Safety, executed a search warrant at the dispensary, Woodstock Medicine Chest & Trading Post, located at 114 Queen Street, Woodstock, in a coordinated operation.
As a result, a 48-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man were taken into custody and now face charges under the Cannabis Act. Both individuals were released and are scheduled to appear in court in April 2025. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may follow as authorities continue their inquiry.
Items seized during the search included over six pounds of dried cannabis, more than 500 cannabis pre-rolls, hash, shatter, edibles, and vapes.
City Staff are recommending that Surrey City Council initiate rezoning applications on behalf of the eight successful applicants at twelve locations to permit Cannabis Retail on the proposed sites.
The recommendation will be presented at a council meeting on Monday, November 4. The staff report intends to inform the council of the successful applicants to the Request for Expressions of Interest for Cannabis Retail.
Surrey City Council released a proposal for up to 12 cannabis stores in BC’s second-largest city in early 2024, approving the plan in April. The city has said it would consider up to two locations for each of its six distinct communities: Whalley/City Centre, Newton, South Surrey, Guildford, Cloverdale, and Fleetwood.
If the council approves the recommendations in the report, staff will then begin a site-specific rezoning application for council consideration on behalf of each of the selected applicants to permit cannabis retail use at their proposed locations.
If the rezoning of a property to permit cannabis retail use is approved, prospective retailers would then need to get a business license from Surrey.
City staff screened out six applications on the basis of an incomplete submission submitted within the RFEOI period. The remaining applications were then deemed eligible for the second stage evaluation.
The results of this secondary selection process identified that the successful applications in each of the communities are:
Whalley/City Centre
“Dutch Love Cannabis” #201-13650 102 Avenue
“Local Cannabis” 10449 King George Boulevard
Newton
“Imagine Cannabis” #502-7380 King George Boulevard
An Alberta court had to weigh in on a dispute regarding share price between a Canadian cannabis company and the company’s former Chief Operating Officer.
The case involved a dispute between Daniel Jean Laferriere, who was the COO of Simply Solventless Concentrates Ltd. (SSC) in 2020 and 2021, and the company itself. Laferriere argued that shares he sought to have redeemed at the end of 2023 were worth $0.20 a share, while the company argued they were worth $0.017 per share.
While the former valuation would have made Laferriere’s two million shares worth $400,000, the valuation offered by Simply Solventless would have made the shares worth $34,000. The judge in the case found the value of the SSC shares on December 5, 2023, was $0.05 per share, or $100,000 total.
The dispute goes back to SCC’s attempts to take SCC stocks public in 2021 through another company, Dash Capital Corp. SCC shareholder approval of the deal was required, and Laferriere exercised his right at the time to disagree with the deal and have his own shares redeemed. SSC shares began trading in late December 2023.
Laferriere argued that his shares were worth $0.20 at the time he redeemed them because SCC shares were offered and purchased for $0.20 per share in the private placement with Dash Capital Corp.
SCC’s representatives disagreed, arguing that the $0.20 per share private placement was based on a price for “units,” each of which included a share as well as a warrant. This warrant allowed its holder to purchase another share at the same price at a later date. SCC argued the fair value of a share was from $0.02 to $0.05, while the warrant’s value was $0.15 to $0.17 each. This made the average share price $0.035 per share, which is what the SSC offered to the former COO.
The judge disagreed with both parties’ arguments. He noted that the $0.20 per share valuation claimed by the former COO would mean that the attached warrants had no value, while saying that SCC’s arguments placed its share price (alone, without the warrant) at $0.035 per share, just over 10% of the unit price.
The court rejected both of these valuations, instead ruling that the value of the SSC shares on December 5, 2023 was $0.05 per share.
Court documents also show some of the reasons behind SCC’s “hail Mary” attempt to stay afloat after finding themselves with “significant and long overdue” accounts payable, which included outstanding legal fees of over $500,000 and a tax debt of approximately $1.5 million.
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