Canada

Canada’s agriculture sector avoided the general economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic because of a significant boost in cannabis sales.

Eight Canadian cannabis brands sent a joint letter to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police requesting law enforcement action against Weedmaps, who they say is hindering the legal industry by listing unlicensed dispensaries.

California cannabis company Vibe Bioscience is set to acquire Cathedral Asset Holding Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ventura Cannabis and Wellness Corp.

The United States spent $1.49 billion on cannabis research between 2000 and 2018. Most of the funds were directed at understanding the potential harms of cannabis use.

More than half of all cannabis sales in Canada still take place in the unregulated marketplace despite having federally legalized almost two years ago.

Federal prosecutors in Canada have been directed to avoid prosecuting drug possession cases unless the crime poses a major public safety risk.

A recent study by the Ottowa Hospital in Ontario, Canada suggests that cannabis use during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism.

Canada’s Northwest Territories has reduced the price of cannabis products by 10 percent in hopes of curbing the unregulated market.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has issued a call for lawmakers to federally decriminalize the low-level possession of all drugs.

During the nearly two years of federal legalization in Canada, no single cannabis brand has earned more than 41 percent recognition among consumers.

Unlicensed cannabis producers in British Columbia earned about $1.24 billion last year, while licensed B.C. companies earned just $765 million.

Toronto-based Halo Labs, which serves consumers in both Canada and multiple U.S. state markets, reported a 49 percent decrease in revenue during the first quarter of 2020.

Florida medical cannabis company Bluma Wellness Inc. is now trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the BWEL.U symbol.

Health Canada says the cannabis industry has a generally high rate of compliance, having ordered just 15 product recalls — all due to mislabeled CBD and THC content — since legalizing in 2018.

A recent survey suggests that cannabis companies with the highest-paid executives tended to underperform over the last year compared to the industry average.

CannTrust has had the licenses for one of its grow facilities reinstated after its federal licenses were suspended last year over multiple regulatory violations.

Canadian cannabis producer Tilray has announced it will close its 406,000 ft greenhouse in Leamington, Ontario.

Cannabis sales in Canada rose 19 percent during the country’s coronavirus pandemic response efforts in March.

Canadian researchers behind a 10-year survey have suggested that setting the legal age for cannabis access at 19 would help avoid some potential adverse health effects.

Amid international shakeups, major alcohol distributor Constellation Brands has increased its stake in Canopy Growth Corp. by 5.1 percent, bringing its total stake in the company to 38.6 percent.

Canada’s legal cannabis industry has contributed $3.96 billion to the country’s GDP since the adult-use reforms took effect in October 2018.

Canopy Growth will lay off an additional 200 employees from its facilities in North America and the United Kingdom.

The number of class action lawsuits filed against publicly traded cannabis companies more than doubled from 2018 to 2019.

Ontario’s cannabis wholesaler has announced plans for new craft cannabis regulations and to allow on-site cannabis shops for licensed growers.