File photo of medical cannabis in production. (FatCamera/iStock/Getty Images)

Grow facilities now required up front for new cannabis producers

Growers and processors seeking federal licenses to produce and/or process cannabis in Canada will now have to have their proposed sites “fully built” before they even apply. Health Canada announced Wednesday that the change takes effect immediately, saying it would better line up the cannabis sector with the approach the department already follows for approvals […] Read more

A “hemp and greens morning machine” smoothie using Planet Hemp smoothie mix and hemp milk. (PlanetHempSuperfood.ca)

Aurora Cannabis to buy up all of processor Hempco

Edmonton cannabis company Aurora Cannabis is set to buy up the balance it doesn’t already own in hemp processing firm Hempco Food and Fiber. Aurora announced Tuesday it will pay $1.04 a share for the remaining shares of Vancouver-based Hempco, which makes and sells Planet Hemp hemp-based foods and Praise hemp-based supplements for dogs and […] Read more


(CanopyGrowth.com)

Ontario chamber makes recommendations to boost cannabis sector

Reuters –The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) on Thursday made several recommendations that address issues affecting the province’s booming marijuana industry, including having a common excise stamp to help cannabis makers ship their products smoothly. The industry body also recommended bolstering Health Canada, the country’s health regulator, so that it can issue licenses to facilities […] Read more

Finance Minister Bill Morneau appears at a pre-budget event March 14 at the Toronto Kiwanis Boys + Girls Clubs. (BMorneau.liberal.ca)

Farm groups see something for everyone in federal budget

Response so far from farm and agribusiness organizations to Tuesday’s pre-election budget suggests the federal government has managed to find at least one line item for everyone in the ag sector. Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s budget pledges compensation for supply-managed sectors facing financial hits from international trade pacts, funding for a new federal food policy […] Read more


Canola south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 3, 2017. (Dave Bedard photo)

Input Capital to consider company sale, merger, cannabis

Possible options including a sale, merger or moving into the cannabis business are now on the table for “commodity streaming” canola firm Input Capital Corp. Regina-based Input, which trades publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange, announced Wednesday its board has launched a “comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value.” The review, which will […] Read more




(Video screengrab via Aphria.ca)

Aphria says proposed hostile bid undervalues company

Reuters — Canadian cannabis producer Aphria said on Friday Green Growth Brands’ proposed $2.8 billion all-stock hostile bid “significantly” undervalued the company. Ohio-based cannabis retailer Green Growth, which merged with Xanthic Biopharma in November, said on Thursday it would offer 1.5714 shares for each Aphria share. The company said its valuation was based on a […] Read more



(Chictype/iStock/Getty Images)

Labatt to partner with Tilray to tap cannabis drink market

Toronto | Reuters — Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s largest brewer, and Canadian pot producer Tilray Inc. are partnering in a US$100 million joint venture to research cannabis-infused non-alcoholic drinks for the Canadian market, the companies said Wednesday. The alliance, the latest in a string of deals by global alcohol and tobacco giants in Canada’s cannabis […] Read more