The consumer packaged goods company, IGNITE International Brands, Ltd., is pulling up its Canadian cannabis stakes and is none too shy about why it feels the move is a good one: product marketing, sales and distribution restrictions.

“We applaud the Canadian government for leading the way in legalizing cannabis, but, unfortunately, there remain too many barriers to build a successful cannabis business,” IGNITE CEO Dan Bilzerian said in a statement.

Vancouver-based TAAT Global Alternatives, a manufacturer of hemp-based cigarettes, has announced that it has closed an additional private placement of $8 million by a group of private investors led by Debbie Chang. Chang is the co-founder of Horizons Ventures, which serves as the venture capital arm of billionaire Hong Kong business magnate Li Ka-shing.

Despite Canada approaching its third anniversary of cannabis legalization, some municipalities still ban licensed shops. Other countries talking about legalizing cannabis also seem inclined toward minimizing legal access. But my research suggests those policies are probably counterproductive.

Canada legalized recreational cannabis on Oct. 17, 2018. After initial product shortages eased in spring 2019, store openings and retail sales soared. Monthly sales hit $339 million in July 2021 and the national store total now exceeds 2,600.

Canopy Growth (WEED.TO)(CGC) is looking to dominate the cannabis gummies market with its latest option-based deal hingeing on pot becoming federally legal in the United States. 

The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based company announced a deal on Thursday to acquire privately-held Wana Brands, a Colorado-based cannabis edibles brand that claims to lead the category by market share across North America.

Canopy says the transaction is similar in structure to its planned takeover of New York-based multi-state operator Acreage Holdings (ACRHF), a landmark deal when it was announced in 2019 that required federally permissible pot sales in order to be fully consummated. 

Frank And Oak is a certified B Corporation® since 2019. Certified B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and are required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. The brands’ new objectives include removing virgin plastic and polyester from their supply chain, implementing more carbon offset programs, using more renewable energy, and continuing to encourage their zero-waste policy. Recent catastrophic weather events proved once again that climate change can no longer be ignored.

It will be the first time a retail license has been issued since Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council created the Commission in the spring of 2019 to develop the Six Nations Cannabis Control Law, it’s regulations and build the policies to regulate the cannabis industry on Six Nations Territory.

The Commission’s new Executive Director, lawyer Verna George, introduced herself at a general council meeting Tuesday night where she shared that both production and retail licenses are close to being issued.

“I was so excited about this opportunity,” said George, who is from Six Nations but lives on the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. “I’m very happy to give back to my community, in this project. I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the community.”

IGNITE International Brands, Ltd. (CSE:BILZ, OTCQX: BILZF) (“ IGNITE ” or the “ Company ”), a global consumer packaged goods company, today announced that it is discontinuing its cannabis business in Canada.

Citizen Stash Cannabis Corp. (the "Company" or "Citizen Stash") (TSXV:CSC) (OTCQB:EXPFF) (FRANKFURT:MB31) is pleased to announce the launch of its premium flower products into Nova Scotia where it will be available in cannabis retail stores within the province in the coming weeks.

As the third anniversary of Canada's legalization of cannabis approaches, retailers say they continue to struggle to find access to basic financial services from banks.

Industry experts say decades of stigma, as well as international pressure, continue to plague the fledgling industry, forcing shop owners to dig into their savings to open their small businesses and limiting the sector's growth.

Charles Varabioff, owner of Kingsway Cannabis, says finding a bank to take on his business account was next to impossible.

"I tried every single one of them. And every one [of the banks] was 'no, no, no, no, no,'" he said.

Branch managers, he says, would tell him the cannabis industry is too high-risk.