The week in cannabis was full of change, including the Tilray-Aphria merger that makes it one of the world’s biggest weed companies, the decision to drop the “snortable” cannabis powder Canna Bumps, Mars Wrigley serves notice to cannabis providers over unauthorized packaging and the head of Organigram steps down.

Tilray and Aphria combo to be big on global stage

Many would argue 2020 has been the most stressful year in a generation.

Between a polarizing U.S. presidential election, a novel coronavirus pandemic claiming more than 268,000 lives from 13.6 million reported cases (as of November 30),, the fluctuating, unreliable data, and millions of people who may be stressing out due to ongoing isolation from their loved ones due to rolling lockdowns and social distancing measures, as well as rising unemployment with no end in sight, it is understandable for Americans to have a sense of heightened anxiety and insecurity.

The cannabis space has been less than diverse since its onset as an “industry.” Even behind the scenes, there aren’t too many minorities. During the Winter Emerge 2020 Virtual Cannabis Conference, one panel highlighting diverse voices in cannabis was “Multicultural Experiences in Technology Innovation,” moderated by Sohum J. Shah.

Shah is the founder and CEO of Durban Creative Media, a cannabis consultant, and the founder of the Cannabis Commodities Exchange. Other panelists included Solanje Burnett, Rob Tankson, Andy Singh, and Seibo Shen. 

Cannabis and education

When discussing the need for education about the actual effects and benefits of cannabis, Solanje Burnett was quick to add her insights.

During the pandemic, cannabis delivery and drive-thru options became more of a hot topic than ever before. In addition to the logistics and safety it provides, delivery offers a stress-free, convenient system that is here to stay. According to a recent poll from Ganja Goddess, a California-based, online brand for cannabis consumers, cannabis users want to keep getting their weed delivered.

Marijuana legalization in the U.S. could be years away from becoming a reality. However, that isn't stopping Canadian cannabis businesses from staking out positions beforehand. They want to be ready to go when the market opens up, and that is why there has been an uptick on the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) front of late.

Last week, Valens (OTC:VLNCF) became the latest name to announce its entry into the U.S. market with the acquisition of Green Roads, a U.S. company that makes hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products. Let's take a closer look at what it means for Valens, and for the industry in the U.S.

There are two key things you should know about the cannabis industry, particularly in the U.S. First, it's still only in its early innings. Second, the potential market is huge. Those happen to be two characteristics that bode well for long-term investors.

Some cannabis companies are in especially strong positions to succeed -- and deliver great returns along the way. Here are three of the best marijuana stocks to buy in May.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

There are nearly 800 strains of cannabis available on the legal market, with more being cultivated all the time. On top of that, there are countless formulations of edibles, tinctures and other cannabis products.

Like the wine industry, cannabis is a complicated market for consumers. In the wine industry, sommeliers guide consumers into making choices based on region, vintage and other attributes. Cannabis is primed for a similar approach, but not nearly enough dispensaries are staffed with the sort of experts to provide it.

The inherent contradictions of American cannabis laws seem to appear in the news almost every week.

At the state level, for example, Virginia recently became the latest jurisdiction to allow adult cannabis use, effective this July 1. But just days later, a court upheld United States federal tax laws that treat state-licensed cannabis businesses as illegal drug traffickers.

Leamington’s biggest private employer loses its name on Wednesday but will remain the controlling power behind a blockbuster merger of two Canadian pot giants in what becomes the world’s largest cannabis company.

Tilray Inc. shareholders on Friday followed suit with those of Aphria Inc. weeks earlier and voted to approve the merger which includes adopting Tilray as the shared name for the business combination. Tilray, headquartered in Nanaimo, B.C., will continue to be listed on the American Nasdaq exchange but will also commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 5.

The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) is giving some love to craft growers with the launch of a new designation aimed at helping raise the profile of offerings from small licensed producers.

Launching late last week, the new designation — as it stands, only for dried flower and pre-rolls — currently includes products from 20 licensed cannabis producers, according to Marijuana Business Daily.