It might seem like strange timing to launch a business in the middle of a pandemic, but for many small Canadian businesses delaying a store opening isn’t a option financially. 

On Friday, cannabis retailer Kiaro opened the doors to its new location in Port Moody, British Columbia, the same day the neighbouring city of Vancouver introduced fines of up to $1,000 for individuals and $50,000 for businesses caught not respecting mandated social distancing guidelines. 

The opening was bittersweet, Kiaro president of operations Eleanor Lynch said. While the company was excited to open its doors in what she calls a cannabis desert — an area without any other legal stores — it also built up to the day by encouraging customers to stay home. 

Approximately 4,000 times these past two weeks, I’ve thanked my lucky stars cannabis was legalized before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and sent us all cowering in our bong dens.

British Columbia’s Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is taking steps to ensure that if residents are socially distancing themselves for the duration of the coronavirus epidemic, they won’t have to do it without weed.

The provincial wholesaler is working within the industry to mitigate any possible supply issues as cannabis enthusiasts worldwide start stockpiling the drug.

Despite the recent closures of two B.C. facilities that resulted in the loss of 500 jobs, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation says that Canopy Growth is still moving “full steam ahead” with its planned facility in St John’s, Vocm reports.

 1193269 BC Ltd., doing business as Shelter, announced today the launch of its Craft Collective Division, designed to assist and promote the entry of small farmers to market.

While most 'cannabis 2.0' talk has focused on edibles as a potential saviour of a legalization plan that has been plagued with quality issues, inexperience, and an apparent deafness to consumer concerns, many longtime industry players are looking to micro cultivators to be the game changer.

Kyp Rowe, Business Development Lead for the division is a former Director of Operations with Choom and Sante Veritas. An experienced grower, Mr Rowe will also leverage skills from his background in wineries and greenhouses to ensure farmers have the right tools to succeed.

Budtenders at a British Columbia cannabis retailer are reported to be the first private-sector pot shop employees to unionize in the country.

Staff at two Clarity Cannabis dispensaries in the Greater Victoria area have joined the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Local 1518, the union announced Tuesday in a press release. Clarity Cannabis operates seven stores in B.C. with approximately 40 employees.

It’s lights, camera, action for a Vancouver entrepreneur whose CBD drink is headed to this year’s Academy Awards.

Jigme Love, a Vancouver entrepreneur, is the founder of Infuzed Thirst, a CBD-infused canned sparkling water drink that promises zero calories, zero sugar and natural flavours.

Cans of Infuzed Thirst will be included in duffle swag bags being gifted to stars in attendance, such as Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johannson, Tom Hanks and others.