Health Canada is investigating complaints alleging inaccurately-labelled potency levels for some products sold by licensed pot producers, including industry leader Canopy Growth Corp. 

The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based cannabis producer was called out by a rival in a complaint submitted to Health Canada's Cannabis Compliance Directorate last month. According to a copy of the document obtained by BNN Bloomberg, the complaint centres on sales of Canopy’s TWD brand that displays a flat 20-per-cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency for 18 separate batches of its cannabis products. 

Many of us grew up in a society that prohibited the use of cannabis. When cannabis was legalized in 2018, it was a major shift for most Canadians. How successful have we been in changing the mindset from it being an illegal and stigmatized drug to one that is legal and socially acceptable?

Education about cannabis has been inconsistent across Canada. Evidence to support the best approach for cannabis education and awareness campaigns is lacking and historically focused on risk-based messages to encourage people to “do not use.”

Health Canada has released new data about the amount of alcohol and cannabis Canadians are consuming through the pandemic.

The government has been conducting web panel surveys throughout the past year to get a grasp of how Canadians are reacting to the ongoing pandemic. The latest survey, which included 3,941 respondents between the ages of 15 and 90, focuses on alcohol and cannabis habits.

Sales of cannabis in Canada more than doubled in 2020 as the nation, like the rest of the world, spent a lot of time quarantined. The total sales amount reached $2.8 billion in Canadian dollars, a 120 percent increase from 2019.

What’s more, a new report from the Canadian government shows that legal cannabis sales outstripped sales of illegal cannabis for the first time. Combatting the cannabis black market is something officials have faced everywhere marijuana is legal.

In 2018, Canada made a historical decision by legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana. It is also the first G7 nation to allow marijuana use. Even after two years, the demand for marijuana keeps on rising in Canada.

If you’re a cannabis connoisseur, read on to learn amazing facts about cannabis in Canada.

Cannabis Legalization in Canada

After prohibiting cannabis for almost 80 years, the Canadian government launched the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) program in 2001. This policy allowed legal access to marijuana for Canadians who couldn’t find relief through regular medication.

The MMAR ultimately transformed into the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) in 2013, having a more liberal approach.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a going to be a massive market and represents an unprecedented growth opportunity for companies. CBD does not get you high, has incredible health benefits, and can be used an input product in a wide variety of consumer goods.

From food products to cosmetics, CBD has vast applications and this makes the opportunity incredibly exciting. We have been closely monitoring this sector since inception and have a strong understanding of the opportunities available.

Today, we are going to highlight three companies that have been capitalizing on this opportunity and are worth watching. These companies have been aggressively advancing business plans and have recently made some significant announcements.

MCN speaks with Cannabis Council of Canada President George Smitherman about the cannabis landscape and policy in Canada.

Canadian cannabis policy and governance are some of the most progressive in the world; and the country’s legalisation of medical, adult use and derivative forms of cannabis have contributed to a healthy, growing cannabis market. Sales topped $2bn across 2020, with further growth expected this year; while the market for illicit products has been steadily shrinking since 2019.

Usually it is taught that Indica is a nighttime strain of weed because of its sedative properties, while the Sativa strain of cannabis has the opposite effects (provides us with a burst of energy rather than sedation).

So, the question arises - which one is a better option for anxiety? Sativa, Indica or Hybrid? Let’s take a closer look at them.

Indica

It is basically a cannabis subspecies and originates from South Asia and East India.  The plant of Indica marijuana is short and has broad leaves that grow in dark hues of green, with shades of pink and purple. It is known for its calming effects and pungent smell.

Canadian retailers are making their presence known south of the border, seeking additional growth while attempting to establish a foothold ahead of U.S. legalization plans. 

Fire & Flower Holdings Inc., High Tide Inc., and Canopy Growth Corp.'s Tweed have begun wading into the U.S. cannabis market in recent weeks, taking similar cues from pot producers who have also entered the U.S. despite regulations that prevent Canadian-listed companies from fully operating in the space. 

"The companies are using Canada as their testing ground to get to the real prize, which is ultimately the U.S.," said ATB Capital Markets Analyst David Kideckel, in an interview. 

A large-scale East Ladner greenhouse operation, that’s made the switch from vegetables to cannabis, is about to enter the market.

Partnering with AgraFlora Organics International Inc. to create the new entity Propagation Services Canada Inc., Houweling Nurseries announced this week that by this summer it will have its first commercial crop for sale.

“We have made recent modifications to existing infrastructure which has allowed us to significantly increase our drying capacity and increase revenue for summer 2021,” said general manager Ruben Houweling in a news release.

The venture will see the eventual conversion of the entire 2.2-million-square-foot greenhouse.