Let the private sector play a role in selling marijuana in British Columbia. That's the advice of two researchers at a leading Canadian university. They are cautioning politicians in B.C. against upending the province’s longstanding dispensary system, saying there are...
Matt Lamers
Matt Lamers's Latest Posts
Will Alberta be the first province to endorse private marijuana retail?
Alberta could become the first province in Canada to allow some private sector participation in the sale of recreational cannabis when it unveils its retail framework next week, a move that would make it a haven for marijuana entrepreneurs. According to the Calgary...
Organigram aims to be recertified as organic MMJ producer
Less than a year after Organigram had its organic certification suspended following a product recall, the Moncton, New Brunswick-based company started the process to be recertified as an organic producer of medical cannabis. Organigram said in a news release it...
Canopy expands to BC with plans for large marijuana greenhouse
Canopy Growth has formed a joint venture to develop a 1.3-million-square-foot marijuana greenhouse in British Columbia. The agreement, announced in a news release, nearly doubles the Ontario company's total greenhouse and indoor production footprint to 3.2 million...
2 Canadian marijuana producers ink pacts to serve most of Germany’s 20,000 pharmacies
Canadian medical marijuana will ultimately be available in most of Germany’s 20,200 pharmacies, thanks to two notable deals reached this week by major licensed MMJ producers.
Aurora Cannabis strikes stock deal to raise CA$60 million
Aurora Cannabis reached a stock-purchase deal to raise another 60 million Canadian dollars ($50 million) to fund its domestic and international expansion initiatives, bringing its new financing so far this year to CA$264.1 million. Aurora - based in Alberta and traded...
Provincial Preview: Ontario is Canada’s multibillion-dollar legal marijuana hub
By Matt Lamers
One year ahead of adult-use legalization, Ontario has become the hub of Canada’s production, finance and ancillary cannabis industries.
Large licensed producers dominate the province’s marijuana sector. Opportunities for entrepreneurs will be less widespread, but are expected to be available in ancillary businesses such as security, greenhouse supplies and accounting.
Canadian marijuana producers form co-op to sell rec products
A dozen of Canada’s largest marijuana producers have come together to form the Canadian Cannabis Co-op and are offering to bankroll a "turn-key" retail network in Alberta to sell adult-use products alongside private retailers and government-run outlets. The group,...
Canada’s rec cannabis tax formula emerging: 10% excise + 5% GST
Canada’s federal government floated a possible recreational marijuana taxation plan this week, pitching a 10% excise tax on top of the 5% GST levy that’s applied to most goods and services sold in the country. Provinces haven't weighed in with their own sales tax, but...
Canada moves to allow recreational marijuana edibles, opening major new market for businesses
By Matt Lamers Edible marijuana products in Canada will be brought into the mix within a year after the country officially launches its recreational industry next summer, giving cannabis businesses an opportunity to enter a new market totaling perhaps 15 million...
Alberta’s rec cannabis blueprint leaves door open to private retailers, MJ clubs and lounges
Alberta’s proposed framework to regulate marijuana leaves open the possibility private companies could sell adult-use products, a move that would be a boon for businesses wanting to participate in the province’s retail sector.
Quebec to use government stores to sell recreational cannabis
Quebec plans to corner the recreational marijuana market by handing retail responsibilities to its government-owned liquor board, according to Radio-Canada, a move that might see private businesses barred from selling marijuana after it's legalized next summer....





