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Biden overhauling U.S. marijuana policy

Prior federal offenses to be pardoned; moves could ease U.S. business for cannabis firms

Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to overhaul U.S. policy on marijuana on Thursday by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession — and initiating a review of how the drug is classified. Biden said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing […] Read more


Signage outside a Tweed cannabis store in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village, roughly 60 metres west of the high-density neighbourhood’s Tokyo Smoke store. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pot producer Canopy Growth to shed retail stores

Company working on 'path to profitability'

In full cost-cutting mode, Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corp. is set to shed a significant chunk of its vertical integration model by selling off the retail pot shops it owns across the country. Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Canopy announced Sept. 27 it has an agreement in place with OEG Retail Cannabis — already the owner/operators […] Read more

Cannabis plants at a licensed indoor production facility in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada to review impact of cannabis legalization four years on

Review will also look at regulatory challenges in pot sector

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Thursday launched a review of the country’s legalization of recreational cannabis use four years ago to evaluate its impact on youth, Indigenous minorities and others, and analyze its effect on the economy and the illegal marijuana market. Canada became the first developed nation to legalize use of recreational marijuana […] Read more



Wana Brands’ lines of edibles available in the Canadian market include Indiva and Wana gummies, Bhang chocolate and Slow Ride baked goods, among others. The company is also developing cannabis-infused sugar and salt. (Screengrab from Indiva.com)

Canopy eyes U.S. expansion via weed gummies maker

Ontario firm to pay US$297.5 million for Wana Brands

Reuters — Canada’s Canopy Growth Corp. said on Thursday it would buy weed gummies maker Wana Brands for US$297.5 million, as the world’s biggest pot producer looks to expand in the U.S. cannabis market. Demand for pot edibles such as gummies has risen during the pandemic, as people stuck at home turn to cannabis-related products […] Read more


Aurora Cannabis in November 2019 opened a flagship retail store at the West Edmonton Mall, describing the 11,000-square foot shop as “both a retail cannabis store and an immersive experiential space.” (CNW Group/Aurora Cannabis Inc.)

Aurora Cannabis revenue short of expectations on lower pot demand

Reuters — Aurora Cannabis on Monday missed Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter revenue as pandemic-related restrictions weighed down consumer demand, leading Canadian provinces to cut orders. U.S.-listed shares of the company, which also posted a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss, were down two per cent in extended trading. After more than three years into Canada’s legalization of […] Read more

Aurora Cannabis in November 2019 opened a flagship retail store at the West Edmonton Mall, describing the 11,000-square foot shop as “both a retail cannabis store and an immersive experiential space.” (CNW Group/Aurora Cannabis Inc.)

Aurora Cannabis to shut one Edmonton plant

Reuters — Aurora Cannabis said Tuesday it will shut down a facility at Edmonton, adding to the woes of the cash-strapped Canadian pot producer which has been reeling under the impact of the pandemic since last year. The company said medical distribution from the Aurora Polaris facility that is being shut down will move to […] Read more


(Jushico.com)

Pot producer Jushi acquires U.S. retailer in cheaper deal

Lack of movement on legalization drops valuations

Reuters — Cannabis producer Jushi Holdings acquired Massachusetts-based retailer Nature’s Remedy at a cheaper price than initially offered, as valuation of weed companies across North America has dramatically dropped lately. The decline in valuations over the last few months has been largely due to a lack of progress on anticipated federal marijuana reforms in the […] Read more

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U.S. Senate Democrats roll out draft bill to legalize weed

Reuters — Three top U.S. Democratic senators on Wednesday unveiled a discussion draft of a bill that aims to legalize cannabis, a move that would allow adult Americans to buy and possess up to 10 ounces of marijuana without facing criminal penalties. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act floated by Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, […] Read more