Reuters — A political shift in the United States has unlocked an estimated US$1.38 billion jackpot for struggling pot producers who have cashed in on a surge in their shares since President Joe Biden’s election in November. Cannabis producers have issued stock worth this amount in the first five weeks of 2021, investment firm Viridian […] Read more

Cash-strapped pot producers raise billions in market rally
Cannabis firms seen as down in the weeds until recent surge

Pot producer Canopy Growth sees profit in 2022
Costs cut, revenue increasing
Reuters — Canopy Growth Corp., the world’s largest pot producer, said on Tuesday it expects to turn a profit in the second half of 2022 after aggressive cost-cutting and higher demand for cannabis products helped narrow third-quarter losses. Canadian pot producers have been under pressure from investors seeking returns as profits remain elusive due to […] Read more

People growing too much pot at home, Health Canada warns
Pressure on to prevent abuse of home-grow program
Reuters — Health Canada on Thursday raised concerns about the large quantity of medical marijuana people were growing at home, after its data showed a significant jump in daily average production permitted by health care practitioners. While the practitioners can allow registered patients to grow a limited amount at home for personal use, the regulator’s […] Read more

New greening programs planned for ag alongside carbon tax hike
Carbon price to hit $170 per tonne by 2030
A new federal climate plan which further cranks up taxes on carbon emissions also includes pledges of new programs to help sink more carbon into farmland. The government on Friday released the sequel to its 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change — a “strengthened” climate plan, titled A Healthy Environment and a […] Read more

U.S. border restrictions to last a long time yet, Trudeau says
COVID would need to be 'significantly more under control'
Ottawa | Reuters — Canada will not agree to lifting a ban on non-essential travel with the United States until the coronavirus outbreak is significantly under control around the world, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. Trudeau’s comments were a clear indication that the border restrictions will last well into 2021. The two neighbours […] Read more

Britain, Canada agree on post-Brexit rollover trade deal
Tailor-made comprehensive pact expected to follow
London/Toronto | Reuters — Britain and Canada struck a rollover trade deal on Saturday to protect the flow of almost $35 billion-worth of goods and services between them after Brexit, and vowed to start talks on a bespoke agreement next year. As Britain prepares to end its transition out of the European Union on Dec. […] Read more

Canadian pot producer Aphria to buy U.S. craft brewer
SweetWater's '420' beer would come to Canada
Reuters — Canadian cannabis company Aphria Inc. said on Wednesday it plans to buy craft brewer SweetWater Brewing for US$300 million as it looks to expand into the U.S. while becoming the first major pot producer to enter the alcoholic beverages market. The deal gives Leamington, Ont.-based Aphria a U.S. distribution point at a time […] Read more

Canopy Growth to move U.S. listing to Nasdaq
Canadian cannabis company minding expenses
Reuters — Canadian pot producer Canopy Growth said on Tuesday it would move its U.S. stock listing to the Nasdaq, following rival Aphria in favouring the exchange’s “cost-effectiveness.” Canopy’s U.S. shares, currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, rose over four per cent in extended trading. Years of high expenses and a lack of […] Read more

Cannabis-infused drinks fizzle on production, distribution challenges
'Actually executing the idea is much more difficult'
Reuters — Investors pinning hopes on cannabis-infused drinks to propel growth of the legal marijuana industry may have to wait a bit longer, as companies struggle to produce and distribute the highly-sought beverages in a profitable way. Nearly 11 months after regulators allowed their sales, very few brands have been able to reach shelves. Canada […] Read more

B.C. ag minister, critic expected to win re-election
NDP projected to form majority government
British Columbia’s incumbent agriculture minister and opposition ag critic both appear set to head back to the provincial legislature as the New Democrats are projected to end three years of tentative minority governing. John Horgan’s NDP, which in 2017 overturned a minority Liberal government with the help of the Green Party, was projected Saturday evening […] Read more