Reuters — Marlboro maker Altria Group is in talks for a stake in Canadian cannabis producer Aphria Inc., the Globe and Mail reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources. The details of Richmond, Virginia-based Altria’s investment are still being finalized, though it has expressed interest in buying a minority stake in Aphria with the intention of […] Read more

Altria reported seeking stake in cannabis firm Aphria

Regulator finds cannabis company disclosures inadequate
Toronto | Reuters — A Canadian regulatory group said on Wednesday that it had found that the level and quality of disclosure by cannabis companies was insufficient. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which conducted a review of disclosure practices of 70 Canadian and U.S. cannabis producers, said some companies were inconsistent in complying with Canadian […] Read more

Walmart Canada exploring possible sale of cannabis-based products
Reuters — Walmart’s Canadian unit said Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business. Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being a part of Canada’s burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and […] Read more

Vegetable seedling grower, cannabis grower to merge
A B.C. company that raises seedlings for greenhouse vegetable growers is set to devote its existing square footage to weed, following a takeover by a B.C. cannabis grower and processor. Langley-based, publicly-traded Bevo Agro on Thursday announced a reverse takeover deal with Surrey-based, privately-held cannabis firm Sun Pharm Investments, which will see Sun Pharm shareholders […] Read more

Photo-finish election claims New Brunswick’s ag minister
New Brunswick’s incumbent agriculture minister is among the Liberal cabinet members knocked out of office in Monday night’s too-close-to-call provincial election. Final results from Elections New Brunswick put Progressive Conservative candidate Robert Gauvin ahead of Agriculture, Mines and Rural Affairs Minister Wilfred Roussel by a spread of 99 votes in his northeastern riding of Shippagan-Lameque-Miscou. […] Read more

Mexico says will seek deal with Canada if NAFTA talks fail
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexico’s incoming government will pursue a bilateral deal with Canada if talks to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement falter, Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday. After more than a year of talks to modernize the NAFTA trade pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada, […] Read more

Aurora Cannabis plans U.S. stock listing in October
Reuters — Canada’s Aurora Cannabis said Thursday it plans a U.S. listing of its shares in October, as it looks to cash in on strong investor appetite for marijuana producers. Interest has boomed in Canada’s marijuana companies ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis in the country next month. Several U.S. states have also legalized marijuana […] Read more

Big Weed hits up Europe hoping for expansion cash
Toronto/London | Reuters — A favorite of DIY stock pickers, Canadian cannabis firms are trying to bolster their institutional investor base by ramping up efforts to woo European funds as countries across the region approve marijuana for medical use. For some time companies including Canopy Growth, Aurora Cannabis and Tilray Inc. have been signing export […] Read more

Progress seen in NAFTA talks
Washington | Reuters — The U.S. and Canada have made progress in talks to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement, and officials from the two sides will work together into the night to flesh out areas for further discussion, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday. Freeland sounded upbeat as she emerged from […] Read more

Trudeau indicates no compromise on key NAFTA demands
Surrey, B.C. | Reuters — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated Tuesday that Canada would not compromise on key demands at high-level talks this week with the U.S. to update the North American Free Trade Agreement. Senior officials from both sides are due to meet in Washington on Wednesday in a bid to settle major differences […] Read more