News

Cannabis companies making changes at the top

Published on January 30, 2026 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

The top man at Ontario’s MediPharm Labs is leaving after a hectic few years.

David Pidduck stepped down as CEO on Jan. 23. CFO Greg Hunter is now the interim CEO.

“Mr. Pidduck has played a critical role in stabilizing and repositioning the company,” a news release proclaimed. “Under his leadership, MediPharm successfully executed significant restructuring initiatives, improved profitability, and completed the transformative integration of Vivo Cannabis Inc.”

MediPharm,, based in Barrie, Ont., produces cannabis pharmaceuticals. It acquired Napanee, Ont.-based Vivo in 2023.

In the spring, Pidduck’s leadership was under attack by a group of shareholders who sought to replace the company-approved board of directors. The dissident group said MediPharm’s finances and stock price were a mess. The company slate defeated the opposition.

Last month, MediPharm announced a change in the board with Shelley Potts leaving and Michael Bumby rejoining.

“Bumby previously served on the board and was chief financial officer at Vivo Cannabis Inc.,” a news release explained.

The new announcement praised the new leader: “Since assuming the chief financial officer role in February 2021, he (Hunter) has implemented meaningful cost‑reduction initiatives and strengthened financial and operational controls. He has also been deeply involved in commercial strategy, working closely with the sales, marketing, and product teams.”

Other cannabis companies have also been swapping personnel.

Toronto-based Avicanna replaced Paul Fornazzari with Michael Kott on its board.

Kott “is an experienced chief executive officer entrepreneur, and investor with more than 35 years of expertise in international capital markets, corporate finance and fundraising,” the company said.

Simply Solventless out of Calgary added Charles Vennat to its board.

“Charles is an accomplished CEO and corporate director with significant experience leading complex manufacturing, consumer packaged goods and regulated cannabis businesses,” the company said.

Decibel Cannabis, also out of Calgary, elected Shawn Dym, Nadia Vattovaz, Jakob Ripshtein, and Benjamin Sze to its board. Sze is also the CEO. At the annual meeting in December, shareholders also approved stock option and stock consolidation plans.

“Although the consolidation was approved by the company’s shareholders, the company has no intention of effecting the consolidation at this time,” a news release said.

Kelowna’s HYTN has hired MCS Market Communication Service GmbH to review its existing marketing and communications.

Village Farms’ U.S. operation announced the appointment of Brian Stevenson to the role of global chief strategy officer.