News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on August 8, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed

Cannabis news in brief: Companies going see-through; Puff, puff sleep; One million shares?; Union in the Capital; less sales, yet more profit; Canopy pays debts; Greenway in the U.K.

New packages have windows

Now when you buy cannabis, you can see what it looks like. And cannabis companies, including BC-based Pure Sunfarms, are taking advantage of recent Health Canada regulatory changes.

New packaging for Pure Sunfarms’ seven-, 14- and 28-gram dried flower has see-through windows.

Pure Sunfarms, a subsidiary of Village Farms International, operates a large greenhouse in Delta, B.C.

“As with any packaging update, consumers can expect to see it phased in gradually as

new inventory arrives in stores,” the company said in a news release.

Pure Sunfarms products are available across Canada. The company also produces cannabis products for other licensed producers and is certified to export to medicinal markets.

CBN inhaler meant for bedtime

MediPharm Labs has launched a new CBN-THC nighttime inhaler.

The Shake & Puff inhaler expands MediPharm’s CBN portfolio and builds on success of the company’s THC inhaler introduced earlier this year, the company said in a news release.

“The new metered dose inhaler delivers a precise formulation of minor cannabinoid CBN and THC in a consistent, smoke-free format. Designed for nighttime use, the product offers a fast onset experience without combustion or vapour,” the release said.

It’s discreet, too, the company says, with no lingering smell or byproducts.

“The launch of our CBN-THC metered dose Inhaler represents a significant step forward in our strategy to deliver innovative, pharma-grade cannabinoid products globally,” said CEO David Pidduck.

CBN, a weaker byproduct of THC, is growing in popularity as a sleep aid.

The inhaler is available through some Ontario retailers and nationally via the Canna Farms medical platform, with expansion to additional provinces planned.

New CFO can buy a million shares

The new chief financial officer of Calgary’s Simply Solventless Concentrates can buy a million shares in the company if he wants to.

Ananth Krishnan will take up the job on Aug. 25. He has been granted a total of 1,250,000 stock options at a price of 29 cents per share. The options expire after five years. He can buy a third right away, a third after one year and another third after two years.

On Aug. 1, SSC’s shares were trading at 33 cents. The deal is subject to approval by the TSX Venture exchange.

Krishnan comes over from Aurora Cannabis, where he was vice president of strategy and corporate development.

Quick Hits

🪧 Rights rally: Protest held at a Nova Scotia RCMP detachment over Indigenous-owned cannabis stores (Global)

🏛️ New oversight: BC cannabis industry ‘cautiously optimistic’ about ministry change (Black Press)

🏟️ Light up: Okanagan’s District of Summerland looks at potential for cannabis use at public events (iNFOnews)

⚡️ Worse than crypto: Cannabis is being grown like it’s Bitcoin and that’s a problem (High Times)

✍️ Covered: These two trends are quietly reshaping Canada’s cannabis insurance landscape (Insurance Business)

Ottawa pot stores unionize

Two Canna Cabana stores in Ottawa have been unionized.

Workers at the Rideau Street location joined UFCW local 175 two weeks after their colleagues at the Clarence Street location did.

Employees are looking for wage improvements, consistent hours, better job security, fair treatment and other improvements in their working conditions, the union said in a news release.

The next step is for members to meet and put forth proposals as they begin negotiations for their first collective agreement, the union said.

Elsewhere, a new Canna Cabana just opened in Drayton Valley, Alta. It’s the 203rd store in the chain.

Sales down, revenues up

A Canadian cannabis company that operates only in the United States says revenues were up in the latest quarter, even though sales were down.

C21 reported revenue of $8.6 million for the quarter ending June 30 — up 30% over the same quarter a year ago even though sales were down 14% across Nevada.

Stores around Reno did particularly well, said CEO and President Sonny Newman.

The company reported a net loss of $0.8 million in the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) was $1.1 million, up from a year ago, but down from the previous quarter.

It appears the company may be having disagreements with Uncle Sam’s tax department judging from this portion of the financial statement: “Based on legal interpretations and opinions that challenge its tax liability under Section 280E Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the company has taken the position that it does not owe taxes attributable to the application of this Section of the Code. The company plans on refiling amended U.S. federal income tax returns…”

Vancouver-based C21 owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, and Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms.

Canopy Growth paying off debts

Canopy Growth is paying back some loans early.

The Smiths Falls, Ont. company said it has agreed with lenders to pay back US$25 million on July 31, $10 million on Dec. 31 and $15 million on March 31, 2026.

“When completed, the prepayments are expected to reduce the company’s interest expense under the term loan by approximately US$6.5 million on an annualized basis,” a company news release said.

“These prepayments reflect our continued focus on strengthening our balance sheet and lowering cash interest expense,” said CEO Luc Mongeau. “Reducing debt is essential to creating the financial flexibility Canopy Growth needs to drive sustainable growth now and in the future.”

Canopy’s U.S. division has secured an additional $22 million for company-owned Acreage Holdings in a deal agreed to by the lenders.

Canopy Growth’s total debt is $242.13, according to a story by Investing.com, which cites InvestingPro data.

Another cannabis company has made moves to get access to more credit. MTL Cannabis Corp, parent company of Montreal Medical Cannabis, announced it has an agreement with a major Canadian bank to free up $27 million for capital expenditures and to refinance existing debts.

Greenway pot going to Britain

Greenway Greenhouse Cannabis has reached an agreement with 4C Labs to distribute medical cannabis in Britain.

Greenway will supply dried flower products to 4C, an importer and distributor of medical cannabis products.

“The team at 4C LABS impressed us with their local distribution system and drive to ensure only the best cannabis is used in their supply chain,” said Greenway President Carl Mastronardi, in a news release.

Greenway has developed into a premier medical cannabis grower,” responded 4C’s CEO Greg Dobbin. “They offer outstanding medical cannabis products at a very competitive price, which the patients of the U.K. will appreciate. We are excited to add Greenway to the 4C Labs product line.”

Greenway is headquartered in Kingsville, Ont. 4C is a privately held Canadian company, operating in the United Kingdom.