News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on October 31, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed

Cannabis news in brief: Smelly weed bags; Rubicon ready in Hope; Akanda on Gabriola Island; Adastra sells, then leases; Christina Lake gets cash infusion; Organigram CEO extends stay; Cannabis earns more sales

Take a whiff of your sealed bud

Now you can smell your cannabis, even when it’s in a sealed package.

Using the latest coffee-industry technology, Pure Sunfarms is introducing a “one-way aroma valve built directly into its dried flower packaging.”

“The one-way aroma valve is pressure-activated and designed to release the flower’s scent only when gently squeezed, while preventing air, moisture, and contaminants from entering the bag,” parent company Village Farms said in a news release.

The packaging also has a window, so buyers can see it too.

New pouches featuring the ‘aroma valve’ are rolling out now, beginning with Pure Sunfarms’ ounces and later expanding to other products, the company said.

New Hope for Rubicon’s cannabis

Rubicon Organic’s new warehouse has received the licensing it needs to start growing cannabis.

Rubicon bought the 47,000-square-foot facility in Hope, BC, from Medipharm Labs earlier this year for $4.5 million. Medipharm was no longer using it.

Rubicon expects to increase production capacity by 4,500 kilograms, or 40%, annually. The B.C. company will now be able to produce 15,500 kg of cannabis per year at its Hope and Delta locations, the company said in a news release. Rubicon expects the additional capacity will allow it to expand sales internationally.

The first revenue-generating products from Hope are expected to hit the market in early 2026.

The Delta warehouse will now be referred to as the Pacifica location and Hope as the Cascadia site.

Rubicon brands include Simply Bare Organics, 1964 Supply Co., Wildflower and Homestead Cannabis Supply.

Akanda commits to BC island

A Canadian company is recommitting to developing a cannabis cultivation facility on Gabriola Island in BC.

Ontario-based Akanda Corp. announced on Oct. 20 it has extended an option on the Gabriola site for two more years. Akanda grows hemp there now, but is trying to get a licence to grow cannabis with THC.

“The company plans during this additional two year period to work towards developing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) assets at this site,” a press release said.

Gabriola is a perfect location to grow pot, the company said.

“The island, situated in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, enjoys abundant sunshine, balanced rainfall, consistently moderate temperatures year-round and features warm, dry summers and gentle, wet winters. It is expected to create an optimal environment that naturally minimizes mold and pest risks,” the company said in a news release.

Adastra sells assets, leases them back

A BC cannabis company has sold off large chunks of itself and then leased them back.

Adastra Holdings sold Adastra Labs, Adastra Brands and a numbered company.

Adastra Labs went for half a million dollars. Adastra Brands went for $5,000 cash. The numbered company was sold for $3.5 million with the buyer assuming the mortgage debt on a Langley property.

The buyer’s name isn’t provided in a news release.

The numbered company will lease back 13,000 square feet of warehouse and office space for $35,000 per month. Adastra Brands will licence certain trademarks back to Adastra Holdings.

“Through the related leaseback and intellectual property licensing agreements entered into in connection with the transactions, the company is in a position to continue to operate from its existing facility and retain the right to use its established brands and trademarks,” a press release said.

“The sale of the company’s subsidiaries aligns with the company’s strategy to strengthen its balance sheet, reduce debt, and streamline operations.”

Christina Lake lines up financing

A BC cannabis producer can borrow up to $1.5 million over the next two years.

Christina Lake Cannabis Corp. says it has arranged a credit facility with a business run by company director Mervin Boychuk.

A credit facility is a flexible loan agreement that allows the borrower to access funds over an extended period without needing to reapply for a loan each time, Investopedia explains.

The interest rate is 15% per year on outstanding amounts, and is repayable on demand by the lender with 30 days’ notice.

It’s secured by a second mortgage on the company’s property in the Kootenays.

The company is also leasing equipment from Boychuk with an option to purchase at the end of the 18-month term.

CEO extends stay

Organigram’s outgoing CEO is staying on a little longer.

Beena Goldenberg will stay in the job until Nov. 30 while the company continues to search for her successor.

Organigram announced in May that Goldenberg would leave the company on Sept. 30.

She took the top job in September 2021 and has overseen a growth spurt that included expanding its flagship Moncton, N.B., facility and buying out Motif Labs. Most recently, Organigram bought American cannabis beverage company Collective Project Ltd.

Organigram brands include Shred, Boxhot and Debunk.

Cannabix sells more breathalyzers

A company that makes cannabis and alcohol breathalyzers has delivered its alcohol system to an oil and gas transportation company in Northern Alberta.

“The BreathLogix system is designed for rapid, unmanned testing and is tailored for industries where safety is critical, including mining, oil and gas, industrial operations, trucking, warehousing, and maritime sectors,” Vancouver-based Cannabix said in a news release.

Recently, the booze breathalyzers were also sold to a European maritime shipping company.

Cannabix also announced a US patent has been approved for its alcohol breathalyzer.

Black Swan Solutions, aka VHLA Media, has been hired to run an online and social media marketing campaign for Cannabix.