News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on February 13, 2026 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed

Cannabis news in brief: Pot gains popularity in Newfoundland; New products come from Valhalla; Easily spotted cannabis smuggler; More Glow offerings in Manitoba; Jones Soda drops cannabis drinks; CBD for pets

Cannabis sales growing in Newfoundland

Cannabis sales continue to show double-digit growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In a 2025 year-end review, the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corp. reported strong growth in all cannabis categories.

“Dried flower remained the largest category, but the strongest growth came from ready-to-consume formats such as pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and beverages,” CEO Bruce Keating wrote in the report.

“Within concentrates, growth was particularly notable. Infused pre-rolls led the segment, offering the same convenience as traditional pre-rolls but with higher potency and premium pricing. Hash was the second-largest concentrate category and posted the second-highest growth rate.”

Health Canada is easing up on some packaging restrictions, the CEO noted, which should help sales.

“Co-packing now allows multiple single-serve edibles in one larger package … and multipack cannabis beverages are expected to be available in the spring,” he wrote.

Valhalla launches new products

Valhalla Flwr is launching two new products in BC.

Dante’s Inferno is an indica strain with 26-32% THC. It’s available as flower in 3.5-gram and 14g sizes, and as three 0.5g pre-rolls.

Platinum Kush Breach flower is available in 3.5g and 14g sizes, also as 26-32%THC indica.

Both were developed after a year of experimentation and “phenohunting,” the Kelowna company said.

(“Phenohunting is the search for the best traits in a plant strain or cultivar. Breeders grow numerous plants, looking for specific characteristics in structure, flavour, aroma, cannabinoid content and more. The chosen phenotype becomes the seed source for commercial production.” — Ontario Cannabis Stores)

Dante’s Inferno was “hand selected by our team for its loud profile, dense bud structure and incredible smoke,” Valhalla said.

Platinum Kush Breath “was pheno hunted by our incredible cultivation team and hand selected to remind consumers why kush reigns supreme.”

Cannabis in suitcase spotted easily

Border services officers in the Toronto area intercepted 23 kilograms of cannabis that was stuffed into a suitcase and destined for Germany.

A scanner easily picked up the contraband.

The evidence was turned over to the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency said on X.

Glow cannabinoids debut in Manitoba

A cannabinoid producer is expanding its lineup in Manitoba and New Brunswick.

Glow Lifetech’s MOD- and .decimal-branded products will be introduced in Manitoba with more offerings being made available in New Brunswick.

Glow recently made a splash into Canada’s medical market with a series of CBD, CBN and THC drops. It launched products in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan last year, after finding success in Ontario.

In Manitoba, “initial store roll-outs are underway, supported by eight product listings secured across the two brands,” the company said.

“The expanded New Brunswick offering is scheduled to launch in spring 2026,” the company said, boasting that demand is growing for its “precision-focused product formats.”

Jones Soda bails on cannabis drinks

Seattle-based Jones Soda is getting out of the cannabis beverage business.

That announcement was made as the company reported it was launching large-scale shipments of its pop products to Costco stores across Canada.

“The sale of the company’s cannabis business will enable the company to sharpen its strategic priorities and accelerate investment in its core soda, functional beverage, and adult beverage categories,” the company said in a news release.

Jones is a craft soda maker known a wide variety and unusual flavours.

Pet CBD market booming

The global CBD pet market is project to grow from $435 million in 2025 to $5.5 billion by 2034, a report says.

“The overall market progression is fueled by the increasing demand for natural, non-

psychoactive remedies for pet anxiety & pain, widening pet humanization, and rising regulatory, acceptance,” said Precedence Research in a news release from Ottawa. The research was conducted by its sister firm, Towards Healthcare.

The pet market includes hemp-based products — especially oils, treats and topicals — used to treat health conditions in animals, such as pain, anxiety and inflammation. Soft chews are especially popular.

Dog owners are the main users of CBD products, but cats are moving up fast, the report said.

“CBD has a major role in chronic pain, like arthritis, anxiety, in geriatric dogs. The latest research explored in Frontiers in Veterinary Science has demonstrated that dogs administered CBD products for several years showed less intense aggression over time,” the news release said.

“The cats segment is predicted to expand fastest,” with the effects on cats undergoing increased scientific study, the release said.

CBD may be especially beneficial for aging pets: “The joint pain segment was dominant with the biggest share of the market in 2024. Primarily, ageing dogs and cats are facing arthritis, hip dysplasia, and general joint pain issues, which demand CBD,” the report said.