News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on February 27, 2026 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Contributed

Cannabis news in brief: First harvest in Hope for Rubicon; MTL says ‘yes’ to sale; Pufferz company’s first AIO vape; Avicanna raises funds; American vape returns to Canada; Cannabix gets cover shot; Decibel postpones its debts

Rubicon harvests at new site

Rubicon Organics has harvested pot for the first time at its new Hope, BC, location.

“The first harvest at Cascadia is a significant operational milestone for Rubicon Organics,” said CEO Margaret Brodie in a news release. “With the facility now fully planted, we’ve expanded Rubicon’s premium capacity by 40%.”

“Since acquiring the (Hope) facility in June 2025 (from MediPharm Labs), the company has prepared the site for commercial production through targeted capital investments, securing required licenses, commissioning the facility, and onboarding more than 30 operations team members,” the news release said. “Capital expenditures at Cascadia included modifications to the facility layout and installation of new grow tables.”

The 47-500-square-foot Cascadia site is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 4,500 kilograms

“Initial harvests from Cascadia are expected to be monetized in Q2, with production quality projected to reach flagship‑brand standards by mid‑2026,” the release said.

Rubicon’s original location in Delta, BC, is now dubbed the Pacifica facility.

MTL shareholders approve sale

Shareholders of MTL Cannabis Corp have approved a takeover by Canopy Growth.

The vote was more than 99% in favour.

“The strong shareholder support received today marks a significant milestone toward completing this strategically compelling combination of two organizations that will create Canada’s leading medical cannabis company,” said Luc Mongeau, CEO of Smiths Falls, Ont-based Canopy Growth, in a news release.

MTL was to seek BC Supreme Court approval on Feb. 23 with the deal expected to close in March.

MTL operates facilities in Pointe Claire and Louiseville, Que. and owns Ontario producer Abba Medix Corp., based in Pickering.

New all-in-one vape from Cronos

Cronos Group has launched a new all-in-one vape.

Spinach Pufferz is Cronos’ first AIO vape, and is available now in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. Other provinces should get it by April.

“The latest innovation under Cronos’ Spinach brand brings together high-quality cannabis infused with liquid diamonds,” the Toronto-based company proclaimed.

It has all the latest vape technology: “Featuring the increasingly popular palm-style hardware … the device boasts a uniquely satisfying squishy grip with a puffy exterior, a dual ceramic coil for maximum smooth draws, a boost button for temperature control, and a battery meter to indicate when a charge is needed.”

Spinach Pufferz all-in-one 1g vapes will launch in three flavours and deliver 98.1% THC.

It comes in the hybrid Sour Blue Razz, the Tropical AF (sativa), and Pineapple Coconut (indica).

Share sale raises money for Avicanna

Toronto-based cannabinoid producer Avicanna has raised $1.5 million by selling shares to a select group of buyers.

A total of 7.75 million “units” were offered at a price of 20 cents per unit. Each unit contains one share and the right to buy another half share at 25 cents per share until Feb. 10, 2029.

“The company intends to use the proceeds from the offering for general working capital purposes, general and administrative expenses, expenditures related to production and manufacturing, and research and clinical development,” a news release said.

The buyers weren’t identified.

BC-based Rubicon Organics is offering shares to select executives and employees. Those who want to buy the shares can do so over a three-year period, a news release said.

Nextleaf Solutions, also based in BC, is offering just under one million shares at five cents each as part of the company’s compensation and retention strategy.

Nextleaf has also hired some marketing and distribution help. Kindred Canada will be its national sales agency. Open Fields Distribution will help Nextleaf get its Glacial Gold, Yard and High Plains brands into stores in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. OFD’s parent company, Fire & Flower, operates brick-and-mortar and online cannabis stores.

American vape brand returns to Canada

An American vape brand is returning to Canada.

Pax’s all-in-one live rosin with diamonds vaporizer is available in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

“All-in-ones (AIOs) now make up nearly 50% of vape sales in Ontario, the country’s largest market. Known as a defining market leader in cannabis tech innovation, Pax is making a focused play in this high-growth category,” the company said in a news release.

The initial launch of the Trip-brand vapourizer includes two indica strains, Blueberry OG and Northern Lights.

The Canadian manufacturing partner is Pickering, Ont.’s CannaPiece Corp.

“Within the first week of shipping, Pax quickly became one of our top-performing AIO SKUs (brands),” said its CEO, Greg Boone.

Pax describes its Trip vape as “a solventless, terpene-forward standout … made from cannabis flower frozen at peak harvest and fresh-pressed to preserve natural cannabinoids. Enhanced with liquid diamonds, the formulation delivers full flower flavor and high potency.”

Based in San Francisco, Pax most famously developed the Juul e-cigarette. Juul was spun off as a separate company in 2017, according to Wikipedia.

Cannabix gets the cover shot

Cannabix Technologies’ new marijuana breathalyzer is gracing the cover of a US catalog.

The 2026 AlcoPro Inc. product catalog features a variety of professional drug and alcohol testing products, kits, and supplies.

The catalog will be distributed to more than 85,000 businesses across the United States and internationally, including those in law enforcement and corrections.

AlcoPro, based in Knoxville, Tenn., has been offering drug and alcohol testing products since 1982

Cannabix developed the breathalyzer with U.S. based Omega Laboratories. The system tests for delta-9 THC and focuses on recent cannabis use.

Decibel will pay off debts later

Calgary-based Decibel Cannabis has postponed its debts.

“With our existing term loan coming due in January 2027, we were proactive in securing refinancing that extends our maturities to February 2030,” said CEO Ben Sze in a news release.

The $61-million restructuring with ATB Financial reduces 2026 payment obligations by $5 million and leaves more cash on hand, the company said.

Our strengthened balance sheet will position the company to pursue corporate development initiatives,” said CFO Stuart Boucher. “Capital remains tight in the industry and with this new financing we will be able to pursue opportunities that drive value for the business while still maintaining a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of less than 2.0x.”

Decibel operates a processing facility in Calgary, and cultivation sites in Creston, B.C., and Battleford, Sask. It acquired Chatham, Ont.-based medical cannabis producer AgMedica in 2024.

Canopy Growth last month made similar moves to delay debt repayments, pushing back the due dates to 2031 in a $160-million rearrangement.

After stock markets had closed for the day, Decibel also announced it was offering stock options to company officers and employees.