News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on February 21, 2025 by oz. staff

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

Cannabis news in brief: Alberta reduces fees; Good Shroom no more; Tilray increases crop

Alberta claims to be cutting red tape

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis claims it has saved the cannabis industry an estimated $4 million by reducing listing fees.

“Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has successfully reduced regulatory red tape by over 51 per cent, making it easier and cheaper for liquor, cannabis and gaming industries to do business in Alberta,” the regulator said in a news release. “AGLC estimates that the reduction initiatives have resulted in over $89.2 million in cost savings and revenue generation … since 2019.”

In November, the regulator revamped policies to give cannabis retailers more flexibility around the use of cannabis storage rooms, the sale of organic solvents and off-site sales of non-cannabis products. Rules on advertising and cannabis product promotion were also relaxed.

In May, cannabis producers were permitted to produce private label products for licenced retailers. And this month, producers were permitted to produce private-label products for multiple retailers.

Last January, regulations were eased allowing producers to provide samples to retailers.

Good Shroom becomes Mercanto

A Montreal cannabis company has picked a more serious-sounding corporate name.

The Good Shroom Co. has changed its name to Mercanto Holdings.

The change was approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting on Jan. 29. TSX approval was also required and granted.

The company mainly sells in Quebec, but is eyeing national expansion.

The company received preliminary approval to sell four new products in Quebec — two hash products, one infused joint, and one CBD capsule product, it said in a news release. This brings The Good Shroom Co.’s portfolio in Quebec to approximately 30 products.

The company continues to expand its THC-infused pouch offerings under the DYP and Deckies brands, the release said.

“DYP’s Alberta launch has been met with strong demand, with multiple purchase orders fulfilled to date and increasing sales velocity.

“Deckies launched in Ontario last week, receiving positive feedback from consumers and retailers alike.”
The company is awaiting approval to sell products in New Brunswick and is growing its medical cannabis business, the release concluded.

Tilray growing more

Tilray will grow an additional 60 tonnes of cannabis in Canada this year.

The new growth will increase Tilray’s Canadian cannabis cultivation capacity to 210 tonnes per year, the company said in a news release.

Tilray is reviving facilities that had been idled during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an outdoor cultivation site in Cayuga, Ont.

“Tilray operates eight state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facilities across Canada and Europe,” the company said.

In Canada, these include two sites in Leamington, Ont., Broken Coast in Nanaimo, B.C.; Redecan in Foss, Ont., the outdoor site in Cayuga and a greenhouse in Masson, Que., that currently grows cucumbers but can be converted to cannabis when needed.

The Canadian-American cannabis and brewing company supplies 20 legal markets worldwide.