News

Quick Hits: Cannabis news in brief

Published on March 21, 2025 by Pat Bulmer

Photo: Adobe Stock/the oz.

Cannabis news in brief: Simply Solventless buys Stigma Grow; BC bud heading to Poland; Nextleaf consistently growing as a company

Calgary cannabis company gobbles up competitor

Calgary-based Simply Solventless is buying CanadaBis (also known as Stigma Grow).

CanadaBis has been profitable for 11 of the past 12 quarters, but “despite our profitable operations, it has become clear to our board that industry consolidation and critical mass is required to drive sustainable competitive advantage.” Travis McIntyre, president and CEO, said in a joint news release.

“SSC stood out to our board as a premier licensed producer with a bright future, and ultimately, as the ideal partner to achieve these goals. It is our strong belief that CanadaBis and SSC together will be a formidable company capable of positively disrupting the cannabis industry in Canada,” he said.

McIntyre will become the company’s chief operating officer under president and CEO Jeff Swainson.

SSC will acquire all CanadaBis shares, valued at $16 million, and assets, valued at $8.4 million. SSC’s current assets are valued at $36 million, a financial statement said.

“SSC and CanadaBis expect annual cost saving synergies totalling approximately $5.0 million,” the release said. CanadaBis has one facility, which is “located within one hour of two SSC facilities in Alberta, aiding logistics and efficiency.”

Quick Hits

🚫 Pushback: Anti-legalization groups ramp up efforts to stop the green wave (Reuters)

📜 Ch-ch-changes: Health Canada eases cannabis industry burden in regulations update (MJBizDaily)

🫀 Study: Weed smokers under age 50 are six times as likely to have a heart attack (New York Post)

🇨🇦 Taking a hit: How Trump’s trade war is impacting Canadian cannabis supply chains (StratCann)

📱 Pilot project: Alberta’s new QR code system enhances cannabis transparency, a first for Canada (Edmonton Journal)

Poland buys BC bud

A BC cannabis grower has made a sale to Poland.

Rubicon Organics’ first international shipment will see premium dried flower grown in Delta headed to the medical market in the Eastern European country.

“With over 90,000 medical cannabis patients, Poland represents a key entry point into the European cannabis industry, where medical cannabis adoption is growing rapidly,” the company said in a news release.

“This inaugural international shipment marks a pivotal moment for Rubicon,” said Margaret Brodie, CEO, in the release.

Rubicon is buying another production facility about two hours away in Hope.

Rubicon brands include Homestead, Simply Bare Organic, 1964 Supply, and Wildflower.

Steady growth for Nextleaf Solutions

The first quarter of 2025 ended on Dec. 31, according to the latest financial report from B.C.’s Nextleaf Solutions.

The company reported gross revenue of $3.85 million and net revenue of $2.88 million. Gross revenue was up slightly from the previous quarter, “reflecting sustained demand and marketing position,” the company claimed in a news release.

Net income was up at $530,432—a turnaround from the previous quarter, “underscoring enhanced profitability and financial discipline,” the company said.

“By concentrating on higher-margin activities, we improved our cost-of-sales and significantly increased profitability … Our lean manufacturing model, and business agility allow us to pivot quickly in response to market conditions,” said CEO Emma Andrews in a news release.

“Nextleaf Labs supplies high-quality ingredients to leading national brands,” the release said.

Glacial Gold is the company’s own flagship brand.