With 2.0 legalization just over two weeks away, companies have begun their PR rollouts and Canadians are getting their first clear look at the new products coming to market December 16.
Policy Options, Vice, Toronto Sun
Canopy Growth received a license for its beverage facility and began producing 11 different drinks, which it launched (along with three infused chocolates and vape products) in a preview of its line of 2.0 products.
Twitter—Benjamin A. Smith, Journal de Montréal—In French
- Most agree that in order for cannabeverages to succeed they’ll need to be in physical stores, though at last weekend’s Ottawa Cannabis and Hemp Expo, Indiva VP Jamie Riff went further in arguing he didn’t expect beverages could take off before consumption-sites are legalized.
Twitter—GoBlueCDN
Health Canada has received 50 applications from LPs wishing to sell a total of 747 cartridge-based vape systems, a sign that VAPI concerns haven’t dampened industry hopes that vape pens will capture as much of the Canadian market as they have in US.
Bloomberg
- Quebec will not allow the sale of vaporizers, while BC is taxing all vaporizers by 20%—including dry-herb models not connected with VAPI or the nicotine-related concerns that prompted the tax.
Leafly, MJ Biz Daily - Ottawa gossip-rag Frank reported Liberal-affiliated (turned Conservative-affiliated) political strategist Warren “Prince of Darkness” Kinsella and his Daisy Group lobbied Ottawa on behalf of cannabis vape company dosist until May, at which point the company switched to PR firm Navigator.
Frank Ottawa
Ahead of 2.0, REC retailers tried their luck at launching “Black Friday” promotions with discounted rates, but they’re not allowed to advertise such sales so consumers may not know they’re happening.
- Being government-owned didn’t prevent the Ontario Cannabis Store from breaching the Cannabis Act with a tweet advertising a Black Friday sale, which contained promotional language and mention of reduced prices. The OCS “consulted” with Health Canada and deleted the tweet.
Globe and Mail, Twitter—MJ Biz Daily Canada, MJ Biz Daily
