News - Business (494 items)
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| Aug 20, 2026 |
The case for cannabis AI guardrails – and how to create an AI tool that works
Cannabis-specific artificial intelligence tools are here and multiplying fast. Software vendors are pitching licensed operators on products that promise to optimize cultivation rooms, flag compliance errors in ad creative, audit inventory, replace budtenders with AI-powered kiosks and deliver instant business insights through conversational analytics. But according to Nick Afonsky, founder and CEO of Washington, DC-based IT consulting firm Palomar Group, the gap between what the tools promise and what they reliably deliver is wide. |
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| Aug 20, 2026 |
Aurora Accuses Curaleaf of ‘Pressuring Shareholders’ as it Launches Official Takeover Bid
Curaleaf Holdings has pushed ahead with its unexpected and unsolicited acquisition campaign of Aurora Cannabis and has now submitted an official bid for its Canadian rival. The cannabis giant formally launched its takeover bid on August 18, 2026, meaning Aurora’s shareholders must make a decision before the end of the year. Aurora’s board have already responded to the bid, urging shareholders to ‘take no action’ before it has made a formal recommendation, expected within 15 days. |
| Aug 20, 2026 |
Tilray Strengthens Global Medical Cannabis Leadership with Major Production Increase to Meet International Demand NEW YORK and TORONTO, Aug. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tilray Brands, Inc. (“Tilray”) (Nasdaq: TLRY; TSX: TLRY), a leading global cannabis and consumer packaged goods company at the forefront of the cannabis, beverage, hospitality and wellness industries, today announced a major expansion of its global cannabis cultivation capacity to meet accelerating international medical cannabis demand. Across its worldwide operations, Tilray has increased annual cultivation capacity to approximately 275 metric tonnes, up from 210 metric tonnes, driven by expanded output at its Quebec facility in Canada and its EU-GMP-certified facility in Portugal. |
| Aug 20, 2026 |
Grass Monkeys Premium Craft Cannabis facility near High River destroyed by fire A fire destroyed the Grass Monkeys Premium Craft Cannabis facility near High River, Alberta, early Wednesday morning, with Foothills County fire services receiving the emergency call at 5:47 a.m. for a blaze at 82 Street E. in Aldersyde, south of Calgary. By the time crews arrived, flames had already consumed the tin roof of the 3,000-square-foot building. Foothills County fire battalion chief Will Scheerhoorn says the fire had been burning for some time before anyone called 911: "It had been burning a while before 911 was called for sure." |
| Aug 20, 2026 |
Canadian cross-border update: The cannabis restructuring Overview Canada and the US share a long history of cooperation when it comes to cross-border restructuring. For decades, the legislation of both countries has provided a framework for recognition and the courts in each jurisdiction have shown great deference and reciprocity in facilitating cross-border filings. The reciprocity shown has been at times nuanced, where the local laws of the secondary jurisdiction are more restrictive than in the primary jurisdiction. |
| Aug 19, 2026 |
Aurora Cannabis Furthers Global Medical Cannabis Growth with Accretive Acquisition of Internode Pharma Limited and HAP Pharma Limited, Expanding Distribution Access to the UK Medical Cannabis Market Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Internode Pharma Limited, a licensed importer and wholesaler, and HAP Pharma Limited, a licensed pharmacy (the "Companies"). "The acquisition of Internode Pharma Limited and HAP Pharma Limited mark a further strategic milestone for Aurora as we continue to purposefully invest in expanding our leadership in the rapidly growing international medical cannabis market. We believe that this transaction will allow us to fully leverage our operational, commercial and regulatory expertise to expand our market share, while also supporting a consistent and reliable supply of high-quality medical cannabis products to UK patients," said Miguel Martin, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora. |
| Aug 19, 2026 |
AURORA CANNABIS INC. URGES SHAREHOLDERS TO TAKE NO ACTION AT THIS TIME IN RESPECT TO THE UNSOLICITED TAKE-OVER BID BY CURALEAF HOLDINGS, INC. Curaleaf's decision to launch a hostile takeover bid is designed to pressure Aurora's shareholders into a short-term decision for the benefit of Curaleaf shareholders. Curaleaf's actions and comments reflect its objective: to acquire, at the lowest price possible, Aurora's market-leading EU-GMP facilities and global medical cannabis platform. Curaleaf's description of Aurora's business performance does not reflect our recently reported quarterly results and stated European medical cannabis strategy. Comments by Curaleaf's CEO failed to present the facts; Aurora has engaged with Curaleaf since June 2026, including as recently as August 12, 2026. |
| Aug 18, 2026 |
Curaleaf Officially Launches Hostile Takeover Bid for Aurora Cannabis
Curaleaf said it has formally commenced its previously announced proposal to purchase Aurora Cannabis. Under the terms of the offer, Aurora shareholders would receive a consideration of $4 per Aurora common share, comprised of 0.3463 of a Curaleaf subordinate voting share plus $0.75 in cash. Curaleaf said that, based on Aurora's 30-day volume weighted average price, the offer implies a 45% premium to the unaffected share price. |
| Aug 17, 2026 |
Cannabis entertainment facility prepares to open in Muskegon
MUSKEGON, Mich. — After two years of rebuilding a rundown structure, Fields Cannary is preparing to open as what its co-owner believes to be a unique cannabis entertainment facility in Muskegon. The business, housed in the former Sons of Norway Hall, will feature a restaurant, dispensary, and indoor and outdoor consumption lounges when it opens by the end of September. |
| Aug 17, 2026 |
Canada’s Cannabis Industry Needs Better Market Intelligence
Eight years into legalization, Canada’s cannabis industry has abundant transactional data, yet it still struggles to understand why sales occur. A new report from the Budtenders Association argues that the retail floor holds the missing intelligence, revealing that budtenders’ insights into consumer behaviour are essential for building long-term brand loyalty. |
| Aug 14, 2026 |
Cannabis N.B. looks to new strategy as sales fall and illicit-market competition grows
Against a backdrop of strict regulation, declining sales and relentless competition from the illicit market, Cannabis New Brunswick is looking ahead to the next three years. The Crown corporation has begun developing a new strategic plan, expected to be released next February or March, according to CEO Lori Stickles. She said many of the goals from the first plan have yet to be achieved. "It was a lofty plan when we set it out," she said. "There are several things that did not happen as we had planned." |
| Aug 13, 2026 |
Why Low-Dose Cannabis Is Becoming The Industry’s Growth Engine The legal cannabis market is shifting from a focus on high potency to precision low-dose products, targeting new, cannabis-curious consumers. Industry leaders like ayrloom and Levia see low-dose beverages and gummies as the primary growth engine, making cannabis approachable and controllable. This strategy aims to destigmatize cannabis, attracting adults seeking wellness, social alternatives to alcohol, or stress relief, who previously avoided high-potency options. Low-dose products remove psychological barriers by offering predictable experiences, fostering confidence and allowing cannabis to integrate naturally into daily life. This move is expanding the consumer base beyond traditional users, paving the way for mainstream acceptance and normalization. |
| Aug 13, 2026 |
This Big Upcoming Change for Consumers Could Boost Cannabis Stocks
The cannabis sector is about to see some dramatic changes over the next few quarters, which could push sector stocks significantly higher, predict four of the key CEOs in the space. “Buckle up,” said Green Thumb (GTBIF) CEO and founder Ben Kovler in his company’s second-quarter earnings call on August 4. “We think the next six months could potentially be the most significant in the cannabis landscape in the last 12 years.” |
| Aug 13, 2026 |
Data is Becoming Cannabis’ Most Valuable Crop
For more than a decade now, the world’s largest retail conglomerates have been quietly building their consumer data empires. Today, their consumers’ data is perhaps more valuable to these brands than the goods they want to sell them. |
| Aug 12, 2026 |
Village Farms launches easy-pour cannabis pouches
Village Farms International has introduced a new pouch design for its Super Toast cannabis brand, bringing an easy-pour format to Canada’s milled flower segment. The company described this as the first use of this type of packaging in the category in the Canadian market. |
| Aug 12, 2026 |
Curaleaf Launches Hostile Bid for Aurora Cannabis at 45% Premium
U.S. cannabis operator Curaleaf Holdings (TSX:CURA) went public with an unsolicited takeover offer for Canadian rival Aurora Cannabis (TSX/NASDAQ:ACB) on Tuesday, proposing a deal that values Aurora at a 45% premium and would forge a global cannabis giant with operations across 17 countries and annual revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. Under the terms disclosed by Curaleaf, each Aurora share would be exchanged for 0.34 of a Curaleaf share plus $0.75 in cash, equating to $4 per share. Curaleaf added that if Aurora’s stock were to experience a “substantial rise” before acceptance, the total bid price would be capped at $5 per share. The company said the offer was taken directly to Aurora shareholders after multiple private attempts to engage Aurora’s management failed to spark discussions. |
| Aug 11, 2026 |
AURORA CANNABIS INC. RESPONDS TO PRESS RELEASE OF CURALEAF HOLDINGS, INC. REGARDING INTENTION TO LAUNCH UNSOLICITED TAKE-OVER BID EDMONTON, AB, Aug. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. ("Aurora" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian-based leading global medical cannabis company, responded today to a press release issued by Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. ("Curaleaf") regarding its stated intention to launch an unsolicited take-over bid for all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Aurora Shares") at a stated implied consideration of US$4.00 per Share, consisting of 0.3463 subordinate voting shares of Curaleaf plus US$0.75 in cash per Aurora Share (the "Proposal"). |
| Aug 11, 2026 |
Curaleaf looks to buy Aurora Cannabis, takes bid directly to shareholders
STAMFORD — Curaleaf Holdings Inc. says it intends to launch a takeover bid for Edmonton-based cannabis company Aurora Cannabis Inc. Curaleaf said in a news release on Tuesday it plans to make an offer to purchase all of Aurora’s issued and outstanding common shares. If successful, the move would create a combined cannabis company with a footprint in 17 countries across Europe, North America and other international markets, it said. |
| Aug 10, 2026 |
Brew and Buds: Comparing Canada’s Approach to Cannabis and Beer Taxes
Canada’s beer and cannabis industries represent two of the most heavily regulated sectors in the country, yet they operate under completely different excise tax regimes. While the nation’s three largest brewers based on annual domestic sales—Molson Coors, Labatt, and Sleeman—benefit from a stable, volume-based tax that promotes predictability, Canada’s top three cannabis producers—Tilray Brands, Organigram Holdings, and Cronos Group—are hindered by a rigid, price-based floor that effectively taxes revenue rather than profit. The excise tax burden demonstrates a major difference between the two industries. For the three largest brewers, annual excise duties range from approximately $27 million to $210 million, effectively consuming 14% to 16% of gross domestic sales. Canada’s top cannabis producers, on the other hand, face significantly steeper taxes: Tilray Brands recently incurred excise duties of $90 million to $100 million (33% to 35%), Organigram Holdings paid $125 million to $135 million (38% to 40%), and Cronos Group faced the highest burden at $65 million to $75 million, which represents 58% to 61% of their gross branded sales. |
| Aug 9, 2026 |
New Law Opens More Doors for New York Cannabis Businesses
New York is expanding opportunities for licensed cannabis microbusinesses to reach consumers through approved community events under legislation Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law. S.10113/A.11217 allows eligible microbusinesses to participate in Cannabis Showcase Events, including approved pop-ups, farmers markets and public market events. |