Business

Pest problems grow with Canadian cannabis industry

Scientists are in a battle to learn what kinds of pests and diseases pose a risk to cannabis and how to beat them.

Amanda Brown’s job requires a knowledge of both biology and battle strategy.

As a biological crop protection specialist, she sends “armies” of beneficial insects in search of the pests that devour B.C. crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers — and now, cannabis.

“It’s a beautiful system,” she said. “It’s a very holistic approach.”

Exploring Canada’s Cannabis Demand-Supply Landscape

Cannabis demand is rising. However, there seems to be a gap between cannabis demand and supply in Canada. It’s been a year since Canada legalized marijuana, but it seems consumers in the country are still struggling to obtain legal cannabis. This demand-supply imbalance took a toll on cannabis companies’ revenues and stock prices last year.

Let’s take a closer look at the demand-supply imbalance in Canada.

American pot is the gold standard. But Canada leads the export game — for now.

Canada has emerged as the dominant exporter in the burgeoning global trade of marijuana, which ArcView Market Research and BDS Analytics estimated at $14.9 billion in sales for 2019

In a large warehouse, LivWell Enlightened Health feeds its cloned cannabis plants a custom blend of nutrients, sprays them with filtered water and pumps extra carbon dioxide into the air. LivWell releases three types of insects to clear the plants of unwanted pests without the use of toxic pesticides.

Missouri's New Medical Marijuana Industry Puts Banks In A Tough Spot

Robbie Guard sees a green opportunity in Missouri’s newest industry — medical marijuana.

He runs the Cape Girardeau office for MRV Banks. The 13-year-old institution has just three locations along the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. 

As a relatively young bank with a small footprint, it struggles to bring in new accounts. Guard hopes the newly legal medical marijuana industry will change that. 

‘It’s a lot happening all at once’: Illinois shops run out of marijuana just six days after start of legalization

Tens of thousands of people lined up outside eight dispensaries in Chicago to buy recreational marijuana during the first week of legal sales, but at the ninth store selling the newly legal drug, there were no lines.

Dispelling Banking Myths In The Cannabis Industry

For the past five years, I’ve worked in a business development role in the cannabis space. As a result, I have been fortunate to gain a unique, front-line perspective on what is really happening. One of the most surprising things I’ve learned in that time is how much misinformation is out there. My job has been just as much about educating potential partners as it has been about working toward solving their problems. With so much confusion about the cannabis industry, let me take a moment to dispel some banking myths.

First medical cannabis ETF available for Europe, prompted by high demand

Europe is poised to see the first launch of an ETF (exchange traded fund) that is dedicated to the cannabis sector. It is being co-sponsored by HANetf and Purpose Investments of Canada. The Medical Cannabis and Wellness ETF is scheduled to launch on Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt in the week of 13 January, according to HANetf.