PLANTING THE SEED
New York cultivators get planting
Fifty-two cultivators in New York state have been licensed to grow cannabis and “are literally planting the seeds for a new frontier,” per Spectrum Local News.
Newark’s Honest Pharm Co. has grown hemp and sold accessories and cultivation gear for the last three years. Now, they’ve started planting cannabis, with plans to grow between 8,000 and 10,000 this year.
“The potential here is unlimited,” said co-founder Jeremy Jimenez. “As long as you got everything together and all the moving parts and the right people together, you can really take off in this industry.”
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NEW NAME
CannTrust’s new name is Phoena
Vaughan, Ontario-based CannTrust, known for getting caught growing cannabis in unlicensed rooms, will now be known as Phoena Holdings, per a press release.
“The name Phoena is derived from the word “phenotype” which describes the traits taken from a plant’s genetic code that we use to merge nature, purpose, and science to produce the best cannabis products on the market,” reads the release. “We are dedicated to ensuring that every product, every initiative and every activity lives up to the name.”
“Working with our new investors, Kenzoll based in Amsterdam, we are looking forward to continuing to build our business in Canada and beyond,” wrote CEO Greg Guyatt on LinkedIn.
LET IT GROW
Manitoba’s grow-your-own ban is being challenged in court
Jesse Lavoie is awaiting the judges’ ruling after filing a constitutional challenge against the Manitoba government to fight the province’s ban on home-growing, per CTV Winnipeg.
Under Canada’s Cannabis Act, individuals can grow up to four plants—except in Manitoba and Quebec, where provincial laws have banned it. Lawyers Kirk Tousaw and Jack Lloyd, who are representing Lavoie, argued that the province doesn’t have the right to outlaw a right outlined in federal law.
“Look, people who live in Manitoba should be allowed to grow cannabis for their own personal use,” Tousaw said.
UP ANANDA UP
Ananda beefs up its team with new hires
Ananda Developments’ stock price shot up 30% after announcing the company has hired three “heavyweights” to join its team, reports BusinessCann.
The new team members are:
- Dr. Nigel Gale, former Hexo master grower, will lead plant science
- GW Pharma’s former cultivator Steve Murray will lead cultivation
- Former horticultural business manager Mark Spurdens will be COO
“…the trio are understood to have already begun ‘fine tuning’ processes,” writes BusinessCann.
