News - Business (505 items)
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| Aug 25, 2026 |
Cannabis Is Capitalism’s Next Fix
We grew up being told, ?“Just say no,” ?“Say nope to dope,” ?“Choose life, not drugs.” Now we read articles about how psychedelics can improve brain health in mainstream media and scroll past Instagram posts advertising cannabis as the latest essential wellness treatment for on-the-go millennials. A change is happening, even if we can’t fully see it. Is the War on Drugs over? If so, who won? Or is it simply changing shape? How did this change come about, and what comes after it? If we have lost the War on Drugs, what does the postwar reconstruction look like? To understand why this shift is happening, and why now (after all, activists have been calling for drug legalisation since the 1960s), it helps to zoom out. We are living through an era the economic historian Adam Tooze has called a ?“polycrisis.” The economy is in long-term stagnation. Decades of free-market policy have carved a huge global divide between owners and earners, between asset holders and people who must work for a living. The global superpowers are descending into hostile trade wars, and people fear that artificial intelligence will take away the few remaining professional jobs. Everyone is looking for a fix. |
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| Aug 24, 2026 |
Curaleaf Responds to Aurora Cannabis' Latest Attempt to Deflect From Shareholder Value Creation
STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf"), a leading international provider of consumer and medical cannabis products, today responded to Aurora Cannabis Inc.'s (TSX: ACB) (NASDAQ: ACB) ("Aurora") latest public statements regarding Curaleaf's offer for Aurora: "Aurora's hollow protests and completely misleading statistics change nothing about reality: if its multi-year turnaround strategy were delivering the value management claims, the company's valuation would reflect it. Aurora has repeatedly failed to demonstrate both a credible plan and the ability to execute, resulting in significant lost shareholder value. |
| Aug 24, 2026 |
Aurora Cannabis Fires Back at Curaleaf’s Claims, Urges Shareholders to Wait
Aurora Cannabis is firing back at US cannabis company Curaleaf following the American company’s efforts to acquire Aurora. The Edmonton-based Aurora is urging its shareholders to take no action. At the same time, it awaits a formal recommendation from its Board and a newly formed Special Committee, both of which are reviewing Curaleaf’s proposal together and consulting financial and legal advisers to assess the best path forward to maximize value for the company and its shareholders. Curaleaf’s offer remains open for at least 105 days from its formal launch on August 18, 2026. |
| Aug 24, 2026 |
AURORA CANNABIS CORRECTS INACCURATE STATEMENTS MADE IN SUPPORT OF CURALEAF HOLDINGS' HOSTILE BID "Curaleaf's timing and public comments appear to be a transparent attempt to pressure Aurora shareholders into making a short-term decision for the benefit of Curaleaf shareholders," said Miguel Martin, Executive Chairman and CEO of Aurora. "Curaleaf's interest underscores the value that Aurora has created. They are trying to acquire our world-class EU-GMP global infrastructure at the lowest possible price, depriving our shareholders of the long-term value our strategy is built to deliver." |
| Aug 24, 2026 |
Canada still dominates global cannabis exports, but changes are coming fast Long a boon mostly for Canada, still the world’s biggest exporter of cannabis, Germany’s growing appetite for medical cannabis threatens to reshape the global marijuana market and trigger a race among major international players to seize and ensure a share of the pie in rapidly expanding Europe. These include U.S.-based marijuana multistate operator Curaleaf Holdings as well as Canadian licensed producers who have long dominated global cannabis trade. |
| Aug 23, 2026 |
Canadian Cannabis Still Dominates Australian Medical Market while Thai Imports Increase and Domestic Supply Increases Exports from Canada contributed to 61% of all medical cannabis Australia imported in 2025, according to the newest figures from the country’s cannabis regulator. The country’s domestic supply has also increased significantly. Australia produced more cannabis than it imported from Canada in 2025, the first time since 2022. Australia imported 81,119 kilograms of cannabis for medical purposes in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024 and an 82% increase from 2023. About one-quarter of the nation’s total cannabis imports were still held in inventory at the end of 2025. Exports from Thailand accounted for another 25% of Australia’s medical cannabis imports in 2025, up from just 1% the previous year. |
| Aug 21, 2026 |
Cannabis Consolidation Wave Accelerates, ETF Allocation Value Stands Out
The cannabis industry is entering a clear phase of consolidation after an early period of capital frenzy and a sharp retreat in share prices. Weaker players are exiting, while stronger companies are expanding through acquisitions. With individual stock volatility rising and deal outcomes uncertain, building exposure through cannabis-themed ETFs is becoming an increasingly attractive way to position for the sector. Investor enthusiasm was extremely high when cannabis stocks first began trading. A gold rush mentality led to a flood of new listings. Although the overall industry has continued to grow, most individual companies have failed to live up to lofty early expectations. Cannabis shares now trade well below their early highs, and a shakeout is underway. Acquisitions have become a central theme. |
| Aug 21, 2026 |
Direct Delivery Growth Outpaces Central Stream in BC Cannabis Q1 2026
BC’s cannabis distributor wholesaled $152.2 million worth of cannabis in its first fiscal quarter of 2026, ending June 30, 2026, totalling 40,912,864 grams. This amounted to a 1% year-over-year increase in sales and a 3% increase in grams sold. The average price of all cannabis products declined 2% YOY to $3.72, while flower declined nearly 1% to $3.12. There were 530 cannabis stores in BC as of June 30, 2026, a 2% increase YOY. While store counts increased by 14 in the Lower Mainland, they declined by two on the Island and three in the interior. |
| Aug 21, 2026 |
Canadian LPs expand presence in European cannabis
Canada-headquartered global medical cannabis company Tilray Brands is expanding cultivation across Canada and Europe, the company said Thursday. Tilray says it’s increased annual production capacity to about 275 metric tons, up from 210, to serve growing international and medical cannabis markets. The expanded output comes from both its Canadian facility, located in Quebec, and its EU-GMP-certified facility in Portugal. The increased cannabis production is intended for burgeoning international cannabis markets in Europe, Australia and other regulated markets. |
| Aug 21, 2026 |
Canadian Cannabis Retail Sales Hit New $500M+ Record in June 2026 Retail cannabis sales surpassed half a billion dollars in May and June of 2026, both setting new records, according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada, which also include notable increases to previous estimates for May 2026. Cannabis stores across the country sold $517.8 million worth of cannabis in June 2026 and $510.4 million in May. Both months outperformed the previous high-water mark of $508.6 million in December, 2025. |
| Aug 21, 2026 |
Curaleaf's Hostile Takeover Bid for Aurora Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg for Cannabis Consolidation. These 2 Stocks Could Be the Biggest Winners. Investors were very enthusiastic when cannabis stocks first started trading. It was, basically, a new industry, and the outlook for legal cannabis sales was strong. But, as is typical on Wall Street, a gold rush mentality took hold, and the market was flooded with marijuana stocks. While the cannabis sector has grown, individual company performance hasn't lived up to investors' lofty expectations. |
| 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. |
| 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. |