In 2025, the cannabis industry generated nearly $11.6 billion in GDP in Canada. Cultivation and processing accounted for the largest share, with approximately $10.647 billion—a 31% increase over 2024. Retailers contributed $946 million, an increase of 5%.

France is (once again) reviving the issue of medical cannabis with a new timetable for its rollout across the country. The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) is expected to give its opinion in the fall. If it is favorable, rollout could begin in 2027, potentially opening up access to more than 400,000 patients.

As Guillaume Dubé from the University of Montreal explains: “I found it a bit inconsistent that there weren't many studies on people who use it without any problems. There's a kind of stigma surrounding the substance, a kind of generalized belief that it automatically causes problems, which isn't the case.”

The SQDC posted growth in the third quarter: net income of $43.6 million, total sales of $253.7 million, and 6.4 million transactions. Demand is on the rise, driven by both an increase in the number of stores and growth in online sales. Meanwhile, the average price remains stable at around $5.64/g (including taxes, all products combined).

In response to this article, which is more opinion piece than journalism, it is important to highlight several facts that were not mentioned, perhaps deliberately omitted, yet are crucial. Let us set the record straight.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is closing its research and development center in Quebec City following the announcement of budget cuts by Mark Carney's government. The AQIC joins forces with other players in the agricultural sector to denounce these cuts. This center plays a key role in agri-food innovation and the development of solutions adapted to our environment, at a time when climate stresses are multiplying and intensifying. Beyond the jobs affected, this weakens our strategic research capacity at a time when food security, sovereignty, and the competitiveness of our agriculture depend more than ever on science.

The federal government has just released a new document entitled Information on the Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes (IUCMP). Developed in response to recommendations from the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act, it aims to provide evidence-based guidance for health professionals and clear, accessible information for the public.

According to a new report from the Global Cannabis Exchange (GCX), the Canadian cannabis market could become more volatile and competitive by 2026. The reasons? Rapid growth in supply, moderating domestic demand, and increasing international competition.

Researchers at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (USDA) have identified compounds called dadahol A and dadahol B in the roots of industrial hemp. In laboratory tests, fractions containing these compounds reduced the viability of several pediatric cancer cell lines (including neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma).

According to a study published in the medical journal Phytomedicine, CBD may have anti-tumor potential. The authors suggest that it increases pressure on certain cancer cells, limiting their ability to adapt. However, these results are preliminary and will need to be confirmed by further research, particularly in humans, before clinical applications can be considered.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I—which includes substances considered most dangerous, such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy—to Schedule III, alongside prescription drugs such as hydrocodone. This is a major step forward, marking a historic turning point since the United States introduced prohibition on the international stage nearly 100 years ago.

Starting February 1, 2026, the SQDC will extend the opening hours of 53 stores in the early evening on weekends. This measure is intended to better reflect customer traffic and habits, while optimizing operations. Stores will now close at 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 6 p.m. on Sundays.