Westleaf Inc announces today that following the filing of Articles of Amendment with the Alberta Corporate Registry on March 1, 2020,  the Company is now named and will be operating as Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. The comprehensive rebrand marks a new chapter in the evolution of the organization and brings together the Westleaf and We Grow businesses under one name, shared vision, and a visual brand identity that reflects our mission to define the ultimate expression of cannabis.

Alberta has been celebrated as the country’s fastest-growing cannabis market as the nascent industry continues to climb out of the shadows and into the mainstream.

The Sunshine Province led the nation in sales in the first year of legalization and it continues to outpace every province in retail operations. Currently, there are more than 400 cannabis retail stores in Alberta, compared to less than 40 in Ontario.

Alberta has also attracted significant investment from some of the country’s largest licensed producers, including Aurora, which moved to Medicine Hat in 2018 with plans to build the world’s largest cannabis greenhouse.

A legal fight has emerged after Tilray Inc.’s deal to buy 420 Investments Ltd. for $110 million was terminated last week, with the Alberta-based retailer suing the Canadian cannabis producer for breach of contract and accusing it of dragging its feet on the deal following a “change of heart”, according to documents obtained by BNN Bloomberg.

Tilray announced its plan to buy the retailer, which currently operates 11 Four20 Premium Market cannabis stores in Alberta and is also known broadly as Four20, in late August for $110 million in a cash and stock deal. The deal – which occurred after five months of negotiations between the two companies – included $40 million in Tilray promissory notes based on future store openings, according to the statement of claim.

Gummies, chocolate, tea and sparkling water have been on the shelves of cannabis retail stores since the beginning of the year but now advocates of edibles are pushing governments to sanction social venues where people can share these products in public. 

Retailers made the case for cannabis lounges and cafes to Edmonton city council's community and public services committee Wednesday. 

Edmonton could be a leader in the up-and-coming industry, suggested Nathan Mison, Fire & Flower's vice president of government and stakeholder relations.

"Edmonton and Alberta have a real opportunity if they show the progressive capability of moving it forward," Mison said. 

Roughly 50,000 school-age children in Alberta have dabbled in vaping within a 30-day period, shows a new survey that has sparked renewed calls for stricter legislation.

“It is the wild west on vaping products,” said Les Hagen, with Action on Smoking and Health, on Monday. “The federal and provincial governments have had a lot of time to act. They were kind of looking at each other, wondering who would move first but unfortunately, in the meantime, all of these marketing firms and vaping companies moved in and decided to create a youth epidemic.”

A series of cannabis store robberies in Alberta has led some retailers to tear down window coverings initially erected to satisfy federal legislation.

Those visual obstructions were meant to adhere to the Cannabis Act to keep cannabis products and accessories out of the view of minors.

But retailer Nathan Mison said those window coverings compromise the safety of staff by making it easier for robbers to commit their crimes.

“We’ve made ourselves a target by making it so someone can come in, lock the door and take all the time they want robbing a store because no one can see in,” said Mison, spokesman for the Edmonton-based Fire and Flower Cannabis chain.

“Nobody should be in jeopardy at their work.”

The city’s community and public services committee is slated to review a report on the future of cannabis lounges next week.

But before the businesses can hit Edmonton’s streets, Alberta and Ottawa have to roll out separate legislations.

The report headed to Tuesday’s meeting states no provinces have licensed cannabis lounges or cafes, however, some American states do. In California, for example, businesses have to be 600 feet from a daycare, school or youth centre, must have an odour absorbing ventilation system and have security guards patrolling during business hours.

Would you like gummies with that?

Edmonton tourists and residents could be asking that at one of Canada’s first legal cannabis cafes this year, if one city councillor gets his way.

Coun. Mike Nickel of Ward 11 said his motion to set up cannabis cafe regulations is gaining steam after holding several meetings with Alberta industry players and regulators over the last two months.

Cannabis consumption cafes are coming to the city of Edmonton this year, says city councillor Mike Nickel.

The Alberta government quietly informed cannabis retailers late Friday that vape cartridges will be available for order starting Monday.

The decision comes a little over one month after the province put a hold on releasing the cartridges, saying it wanted to review the safety of the products.

Cannabis vape cartridges are already legally available in other provinces and are easily obtainable on the black market, according to cannabis retailers.

Heather Holmen, communications manager for Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), confirmed an email went out to retailers Friday alerting them that the products would be on their weekly order forms starting Monday.