Research relating to the medicinal benefits of marijuana is still ongoing, but studies are impressive. In fact, an estimated two million Americans are currently using medical cannabis, to alleviate some of the most common mental and physical ailments, and the numbers are rising. Many cannabis consumers refer to the cannabis plant as a medicinal elixir and swear that it treats mild to serious illnesses such as relieving pain and fighting cancer.

During a one-on-one tour of the B.C. Cannabis Stores’ new Kelowna location, I spoke to the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch’s director of retail operations, cannabis operations, Kevin Satterfield.

He has decades of experience in retail, including with Best Buy and SportMart. He pivoted into cannabis about four years ago.(Photo: David Wylie)

Here is our Q&A:

the oz. — What look are you going for?

Kiaro Holdings Corp. (TSXV: KO) ("Kiaro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its second-quarter financial results for the three and six months ended July 31, 2021 and 2020. With the closing of the acquisition of Sculthorp SEO Inc. on July 12, 2021, Kiaro created a new segment in reporting this quarter, and now reports on Retail, Wholesale, and eCommerce operations, all of which were profitable during the quarter. All amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in Canadian dollars.

The City of Kamloops is considering issuing a permit for a small cannabis processing facility to operate along McGill Road.

At its meeting Tuesday afternoon, city council voted in favour of having staff distribute a notice of intent to consider issuing the temporary use permit. (Photo by: Tim Petruk)

According to city staff, if the permit is awarded, the business — which would operate in an existing building located at McGill Road and Concordia Way — would be allowed to prepare and package small batches of dried cannabis and extract oils for use in topicals, edibles and other products.

Two delivery trucks will take products created in the facility to retailers. No retail space would be set up at the facility itself.

SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd. (CSE: EASY) (Frankfurt: 39H) (the "Company" or "SpeakEasy") a holder of a federal licence to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis under the Cannabis Act is pleased to announce it has created a strategic plan to release multiple consumer-facing brands over the next 12 months. The brands will represent SpeakEasy's agricultural foundation and core principles - product quality, respecting the culture and achieving a competitive price point that will rival our competitors and the black market.(1)

Jima Cannabis (“Jima”), a BC-based, recreational cannabis retail brand with one store in Abbotsford, B.C., and four more opening soon in the province, has made a big splash by acquiring Ontario-based retailer, High Tea Cannabis Co. (“High Tea”). With AGCO approval of the deal through parent company T-CANN Retail Ltd., Jima is now a multi-location, national cannabis brand with a rapid expansion plan and a dynamic franchise and affiliate model.

Cannabis company Tilray Inc., which merged with Aphria Inc. earlier this year, says it will close a Nanaimo, B.C., office and facility. The company says in an email that it is closing the facilities to optimize operational efficiencies and save costs following the merger. The company did not share how many workers will be impacted by the closures, but says it will work with those interested in opportunities at its Broken Coast facility on Vancouver Island. Tilray says the closure will roll out in phases and is expected to be completed by next spring.

Tilray's website shows that the Nanaimo facility was home to a grow room, vault, trimming room, extracts lab and packaging operations.

Kelowna cannabis company Valens is on an acquisitions jag.

So far this year, the diversified cannabis products manufacturer has purchased LYF Food Technologies of Kelowna for CDN$24.9 million, Green Roads CBD of Florida for US$40 million, Citizen Stash of Mission, BC for CDN $54.3 million and Verse in an undisclosed private transaction. "These acquisitions fit our strategy of becoming an international leading cannabis company," said Valens president Jeff Fallows.

"It's also a way for us to bring Canadian quality to the world."

In the past, Valens has primarily been a contract manufacturer of cannabis oil-based products for other brands.