Hexo, formerly called Zenabis, once employed 475 people but is now down to 108

A major cannabis producer in northern New Brunswick is cutting more than half its local workforce.

Hexo, formerly called Zenabis, is laying off 142 workers at its Atholville plant.

The Ottawa based Hexo bought Zenabis in 2021.

The plant employed about 475 people just two years ago, and at one time was expected to bring more than 700 jobs to the Restigouche region.

CBC News asked Hexo for comment, but didn't receive a reply.

The layoffs announced Wednesday leave the plant with just 108 employees and are raising questions about the company's future in the region.

New Brunswick’s Greenherb Farms is seeking volunteers for weed consumption, cultivation and processing research.

A family cannabis farm on the Acadian coast of New Brunswick is looking for volunteers from across Canada or abroad to participate in cannabis research.

Focused on sun-grown cannabis cultivation and solventless processing, Greenherb Farms is hoping to refine its cultivar selection and growing processes with the input of legal-age cannabis samplers.

Greg Claroni, general manager and media coordinator for Greenherb Farms, recently told Huddle that the company is growing 60 different cultivars for research purposes, including focusing on growing techniques, processing methods and consumer preferences.

N.B. cigarette sales alone plummet after early pandemic boost

An early pandemic surge in legal cigarette, cannabis and alcohol sales in New Brunswick has more than evaporated for tobacco in the last year, but gains made by the other two have shown surprising resilience. 

According to provincial budget documents, the sale of taxed tobacco products in New Brunswick was down 22 per cent for the fiscal year ended in March.

It's the equivalent of 124 million fewer legal cigarettes being sold in the province in the second year of the pandemic compared to the first year.

People are still smoking, according to Rick Barnum, the executive director of the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco.

RCMP federal policing have arrested a man and seized over two pounds of cocaine, a weapon as well as illegal cannabis at the Woodstock-Houlton border crossing.

On February 18, 2022, the New Brunswick RCMP responded to a call for service at the Woodstock-Houlton border crossing, where a Canadian traveler had been denied entry into the United States and was being detained by the Canada Border Services Agency.

A 47-year-old man from Toronto, Ontario was arrested by the New Brunswick RCMP. A search of his vehicle led to the seizure of more than two pounds of cocaine, a weapon, money, as well as one pound of illegal cannabis. His vehicle was seized and he was released pending a future court appearance.

Everything on the table as New Brunswick seeks ways to make life 'uncomfortable' for the unvaccinated

Premier Blaine Higgs says New Brunswick may follow Quebec's lead on asking for proof of COVID-19 vaccination at liquor and cannabis stores.

He says everything is on the table as the province considers new restrictions for people who choose not to get vaccinated against the virus.

"It did have an impact in Quebec, as we understand," he said. '

He was referring to a reported jump in the number of first-dose vaccine appointments booked since the Quebec requirement was announced last week.

Finance minister introduces legislation that would allow the agency to expand its model

There could soon be more shops selling New Brunswick-grown cannabis products.

Cannabis N.B. has announced a new farm-gate program, in which licensed cannabis producers will be invited to apply for permission to sell their products onsite, where they are grown, the Crown corporation said in a news release.

The program is meant to give local producers a higher profile, as well to "educate customers about their products" and create tourism opportunities, CEO Lori Stickles said.

Rod Wilson of the New Brunswick Craft Cannabis Association said he expects it will be similar to the way wineries can give tours and sell their wine onsite.

Captures #1 share of edibles position in inaugural launch province of PEI within two weeks of launch

A Canadian soldier is facing up to five years in prison after being found guilty of handing out cupcakes laced with cannabis to fellow troops during a live fire exercise.