CANADABIS CAPITAL EXPANDS INTO EUROPEAN MARKET WITH EU-GMP PARTNERS

Canadabis Capital Expands into European Market with EU-GMP Partners

Calgary, Ab, May 7, 2024 – Canadabis Capital (TSX: Canb.v) with Sub Stigma Grow, a leading Canadian cannabis company, is pleased to announce its strategic expansion into the European market through a significant distribution agreement. This marks a pivotal moment in Stigma Grows history, as the company’s innovative products will now be introduced to international markets.

Under this new agreement, Stigma Grow will be distributing its high-quality cannabis products in several key European countries, including Portugal, Germany, and Israel, among others. This move represents a significant milestone for Stigma Grow as it continues to grow its global presence and deliver its cutting edge products to new audiences.

“We are thrilled to announce our entry into the European market through this EU-GMP agreement,” said Travis McIntyre, CEO of Canadabis Capital. “This expansion represents a major step forward for our company and underscores our commitment to bringing our cutting-edge products to consumers worldwide.”

With a reputation for excellence and a track record of innovation, Stigma Grow is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the European cannabis market. The company’s products are known for their quality, consistency, and effectiveness, and have garnered a loyal following in Canada and beyond.

“We believe that our products have the potential to transform the cannabis industry in Europe,” added Mcintyre. “We are excited to work with our partners to bring Stigma Grow’s unique offerings to customers in Portugal, Germany, Israel, and other European markets. This agreement comes at a time when the world is opening up to Cannabis and we are just getting started.”

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ABOUT CANADABIS CAPITAL INC.

CanadaBis Capital Inc. (TSXV:CANB) is a vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company focused on achieving large-scale growth, from cultivation to retail, in the fast-emerging global cannabis market. By targeting organic growth opportunities alongside the right-fit partners, we remain focused on finding and capitalizing on chances to grow, diversify and continue to lead our industry.

Our integrated subsidiaries:

  • Stigma Pharmaceuticals Inc. – 100% held
  • 1998643 Alberta Ltd. (operating as “Stigma Grow”) – 100% held; www.stigmagrow.ca
  • Full Spectrum Labs Ltd. (operating as “Stigma Roots”) – 100% held
  • 2103157 Alberta Ltd. -100% held
  • Goldstream Cannabis Inc. – 95% held

ABOUT STIGMA GROW
Stigma Grow is a cutting-edge cannabis cultivation and extraction company positioned advantageously to meet the unmet market demands and stigmas within the legal cannabis industry head on, with products designed to disturb the status quo and dramatically shift the conversation surrounding Canada’s legal cannabis industry.

For more information, please visit or contact:
Info@CanadaBis.com
1-888-STIGMA1
www.canadabis.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements with respect to our business and operations; the focus of our 2024 activities, our continued cost saving initiatives, our outlook and the plan to seek further growth initiatives. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based
upon a number of assumptions including: the ability of the Company’s products to compete with the pricing and product availability; the market demand for the Company’s products; and assumptions concerning the Company’s competitive advantages. These assumptions, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Such factors include, but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulation, the general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; ability to sustain or create a demand for a product; requirement for further capital; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the results of operations and such other matters as set out in the Company’s continuous disclosure on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have a material adverse effect on our future results, performance or achievements.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CANADABIS CAPITAL Announces Industry-Leading Achievement: PRODUCT OF THE YEAR!

CANADABIS CAPITAL, WITH SUB STIGMA GROW, ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY-LEADING ACHIEVEMENT AFTER WINNING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD AND PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE

CALGARY, AB, October 24, 2023 – CanadaBis Capital Inc. (the “Company” or “CanadaBis“) (TSXV: CANB), a premium vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company, is proud to announce a landmark achievement with subsidiary Stigma Grow being the recipient of Grow Up Industry’s coveted 2023 Product of the Year award for Dab Bods’ Phoenix Tears (“Phoenix Tears”). We extend heartfelt congratulations to our dedicated employees at Stigma Grow, whose continued hard work and ongoing commitment to excellence have culminated in this award. We are also pleased to share an update on the Company’s anticipated corporate reporting schedule through calendar year 2023. 

PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Being recognized as a Product of the Year is more than just a reflection of the Company’s ability to produce quality products; it represents a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our incredible workforce. With more than 13,000 votes cast by customers, this record-breaking turnout honoured Canada’s best cannabis growers, retailers and suppliers, serving as a testament of the vibrant and rapidly expanding Canadian cannabis market. 

“We are immensely proud of this remarkable achievement, which demonstrates our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and the relentless efforts of our passionate team at Stigma Grow. Their dedication has been instrumental in positioning CanadaBis Capital as a leading player in the cannabis industry,” commented Travis McIntyre, Founder and CEO of CanadaBis Capital. “Receiving this Product of the Year award emphasizes our ability to set industry standards and deliver exceptional, high-demand products to our valued customers.”

CORPORATE UPDATE

Following a successful past twelve months, the Company is also pleased to confirm that our financial and operating results for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2023 are expected to be issued and filed in late November, 2023. We look forward to showcasing the progress and milestones CanadaBis has achieved through the full 2023 fiscal year, of which continued to build on the meaningful increases in gross revenue, net income and earnings per share reported during the past years. 

As trusted leaders in the cannabis industry, CanadaBis Capital and Stigma Grow continue to prioritize maintaining our strong market position by providing an exceptional customer service experience balanced by a focus on profitability and steady growth. Our strategic approach to capital allocation, investment in new products and unparalleled industry knowledge represent key contributors that support our goal of generating sustainable profitability while providing new and innovative products. 

ABOUT CANADABIS CAPITAL INC. 

CanadaBis Capital Inc. (TSXV:CANB) is a vertically integrated Canadian cannabis company focused on achieving large-scale growth, from cultivation to retail, in the fast-emerging global cannabis market. By targeting organic growth opportunities alongside the right-fit partners, we remain focused on finding and capitalizing on chances to grow, diversify and continue to lead our industry.

Our integrated subsidiaries:

  • Stigma Pharmaceuticals Inc. – 100% held
  • 1998643 Alberta Ltd. (operating as “Stigma Grow”) – 100% held; www.stigmagrow.ca
  • Full Spectrum Labs Ltd. (operating as “Stigma Roots”) – 100% held
  • 2103157 Alberta Ltd. (operating as “INDICAtive Collection”) -100% held; www.indicativecollection.ca
  • Goldstream Cannabis Inc. – 95% held
ABOUT STIGMA GROW 

Stigma Grow is a cutting-edge cannabis cultivation and extraction company positioned advantageously to meet the unmet market demands and stigmas within the legal cannabis industry head on, with products designed to disturb the status quo and dramatically shift the conversation surrounding Canada’s legal cannabis industry.

For more information, please visit or contact:

Info@CanadaBis.com
1-888-STIGMA1
www.canadabis.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Non-GAAP Measures

This news release contains the financial performance metric of Adjusted EBITDA, a measure that is not recognized or defined under IFRS (a “Non-GAAP Measure”). As a result, this data may not be comparable to data presented by other cannabis companies. For an explanation and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to related comparable financial information presented in the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, refer to the MD&A for the three and six months ended January 31, 2023. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of operational performance and is specifically used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company.

Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of the Company’s financial performance. It is intended to provide a proxy for the Company’s operating cash flow and is widely used by industry analysts to compare CanadaBis to its competitors and derive expectations of future financial performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA increases comparability between comparative companies by eliminating variability resulting from differences in capital structures, management decisions related to resource allocation, and the impact of fair value adjustments on biological assets, inventory, and financial instruments, which may be volatile on a period-to-period basis. Adjusted EBTIDA is not a recognized, defined, or standardized measure under IFRS. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding changes in fair value of biological assets, change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold, depreciation and amortization expense, share-based payments, and finance costs. 

Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain “forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements with respect to our business and operations; timing of the Sundial products coming to market; the demand and market for live-resin vape cartridges, and our general business plans. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions including: the ability of the Company’s products to compete with the pricing and product availability on the black-market; the market demand for the Company’s products; and assumptions concerning the Company’s competitive advantages. These assumptions, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: compliance with extensive government regulation, the general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; ability to sustain or create a demand for a product; requirement for further capital; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the results of operations and such other matters as set out in the Company’s continuous disclosure on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have a material adverse effect on our future results, performance or achievements.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Dewaxing and Winterizing: How Concentrates are Made, and Why it Matters

Stigma Grow

With the 2018 legalization of cannabis in Canada came dry flower cannabis and oils, but for many long-term consumers, the real excitement that came from legalization exists around the future potential for extracts and concentrates.

The opportunity to create pure and clean cannabis concentrates, legally, using the very best technology and equipment, is something that every black, grey and legal-market producer would salivate over, and is one way the legal market can genuinely compete against black-market products.

To achieve a heightened level of clean and pure concentrate production, many processors are removing the undesired plant lipids and waxes from their final products (due primarily to their ability to alter the chemical make-up of the concentrate over time). When waxes or lipids are exposed to different elements (temperature, open air, light) it can result in a cloudier appearance.

Removal of these ingredients allows for unadulterated flavour and cleanliness.

The most popular way to achieve this is via two trusted, but completely different, processes: winterizing and dewaxing.

Both processes have their pros and cons. We review both below:

Winterizing 

Winterizing utilizes ethanol or grain alcohol (polar solvents) to extract waxes and fats from the cannabis plant.

Simply put: this process dissolves hash oil into a polar solvent at below-zero temperatures; forcing the waxes and lipids to separate from the oil and collect at the top where they can be easily extracted.

This process doesn’t require a lot of technical skills, in fact, even first-timers can experience success – as a result, winterizing is more common than de-waxing. It’s as easy as mixing ethanol and hash oil in a Mason jar and then putting it in the freezer.

De-waxing

De-waxing is a little more complicated than winterizing.

Essentially, a single solvent like butane is blasted over plant material and collected within a column, moving what’s extracted onto another column to be de-waxed. The mixture is cooled to extreme temperatures which makes the waxes and lipids unable to dissolve, and forces them to separate.

Next, the mixture passes through a series of micron screens, which filter out the undesired waxes and lipids, producing a cleaner final product. Just like winterizing, the concentrate must be kept in sub-zero temperatures to allow the lipid material to separate from the concentrate.

Achieving and maintaining the right temperatures is crucial. Failure to reach the correct temperatures could affect the ability for the lipids to separate, and if the temperatures aren’t low enough you could lose/waste some of the cannabinoids throughout the process.

Finally, the concentrates are introduced to a passive vacuum system that sucks the unwanted particles up to the top. At this stage, butane can be quickly removed (to separate the unwanted layers from the rest of the concentrates) without the need for evaporation.

De-waxing is a little more complex and a little less efficient, but this process, done right, ensures  that the terpenes, colour and flavour of the end product is not affected.

Why do we Remove Waxes and Lipids?

Simply put, waxes and lipids can negatively influence the colour, flavour and overall smoothness of the concentrate. When dabs are consumed, a high temperature is required to vaporize the product. The waxes and lipids vaporize/melt at much higher temperatures which can lead to less-than-ideal flavours and excess residue. Worse, these ingredients are harsh to consume and can irritate your throat.

Ultimately, removing these impurities will leave you with a much more tasty and consistent product you can appreciate for its purity and taste.

Which Method is Better?

Both de-waxing and winterizing have their ups and downs. For example, de-waxing generally impacts final yield more severely than winterization, while winterization typically impacts flavour and terpenes a bit more than de-waxing.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the needs and constraints of the extraction company. One thing is for certain though, removing waxes and lipids from concentrate is a must for clean, pure products and we’re excited to see how the technology continues to progress!

Want to learn more about extracting concentrates? Check out this blog on Cannabis Concentrates. 

Edibles: What You Can Expect From Canada’s Upcoming Legalization

Stigma Grow

Anyone that’s been to a grey-market, black-market or legal cannabis shop in the USA/Europe can tell you that the legal cannabis shopping experience you are getting in Canada, pales in comparison.

In stores not influenced by the fear-driven restrictions that dictate current Canadian cannabis legislation, shoppers are treated to an experience similar to a kid in a candy shop; where every imaginable treat – and several new items never dreamed of – are presented for your consideration and consumption.

There, you can focus less on the means and more on the many, munch-able ways to meal-size your plant medicines. From gummies to baked goods, to beverages and hard candy, your tastes are treated to tons of tantalizing THC alternatives.

Adults are given the education they require to make informed decisions, and those who choose to ignore warnings are treated to the same type of experience as those who drink tequila for breakfast or try to operate a forklift after downing a couple bottles of NyQuil.

The result of education over restriction is countless examples of cannabis consumption by adults leading to more good times than bad, and an industry that flourishes in its attempts to generate tax revenue and reduce crime.

Is that what we can look forward to in Canada, come 2020, when extracts and edibles arrive on the legal scene? Not likely.

To put a finer point on it – absolutely not.

As with the rollout of dry flower and oil legalization in October of 2018, there appears to be a huge gap between what the majority of cannabis users want, and what the government is willing to offer.

Aside from the packaging and marketing laws that put cannabis in a category more restrictive than cigarettes and tobacco (two products with literally no health benefits, recognized for killing millions of people) it appears that they will be limiting edibles to 10 mg of THC per packaged edible.

And while I certainly support the start low and go slow approach to anything new, I am very strongly against the “force me to eat that which I don’t need, to get what I want” approach to babysitting adult consumption of plant medicines.

For most of us who are looking forward to edibles, whose systems require doses closer to 100+mgs of THC to get the effects we seek, these limits mean we will need to consume bags of candy and boxes of brownies to get the edible THC we want.

Just for some comparisons here: The average chocolate bar/brownie contains between 35,000 – 48,000 mg of sugar. Candy isn’t any better. To get the 100mgs of THC I need in an edible, I would be required to consume close to between 300 – 500 grams of sugar.

The recommended adult daily intake of sugar? 37.5 grams.

Quick Question: What’s killing more people these days? Cannabis overdoses or diabetes?

And while I realize that nobody is pointing a gun to my head and demanding that this is how I intake my cannabis, and that I live in a country that provides legal ways to achieve the dosage I want without the need to eat it in candy, the point is that if we are going to make edibles legal for adults, why not treat the consumers like adults?

  • Replace restrictions with education: In a world where your iPhone comes with a “Do Not Eat” warning label and Nytol Sleeping Pills warn that they “May Cause Drowsiness” I think it’s better to educate those who don’t know what they are doing, than it is to punish those of us who do.
  • Stop the hypocrisy: We live in a world where people die from alcohol, tobacco, opiates and sugar in the millions, and yet the restrictions on these items are, at the very least, reasonable. Instead of restricting the consumption of a plant that could, at worst, cause temporary discomfort under the guise of responsible practice, let’s pull back on some of the products with the potential to kill literally anyone that uses them.

The stigma of cannabis and its consumers is still very much alive within the legal cannabis industry, as we continue to see fear and dogma dictate that which should be determined via research and logic. And if this industry truly wants to achieve its two primary goals of eliminating the black market and generating impressive tax revenue, then those dictating the laws of the industry need to do a much better job of understanding and catering to the needs of its consumers.

Want to learn more about cannabis culture, cannabis stigmas and cannabis concentrates? Check out these blogs:

  1. Pot and Parenting
  2. Cannabis Concentrates
  3. Cannabis Stigmas

Pot and Parenting: Do Reefers and Responsibilities Mix?

True, close to no days have gone by between 1997 and 2019 without me consuming THC or CBD in one form or another, but I have also managed to maintain good credit, graduate from University, stay active and healthy, start and maintain multiple businesses of my own and marry and build a life with a beautiful, intelligent bride.

I pride myself on going to bed and getting up early (thanks Indica!), and can count on one hand the number of days I spend out past midnight or waking up hungover. I volunteer through my Rotary Club chapter, contribute to charity and always (eventually) pay my taxes.

By all accounts I am a responsible, educated, contributing member of society – and yet, by definition, I am a pothead.

Of course, I prefer the term cannabis consumer, and I only really considered the damage and drama caused by this widely-accepted stigma when I started having kids. The fact is that while I have no issues with cannabis use for adults, I have done enough research to understand the dangers it presents to children, babies and even teens. As a result, something I had never felt shame about before the birth of my first son, was now something I viewed through a dual lens.

It didn’t take much for me to see the value in ditching the showpiece paraphernalia and moving the product and accessories out of sight and reach. I had already switched most of my consumption preferences over to edibles and vape products (to eliminate the odour and second-hand emissions), but these decisions came from a desire to keep my children safe; not because I was ashamed of my personal choices.

That’s why I was completely blown away when my neighbour asked me out of the blue if I’d be quitting cannabis now that I had children. It appears that even though cannabis is now legal in Canada, many people (including neighbours out drinking their beers and smoking their cigarettes on the front lawn) still feel its users (which are in the millions) couldn’t possibly consume cannabis as part of a healthy, responsible lifestyle.

Let’s be very clear: what you consume is not what makes you a good or bad parent. It’s what you do.

As someone that was raised behind the scenes of several churches, I can attest that being drug and alcohol free makes you a good parent as much as going to church makes you a good person; or as much as sitting in a garage makes you a car.

Whether you choose to smoke, chew and run with girls that do, or meditate, eat kale and run the neighbourhood bible study, these activities in and of themselves do not make you a good parent any more than having 100K followers on social media makes you important.

This is not about comparing the lesser of two evils, and I refuse (outside of my cheeky comment about my neighbour above, and a bullet point below) to defend cannabis solely based on its merits as an alternative to different drugs (prescription or black market) like opiates, tobacco or alcohol.

This is a rally call out to the millions of high-functioning, “better-off-because-of-it” cannabis consumers to join me in kicking down the door to the closet we’ve all been hiding in and being proud of the fact that we’ve found something that helps us live a better, more fulfilled, more celebratory life than those who cannot or will not explore the greatest plant on earth.

The fact is that I know more parents between the ages of 25-45 that do consume cannabis regularly than those who don’t. And whether they smoke or not has little to zero bearing on their abilities as a caregiver.

I also know the following to be true for me and many of the parents I choose to associate with socially:

  • Cannabis can help reduce anxiety, making me more present when I’m at home
  • Cannabis helps me fall asleep quickly, which means I can take advantage of the few hours my young children allow me to sleep, and stay rested to tackle another day of parental servitude.
  • Cannabis can make it fun to do very little, and as a parent with children, in a struggling economy, it’s nice to have an option in my spare time that’s both inexpensive and entertaining.
  • Cannabis can help reduce pain and inflammation that keeps some parents from playing with their kids.
  • Cannabis can help make the transition from the stress of the work day to a family environment of connectivity and play a quick and seamless one.
  • Cannabis comes in non-psychoactive CBD form, which is proven to provide a plethora of benefits that were previously offered exclusively by (often) harmful prescription drugs.

If you are reading this and have been chastised or judged for your responsible cannabis use as a parent or just as a high-functioning adult, please know that there are more of us out there than you may think, and, as long as it doesn’t affect your ability to “do you”, there is nothing at all for you to be ashamed of!

For more information on common stigmas surrounding cannabis, and why they are both uninformed and irresponsible, check out this blog.

Or to learn why more parents are switching from dry flower to concentrates, check out these informational blogs:

CANNABIS CONCENTRATES VERSUS CANNABIS DRY FLOWER: WHAT SUITS YOU BEST?

The Effects of Cannabis on Teens and Adolescents

There are plenty of amazing things that can be done with cannabis, but just because it helps so many people, doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with risks.

Just like anything, but especially recreational drugs, how it affects one person can be completely different than how it affects someone else. The truth is that even though it is considered to be one of the most harmless drugs around, plenty of people dread the effects of cannabis, and stay away from it for that reason.

Personal preference aside, cannabis, or at least the THC in it, can have extremely negative effects on young, developing brains. For that reason, it is never recommended for those under the age of 25.

In 2009, the California Society of Addiction Medicine released a detailed 34-page study that evaluates and reports on the Impact of Marijuana on Children and Adolescents. In it, they came to the following conclusion:

“Research into how marijuana produces its effects led scientists to discover that the brain has a huge, delicately balanced cannabinoid system of its own. Oily resin found in the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant contains several chemicals called “cannabinoids” (e.g.,’THC, or delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol). THC closely resembles the natural chemistry in our brain, effectively mimicking some of the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Smoking marijuana produces its characteristic “high” by flooding our brain with molecules that cannot be distinguished from its own internally produced neurochemistry, throwing the brain far from its natural chemical balance.”

Scientific research shows that a person’s brain continues to develop into their early 20s, and as a result, exposure to cannabis before the age of 25 results has more negative effects on adolescents compared to the relatively harmless effect it has on adults with fully developed brains.

For example, MRIs have documented structural damage in youth that is attributed to regular THC intake including lower brain volumes, cortex thinning and damaged neural connectivity.

All of this is compounded by the fact that cannabis on average is three or four times more potent than it was in the 80s, making the risk of negative effects that much more intense.

The truth is that it simply isn’t worth the risk, and while the industry can abide by the legislation of their province, it’s up to any adult with access to cannabis to ensure they keep it far away from the impressionable and delicate minds of those who are simply not in a position to benefit from its effects.

A Brief History of Cannabis

Cannabis has certainly gained popularity over the past few years, but the fact is cannabis has been a popular go-to for humans for a very long time. Thanks to its textile and medicinal applications, it has been a source of rope, clothing, sails, pain relief and food dating back more than ten thousand years.

Believed to have originated in Asia, historians have also found proof of its popularity in the Middle East, Egypt and Europe dating back four or five thousand years.

It wasn’t until the last few centuries that cannabis finally migrated to South America in the 19th century, reaching North America through Mexico soon afterwards.

Cannabis cultivation in America dates back to the early colonists, who grew hemp for textiles and rope. The fact that it was a fast-growing plant that was relatively easy to cultivate made it a great fit for a variety of uses, and by the late 1800s, cannabis extracts were being sold across the United States as a treatment for stomach problems and a variety of other ailments.

Cannabis wasn’t used recreationally until the early 1900s; introduced by Mexicans that immigrated during the Mexican Revolution. A few decades later, devastating unemployment and disturbing social unrest going into the 1930s led to increased resentment and fear towards the dangers of ‘marijuana’.

As a result, during a time when prohibition was already a popular trend, 29 states outlawed the cannabis plant by 1931.

A few decades later, due to the “War on Drugs” as well as a variety of political and racial factors, President Richard Nixon introduced the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, classing all forms of cannabis (marijuana) as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin, ecstasy and LSD.

For the next 30-plus years, cannabis sales was reserved to the black market and those who purchased it were treated (and often convicted) as criminals, druggies and generally not “good” people.

However, the benefits that come from cannabis were not forgotten and many legitimate medical and scientific professionals continued to study and publish the truth about the positive effects both THC and CBD can have on a wide variety of negative mental, physical and emotional symptoms suffered by millions of people around the world.

In the 21st century, North America, and a lot of countries around the world, are starting to view cannabis differently.

Instead of viewing it as a plant to be feared or to stifle, it is being viewed as the best-fit answer to a number of unanswered needs across medical, recreational and textile industries alike.

Why Should Anyone Turn Away from the Black Market to Buy “Legal” Cannabis?

As I stand in my buddy Steve’s garage smoking a well-deserved joint at the end of a long day, talk turns to the fact that even though he’s smoked for decades, and has good friends in the legal cannabis industry, he has yet to set foot inside a single legal cannabis store.

When I asked him why not, his response was simple: “Why should I change anything about where I get my weed?”

It’s a great question; one that pretty much every person that consumed cannabis for years, if not decades, before it became legal, has to ask themselves.

The fact is that for most people who already have a reliable plug, there isn’t much to attract them away from the black or grey markets they currently utilize.

Inconsistent quality, lack of supply, ridiculous packaging, inconvenient hours of operation and high prices are all reasons to avoid the legal pot shops in the first year of legalization, and if you don’t have a reliable hook-up already, what’s offered online or in the many grey-market dispensaries all over Canada is way more attractive than anything you can buy legally.

And since legalization, there appears to be much more attention paid to restrict the actions of those who went through the legal licensing process to open up shop than has ever been applied to shutting down those who opened up without bothering with legalities.

So what exactly gives the legal market an advantage over the existing black and grey markets?

In my opinion, and the opinions of just about everyone I know that smoked before legalization, the answer is: currently, nothing.

Those who truly love the plant and are willing to invest hundreds if not thousands of dollars as regular customers will need to be wooed over to the legal side, not by appealing to their sense of morality or lawfulness, but rather, by providing what the black market can’t: safety, consistency and focused, high-quality cannabis experiences — at a price that considers existing appetites for cost.

True, even the most loyal black-market buyer thinks it’s nice to walk down the street to buy a pre-roll when they are out on the town and on empty. But that won’t be enough to accomplish the type of legal market promised to us by the Canadian Government in 2016.

The legal market needs to consider/adjust four things as it attempts to remove the current stigma attached to buying cannabis at a retail outlet:

1. Price: People are willing to pay a bit more for convenience, consistency and quality, but only if all three are way above average. Right now, the prices are higher than the black market, and the quality, weight and consistency are all (often) below average.

2. Products: Adults are ready to be trusted with cannabis the same way they are trusted with alcohol; let them decide how they want to consume it. Edibles, pure-CBD, extracts and other alternatives all need to be made legal so that anyone that wants to consume, can do so responsibly, however they choose. As well, those products that are currently being produced in multi-million dollar facilities, need to separate themselves from the basement-grown black market.

3. Packaging: The existing laws surrounding cannabis packaging do very little to help drive safety and responsibility, as they claim, and do a ton to frustrate buyers, dilute the culture and hurt the environment.

4. Policy: The delays in license approvals have led to products remaining in vaults for too long, which leads to a lack of products in the stores when they are needed, and dried out, poor quality, short weight products being sold, with no clear path or policy to complain and receive compensation for poor-quality products. The stores blame the LPs, the LPs blame the system, and the system seems to care very little about the common customer.

If the true purpose of legalizing cannabis in Canada is to provide a valuable product to those who can truly benefit from its use, then the industry needs to rectify its shortcomings to-date, and clearly communicate the “why” behind its justification for replacing the black market.

Cannabis Types (Sativa, Hybrid, Indica)

When it comes to understanding the different types of cannabis, understanding the difference between Sativa and Indica strains is a good place to start.

Origins: while both types of plants are now available worldwide, Indica is said to have originated in the Middle East while Sativas were originally grown close to the equator.

Plant Size and Shape: Indicas have broad leaves and grow around 3-4 feet high, while Sativas have slender leaves growing as high as 20 feet. As a result, the amount of buds yielded by each type is between 1 – 3 ounces per Indica plant and from 3 ounces to a pound per Sativa plant.

Time to Harvest: Cannabis plants take time to flower and produce their buds. The time for each type of plant is different with Indicas requiring only 8-12 weeks whereas Sativas can take between 10-16 weeks.

• Flavour: The flavours of cannabis are practically endless, but as a rule, Indicas produce sweet, fruity flavours, while Sativas are traditionally earthy, woody in nature.

Hybrids are a combination of both Sativa and Indica-dominant strains and can be found in a countless variety of ratios.

Generally speaking, Sativas produce an intense, uplifting, active high, while Indicas produce a more lazy, stoned effect.

Need an easy way to remember? In-di-ca will often put its user in-da-couch.

Indicas are great if you are looking for physical or mental relaxation making this suitable for nighttime use while relaxing in front of the tv or just hanging out stress free.

But beware, if you want to avoid the ‘munchies’ associated with cannabis use, then Indicas probably aren’t for you. They typically increase the user’s appetite, which is great for those seeking that effect, but not so great for those of us trying to avoid eating an entire package of Oreos.

On the other hand, sativa strains can increase the users focus and creativity, getting them off the couch and engaged in activity. Ideal for responsible daytime use, Sativas are also a go-to for people dealing with anxiety, depression or chronic pain thanks to its ability to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain.

These are just a few of the differences between the two types of cannabis you will come across. Trying both, along with due diligent research, should help you find the ideal cannabis product fit for your unique needs.

Is Cannabis Dangerous?

With Canada’s legalization of cannabis, all kinds of people have been exposed to new stores, messaging and an apparent increase in use as what used to be taboo is now very much in the mainstream.

For years, Canadians have been able to access cannabis for their medical needs, but were unable to purchase recreationally. Legalization has rekindled conversations about its fit in our society, primarily within the context of safety and lifestyle fit. Two very common conversations revolve around cannabis versus alcohol usage and cannabis versus prescription medications safety.

With an ever-growing amount of education surrounding the long-term effects of cannabis products, the facts remain consistently in favour of cannabis being a lot less deadly than commonly accepted alternatives.

In 2015, there were 5,082 alcohol-attributable deaths in Canada, according to a study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation cited by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI),and in a 2017 report released by CIHI, alcohol poisoning, alcohol withdrawal, liver disease, chronic alcohol abuse and other conditions that are “100 per cent caused by the harmful consumption of alcohol” accounted for about 77,000 hospital admissions.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recognizes alcohol as the leading cause of injury and death in Canada, including those resulting from impaired driving and from alcohol-linked illnesses.

Prescription painkillers are also reported to kill tens of thousands of people yearly, and are responsible for contributing to a growing, national opioid epidemic.

A 2017 Globe and Mail article states:

Despite a national epidemic of opioid abuse and overdoses, prescriptions for painkillers – as well as therapies for treating dependency – have increased, new figures show.

Retail pharmacies across Canada dispensed 19 million prescriptions for opioids in 2016, up slightly from 18.9 million in 2015, according to estimates by health-data company QuintilesIMS. Prescriptions climbed six per cent over the past five years.

Overprescribing is behind the epidemic, which has worsened in recent years with the arrival of illicit fentanyl, leading to a sharp spike in overdose deaths. Canada ranks as the world’s second-biggest consumer of pharmaceutical opioids.

By comparison, deaths caused by cannabis alone, are hard to find.

Can You Overdose on Cannabis?

To overdose on THC requires consumption that’s next to impossible to achieve. Judge Francis Young once concluded, “A smoker would theoretically have to consume nearly 1,500 pounds of cannabis within minutes to induce a lethal response.”

However, that isn’t to say that cannabis is 100% free of risks. The truth is that while cannabis is far less lethal than alcohol and opioids, it is a product that alters the mind and should always be consumed responsibly, in amounts and potencies that are sufficient to your needs.

Cannabis Stigmas

Cannabis legalization in Canada started October 17th, 2018, and as far as Alberta is concerned, the roll-out has been anything but smooth. Confusion over the laws, delays in approval processes and a general lack of sufficient supply has led to frustrations.

As with anything new, there exists an inevitable period of discomfort and adjustment, when outdated mentalities, opinions and stigmas are broken down and re-evaluated to make way for the future’s new views, ideas and opportunities.

Cannabis legalization promised to take a plant that the majority of the world sees for its beneficial attributes, drag it out of the back alleys and black market and into the light, and realize opportunities that only exist in the world’s legal markets. The misguided, fear-based stigmas that began in the early 20th century as a means of controlling industry and ensuring profits stayed in the hands of established big-business were finally going to be replaced with accurate, fact-based education surrounding a plant that can do more beneficial things for more people in-need than most individuals understand.

Those of us who were already sold on the benefits of cannabis looked forward to the chance to finally share it with the masses, fearlessly, within the context of a legal industry bursting with opportunity. Unfortunately, even though the message of the merits of legal cannabis appeared to be generally accepted by the public, a new stigma began to emerge; one that suggested legal cannabis couldn’t compete with the black market’s product quality, availability and price.

A significant disconnect between the supply and demand for the product had Alberta’s retail locations and the public they served, frustrated by limited availability, stale products and underweight offerings that nobody appeared to be willing to take responsibility for. As well, confusion surrounding why some forms of cannabis are legal while others aren’t ,has those who don’t want to smoke dried cannabis still anxiously awaiting for the edibles and extracts they prefer to be legalized as well. Unsatisfied customers complained to store owners, who turned to the LPs and AGLC for answers; but answers were few and far between. Six months into legalization, the industry’s ability to provide for the growing demand for cannabis within Alberta is improving slowly, but we believe there is room within our industry and our province to drastically improve the image of legal cannabis.

Our brand seeks out opportunities to improve upon that which has come before us and continue to carry the torch of cannabis education as the industry continues to evolve to reach and appeal to countless new generations and communities of people.

Starting now, we will guide those interested in learning the truth behind legal cannabis’ ability to provide:

• Significant health benefits • Business and investment opportunities • Alternative consumption options • Unmatched quality and consistency • Evolved growth and production technology • Engaged community of like-minded enthusiasts

We are Stigma Grow – and we are influencing the perception of cannabis one incredible offering at a time.

Cannabis: CBD Versus THC

With the relatively recent legalization of cannabis in Canada, many people who previously had no interest in exploring what was classified as an illegal drug, are now open to becoming educated on the reality behind its many offerings and advantages.

At Canadabis, our goal is to ensure Albertans are equipped with a proper education surrounding the products we grow and the opportunities, dangers and differences that exist between, and within, each of them.

The biggest difference we would like to present here is that between the two natural compounds found in the plant: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

The main difference between these two chemical elements is fairly straightforward: THC is psychoactive, while CBD is not.

Most people describe cannabis as a drug used by people to illicit psychoactive effects, but it also features other chemicals that provide different, often opposite, effects. While both CBD and THC can be found in cannabis, each unique strain rearranges their atoms in a variety of complex ways to produce widely different effects. The result is countless applications and combinations interacting with our endocannabinoid system differently, producing a wide-range of beneficial offerings that can address any number of real-world needs.

CBD versus THC

CBD The scientific benefits of CBD are still being explored today, but what we do know is that CBD, just like THC, causes a broad range of effects in our bodies by interacting with our CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors found in the endocannabinoid system.

CB1 receptors are located in the brain, and affect mood, pain sensors, appetite, memory, ET

CB2 receptors affect the immune system and respond to cannabis’ anti-inflammatory effects.

THC

THC penetrates the brain, stimulating cells to release ‘dopamine’. The initial results of this release are typically reduced stress and an increase in happiness, relaxation and pain relief.

THC can also affect a person’s memory and ability to accurately perceive time, and in extreme cases can lead to hallucinations and delusional thinking. How THC affects your body and mind will be different for everybody, and usually takes between 10-20 minutes to reach its full effect (edibles can take longer).

Hopefully this gives you a basic understanding of the differences between CBD and THC. We recommend extensive research as a way to determine whether cannabis is the right product for your needs.