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It’s time for your Daily Hit of cannabis financial news for March 2nd, 2021. 

On the Site

Collecting and Storing Cannabis Pollen

Most growers these days are only interested in female plants, but if you want to cross different strains and breed new combinations, you’ll need the pollen. And in fact, few companies sell pollen so it’s actually much more practical to just collect your own. For indoor growers, collecting it is the only option, since nature’s elements are not present to spread the pollen for them.

Pro tip: If you are storing seeds for later pollen collection, best to occasionally pull one out and give it a germination test to make sure the little babies are still active and viable.

 

The Massachusetts Cannabis Industry is a Billion Dollar Marketplace

Cannabis business consulting firm Nucleus One recently released the findings of their February 2021 Massachusetts Adult-Use Marijuana Market Report. Nucleus-One tracks and analyzes data from the Cannabis Control Commission of Massachusetts. February’s report heralded good news for the Commonwealth’s cannabis industry after a short-lived decline in sales in 2020. Since the decline, December and January 2021 saw unprecedented sales, with over 98 active retailers in the state. This growth is due to higher sales in product categories other than flower shares, which hit an all-time low in December. 

 

CBN Market Targets Sleep

The demand for sleep aids and medications has seen a similar surge, and with it the debut of products containing Cannabinol (CBN), a minor cannabinoid with what some claim is a uniquely sedative effect.

Unlike CBD, CBN is not present in significant quantities in fresh marijuana, but when unheated marijuana ages or is exposed to air and light, the THC in it turns to CBN.

 

Circle K Ramps Up Cannabis Ownership

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. or ACT, the owners of Circle K have increased its equity stake in Canadian cannabis company Fire & Flower Holdings Corp.  (OTCQX: FFLWF). ACT announced that it plans to convert all of its approximately $28.5 million outstanding principal amount of 8.0% secured convertible debentures issued in April 2020 as well as the conversion of approximately $23.6 million principal amount of 8.0% unsecured convertible debentures issued to 2707031 Ontario Inc. Following the conversion, ACT will have converted a total of approximately $52 million principal amount of debt to equity and ACT will hold 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Fire & Flower.

 

High Tide Crushes Fourth Quarter, 166% Increase in Revenue

Canadian cannabis retailer, High Tide Inc., (TSXV: HITI) (OTCQB: HITIF), announced their Q4 earnings yesterday for 2020. Despite the curveballs 2020 threw, High Tide landed on top, and reported a 118% increase in revenue bringing the total to $24.9 million for the fourth quarter. The revenue increase accounted for a 166% year-over-year growth, and brought the year’s total earnings to $83.3 million. 

In Other News

NeonMind Biosciences Inc. Files for Four Additional Provisional Patents

NeonMind Biosciences Inc. (CSE: NEON) (OTC:NMBDF) (FRA: 6UF) announced that they have filed four additional provisional patents on psilocybin preclinical data. NeonMind has a consumer products division focusing on medicinal mushroom infused products, as well as a pharmaceutical division focused on drug development of psychedelic compounds. 

The provisional patent features data derived from the company’s initial preclinical trial that began in November 2020. This trial examined the potential use of psilocybin as a treatment for weight loss. NeonMind’s proprietary preclinical data shows promise that both low and high dose psilocybin may reduce weight gain and that the reduction in weight gain can occur in a short period of time. 

“We are encouraged with the preliminary results obtained from our preclinical trial,” says NeonMind President & CEO Robert Tessarolo. “Through an expanded portfolio of patent applications, NeonMind is uniquely positioned to pursue exciting drug development opportunities in the enormously underserved weight management market. There have been so many solutions developed in the past that have disappointed; a new approach is desperately needed. We are actively building out our capabilities to execute the critical phases of drug development needed to support new drug applications to the FDA.” 

 

TILT Holdings Inc. Approved for Cultivation Expansion at Massachusetts Facility 

TILT Holdings Inc. (CSE: TILT) (OTCQX: TLLTF), announced its approval for expanding cultivation at their Massachusetts cultivation and manufacturing facility. The request was approved by Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and set for eight additional grow rooms at its subsidiary, Commonwealth Alternative Care, Inc. The new operations are set to begin later this month. 

“We are pleased to announce the regulatory approval of the second phase of the planned expansion of our 117,000 sq ft cultivation and manufacturing facility in Taunton, Massachusetts,” said Gary Santo, president of TILT. “We now have more than 56,000 sq. ft. of cultivation space with the ability to add a second grow tier to each of the eight new rooms, pending regulatory approval. Once planted, these additional rooms will fortify the supply of premium flower for our Taunton dispensary, and together with our award-winning kitchen and state-of-the art extraction and processing lab, will support the production and distribution of high-quality, consistent products for our brand partners. As we continue to solidify CAC’s presence in the state, we remain committed to working with the CCC to achieve final state licenses permitting medical dispensary operations at our Brockton and Cambridge locations, as well as adult-use operations at both our Brockton and Taunton locations.”

 

Canopy Growth Launches CBD Beverage Brand

Canopy Growth Corporation has launched a CBD beverage brand. The drink is already a top seller in the category after a successful Canadian launch. The brand is called Quatreau, and it contains 20 milligrams of U.S. grown hemp-derived CBD. Quaetreau comes in four refreshing flavors:

• Quatreau CBD-infused Sparkling Water in Cucumber + Mint
• Quatreau CBD-infused Sparkling Water in Passionfruit + Guava
• Quatreau CBD-infused Sparkling Water in Ginger + Lime
• Quatreau CBD-infused Sparkling Water in Blueberry + Acai

“We have proven our beverage strategy in Canada, where we are currently the market share leader in CBD-infused ready-to-drink beverages,” said Canopy Growth President and Chief Product Officer Rade Kovacevic. “Beverages are fueling growth in the CBD category and we believe this product will resonate with U.S. consumers looking for a naturally flavored, zero sugar option.”

The Daily Hit: March 2nd, 2021 on Green Market Report.