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Bringing together more than 130 leaders, the AQIC’s annual general meeting highlighted the economic importance of hemp and cannabis for Quebec, the many initiatives currently underway to structure the industry, and the strategic potential of hemp for regional development and the ecological transition. 

In an industry where compliance, safety, and consistency are essential, companies in the hemp and cannabis sector need to be able to rely on trustworthy partners who can support them at every stage of their growth. With this in mind, we’re pleased to introduce STERIS, a member of AQIC, through an interview with David Terranova, Senior Director of Plant Operations.

L’administration américaine a annoncé la reclassification du cannabis médical vers une catégorie fédérale moins restrictive, le faisant passer de l’annexe I — aux côtés de substances comme l’héroïne — à l’annexe III, où l’on retrouve notamment des médicaments comme le Tylenol avec codéine. Cette décision marque un tournant majeur pour l’industrie. Elle ouvre la voie à un allègement fiscal pour les producteurs autorisés et pourrait également favoriser l’avancement de la recherche.

Since legalization, cannabis use has declined among teenagers. In 2025, 19% of young people aged 15 to 20 reported having used cannabis, compared to 28% in 2018. Conversely, use has increased slightly among adults aged 35 and older, contributing to the rise in the overall percentage of Quebecers who report using cannabis: 17% in 2025, compared to 14% in 2018.

Canadian cannabis producer Organigram Global has acquired Germany’s cannabis company Sanity Group to expand its European presence into regulated cannabis markets.

In Quebec, fewer and fewer young people are using psychoactive substances such as tobacco, alcohol, or cannabis. One exception is e-cigarettes, whose popularity has increased significantly over the past ten years.

A new Canada-wide scientific assessment has found that alcohol causes more harm overall than any other drug in the country—ranking far above tobacco, opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis.

According to a new study conducted by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, CBD and CBG may help improve liver function and reduce certain markers associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, commonly known as fatty liver disease. This condition is estimated to affect about one in three adults worldwide. This represents a promising breakthrough, not only for cannabinoid research but also for public health.

In 2025, the cannabis industry generated nearly $11.6 billion in GDP in Canada. Cultivation and processing accounted for the largest share, with approximately $10.647 billion—a 31% increase over 2024. Retailers contributed $946 million, an increase of 5%.

France is (once again) reviving the issue of medical cannabis with a new timetable for its rollout across the country. The Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) is expected to give its opinion in the fall. If it is favorable, rollout could begin in 2027, potentially opening up access to more than 400,000 patients.

As Guillaume Dubé from the University of Montreal explains: “I found it a bit inconsistent that there weren't many studies on people who use it without any problems. There's a kind of stigma surrounding the substance, a kind of generalized belief that it automatically causes problems, which isn't the case.”

The SQDC posted growth in the third quarter: net income of $43.6 million, total sales of $253.7 million, and 6.4 million transactions. Demand is on the rise, driven by both an increase in the number of stores and growth in online sales. Meanwhile, the average price remains stable at around $5.64/g (including taxes, all products combined).