Cannabis 2.0 Is Really Here - New Distribution and R&D Bolster Extract Capabilities

Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering cannabis and hemp stocks releases a special report on the accelerated growth within the extracts and "Cannabis 2.0" categories as more companies further distribution and expand R&D capabilities, featuring Phyto Extractions Inc. (formerly Adastra Labs Holdings Ltd.) (CSE: XTRX).

Read the full cannabis stocks article on Investorideas.com

https://www.investorideas.com/news/2021/cannabis/04280Cannabis-2.asp

The global cannabis extract market size was valued at USD 7.3 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 16.6% over the forecast period to 2027 says Grandview Research.

One company set to capitalize on this extract growth is Phyto Extractions Inc. (formerly Adastra Labs Holdings Ltd.) (CSE: XTRX). Phyto Extractions™ is an agricultural-scale cannabis extraction, distillation and product manufacturer located in Langley, BC at its co-located Health Canada Licensed Standard Processing (extraction and products, no cultivation), Sales (extracts, topicals and edibles) and R&D through Adastra Labs Inc. and Analytical Testing Laboratory through Chemia Analytics Inc.

According to Phyto Extractions news, "The current cannabis extract market has seen a huge boom in sales from the past year, in which demands for cannabis extracts are rising steadily. Canadian cannabis extract sales observed an exponential 315% growth rate for the past two years, from 320,201 non-medical sales in Oct. 2019 to 1,328,769 sales in Oct. 2020, and over 200% sales growth rate including all medical and non-medical sales. Rising demand for cannabis extract products requires reasonable supplies from producers for cannabis enthusiasts."

The Company recently announced that it has received its Health Canada R&D license addendum in Adastra Labs Inc. that will permit some limited human testing by licensed researchers administering or distributing cannabis to human research subjects using cannabis obtained from a holder of a license for processing in the final form of cannabis.

This R&D license addendum will permit the Company to conduct in-house human testing for taste of various cannabis products for assessment of taste, sights, smell, or touch of cannabis.

"We look forward to initiating human-studies and generating valuable consumer-based data to support our product development pipeline and continue delivering high-quality efficacious cannabis products to Canadians," stated Dr. Kyle Boniface, PhD.

The Company also announced on April 21^st they are now producing cannabis shatter products for the Canadian market after wholly-owned subsidiary Adastra Labs Inc.'s commissioning of new hydrocarbon extraction equipment ahead of schedule.

From the news: "With the arrival of the ExtractionTek Solutions MeP XT70 system, a high-performance hydrocarbon extractor, the team at Phyto Extractions can now process over 400 KG per day of cannabis biomass into a variety of hydrocarbon cannabis concentrate products. Focused on shatter production currently, this translates into over 50kg of high-quality product output per day."

From the news: "Phyto Extractions™ has launched three new shatter cannabis products: Pink Kush, Blue Gorilla OG, and D. Bubba that will serve the over 9 million Canadians currently in the cannabis market with its one-gram offerings. The Company's increasing market share in the disposable vape, vape cartridge, and live resin markets, strengthens the brand's launch of its new flagship 'shatter' product line."

From the news: "With relatively few players in the niche of shatter product space in Canada, this market expansion represents a significant opportunity given the forecasted growth of the Cannabis extract market."

Shatter video: https://youtu.be/Bo4VWLSAT7o

Radient Technologies Inc., a cannabis company utilizing a proprietary extraction and downstream processing platform, in December 2020 announced its licensing agreement with Tunaaaaroom to manufacture and distribute a wide range of premium cannabis extracts targeting recreational cannabis consumers in Canada. Radient will make use of its Health Canada Cannabis Research and Analytical Testing licenses to fully characterize the Tunaaaa strains and evaluate the sensory qualities of extracts formulated to mimic the specific terpene profiles and containing differing cannabinoid profiles and potencies.

Based in Edmonton, Tunaaaa has spent over six years developing the genetics for over 1,000 high-quality cannabis strains containing proprietary terpene profiles. Through this licensing deal, Radient will gain access to Tunaaaa's specific genetics and will engage the Tunaaaa breeders as consultants to help drive product development.

Radient will further make use of its Standard Processing and Sales Licenses to rapidly launch premium distillate dab and vape extracts. Radient plans to bring Tunaaaa's vast catalogue of unique flavours to the market with monthly drops of new terp profiles. Radient and Tunaaaa will also work in collaboration on CBD and CBN distillate dabs to create additional unique terpene extract products for recreational cannabis consumers.

Future Radient extract products may include Cannabis 2.0 products like diamond, shatter, caviars, live rosin, terp sauce as well as micro cannabinoid isolates and edibles.

The Valens Company Inc., a leading manufacturer of cannabis products, specifically in the Cannabis 2.0 product category recently announced expansion of its distribution in both Manitoba and the Yukon, having entered into an agreement with the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation to supply and distribute a wide range of cannabis products to LGCA-licensed private retailers in the Province of Manitoba, as well as its entry into the Yukon market with a cannabis purchase and sale agreement with the Yukon Liquor Corporation (YLC). With this agreement, Valens expands its distribution network to five provinces in the country.

"Expanding our domestic distribution capabilities is one of our top strategic initiatives to drive growth this year and beyond," said Tyler Robson, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Chair of The Valens Company. "Our entry into the Manitoba market takes us a step further toward capturing larger market share and bringing the Valens advantage to consumers in a new province, enabling greater access to our high-quality products across Canada."

"Our entry into the Yukon market not only furthers our ability to capture market share in Canada, but also broadens the selection and quality of products that consumers in the territory can access," continued Tyler Robson. "We have made significant progress growing our cannabis distribution network and we expect to increase our national position in the short-term as we continue discussions with other private and government-regulated retailers across the country."

Valens has already shipped several products to the province, including A1 Cannabis' Summit 10 THC beverages, Verse Cannabis' Tropic Lemon and Sunset Peach vape carts and 1:20 CBD oil, with additional product formats across various categories expected to be shipped in the coming weeks.

Nextleaf Solutions Ltd., the world's most innovative cannabis processor, announced in March, 2021 that it has commenced human trials of cannabis vapes.

Under its amended Cannabis Research Licence from Health Canada, Nextleaf is collecting sensory evaluation data from qualified volunteers completing organoleptic assessments of a wide variety of formulated cannabis vape products. The Company is comprehensively testing a range of cannabinoid and terpene formulations, including how various vape hardware interacts with different formulations. Nextleaf expects to accelerate product development and drastically shorten design cycles for launching new cannabis vape products by validating formulations and delivery technologies more efficiently.

Forbes wrote a feature around Nextleaf's human trial program on March 30, 2021 and the article can be read here.

"The amended Cannabis Research Licence allows Nextleaf to rapidly formulate a wide variety of cannabis products and administer samples to volunteer research participants," said Nextleaf Solutions R&D Lead, Dr. David Novitski. "The ability to provide commercial partners with data-based consumer insights around taste and overall user experience is a true game changer for product development."

Since becoming legal in Canada, vapes have emerged as the clear leader of all cannabis 2.0 products. According to the most recent data from the Ontario Cannabis Store, the vape category ranks second only to dried flower with 15.7% of all Ontario cannabis sales. In more mature adult-use markets like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, the market share for cannabis vapes reached as high as 22.3%, according to data from Headset. As Canada continues to roll out brick and mortar cannabis retail stores, the vape segment is expected to continue to increase in overall size and market share. The Company believes the CBD vape subcategory could see significant growth should Health Canada regulations change to allow for increased legal access to CBD products. Nextleaf plans to validate its proprietary CBD vape technology under its amended Cannabis Research Licence.

Collecting data-based consumer insights is particularly important in an increasingly competitive market in which initial product launches can dictate the long-term success of a brand.

"There are a lot of subpar vape products available in the market today that have not gone through rigorous testing and human trials," said Nextleaf Solutions CEO Paul Pedersen. "Issues such as poor taste, clogging, leaking, and crystallization in CBD vapes are well documented throughout the industry. Collecting consumer feedback during product development is key to launching differentiated cannabis 2.0 products that provide consumers with a positive experience and value."

Considering the recent cannabis investments by large pharmaceutical and tobacco companies, it is apparent that generating and protecting intellectual property is becoming more important in the next phase of the industry's maturation. Management believes Nextleaf is well positioned with its product innovation pipeline and success securing issued patents in the United States. Nextleaf owns 12 US patents and has been issued over 70 patents globally. Innovation is core to Nextleaf's value proposition, and its ability to differentiate with its patented and patent pending cannabinoid delivery technologies and formulations. The amended Cannabis Research Licence allows Nextleaf to continue to develop, validate, and strengthen its R&D within a federally legal market.

As we see more extract companies expanding their R&D and distribution capabilities, we see a three-fold gain to the industry. This will create accelerated growth and competition in the category, higher quality products for consumers which will be more effective through proper research, as well as important industry data points through having access to proper research techniques which can have a massive benefit to both the medical and recreational market moving forward.

As both the Canadian and US cannabis industries begin to enter into a state of maturation and stability we see the Cannabis 2.0 product category continue to gain a larger sales footing which can only be expected to grow further as consumer awareness rises along with product consistency and availability.

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Cannabis leaf on road marked with "2025," with sunlight in the background.

New Cannabis Consumption Trends, Regulatory Shifts Seen Driving Market in 2025

Understanding trends in the cannabis industry is paramount for investors eyeing a market with steady growth potential, but the landscape is complex as products and regulations continue to evolve.

Consumption habits are changing as edibles, vaping and THC beverages gain traction, especially among younger users, and cannabis companies are adapting their offerings to meet shifting demand.

Meanwhile, regulatory uncertainty, particularly surrounding the future of the US Farm Bill and state-level restrictions on hemp-derived cannabinoids, continues to challenge the market.

Despite these headwinds, production data and long-term growth forecasts suggest the cannabis industry remains on a promising — albeit turbulent — path. Read on for more on key trends to watch in 2025.

Consumption methods evolving post-legalization

Shifts in consumer behavior are reshaping markets across the board, and the cannabis industry is no exception.

While smoking remains the dominant method of cannabis consumption, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the growing popularity of edibles, vaping and dabbing.

The report notes that vaping and dabbing are particularly pronounced among younger adults.

A separate study published by the American Medical Association and funded in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research also points to how product preferences have changed among Canadian users since legalization in 2018.

The study indicates that while the use of flower, cannabis concentrates, oil, tinctures and topicals has decreased during that time, the use of vape cartridges, edibles and beverages has increased.

Edibles and beverages were legalized in Canada in late 2019, and Truss Beverage was one of the first players to introduce cannabis-infused drinks. Truss was a joint venture formed by Molson Coors Canada (TSX:TPX.A,TSX:TPX.B) and HEXO, a cannabis company that has since been acquired by Tilray Brands (TSX:TLRY,NASDAQ:TLRY).

In early 2020, Tilray launched a lineup of confectionery, wellness products and beverages through its subsidiary, High Park; Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NASDAQ:CGC) made a similar move. These companies gradually brought their products to the US as more states legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use.

Today, established cannabis brands typically offer edibles and beverages alongside their other products. Organigram Global (TSX:OGI,NASDAQ:OGI) is one of the newest US entrants, with its April acquisition of Collective Project providing immediate access to the US hemp-derived THC beverage market.

Growing awareness of health and wellness, potentially amplified by the pandemic-led adoption of health trackers, appears to be making an impact on the alcoholic beverage market.

A 2023 Gallup poll reveals a two decade decline in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger adults, suggesting a shift towards more health-conscious lifestyles within this demographic.

Craft beer production declined by 4 percent year-on-year in 2024, according to data collected by the Brewers Association. This marked the largest drop in the industry's history, excluding the pandemic. For small, independent craft breweries, 2024 marked the third consecutive year of declining production. A drop in the number of operating small breweries last year provides further evidence of this trend, with 501 closures in 2024 versus 434 openings.

Challenges in the alcohol market extend beyond the brewing industry, with the New York Times recently reporting the closure of a handful of nightclubs facing decreased alcohol sales alongside rising insurance and rent costs.

Meanwhile, cannabis lounges have been popping up across the US for the last several years. As of early 2025, several states had legalized or were in the process of implementing regulations for cannabis consumption lounges.

Hemp market growth despite regulatory uncertainty

The burgeoning hemp industry is another segment of the expanding cannabis market.

The legalization of industrial hemp — defined as cannabis with a THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less — through the 2018 Farm Bill led to initial investment and optimistic projections for CBD wellness products and various industrial applications. The sector’s rapid evolution also brought the rise of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, creating a market that presented both opportunities and complexities for participants.

However, after an initial boom, a lack of infrastructure and clearly defined regulations for CBD, as well as state-level variations and market oversupply, ultimately contributed to a quick retraction.

2024 was a pivotal year for the US hemp industry, as the hemp-related provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill — originally set to expire in September 2023, but extended to December 31, 2024 — created an urgent need to address critical issues like THC limits and the regulation of novel hemp-derived cannabinoids. A major point of contention was the proposed shift from defining hemp based on Delta-9 THC concentration (0.3 percent or less) to “total THC,” which includes THCA.

This change had the potential to significantly impact farmers and processors, as many hemp varieties that are compliant under the Delta-9 THC rule could exceed the 0.3 percent limit when THCA is included.

Various bills and amendments were proposed in 2024 as part of the Farm Bill discussions, each with different approaches to regulating hemp. Separate regulatory frameworks for industrial hemp and hemp grown for cannabinoids were suggested, and many states took their own action, leading to a patchwork of regulations and even outright bans.

Despite challenges, data from the US Department of Agriculture suggests signs of recovery.

The department's annual National Hemp Report from 2024 points to an 18 percent increase in industrial hemp production value between 2022 and 2023, with output growth seen in specific sectors like floral (18 percent), fiber (133 percent) and seed hemp (414 percent). The 2025 report from the Department of Agriculture indicates further expansion, with notable increases observed in both acreage (up 64 percent from 2023) and value (46 percent).

The 2024 Farm Bill ultimately did not pass, and right now the hemp industry is operating under a temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill under the American Relief Act of 2025, signed into law on December 21, 2024.

The 2018 Farm Bill is now set to expire on September 30, 2025.

While analysts for Markets and Markets project that the North American hemp industry will grow at a CAGR of 22.4 percent and ultimately reach a valuation of US$30.24 billion by 2029, the future of the industry will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the ongoing Farm Bill discussions.

US cannabis legalization remains stalled

Although there is clear demand for cannabis products, the now-defunct rescheduling process in the US is likely to continue casting a shadow of uncertainty over the industry's long-term trajectory.

Legal and procedural delays, including allegations of improper conduct and bias within the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), led to hearing cancellations, and the new administration of US President Donald Trump has brought leadership changes to key agencies like the DEA and the Department of Justice.

Terry Cole, who Trump nominated to be DEA administrator on February 11, has a history of opposing cannabis legalization in the country. Similarly, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to lead the justice department, staunchly opposed a movement to legalize medical cannabis during her tenure as Florida’s attorney general.

While there have been bipartisan efforts in Congress to end federal cannabis prohibition and establish regulations for eventual legalization, the DEA’s actions and statements indicate a potential stall or reversal of progress.

In addition to that, new research is adding complexity to the debate.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry this past March highlights an association between the use of high-potency cannabis strains and increased risks of psychosis, a factor that may not have been fully considered by the Department of Health and Human Services. As stronger cannabis strains become more widely available, a reassessment of their potential health risks may be required.

Investor takeaway

While the cannabis industry holds promise for growth and innovation, investors must remain acutely aware of the regulatory uncertainties and market volatility that will undoubtedly shape its trajectory in the years to come.

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Cannabis for real-time news updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Cronos Group Inc. to Hold 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings Conference Call on February 27, 2025

Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) ("Cronos" or the "Company") will hold its 2024 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings conference call on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Cronos' senior management team will discuss the Company's financial results and will be available for questions from the investment community after prepared remarks.

To attend the conference call or webcast, participants should register online at https://ir.thecronosgroup.com/events-presentations . To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. The webcast of the call will be archived for replay on the Company's website.

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Keep reading...Show less

Cannabis 2.0 Is Really Here - New Distribution and R&D Bolster Extract Capabilities

In this article

Guide to cannabis in Australia: New South Wales

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Victoria

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Queensland

Guide to cannabis in Australia: South Australia

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Western Australia

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Tasmania

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Northern Territory

Guide to cannabis in Australia: Australian Capital Territory

Consumption methods evolving post-legalization

Hemp market growth despite regulatory uncertainty

US cannabis legalization remains stalled

Investor takeaway

1. Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT)

2. Vitura Health (ASX:VIT)

3. IDT Australia (ASX:IDT)

4. Little Green Pharma (ASX:LGP)

5. Neurotech (ASX:NTI)

6. ECS Botanics (ASX:ECS)

7. Cann Group (ASX:CAN)

8. Althea (ASX:AGH)

9. Ecofibre (ASX:EOF)

10. Argent Biopharma (ASX:RGT)

Road to cannabis rescheduling hits another speed bump

Pennsylvania governor proposes legal cannabis market in state budget

Senate committee re-examines the SAFER Banking Act

Aurora, Canopy Growth report earnings

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