Two more sub-groups of the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) have merged as the organisation continues to streamline operations.
Members of the standalone cultivators and manufacturers group will come together to form the Australian Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers sub association.
Emily Rigby and Bryan Ebstyne, who led the individual groups, will be co-convenors.
The move follows the merger last month of Cannabis Clinicians Australia (CCA), Australian Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) and Australian Cannabis Pharmacists Association (ACPA) under the CCA banner.
Medical Cannabis Australia
Medical Cannabis Australia (MCA) has launched a budget brand, Skubi, to meet growing demand for lower cost flower.
The supplier said the range includes sativa, indica and hybrid genetics “providing prescribers with reliable options for patients that don’t compromise on cultivation standards or therapeutic efficacy”.
MCA also recently released its first pastille range.
Cannatrek
Cannatrek’s NSW manager, Kevin Nafte, has departed the business after just four months after admitting “sales isn’t for me”.
Nafte joined the business in March having led Lyphe Australia through a transitional period over the previous 12 months.
But writing on LinkedIn, he said the role at Cannatrek was not the right fit.
“The last few months at Cannatrek have been a big learning curve for me. I stepped into a commercial role for the first time, got to experience the final stage of the medicinal cannabis supply chain, and gained a deeper understanding of how this industry works,” he said.
“One thing I learned? Sales isn’t for me. My strengths are in operations, strategy, and building great teams — the things that keep organisations running smoothly and growing sustainably.”
Nafte said he was open to remaining in the cannabis industry.
Meanwhile, Cannatrek executive general manager David Wragg has also left the business, along with head of business development Karen Miller, who has joined Sativite as head of marketing.
Wragg joined Cannatrek in February 2024 while Miller had been with the company for almost five years.
Bod Science
Bod Science reported a net operating cash inflow of $858,000 for the June quarter – up from $42,000 in Q3, driven by an R&D tax refund and continued funding support from Biortica Agrimed.
Customer receipts rose 5% on the previous quarter to $388,000, with the improved cash position also supported by $678,000 in R&D rebates and $255,000 in contributions from Biortica.
Biortica is set to acquire Bod under a proposed transaction first announced in early 2024, with the two parties operating under a Deed of Company Arrangement that remains in effect.
It has yet to complete due to delays in Biortica meeting ASX requirements.
Bod confirmed its proposed transaction with Biortica remains subject to shareholder approval, with plans to finalise the outcome at an extraordinary general meeting expected to be held by September 30.
Althea Group Holdings/Peak Canada
Althea Group Holdings (AGH) subsidiary Peak Canada has launched its first own-brand THC beverage line, Snap Back, as it begins life without its medical division.
The debut product, a strawberry vanilla cream rosin-infused beverage, is available in Ontario and Manitoba, with submissions underway for distribution in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Canadian company previously operated solely as a contract manufacturer for third-party brands in the THC drinks category.
The move into direct-to-retail sales is intended to make use of Peak’s existing production capacity and give the firm a presence in product segments not currently covered by its customers.
AGH chief executive Josh Fegan said the strategy is intended to support low-cost growth by expanding Peak’s own product line.
“Snap Back is a commercially disciplined and strategically aligned extension of our capabilities in THC beverages,” he said.
“By entering underdeveloped product niches with minimal go-to-market cost, we are able to generate incremental value without compromising the integrity of our contract manufacturing relationships.”
The launch follows AGH’s exit from the Australian market, after Tasmanian Botanics acquired its local medicinal cannabis division earlier this year.