[PRESS RELEASE] – OTTAWA, Ontario, June 22, 2026 – The Cannabis Council of Cannabis has made the difficult decision to suspend active operations and move into a period of dormancy.
This decision reflects the significant headwinds facing Canada’s licensed cannabis sector. Across the industry, companies continue to navigate a challenging operating environment marked by financial pressure, regulatory complexity and a highly active illicit sector, as well as overall significant market constraints. These conditions have placed real strain on organizations and their operating models across the sector, including the associations that work to represent them.
The council is proud of the role it has played in advocating for a responsible, competitive and sustainable legal cannabis industry in Canada. While it will not be operating in the same active capacity during this period, its work, records and institutional knowledge will be preserved so that the program made is not lost.
The need for coordinated national advocacy remains clear, even as the same financial, regulatory and market pressures affecting licensed operators have constrained the resources available to sustain a national association at its current level of activity. The board will now take time to consider the council’s future and the role it can continue to play in advancing the sector’s policy priorities.
The board of directors would also like to recognize Paul McCarthy, outgoing president of the council. Over the past two years, he helped guide the organization through a period of significant challenge while advancing a focused policy agenda on behalf of Canada’s legal cannabis industry.
“The council has been fortunate to have had a president who led with professionalism, dedication and integrity during an exceptionally challenging period for the cannabis sector,” said Megan McCrae, acting chair of the Cannabis Council of Cannabis. “Paul did an outstanding job representing the organization, supporting members and engaging constructively with government and stakeholders to ensure the industry’s voice was heard clearly and credibly. His tenure provides a strong foundation for any future work to advance the shared interests of Canada’s legal cannabis industry.”
On behalf of the council and its members, we offer our sincere thanks to Paul for his leadership and dedication.
