Two additional sub-groups within the Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) have combined, continuing the organisation's push toward consolidation.
The previously separate cultivators and manufacturers groups will unite under a single body called the Australian Cannabis Cultivators and Manufacturers sub association.
Emily Rigby and Bryan Ebstyne, who each led one of the original groups, will share the role of co-convenor in the new structure.
The consolidation 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 introduced a new budget-tier brand called Skubi, responding to increased demand for more affordable flower products.
The company said the range covers 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 brought its first pastille range to market.
Cannatrek
Kevin Nafte, who was serving as Cannatrek's NSW manager, has left the company after only four months, acknowledging that "sales isn't for me".
Nafte had come on board in March after steering Lyphe Australia through a period of transition over the prior year.
In a post on LinkedIn, he explained that the Cannatrek position had not suited him.
"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 remains open to staying within the cannabis sector.
In separate departures from the company, Cannatrek executive general manager David Wragg has also moved on, as has head of business development Karen Miller, who has taken up a head of marketing role at Sativite.
Wragg had joined Cannatrek in February 2024, while Miller had been with the business for close to five years.
Bod Science
Bod Science posted a net operating cash inflow of $858,000 for the June quarter, a significant improvement from $42,000 in Q3, driven by an R&D tax refund and continued financial support from Biortica Agrimed.
Customer receipts climbed 5% on the prior quarter to $388,000, with the stronger cash position also buoyed 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 both parties currently operating under a Deed of Company Arrangement.
Completion has been delayed by Biortica's difficulties meeting ASX listing requirements.
Bod confirmed the proposed deal with Biortica still requires shareholder approval, with the company planning to resolve the matter at an extraordinary general meeting expected before September 30.
Althea Group Holdings/Peak Canada
Peak Canada, a subsidiary of Althea Group Holdings (AGH), has unveiled its first proprietary THC beverage line, Snap Back, as the company moves forward following the sale of its medical division.
The opening product — a strawberry vanilla cream rosin-infused drink — is currently on shelves in Ontario and Manitoba, with distribution submissions lodged for British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Until now, Peak Canada had worked exclusively as a contract manufacturer producing THC beverages for third-party brands.
The shift into direct retail is designed to put Peak's existing production capacity to work and give the business a foothold in product categories not covered by its contract customers.
AGH chief executive Josh Fegan said the move is part of a plan to grow Peak's own product portfolio at low cost.
"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 comes after AGH wound down its Australian operations, following Tasmanian Botanics' acquisition of its local medicinal cannabis division earlier this year.
