Over the second half of 2019, headlines surrounding growth and
product diversification in the Canadian cannabis industry gave way
to speculation about its future potential failures, insolvencies
and consolidations.
In 2019, five Canadian cannabis companies became subject to
formal insolvency proceedings under the Companies’
Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) or the Bankruptcy and
Insolvency Act (the BIA). The first was Ascent Industries
Corp. in March of 2019, which filed for protection under the CCAA.
Followed by secured creditors applying under the BIA to appoint
receivers over the property and assets of each of 2368523 Ontario
Ltd. (dba Curative Cannabis) and DionyMed Brands Inc. In December
2019, Wayland Group Corp. and AgMedica Bioscience Inc. each filed
for protection under the CCAA.