VIVO Cannabis
VIVO Cannabis was a Canadian licensed cannabis producer that developed medical and recreational cannabis brands before becoming a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs Corp. in 2023.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
VIVO Cannabis Inc. was a Canadian licensed cannabis producer headquartered in Napanee, Ontario. The company operated in the regulated Canadian cannabis market under the corporate name VIVO Cannabis and was formerly known as ABcann Global. Its business combined cultivation, processing, medical-cannabis services and branded product distribution. The company’s principal consumer and medical brands were Beacon Medical, Fireside and Lumina. VIVO was among the early participants in Canada’s federally regulated medical-cannabis industry. In 2014, it received two of the first 15 cannabis licences issued by Health Canada. This early regulatory position gave the company a foundation in medical cannabis before Canada’s adult-use market opened. VIVO later became a public company in April 2017 through a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange. In August of that year, Cannabis Wheaton invested $15 million to help finance a second production facility at VIVO’s 65-acre property in Napanee. The company’s shares moved from the TSX Venture Exchange to the Toronto Stock Exchange effective January 24, 2020. The company’s operating model emphasized controlled cultivation and technology-assisted plant management. Its cannabis was grown from seeds sourced from the Netherlands, and a computerized system was used to monitor and control individual plants. VIVO also maintained a research partnership with the University of Guelph, intended to support improvements in cannabis production and applications. These activities reflected the company’s effort to position itself as a scientifically managed, quality-oriented producer rather than solely as a commodity cultivator. VIVO expanded beyond cultivation through acquisitions. In February 2018, it acquired Harvest Medicine Inc., a medical-cannabis clinic business that served approximately 9,700 patients at the time described in the available reference material. The acquisition gave VIVO a direct medical-services and patient-support channel. In August 2018, VIVO acquired Canna Farms, a licensed producer based in Hope, British Columbia. Canna Farms extended the company’s cultivation footprint and provided access to British Columbia’s regulated cannabis supply chain. Following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, VIVO supplied provincial distribution systems. It worked with the Ontario Cannabis Store and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission as a supplier of recreational cannabis in Ontario and Alberta. Through Canna Farms, it supplied recreational cannabis to British Columbia via the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch. The company therefore operated across medical and adult-use channels, with provincial distribution arrangements forming an important part of its market access. VIVO’s corporate independence ended in April 2023, when it merged with TSX-listed MediPharm Labs Corp. in an all-stock transaction. The transaction made VIVO a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs. As a result, VIVO ceased to operate as an independent publicly traded company, although its brands, assets and operating activities became part of the MediPharm organization. The available reference material does not establish a separate current consumer-facing status for each VIVO brand after the transaction.
History
VIVO Cannabis Inc., formerly ABcann Global, emerged from Canada’s early regulated medical-cannabis industry. The company received two of the first 15 licences issued by Health Canada in 2014, giving it an early foothold in a market that was then organized primarily around federally regulated medical access. Its headquarters and principal cultivation operations were located in Napanee, Ontario, where the company developed a 65-acre property. VIVO became publicly traded in April 2017 through the TSX Venture Exchange. Later that year, Cannabis Wheaton provided a $15 million investment to support construction of a second production facility at the Napanee property. The financing supported VIVO’s attempt to increase production capacity as Canada moved toward broader cannabis legalization and as investor interest in licensed producers grew. The company expanded its capabilities and geographic reach through acquisitions in 2018. In February, it acquired Harvest Medicine Inc., a medical-cannabis clinic business reported to have approximately 9,700 patients. This transaction added a patient-facing medical-services platform to VIVO’s cultivation and product operations. In August, VIVO acquired Canna Farms, a licensed producer in Hope, British Columbia. Canna Farms broadened the group’s production base and later supplied recreational cannabis into British Columbia’s provincial distribution system. VIVO’s production approach relied on seeds sourced from the Netherlands and computerized monitoring and control of individual plants. The company also pursued a research relationship with the University of Guelph to improve cannabis cultivation and explore cannabis uses. Its commercial portfolio included the Beacon Medical, Fireside and Lumina brands, serving medical and recreational segments. After the launch of Canada’s adult-use cannabis framework, VIVO supplied provincial channels in several major markets. It worked with the Ontario Cannabis Store and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission to supply recreational cannabis in Ontario and Alberta. Through Canna Farms, it supplied recreational cannabis to British Columbia through the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch. This structure required the company to work within provincial wholesale and distribution systems rather than relying on a single national retail channel. VIVO’s shares transferred from the TSX Venture Exchange to the Toronto Stock Exchange on January 24, 2020, reflecting its status as a more established public cannabis company. Its independent corporate existence ended in April 2023, when it merged with MediPharm Labs Corp. in an all-stock transaction. VIVO became a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs, and the VIVO entity was no longer an independent publicly traded issuer. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of the post-merger operating status of each VIVO brand.
- 2023
Becomes a MediPharm Labs subsidiary
[1]VIVO merged with MediPharm Labs Corp. in an all-stock deal and became a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs.
- 2020
Moves to the Toronto Stock Exchange
[1]VIVO’s stock began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange after transferring from the TSX Venture Exchange effective January 24, 2020.
- 2018
Acquires Harvest Medicine
[1]VIVO acquired Harvest Medicine Inc., expanding into medical-cannabis clinics and patient services.
- 2018
Acquires Canna Farms
[1]VIVO acquired Canna Farms, a licensed producer based in Hope, British Columbia.
- 2017
Lists on the TSX Venture Exchange
[1]VIVO became a publicly traded company in April 2017 through a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange.
- 2017
Receives expansion investment
[1]Cannabis Wheaton invested $15 million in August 2017 to support a second production facility at VIVO’s Napanee property.
- 2014
Receives two early Health Canada licences
[1]VIVO received two of the first 15 licences issued by Health Canada, establishing an early presence in federally regulated Canadian medical cannabis.
Products and positioning
A regulated Canadian cannabis producer combining controlled cultivation, medical-cannabis services, research collaboration and branded medical and adult-use products.
Medical cannabis brand
Beacon Medical
Beacon Medical was one of VIVO Cannabis’s principal medical-cannabis brands. It was associated with the company’s federally regulated medical channel and complemented VIVO’s clinic and patient-services activities following the acquisition of Harvest Medicine. The available reference material identifies the brand but does not provide a detailed product catalogue or confirmed current status after VIVO became a MediPharm Labs subsidiary.
Adult-use cannabis brand
Fireside
Fireside was one of VIVO Cannabis’s three named cannabis brands. It formed part of the company’s branded portfolio for the Canadian regulated market and was connected with VIVO’s participation in provincial recreational supply channels. Specific product formats, launch dates and post-merger availability are not established in the supplied reference material.
Cannabis brand
Lumina
Lumina was a named VIVO Cannabis brand within the company’s cannabis portfolio. The available source identifies it as one of VIVO’s three brands but does not specify a complete range, product formats or a distinct target segment. Its status following VIVO’s 2023 merger with MediPharm Labs is not confirmed by the supplied material.
Brand decisions
2023
Merge with MediPharm LabsM&ABackground
VIVO combined with another publicly listed Canadian cannabis company as the sector continued to consolidate.
Action taken
VIVO merged with MediPharm Labs Corp. in an all-stock transaction.
Aftermath
VIVO became a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs and ceased to operate as an independent publicly traded company.
2018
Acquire Harvest MedicineM&ABackground
VIVO sought to broaden its medical-cannabis activities beyond cultivation and product production.
Action taken
VIVO acquired Harvest Medicine Inc., a medical-cannabis clinic business.
Aftermath
The acquisition added a clinic and patient-services component to VIVO’s business. The available material describes Harvest Medicine as serving approximately 9,700 patients at the time.
2018
Acquire Canna FarmsM&ABackground
VIVO pursued additional licensed production capacity and a stronger presence in British Columbia.
Action taken
VIVO acquired Canna Farms, a licensed producer located in Hope, British Columbia.
Aftermath
Canna Farms became part of VIVO’s operating group and supplied recreational cannabis to British Columbia through the provincial liquor distribution system.
Recent events
- 2023
MediPharm Labs and VIVO Cannabis complete merger[1]
M&A
VIVO merged with TSX-listed MediPharm Labs Corp. in an all-stock transaction and became a subsidiary of MediPharm Labs.
- 2020
VIVO moves its listing to the Toronto Stock Exchange[1]
Other
VIVO’s shares moved from the TSX Venture Exchange to the Toronto Stock Exchange effective January 24, 2020.
- 2018
VIVO acquires Harvest Medicine[1]
M&A
VIVO acquired Harvest Medicine Inc., a medical-cannabis clinic business described as serving approximately 9,700 patients at the time.
- 2018
VIVO acquires Canna Farms[1]
M&A
VIVO acquired Canna Farms, a licensed producer located in Hope, British Columbia.
- 2017
Cannabis Wheaton invests $15 million in VIVO’s expansion[1]
M&A · Other
Cannabis Wheaton invested $15 million to help fund a second production facility at VIVO’s 65-acre Napanee property.
- 2017
VIVO becomes publicly traded[1]
Other
VIVO began trading publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange in April 2017.
- 2014
VIVO Cannabis receives early Health Canada licences[1]
Regulation
VIVO received two of the first 15 licences issued by Health Canada, establishing its early position in Canada’s regulated medical-cannabis sector.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/vivo-cannabis · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled