Is Canopy Growth imitating Khiron Life Sciences?

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Khiron Life Sciences (TSXV: KHRN) must be flattered. Last week, Canopy Growth (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) introduced Spectrum Cannabis Peru, as the newest part of CGC’s global Spectrum Cannabis family. CGC says “…this new in-market entity is uniquely positioned to support the opening of the Peruvian market while leveraging Canopy Growth’s global expertise in patient and physician education, as well as in medical cannabis production.”

CGC added Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mark Ware “…is advancing the Company’s commitment to education through participation in a range of medical cannabis-focused events for physicians, healthcare professionals, and cannabis-focused patient groups. This includes addressing healthcare professionals currently attending an introductory course on cannabis held by the medical college of Peru…as well as delivering an address and participating in the First Meeting of American Professional Experts working with Phytocannabinoids…held in Lima.

The conference will also see Dr. Ware, in his capacity as a family physician focused on pain management, participate in the signing of the Lima Declaration on the medical use of cannabis.” Before joining CGC, Dr. Ware was associate professor of family medicine and anesthesia at McGill University and was a leader in research and the medical community’s thinking about cannabis and cannabinoids.

In case you didn’t know it, education and working with physicians and medical professionals is the core of KHRN’s marketing strategy. KHRN’s medical director, Dr. Maria-Fernanda Arboleda is Colombian. Dr. Arboleda is an internationally recognized medical cannabis specialist in pain management and palliative care.

She helps oversee KHRN’s medical cannabis product development program and shape the educational and training strategy for health care professionals.

I would never say anything that Canopy Growth does is substandard but I am reminded of the comment by Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde who said “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” I like both Canopy and Khiron but if you’re talking about Latin America, my pick is Khiron Life Sciences (TSXV: KHRN).