Recent studies suggest that newly-legalized hemp may help a critically important species – bees.

Scientists have been warning about the consequences of dwindling bee populations for years as these pollinators are responsible for about 70% of all food crops.

And humans aren’t the only species that depends on the pollination provided by bees – a host of other animals depend on the plants pollinated by these creatures.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD), which affects beehives around the world, results in significant economic losses and is a serious threat to the ecosystem.

Would you like gummies with that?

Edmonton tourists and residents could be asking that at one of Canada’s first legal cannabis cafes this year, if one city councillor gets his way.

Coun. Mike Nickel of Ward 11 said his motion to set up cannabis cafe regulations is gaining steam after holding several meetings with Alberta industry players and regulators over the last two months.

Cannabis consumption cafes are coming to the city of Edmonton this year, says city councillor Mike Nickel.

Ontario launched a consultation process Monday to solicit input about potentially permitting cannabis consumption in lounges, outdoor festivals and concerts across the province.

The provincial government said it is collecting feedback now to explore future policies that could result in a more open cannabis market, although no changes to existing legislation are expected and there is no timeline provided on when a decision could be made. Any new legislation tabled by the Ontario government is also expected to leave smoke-free laws intact, meaning that there would be no public indoor smoking or vaping permitted in the province.

Soon after cannabis products started flying off shelves following legalization, Canopy Growth Corp. had an $26.9 million problem.

The Smiths Falls, Ont.-based company told investors and analysts during a November conference call to discuss its financial results that it was grappling with $20.5 million worth of product being returned from provincial retailers and bracing itself for another $6.4 million worth that was on the way.

In the previous quarter it had taken an $8-million writedown for unsold oil and gel caps.

Marijuana companies have many battles towards profitability, causing investors to sour on cannabis stocks.

Making money in the marijuana industry isn’t easy. Due to the plant’s federally illegal status, it prohibits cannabis companies from accessing many financial services available to other entrepreneurs. Failure is not an option, as bankruptcy or short-term loans aren’t accessible in many cases. Instead, companies have relied on capital infusions from investors to grow in the market.

As we enter into the second half of the month, it seems as though a few marijuana stocks are attempting to make their mark. This is characterized by shifts in business models as well as the trading patterns from pot stock investors. For anyone who has been trading marijuana stocks know that last year was not kind to the bulls. But, since the beginning of January, we have seen quite the uptick in bullish sentiment in the industry. This is a solid sign for future growth and something that has gotten many investors excited recently.

The CBD industry has a dirty little secret that may leave customers feeling let down by their latest cannabis-infused purchase.

The practice, known as weed-washing, occurs when companies add hemp oil that contains little or no CBD to their products in an attempt to financially benefit from the enormous popularity of the compound found in cannabis.

The new trend appears most common in the beauty industry, according to U.S.-based publication, The Fresh Toast, and risks alienating consumers who do not experience the CBD benefits they were promised.

Canopy Growth Corp.’s cannabis-infused products may have been delayed in Canada, but they keep popping up south of the border.

The foray into U.S. markets, which began late last year with the roll out of First & Free, a hemp-derived CBD product line, now appears to include items under the BioSteel Sports Nutrition label, a brand that Canopy purchased a 72 per cent stake in last October.

To say that there have been big changes in the Canadian cannabis landscape in recent months would be a major understatement. Although Canada was expected to be a global marijuana pioneer given that it was the first industrialized country in the modern era to green-light recreational pot, a number of regulatory issues have stymied growth. As a result, most Canadian pot stocks continue to lose money, and many have needed to adjust their game plans, accordingly.

A rash of cannabis company layoffs and executive departures in recent weeks is likely to continue as the industry faces a rocky year, according to observers.

They are anticipating the coming months will bring more dramatic staffing cuts and changes to leadership at small and large cannabis companies alike as they grapple with the recent roll out of edibles, a history of overspending and a lack of profitability.