Since weed became legal in Canada back in October 2018, Canadian border agents have confiscated way more weed lately but it's not for the reason you'd think. CBSA revealed recently that the number of weed confiscations at the border went up over 60% from 2017 to 2018. In fact, in just over one month after legalization, there were 329 cases where CBSA seized cannabis from travellers at the border. 

Increases in resource revenue and personal income tax have put Alberta on track to finish the fiscal year with a $6.9-billion deficit, $1.9 billion lower than forecast.

The NDP government's third-quarter fiscal update, released Wednesday, contains a strong indication that Albertans will not see a budget prior to the spring election.

It includes an update on the government's "path to balance" by 2023-24, a feature never before included in a quarterly update.

Finance Minister Joe Ceci deflected reporters' questions about the timing of the 2019-20 budget.

"I am preparing a budget. It's the premier's decision when the writ is dropped," he said. "But there will be a Budget 2019."

A city bylaw governing cannabis use in public may not be needed, according to the head of a city council committee who said before last fall’s legalization that local rules should be developed.

Now, considering an absence of complaints from the public, Coun. Julie Friesen tells the News that the city was adequately prepared and provincial guidelines that became the default in Medicine Hat are working.

“We’re not experiencing any of the things we maybe were expecting,” Friesen said Monday. “I think it’s fair to say that we may not need to bring in a bylaw.”

Pot became legal to buy and posses about four months ago, and local authorities have reported little trouble related to the recreational use of the once banned substance.

The owner of Cannabis & Coffee is suing the Ontario government for $1.1 million in damages he claims he incurred over the Ford government's abrupt decision to cap marijuana retail store licenses.

Cannabis & Coffee Inc. filed a statement of claim against the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Attorney General’s Office, stating the company had been “structuring its operations and incurring expenses” in preparation for obtaining a retail license so the coffee shop could be turned into a cannabis store.

People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin says the province should abandon the government-owned system of selling liquor and cannabis for one that gets privately owned stores to do the selling.

Austin's comments on Information Morning Frederictoncome after the CEO of NB Liquor and Cannabis NB Brian Harriman announced last week that he was stepping down.

Austin said the change at the top of the Crown corporation should bring a change in philosophy that would recognize full privatization as being in the province's best interest.

"If you look at other jurisdictions across North America, it's done exceptionally well, including even in our own country in Alberta," said Austin

Although the Yukon Liquor Corporation has begun accepting applications for private cannabis retail sales, none of those licenses can be granted outside the Marwell-area until the City of Whitehorse works out where those shops can and cannot be in the downtown core.

Marwell is currently the only area in Whitehorse zoned for retail pot sales, which is where the government-run pot shop has set up. City council will be considering a bylaw which would allow private cannabis retail sales in the downtown area at the Feb. 25 regular council meeting.

If it passes first reading, a newspaper ad regarding the zoning changes will need to be published March 1 and March 8, followed by a public hearing on March 25 and a report to council April 1.

Canopy Growth, a Smith Falls-based marijuana producer, is teaming up with Quebec’s Couche-Tard, the operator of 15,000 variety stores worldwide under the Circle K and other banners, to enter a licence agreement with an Ontario pot lottery winner planning to open an outlet near White Oaks Mall.

“The council there voted overwhelmingly in favour of retail cannabis locations,” Shega Youngson, Canopy’s community engagement manager, said of council’s 13-1 vote Dec. 18 to allow brick-and-mortar stores.

“It’s exciting to be starting our retail footprint in a community that has been open and welcoming to our new industry.”

The government has no intention of backing down on its decision to increase the legal age to consume cannabis from 18 to 21, says Premier François Legault.

But following a pitch to show more flexibility Tuesday by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, Legault has indicated there may be some wiggle room on the government’s plan to drastically cut the number of public places where pot can be consumed.

He has speculated allowing edibles might be an option, because they do not produce smoke. Under the federal law, dried and fresh cannabis, oil, plants and seeds are legal.

City staff are recommending privately-owned cannabis shops be allowed in Whitehorse’s downtown core, including on Main Street, council heard at the Feb. 18 standing committees meeting.

In 2018, council created a new type of zoning – “Retail Sales, Restricted” – specifically to handle the sale of marijuana and related products. At the time it was implemented it was limited to the Marwell area, where the government-owned pot shop has already opened.

Money in the latest budget that's allocated to go to five shelters in the N.W.T. will go a long way to help people in need, says the executive director of the local YWCA.

Lyda Fuller was at the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday to hear the finance minister lay out the 2019-2020 operating budget. The Northwest Territories government expects to spend about $1.87 billion, slightly more than it brings in, over the next fiscal year.

The budget allocated $4.92 million to address the needs of vulnerable persons. Fuller says that includes an additional $500,000 to five family violence shelters in the territory.