According to recent predictions by BDS Analytics, the CBD market will reach somewhere close to $20 billion in sales by the year 2024. That’s a 49 percent compound annual growth rate, a bit shocking for a substance that was almost entirely outlawed less than a decade ago. Here are three profitable trends in the CBD market that entrepreneurs should know about, especially those already building products and companies in the "CannaTech" space.

For many people, drinking and drug use go together. And contrary to popular belief, that might be a good thing.

Researchers at the National Institute of Scientific Research at Canada’s University of Quebec have produced some interesting figures on the number of cannabis users who are affected by alcohol-related diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.

Heavy drinkers who never touched cannabis had a 90% chance of developing liver problems later in life.

But heavy drinkers who were also moderate cannabis smokers, the study found, only had about an 8% chance.

Even more dramatically, for heavy drinkers who were also big-time pot smokers the likelihood of liver trouble went down to about 1.4%.

One year after the legalization of cannabis, the Regina Police Service has not seen an increased amount of cannabis impaired driving, notable increases in youth using, or an increase in people using at work. 

At the Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, the police service said that in many aspects it has been "business as usual" as the illegal production, distribution and use of the drug were not new. 

The report said while cannabis is important to the service, it does not have the same "pressing public safety concerns" as cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. ​

Patsy Copus makes batches of pot-infused gummy bears or cannabis-coated chocolate strawberries every few weeks to help with her arthritis and other medical conditions.

Although cannabis edibles are expected to be sold legally in stores in December, the Windsor, Ont., resident said buying them will likely be a financial struggle.

Health Canada has capped the amount of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) allowed in food and drinks to 10 milligrams — a restriction Copus said wouldn't meet the needs of some users.

"So for a person who has to take more of a higher dosage, that would be so expensive for them. They couldn't even afford it," said Copus, explaining cost is one of the reasons she makes her own edibles.

A council of London youth who have studied the vaping habits of their peers say new provincial rules that restrict the advertisement of vaping products inside Ontario convenience stores and gas stations don't go far enough. 

On Friday, Ontario announced new rules that would only permit the advertisement of vape and vape accessories inside vape stores and cannabis retail stores — both of which are only open to people who are 19 and older

"Restricting the promotion of vapour products will help prevent youth from being exposed and influenced by promotion in retail settings," Health Minister Christine Elliott said a release from the province Friday. 

Cannabis producers are proving you can judge a book by its cover.

With heavy restrictions on what they are allowed to put on legal packaging, many Canadian growers are making a statement with the packaging itself.

“We’ve been hearing nothing but negative energy (about) the packaging strategies that have a lot of paper and a lot of waste,” Troy Dezwart, executive director and co-founder of Alberta-based Freedom Cannabis told the Winnipeg Free Press.

There are many myths and legends that surround Halloween night, and some are even rooted in truth and in history. Others, however, are not.

For example, the origin of the “poisoned Halloween candy” story that returns every year to bedevil parents dates back to 1964 in Long Island, New York, when a disturbed housewife there handed out treats containing arsenic. The woman, 47, claimed it was a “joke” and that she did it because she thought some of the trick-or-treaters who rang her doorbell were “too old.” She was later committed to a hospital for examination.

One year into the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada and local investors are poised to cash in on cannabis tourism.

More than 140 Investors and cannabis-industry experts met for a first-of-its-kind cannabis tourism summit at Blue Mountain Resort called New Heights.

Jennifer Mason hosted the summit; aimed at bringing together business people and advocacy groups in or looking to enter the budding business.

“All that stigma stuff I think is going to go away because you’re going to see gourmet cooking experiences with cannabis and wellness,” said Mason.

The Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), the province’s government cannabis retailer, is celebrating weed’s first birthday with a special line of 20 ‘Canniversary’ products.

In addition to the limited-run products, the online store has also made improvements to help users find their way around, and is scheduled to begin a pilot project in Toronto (with a gradual expansion to other areas) for same-day shipping. 

Of the 20 products, here are some under $20.

The cannabinoids in marijuana not only assist in blocking nerve pain, but they limit the side effects of typical prescription drugs. 

Whether it’s after a long workout or a moving injury, soreness and stiffness can complicate anyone’s life, but they don’t have to. With the rise of opioid addiction, is it possible that marijuana and CBD can alleviate some of the symptoms of sports and back injuries?