While all eyes are on the launch date for recreational cannabis in Canada —said to come in either late summer or early fall— the medical side of the equation should be getting the attention, as well, because it’s about to get much bigger, says Eric Paul, CEO of licensed producer CannTrust Holdings (TSX:TRST).

The ramp up in Canada’s cannabis sector is ongoing, with industry estimates of sales eventually adding up to between $5 and $8 billion a year. That’s substantial, since by comparison, Canada produces a little under $3 billion of beer a year and about $1 billion in tobacco products. But while the rec market is getting all the focus, the medical marijuana industry both at home and abroad should be getting its props, since it’s growing by leaps and bounds.

On Friday, marijuana enthusiasts celebrate 4-20. And this year, especially, they’ve got plenty to celebrate.

We are not only on the eve of legalization, but those who market, sell and advocate for cannabis say they are tapping into a whole new market of users, too: marijuana for moms.

Former food writer Devon Scoble, who enhances her cooking with cannabis-infused oils, says it’s all part of a living a healthier lifestyle.

“I really like to use coconut oil infusions,” she says. “I find they’re very versatile. You can use them in a variety of recipes and … you can also put them on your skin.”

Others, like Hightea podcast co-host Michelle Bilodeau, say they use the product to help treat a variety of issues like depression, anxiety and aches and pains.

Most marijuana stocks are down to start 2018 — ironically, the year expected to make recreational pot legal across Canada. Contrary to the “euphoria” that had taken over cannabis investors towards the end of 2017, it seems that there have been a couple of hiccups along the way and still a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out. Legalization date has been pushed back Throughout the current journey towards the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been guiding the public towards an effective date of July 1, which also happens to…

Most marijuana stocks are down to start 2018 — ironically, the year expected to make recreational pot legal across Canada.

INDIVA Acquires Approximately 5% of Bhang Corporation.

INDIVA Limited (the "Company" or "INDIVA") (TSX-V:NDVA) is pleased to announce a 50/50 joint venture with, and a USD $1 million investment into, Bhang Corporation ("Bhang"), an award-winning licensor of cannabis and CBD edibles and concentrates. The joint venture (the "JV"), which is managed by INDIVA, has exclusive rights to manufacture and sell Bhang products in Canada and the right to export those products internationally.

"The reasons we set the minimum age of 18 are because we recognize that Canadian youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are among the highest users of cannabis in all developed countries. So we recognized that if we went with a higher age for a minimum age, we would not divert them from getting out of the black market. We wanted to make sure we did all we could because we want to prevent that from happening." — Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, March 28, Senate social affairs committee

The Liberals campaigned on a promise to legalize — as well as regulate and restrict — marijuana for recreational use, arguing the existing regime was doing little to keep it out of the hands of young people.

Cost estimates were based on data from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Ontario consumers may be paying $10 a gram for marijuana when it becomes legal later this year, but Waterloo Regional Police say new legislation will cost them much more. 

Based on Federation of Canadian Municipality estimates, the service expects to pay anywhere between $2.63 million and $3.79 million when marijuana becomes legal.

"We were looking at resource hours to train all the new officers in the legislation, resource hours to train in the new roadside device when it's approved, the impact on investigations related to  illegal dispensaries," Larkin told CBC News.

'Certainly there is a bit of a taboo and a stigma attached to it'.

As Canada gets ready to legalize marijuana, the head of a B.C. immigrant social services organization says she's keeping a close eye on new legislation from all levels of government.

Queenie Choo, CEO of United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society (SUCCESS), says her organization is reviewing its employee policies around recreational marijuana use in the workplace ahead of the legalization. 

While alcohol is one of America’s favorite inebriating substances, it also puts users at a greater risk for dementia, according to a new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

In the report, researchers said that alcohol was one of the most preventable risk factors in the development of nearly every type of dementia, including early onset. The consensus is that tens of thousands of people every year could be saved from this deadly disease if they could just find a way to curb their booze consumption.

As a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana works its way through the Canadian Parliament, the government is gearing up to track cannabis consumption more closely than it has before.

Statistics Canada has begun to do city-scale drug screening by monitoring what Canadians flush down the toilet.

Six cities have agreed to contribute samples from the place where all drains congregate — their wastewater treatment plants. Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Alberta; Vancouver and Surrey in British Columbia; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, will participate. All told, the network would capture data on drug use from about a quarter of Canada's total 36 million inhabitants.

Some Australian law enforcement officials support the idea, but medical experts have concerns.

The Australian Greens have proposed that the country should fully legalize the sale and use of recreational cannabis. "Governments around the world are realizing that prohibition of cannabis causes more harm than it prevents," Greens party leader Richard di Natale said in a speech Monday, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. "It’s time Australia joined them and legalized cannabis for adult use."