Court-appointed seller not aware license expired shortly after deal signed

Ontario man has been charged with distributing more than four cannabis plants

An Ontario driver who opted out of a mandatory RIDE stop by fleeing the scene was quickly caught along with the 2,000 cannabis plants that were inside his vehicle.

Officers with the Norfolk County arm of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) check at Norfolk St. N. and Davis St. W. in Simcoe, Ont. just after 1:30 a.m. on May 12, according to The Hamilton Spectator.

That was when a driver was witnessed trying to bypass the stop, notes a tweet from the OPP.

“I want to pay for what I did, I want to serve my time… This family deserves justice.”

A driver who struck and killed a woman and her three young daughters in Brampton nearly two years ago is being sentenced to 17 years behind bars.

Brady Robertson will receive nearly three years in credit for time already served awaiting trial, bringing the total down to 14 years and two months.

Prosecutors sought a 23-year prison sentence for Robertson, 21, and a lifetime driving ban. The defence, meanwhile, argued Robertson should be sentenced to seven years.

Southwestern Ontario has highest concentration of illegally grown pot, police say

Illegal marijuana grow operations most often crop up on the Ontario Provincial Police's radar in Essex County, and during raids, farm workers are "almost every time" completely unaware of the criminals behind the cannabis, police told CBC News.

Organized crime entities use illegal cannabis grow operations as "easy, quick" cash that's "relatively risk free," according to Det.-Insp. Peter Donnelly, hub commander of the central region's organized crime enforcement branch. That money is then used to traffic harder, illicit drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines and fentanyl, he added.

"Just the amount of money it gives them access to, that makes it scary," said Donnelly.

Tecumseh council has approved a Cannabis Retail Stores policy.

The policy calls on the town to advocate its commitment to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), for cannabis stores to be at least 500 metres from town facilities, parks, schools, libraries, childcare centres and mental health and addiction facilities.

Councillor Rick Tonial says the town does not have the authority to enforce where cannabis stores can be located, but can ask the province to consider its policy when an application comes in.

He says the town's biggest concern is safety.

"Is it safe where they put it," Tonial continued.

"Is it not near a school, is it not near other institutions that could adversely affect people if it was too close."

Ontario cops also confiscate a small amount of processed weed and cash.

Three people are facing charges after officers with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and its partners executed a warrant last week and discovered a massive cannabis grow containing more than 7,600 plants in Renfrew, Ont.

Per CTV News, the grow was located near Highway 132 in Admaston/Bromley Township.

Photos released by the OPP show large, indoor cultivations and growing equipment.

Although the OPP initially tweeted on May 5 that more than 5,500 cannabis plants were seized, that figure has reportedly been adjusted to 7,600-plus.

“The data was misappropriated, disclosed and distributed unlawfully.”

An Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) data breach has led to “confidential store sales data” being leaked and circulated within the industry, according to an OCS letter obtained by The Canadian Press. 

The letter, which was sent on May 10, states that the data was not disclosed by the provincial cannabis wholesaler. 

“The data was misappropriated, disclosed and distributed unlawfully,” the letter states.

“As a result, we trust you will refrain from sharing or using this stolen data in any way.”

The Ontario Provincial Police are now investigating the matter. 

Sale of land and facility nets almost $15.5 million in cash

Toronto-based FSD Pharma Inc. has advanced its exit from cannabis with the recent sale of its former marijuana processing facility in Cobourg, Ont.

In a May 10 statement, the life sciences holding company announced the closing of the sale for $16.4 million in cash.

Completed a few days earlier on May 6, FSD Pharma reports the sale included a 26.1-hectare parcel of land and a 50,800 sq. m building that the company acquired in November 2017 for $5.5 million. Absent commissions and fees, the sale netted almost $15.5 million in cash for its balance sheet.

The sale is part of a new direction for the company that doesn’t include cannabis.

"The Expo's mission is to help educate and help everyone navigate their business growth career path"

Donna Johnson, the vice president of strategic events, meetings and incentives at MCI Events, helped produce the Lift&Co Expo that kicks off in Toronto this weekend.

Beginning in 2016, the annual cannabis conference has introduced new sections this year, including budtender master classes, as well as a ‘discovery zone’ with exhibitors displaying the latest in products, services and innovations.