Health Canada market data for the past few years shows that British Columbians and Quebecers appear to prefer the black market over Canada’s legal medical cannabis system. 

Despite being the second and third largest provinces in Canada, with over 8 million and 4.7 million people respectively, shipments to registered patients in Quebec and British Columbia are some of the lowest in the country. 

Patients registered in Quebec only received 2,457 shipments in August. BC, only 2,534. The same month saw 34,757 shipments to registered clients in Ontario and 12,986 in Alberta. Previous data shows similar figures in the past. 

Researchers have the clearest-ever picture of the receptor that gives humans the 'high' from marijuana, which could lead to a better understanding of how the drug affects humans. 

Scientists have long known that molecules from THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, bind to and activate the receptor known as CB1. But now they know that it has a three-dimensional crystal structure.

The authors of the paper, which was published Thursday in the journal Cell, say this information is crucial to improve our understanding of this receptor as marijuana use becomes widespread and, in many places, legalized.

Now that they know the shape of the receptor, they can get a better idea of how different molecules bind to it, which is what causes reactions in humans.

The smell is unmistakable.

There must be a small mountain of pot lying somewhere in a back room of the storefront office on St-Laurent Blvd. That thick, skunky aroma — strong enough to trigger memories of a misspent youth — is apparent the moment patients are buzzed through the front door of Fondation Marijuana.

A whiteboard by the reception desk advertises strains with names like Grand Daddy Purps, Jean Guy and Blue Magic.

Despite the overwhelming smell, despite the fact that there are untold kilos of cannabis stored behind the sheetrock wall, the office has a distinctly sterile feel to it: medical forms, filing cabinets, a photocopier and two security cameras pointed toward the centre of the room.

Montreal researchers have found a new role for cannabinoids. The active ingredient in marijuana — which is also naturally present in the human body — seems to improve night vision in vertebrates.

The study by a multidisciplinary team including researchers from the Montreal Neurological Institute looked at changes in tadpole retinas after exposure to cannabinoids.

“We didn’t believe what we were seeing — exactly the opposite of what we expected,” said neurologist Ed Ruthazer, of the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University, and the paper’s senior author. 

Last week Ottawa announced it was going to make it easier to bring in temporary foreign workers. More and more of what we produce in Canada relies on such workers. You can add marijuana to that list; and even if you don’t use it, this story involves you.

The story begins in 1974. That’s when Terrance Parker, a severe epileptic, started to treat his condition with marijuana. For Parker it was a choice between reducing the effects of a life-threatening health condition and the risk of imprisonment. In 1997 he was charged with possession and cultivation of a controlled substance.

A First Nations band in Gaspé is hoping a proposed medical marijuana production plant in nearby Atholville, N.B., will translate into jobs for its members.

The Listuguj band council held an information session Tuesday evening on its potential partnership with the company behind the project, Zenabis.

Zenabis purchased the old Atlantic Yarns facility in Atholville in 2014 and has been trying to get the business off the ground ever since.

Zenabis has promised to create 400 jobs in the Campbellton area. (CBC)

But Health Canada has delayed approving the medical marijuana production licence, which has thrown the project into doubt, along with the 400 jobs its first phase is expected to create.

“Chez Jean Coutu, on trouve de tout, même un ami.”

That’s the famous slogan of the Quebec based pharmacy chain.

It translates to: “At Jean Coutu you’ll find it all, even a friend” .

But perhaps after today they’ll want to change their slogan to: “At Jean Coutu You’ll Find It All, Even Some Weed”.

It’s not a pipe dream either, (Get it, pipe dream?) the CEO of Jean Coutu announced this week that he is willing to start selling medical marijuana in his pharmacies.

They don’t plan on doing any lobbying or publicity campaigns to be have the right to start selling weed, they just claim to be open to the idea.

But that’s probably because they lack the proper motivation.

A new company striving to connect people looking for medical marijuana with doctors has set up shop in Sherbrooke, Que.

For a monthly fee, Dr. Cannabis will set up clients with a doctor who will prescribe them medical marijuana, if they meet the necessary criteria to qualify.

Not all doctors are willing to prescribe the drug, so Dr. Cannabis will work as an intermediary, working to find doctors who will prescribe it for patients who are looking to use it.

For $155, it will find a doctor for the patient within three to four months. If you're willing to pay $700, they'll work much faster, finding a doctor in just two weeks.

Toronto begins to look at dispensary regulations, US FDA learns about the MMPR, Canadian researchers in Poland, a possible task force announcement and more.

It’s a big week for those focussed on cannabis and cannabis policy in Canada. Several meetings and expected announcements, as well as one possible discussion are lined up for this last week in June.

The Quebec College of Physicians made it mandatory for doctors and patients to take part in a research study if they wanted access to cannabis. But tracking the use of medical marijuana in the province has proven to be a challenge.