As the legalization of edible cannabis approaches in Canada, the industry has yet to solve one of its greatest challenges: packaging.

Since October 17, cannabis companies have been plagued with problems associated with packaging.

Apart from the fact that cannabis packages are really boring (thanks, Health Canada), they are also an environmental disaster.

About 60 percent of surveyed workplaces are worried about how cannabis will affect safety on the job, but don’t have zero-tolerance policies in effect, notes a recent report.

The study released this August by the Conference Board of Canada surveyed 163 employers between November 2018 and January 2019 to understand how they prepared for and are managing pot legalization.

Roughly two out of three companies polled felt ready for legalization, but were still uneasy.

“They are particularly concerned about workplace safety increased risk of accidents, impairment at work and employee mental health,” reads the report.

Newly released data from Health Canada indicates Canadians just aren’t that into cannabis oils.

The agency reports that inventories of cannabis oil greatly outweigh the number of sales.

For the month of June, around 9,600 litres of cannabis oil was sold compared to a total inventory of just over 141,000 litres — that is 14.7 times more inventory than sales.

Sales of cannabis oil also decreased in June by 2.1 percent, but finished inventory actually increased 15 percent, from a little over 85,000 to more than 98,000 litres.

There’s still a long way to go, but the National Hockey League’s past and present representatives are slowly changing the perception of CBD use in the NHL.

Cannabis isn’t currently on the NHL’s list of banned substances, and players who are caught using cannabis substances aren’t automatically fined or suspended like they would be in stricter leagues like the NFL and the MLB. Instead, hockey players aren’t publicly identified if they test positive for cannabis use, and action is only taken if the player is deemed to need substance abuse treatment.

The legal cannabis industry is a work in progress. In many ways, the industry shapes itself as it grows and as more and more places continue to legalize weed.

A key part of this evolutionary process is figuring out what aspects of the burgeoning industry work and what parts don’t, and then searching out solutions to improve the system.

Cannabis logistics company WAYV is the latest example of this evolution. The company just announced the rollout of its “Dynamic Distribution” technology. Designed to streamline the entire supply chain, Dynamic Distribution aims to improve the legal cannabis industry for everyone involved, from cultivators and distributors, to retailers and consumers.

The marijuana industry continues its inexorable march forward, particularly in the lucrative U.S. market. In late May, Illinois became the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana by passing bill HB 1438. The piece of legislature was officially signed into law in June.

The incoming legalization of alternative cannabis products in October has many companies working frantically in production and partnerships to corner this emerging market.

Case in point is the recent announcement of a collaboration between Valens GroWorks Corp. and the cannabis division of Iconic Brewing Co., an alcohol beverage company focused on “better-for-you” drinks. Their arms-length, binding, five-year contract is focused on creating CBD-infused beverages.

Iconic Brewing has previewed its CBD-infused sparkling water and iced tea.

As the federal campaign trail drags on, the legalization of more pot products buds its head.

Canadians will be able to legally buy cannabis edibles, beverages, topicals and extracts in mid-December, after regulations come into effect on Oct. 17.

With the election only four days later and not much talk about toking, here’s what each potential prime minister has said about pot.

What has Justin Trudeau said about cannabis?

Well, he’s done more than just talk about weed — he’s smoked it.

Shortages of Canadian marijuana appeared immediately after recreational sales of cannabis starting from October 2018.  Hence, there is a typical Canadian refrain almost lately.  Because of little inventory remaining, many stores are closed three days a week, and provincial distributors are blaming federal regulations and producers. Some of the giant retailer’s licenses have also frozen and some are limited to 25 stores on the state level.