The legalization of cannabis and the ongoing Chinese ban on Canadian canola is sparking a boom of interest in hemp among Prairie farmers, but some experienced producers are warning of "unrealistic expectations."

According to Statistics Canada, the number of hemp acres planted by farmers nationwide is expected to double this year, from 41,200 in 2018 to 82,500 in 2019. While Health Canada — which licenses farmers to grow industrial hemp — will not release its 2019 figures until this fall, the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance industry group said it has been told the number of licence applications has more than doubled this year and the majority of new applicants are first-time hemp growers.

Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z entered the cannabis industry this week, announcing he’d be joining the California brand Caliva as chief brand strategist.

The biggest loser in the cannabis markets continues to be CannTrust Holdings (TSE: TRST). After Health Canada seized much of the company’s marijuana for illegally producing cannabis without having a required permit, CannTrust has been in a steady freefall over the past week, with every day the stock tumbling drastically.

Friday was no exception, as shares of the once well-respected company have fallen by almost 20 percent as the company continues to shut down its marijuana production.

The company said on Friday that it had halted all cannabis sales and shipments while Health Canada reviews it’s processing plants. Specifically, their plant in Vaughan, Ontario is suspended as regulators evaluate whether CannTrust had produced even more cannabis outside of the law.nTru

It's no secret by now that the marijuana industry is a big-money business. Having grown from $3.4 billion in legal global sales in 2014 to hit nearly $11 billion worldwide in 2018, it demonstrates just how quickly "going green" is catching on with consumers and investors.

However, there's a potentially larger growth trend contained within the cannabis movement that investors simply have to know about: Cannabidiol (CBD).

Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) first rocked Canopy Growth 's (NYSE: CGC) world in 2017 by buying a 9.9% stake in the Canadian cannabis producer.

A year later, Constellation made an even bigger impact with a $4 billion investment in Canopy. The big alcoholic beverage maker now has enough sway over Canopy Growth that it was able to boot founder and former CEO Bruce Linton out the door earlier this month.

Almost half of Britons support the legalization of cannabis, according to a survey commissioned by a group associated with the ruling Conservative Party.

It’s been an exciting two years for investors who’d picked up pot before it got hot.

For those who got in on the ground floor, you’re likely even now sitting back and feeling pretty proud of yourself for buying up a few big names before they soared. With prices reaching fever pitch back in the summer of 2018 and again in the fall, the perfect time to sell showed itself, but many investors were wary.

From cannabis-infused gin to ice cream, the legalization of marijuana in various parts of the world is opening up an entirely new industry. Whatever your views on this recreational drug, there can be no doubt that many companies will spring up and capitalize on this new potentially lucrative opportunity.

It’s been a rough week for Canadian cannabis producer CannTrust Holdings (TSX:TRST)(NYSE:CTST) and, of course, for its shareholders.

The Ontario-based company is the latest cannabis producer to join the list of pot companies involved in scandal. In CannTrust’s case, the company admitted before opening bell on July 8 that its Niagara greenhouse was found to be non-compliant by Health Canada. Not only that, but the company was also growing and selling cannabis out of five rooms that were unlicensed at the time but have since been fully licensed as of April.

Cindi Olsen was a medical cannabis patient when that was the only way to legally access the drug in Canada.

Nearly nine months after marijuana became legal for all Canadians, the breast cancer survivor is starting to feel like medical users have been left behind. 

“It feels like we’ve been elbowed out,” she admitted.

The Cambridge, Ont., woman was diagnosed with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a long-term side effect from cancer treatment. 

“I was left with this really painful condition and I’m in a situation now where I’m totally disabled .... I have really severe limitations,” Olsen explained. “And because it’s nerve pain, it’s really difficult to manage.”