The young man says he was running down the alley behind Second Avenue South with a jar of marijuana in each hand, sure the police were hot on his heels, when he decided to rethink his career choice.

He worked at the Saskatoon Cannabis Clinic, an illegal dispensary with no city business licence, no licence from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority to sell cannabis recreationally, and no recognition from Health Canada as a legitimate medical cannabis supplier.

The business had already been raided three times in the past three months, reopening each time in defiance of police and government.

I essentially feel like a little small-time drug dealer. It's not what I am, it's not who I want to be."- Former Saskatoon Cannabis Clinic employee

The process to open privately operated cannabis retail stores in Greater Sudbury continued to move forward this week, with one of the applicants, Saturninus Partners, moving into the eligibility phase of Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario review process, and another, Anton Lucic, nearing the end of a public notice period.

Saturninus and Lucic were recently named as winners for the North Region in the AGCO’s Expression of Interest Application Lottery. The commission has targeted April 1 of this year as an opening date.

Tilray’s (TLRY) stock made strong gains early Wednesday after the Canadian marijuana giant said its European arm had a very successful cannabis harvest. A statement from the company said Tilray Portugal Unipessoal completed the harvest of medical cannabis at its cultivation site in Portugal. The advanced facility, which has been developed with investments of more than EUR 20 million, also functions as a base for the company’s clinical research programs in Europe.

Tilray is a rare stock that received the top rating from almost all the analysts covering it. The consensus recommendation has been strong buy for quite some time, making the stock one of the most sought after investment options. The average price target is $90.

Cannabis stocks extended their early losses Wednesday, as investors weighed the surprise news that the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has resigned, leaving the fate of the cannabis ingredient CBD in regulatory limbo.

Before the twentieth century, cannabis was used as a sort of medicine to treat asthma, coughs, migraines, and insomnia. However, due to the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol, or the THC-derivative, cannabis became illegal and was removed from the list of registered medicines.

Now, cannabis is rapidly emerging around the globe as countries begin to reverse the laws and legalize its medicinal use again. While most countries are exploring opportunities within the medical cannabis sector, the proliferation of recreational cannabis is rapidly spreading throughout the western hemisphere of the world.

Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste” or the “Company”) (TSXV:N.V) (M5BQ.F) (NXTTF) today announced that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) to acquire 49% of the issued and outstanding shares of Calgary, AB based Choklat Inc. for $1.5 million in cash consideration. As part of the acquisition, Namaste will be appointing a member to the Board of Choklat.

Choklat is a premium chocolate manufacturer with existing sales through its online eCommerce site and through a network of distributors across Canada. Choklat has recently entered into a supply relationship with Sobeys and already has product in 25 stores in Alberta with a goal to roll out in Western Canada and beyond in the coming months.

Traffic stats don't lie: among investment categories, few have the draw of legal marijuana. And within this broad descriptor, companies specializing in cannabidiol, or CBD, have generated significant buzz. But what exactly is this three-letter acronym, and how can CBD stocks boost your returns?

Let's start with basic definitions. Cannabidiol represents one of several cannabinoids, or chemical compounds found in the cannabis sativa plant. But unlike the most famous cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not lever any psychoactive effect. In other words, users can enjoy this compound's benefits without getting high.

The United Nations’ International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned governments around the globe that countries who have legalized the use of medical cannabis must ensure that those programs are used exclusively for their intended use, and not to “de facto legalize” cannabis for recreational use.

The Vienna-based INCB is the “independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations international drug control conventions,” and is responsible for some regulations on psychotropics and narcotics and for monitoring how narcotics-related restrictions are enforced.

Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) is the unquestioned cannabis champion of Ontario, yet there are a few other Ontario companies that could challenge for second place. Aleafia Health (TSX:ALEF), with its recent acquisition of Emblem Cannabis, is one company that could potentially challenge for a top-tier position among Ontario LPs.

Imagine a bike tour that takes you to different craft cannabis growers who show you how they cultivate their plants from seed to buds. Or a two-day mom's marijuana getaway, where you and your girlfriends pay a set fee that includes a hotel room, a massage with cannabis-infused oil, some edibles and a gourmet meal. 

"Canada has a unique opportunity to invite the world to see how cannabis is made."- David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data

There's a large, untapped cannabis tourism market that could cater to everyone from stressed-out parents to first-time users to seasoned consumers, says a market research analyst.