As the cannabis industry rapidly grows, employers in the sector are feeling overwhelmed with the sheer volume of employees they need to recruit.

A network for human resources professionals in the cannabis industry, called Cannabis at Work, was launched on Friday to meet the need. It aims to provide a forum for employers in the regulated cannabis industry to learn and build relationships.

Cannabis stocks have been very volatile in 2018. Once the best-performing stocks in the market, marijuana stocks have cooled significantly since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada on October 17.

At that time, pot stocks were trading near all-time highs. The cannabis bubble has burst since then, and most stock prices have dropped by a fair amount. While risky, the three pot stocks I present could perform well in 2019 following major partnerships they have formed recently.

HEXO (TSX:HEXO)

Hexo focuses on recreational marijuana use and is the only licensed medical marijuana producer headquartered in Quebec.

The overwhelming success of individuals who won a chance at opening one of Ontario’s first cannabis dispensaries could mean that few of these aspiring retailers will be able to open by the April deadline, say marijuana industry insiders.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), the province’s pot regulator, on Friday provided a breakdown of the individuals and companies who applied to a lottery for a chance to get a cannabis retail licence.

Nearly two-thirds of the applicants were sole proprietorships – essentially individual entrepreneurs – while the remaining submissions came from corporations and partnerships.

Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB) and Scotts Miracle-Gro (NYSE:SMG) shareholders are probably glad that 2018 is behind them. Aurora's share price fell 35% last year -- although the steep drop stemmed entirely from dilution caused by issuing new shares -- while Scotts Miracle-Gro stock plunged nearly 43%.

It's a new year now, and both stocks have gotten off to a good start. 2019 should be a better year for both Aurora Cannabis and Scotts Miracle-Gro for several reasons. But which is the better pick for long-term investors?

Take two steps inside the cannabis expo and it's easy to get lost in the swath of green gadgets, gizmos, and elephant-sized machines.

The Lift and Co. Cannabis Expo has filled up the Vancouver Convention Centre in years past, but the 2019 event marks the first time it's been held in the post-legalization era.

From industrial-sized trimmers to miniature greenhouses, there is no shortage of business ventures looking to cash in on the so-called "green rush." 

If you ask Nick Pateras, enthusiasm for the budding industry is at an all-time high. "Everyone is vying for their slice of the pie," said the Lift and Co. VP of Strategy.

But even he admits there's only so many slices to go around.

Most Canadian marijuana stocks fizzled last year. CannTrust Holdings (NASDAQOTH:CNTTF) was in that group, with its stock falling 34%. A handful of Canadian marijuana stocks, though, turned in solid performances in 2018. OrganiGram Holdings (NASDAQOTH:OGRMF) was one of them, jumping more than 10%.

But 2018 is now history. Which of these stocks is the better choice for investors looking to the future? Here's how OrganiGram and CannTrust stack up against each other.

The marijuana industry underwent a transformation like never before in 2018. Following nine decades of recreational cannabis prohibition, Canada's Parliament passed the Cannabis Act, thereby legalizing weed for adult consumption. In one act, marijuana went from being a somewhat taboo topic to a legitimate business model.

2018 was an exciting time after the whirlwind of events that happened surrounding cannabis spurred the growth of the flourishing sector that people know today. For a quick summary, take a look at some of the most notable accomplishments, breakthroughs, and controversies of the recent year.

It was a successful time for the cannabis sector in spite of a rough start with the Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ attempt to put a halt on the legalization plan in the United States. During that time, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged at his campaign to legalize recreational use of cannabis in Canada.

After that, Thailand and the United Kingdom has followed suit and legalized medical marijuana, much to the world’s surprise.

Aphria (NYSE:APHA) has taken investors on a roller-coaster ride over the last several months. The Canadian marijuana stock plunged in December after short-sellers alleged that the company overpaid for international acquisitions and lined the pockets of key insiders in the deal. A hostile takeover attempt by U.S.-based marijuana producer Green Growth Brands (GGB) caused the stock to rebound later in December.

Aphria announced Friday that its CEO Vic Neufeld and company co-founder Cole Cacciavillani will both “transition out of their executive roles in the coming months.”

Neufeld and Cacciavillani will remain on the company’s board of directors, but the company said it will shift to “a globally-minded executive leadership team for the long-term benefit of the company’s patients, shareholders, customers and employees.”

In a news release, Neufeld recalled the roots of the company in a Leamington greenhouse operation where Cacciavillani was growing “millions of potted flowers” five years ago, when the Canadian medical marijuana market opened.