The all-stock purchase, which will give MedMen 10 additional dispensaries and licences for several more, is one of the biggest in the history of the legal weed industry, which has seen its value explode in recent weeks as Canada prepares to legalize cannabis for adult use next week. With regulations set to loosen in more U.S. states, and around the world, investors are pouring billions of dollars into marijuana companies.

MedMen, which is run from Los Angeles, currently has 16 marijuana dispensaries in the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. With the acquisition of Illinois-based PharmaCann, MedMen will have 79 licensed cannabis facilities, including grow operations, in 12 states, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) stock has been picking up traction in recent months thanks mainly to increased speculation over who the company’s first major dance partner is going to be. Background discussions between Aurora and Coca-Cola have been the hot topic of late, and it’s making many cannabis investors increasingly euphoric.

The critical comments come as the RCMP and the Toronto police service both eye a rule that would bar cannabis use by members within 28 days of a shift.

The Calgary police service’s policy is even stricter, forbidding the vast majority of officers from consuming marijuana during their down time once recreational use of the drug becomes legal Oct. 17.

Stefania Zilinskas knows she’s made an “incredibly risky” move.

The 34-year-old left her job as a securities lawyer at Blakes, Cassels and Graydon LLP in July after a five year tenure and a path to partnership. But Zilinskas says she gave up the chance to climb to the top of one of Canada’s biggest law firms to take a role in the fast-moving cannabis industry, joining Tidal Royalty Corp., a Toronto-based marijuana financing company, as its general counsel. “I was very happy at [Blakes]. I could have seen myself there for years and years,” Zilinskas said in a phone interview with BNN Bloomberg. “It’s really exciting to be in a completely new industry… I believe in the legalization of cannabis and the cultural and legal shifts that need to go along with that.”

Cannabis legalization is coming to Canada on Oct. 17, and whether you plan on smoking up or not, it’ll change the way you live. Businesses across the country, from growers and retailers to the tech and tourism sectors, are preparing to reap a windfall from legal marijuana. But Canadians also face difficult questions about cannabis use in the workplace, in their homes and among their friends and loved ones.

Cannabis stocks continue to hold the attention of investors in the market. In less than a week Canada will become the second country in the entire world to have legalized recreational marijuana on a national level. Interest is still buzzing about which "traditional company" will be next to enter the space. So far we've seen companies like Molson Coors (TAP) and Constellation Brands (STZ) throw their hats in the ring through strategic investments into cannabis companies. Other reports suggest that soft drink companies like Pepsi or Coca-Cola may be interested as well.

It looks like the Marlboro Man may soon be into weed: Tobacco company Altria Group is reportedly considering buying a stake in Canadian cannabis producer Aphria.

Canada's Globe and Mail cited multiple unidentified sources in reporting Altria, maker of Marlboro cigarettes, had expressed an interest in acquiring a minority piece of the the pot producer. Details of the investment are still being worked out, but the idea would be to eventually hold a majority footing in the Canadian firm, according to the newspaper.

Leaders in the cannabis industry have spent the past year making strategic acquisitions and expanding their cultivation facilities in efforts to ramp up cannabis production. The capital required to complete these investments was raised in one of two ways: by issuing shares (equity) or by taking on loans (debt). In Canada, raising capital through debt can be advantageous as interest fees are expensed and reduce the amount the company pays in income tax. However, taking on too much debt can make a company a risky investment. Should a debt-bearing company’s cash flows drop significantly, there is a risk of defaulting on monthly interest expenses.

MPX Bioceutical Corp (CSE:MPX, OTCMKTS:MPXEF) announced Wednesday that shares of the Canadian medical marijuana company have moved to the OTCQX market.

Stocks that trade on the OTCQX meet more stringent qualification criteria compared to other over-the-counter stocks that trade in the OTCQB Venture and more speculative Pink Sheets.  

“Over the past year MPX experienced significant operational changes and reached many corporate milestones, growing its Arizona footprint, acquiring cultivation, production and kitchen facilities in Nevada, opening its first cannabis dispensary in Maryland and expanding into Canada,” MPX Bioceutical CEO W Scott Boyes said in a statement.

Many universities across the country are banning any use of cannabis on campus, a move advocates say is too restrictive with marijuana legalization just around the corner.

Some campuses, including the University of British Columbia and a campus of the University of Alberta, are allowing smoking and vaping of cannabis in designated areas once consumption is legalized on Oct. 17.

And the University of New Brunswick and the University of Waterloo are banning smoking of marijuana but will allow students living in residence to make and eat cannabis oil-infused edibles. But these universities are in the minority, with most enacting policies that prohibit any use of cannabis anywhere on campus, including dorm rooms.