According to the data compiled by Ameri Research, the global legal cannabis market is projected to be valued at USD 63.5 Billion by 2024. The market drivers are largely the new legalization laws, increasing medical usage, high taxation and rising investments. Legalization has become so prominent that now only four out of the fifty U.S. states prohibit any form of cannabis. Most states allow medical usage, while some allow both medical and recreational use. The widespread legalization has created many job opportunities in the industry for cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, dispensaries, distributors and various other positions. BLOCKStrain Technology Corp. (OTC: BKKSF), Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), Kaya Holdings Inc. (OTC: KAYS), NightFood Holdings Inc.

On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Molson Coors Brewing Co. (TSX:TPX.B)(NYSE:TAP), the world’s third-largest alcoholic brewer, has been in talks with up to four cannabis companies. While a potential deal could prove to be a watershed moment for the cannabis industry, it wouldn’t exactly be a first. Last fall, Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ), which also happens to be the number one alcoholic beverage market in the United States, announced its own deal that saw it invest $245 million in Canopy Growth Corp. (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) in exchange for a 9.9% stake in Canada’s largest medical marijuana company. It’s also worth noting that on…

The Jamaica Medical Cannabis Corporation (JMMC) is investing US$2 million (J$264,000,000) into research on local ganja strains in order to ascertain with scientific accuracy their medicinal potential, over the next 10 years.

Professor Errol Morrison, director general of the National Commission on Science and Technology, spoke to the enormity of the project titled ‘Identification, Isolation and Conservation of Local Strains of Cannabis for Medicinal Use’ during Monday’s signing ceremony.

“What you are about to witness is the dedication of our scientific community to eventually [map] the scientific identification of our strain. Not a look, touch, smell, feel (but) DNA science to underpin what it is that we have been making claims for centuries," he said.

"Eyes shone, cheeks were flushed, the inner light of universal benevolence broke out on every face in happy, friendly smiles."

That's Aldous Huxley in his 1932 novel Brave New World, describing "soma," a drug provided by the state to help citizens cope in his fictional dystopia.

If you are looking for something to take the sting out of the current round of gloomy news, we now know the date that recreational cannabis will become legal in Canada: Oct. 17. What comes after remains unwritten.

Mail-order weed? You betcha!

With nationwide marijuana legalization in Canada on the horizon, the industry is shaping up differently there than the way it was established in nine U.S. states that have similarly broad legalization. Age limits, government involvement in distribution and sales, and access to banking are some big discrepancies.

And, yes, Canadians will be able to order cannabis online and have it delivered through the mail — something that’s illegal in the United States.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that marijuana will be legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In the meantime, its provinces and cities are working out issues concerning regulations.

Here’s what to expect:

GOVERNMENT-RUN STORES

After Canada legalizes recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, consumers will have two legal routes to access marijuana: an existing medical cannabis regime, plus a new recreational cannabis regime.

Within those parallel systems, people will be able to buy cannabis or grow their own.

In both cases, commercial cannabis production will be subject to federal regulation via Health Canada — but recreational cannabis will be sold and distributed differently across the provinces and territories, while the sale and distribution of medical cannabis will remain under federal jurisdiction.

Trying to visualize how it all fits together? Check out our legal cannabis flowchart:

James Corden is pretty excited about Canada legalizing marijuana.

On Wednesday night’s “The Late Late Show” in the UK, the host opened his monologue by announcing that Canada had passed legislation to make it the second nation in the world to make weed legal later this year.

“So while it’s been wonderful to be back here in London,” Corden said. “I can now officially announce next year we’re taking the show to Toronto.”

The job pot continues to grow in Canada’s cannabis industry in light of the recent move to legalize recreational marijuana.

Want to become British Columbia’s new director for BC Liquor Distribution Branch's cannabis distribution operations? It comes with an annual salary between C$86,000 - $112,000. Companies, such as WeedMD (CVE:WMD), have multiple positions posted — from oil extraction technician to distribution assistant.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada on Oct. 17.

Trudeau made the proclamation during question period Wednesday, saying the provinces wanted more time to implement the new regime than originally anticipated.

"We heard from provinces and territories who told us they needed more time to transition to this new framework, so our government will continue to work in full partnership with them, to ensure the smooth and orderly implementation of this new law across Canada," Trudeau told reporters during an end-of-session news conference.

The Senate gave the go-ahead Tuesday for the legalization of recreational marijuana by passing Bill C-45, also known as the Cannabis Act.

Before the bill becomes law, it need to pass one more formality – royal assent from the Governor General. Once this happens, provinces and territories are expected to be given eight to 12 weeks to prepare before the law is officially implemented.

But questions still remain over the amount of revenue the legal marijuana market will actually generate and how consumption habits may shift as cannabis enters the legal realm.

Here’s a look at some key numbers that have surfaced so far relating to the legal pot market.