Jessika Villano sells a potent array of dried cannabis, oils, salves and even bud-infused bath bombs at Buddha Barn Medicinal Society -- all grown and processed by small-scale British Columbia producers.

Villano doesn't want that to change when marijuana is legalized later this year, and she's among the proponents of local craft cannabis who are pushing the federal and provincial governments to ensure its survival.

"I believe in our sector," Villano said. "Our elected representatives need to take immediate steps to protect it or face the consequences of letting B.C. craft cannabis collapse."

Before student researchers Dallas Bonner and Robyn Neri button up their lab coats and put on their safety glasses in Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC), they take part in a team meeting which outlines the day’s research goals and objectives.

Bonner and Neri, who are graduating from Loyalist this June, have been hired to work on a year-long applied research project with Province Brands of Canada, makers of alcohol-free cannabis beers and spirits.

Lambton County’s first state-of-the-art cannabis cultivation facility is now officially in production.

High Park Farms – an affiliate of Tilray, one of Canada’s leading federally-licensed cannabis producers – held a formal opening ceremony at its Enniskillen Township facility on May 15.

Located on the former site of the Enniskillen Pepper Company, the facility represents a $30-million investment into a site that presently consists of 13 acres of greenhouse on 100 acres of land.

The company says the site acquisition has positioned it well for future expansion.

“It’s a super exciting day,” said general manager Kirsty Burns.

“A lot of work has gone into this and we are really proud to officially launch this facility today.”

Anyone with an interest in being part of Canada's legal cannabis industry knows it takes more than few fat stacks to start up a licensed growing facility or an ancillary business related to processing, hemp production, lab testing, or retail.

Lucky for entrepreneurs attending this year's International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC), the investment group behind one of Canada's largest licensed producers will provide an opportunity for them to pitch their ideas for a shot at an investment of up to $1,000,000.

Manitoba politicians can expect new conflict of interest rules to be introduced in the fall.

In a statement, Progressive Conservative House leader Cliff Cullen acknowledged a recent report by the province's conflict of interest commissioner, who called Manitoba's current legislation perhaps the "weakest in the country."

"We plan to establish an all-party committee to provide input on this matter as it impacts all MLAs, with legislation to follow after the next speech from the throne. This all-party task force will lead revised legislation," Cullen wrote.

The Tories defeated a private members bill on Thursday authored by Independent Assiniboia MLA Steven Fletcher.

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (the “Company” or “TGOD”) (TSX:TGOD) is pleased to announce that on May 9, 2018 its facility based in Ancaster, Ontario received organic certification from Ecocert Canada, an internationally recognized world-leading organization in organic certification.

“This is another step in TGOD’s planned expansion to be the world’s largest branded organic cannabis company. Consumers world-wide are interested in quality products and TGOD will continue to strive to provide the highest quality organic product that complements the natural product preferences of today’s consumer,” said Mr. Robert Anderson, Co-Chairman and CEO.

Canada’s looming legalization of cannabis is creating a conundrum for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

Late last year, the province announced a zero-tolerance approach to impaired driving for commercial license holders. Anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle cannot have drugs or alcohol in their system, if they want to keep their license.

The problem is that cannabis impairment cannot be measured the same as impairment from alcohol. Joe Lynch, a professional engineer with the MTO, explained the provincial approach to determining impairment, during Truck World, held in Mississauga, Ont.

Bruce Linton, founder and CEO of Canada’s largest marijuana company, Canopy Growth Corporation, said that legalizing cannabis at the federal level in the US could result in fewer opioid and other addictive prescriptions.

The interview with CNBC’s Mad Money host, Jim Cramer, took place Thursday following Canopy Growth recently applying to become the first cannabis producer to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Linton explained that Canopy Growth has both a medical and recreational division and that on the recreational side; he expects that the company’s partnership with Constellation Brands will result in a new class of low-calorie beverages. He said that the possibilities within the medical division are still emerging.

Burin-based Oceanic Releaf Inc. has agreed to a distribution and retail partnership with Hiku Brands Company Ltd.

Oceanic Releaf is in the late stages of receiving licencing approval from Health Canada under federal Accessing Cannabis for Medical Purposes (ACMPR) guidelines and is converting the old fish plant in Burin into a cultivation facility.

Hiku’s subsidiary, DOJA Cannabis Ltd., is already federally licensed to cultivate and sell cannabis and owns two production facilities in British Columbia.

Tyoko Smoke, another Hiku subsidiary, is aiming to operate a network of cannabis dispensing stores across Canada and currently runs non-cannabis dispensing stores selling coffee, clothing and curated accessories in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.

In an effort to bring awareness to workplace practices and regulations in preparation for 2018’s legalization of cannabis, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has published a report that reveals not enough Canadian companies have instituted comprehensive substance-use policies, and those that are in existence inadequately help struggling employees.