Health Canada, which is facing a growing controversy over tainted medical marijuana, cannot say with certainty how widespread the use of banned pesticides is within the industry. Instead, the regulator has been leaving it up to the growers to police themselves on the use of potentially harmful chemicals.

In a background briefing with The Globe and Mail, a senior Health Canada official acknowledged that even though the government prohibits the use of potentially harmful chemicals such as myclobutanil, – which is known to emit hydrogen cyanide when heated –the department has not been testing cannabis growers to ensure the 38 federally licensed companies were, in fact, not using it.

Vancouver’s approach to regulating illegal marijuana dispensaries is working, says the councillor who helped develop Canada’s first municipal pot licensing regime, even if almost half of the stores continue to operate outside the bylaw.

Councillor Kerry Jang, point person for the governing Vision Vancouver party on the marijuana file, said that regardless of how long it takes to shut down these rogue shops, the city’s regulatory program – not police raids – is paying off. The strategy is meeting the city’s public-health goals of stamping out sales to minors and cutting down on the armed robberies now plaguing Toronto’s illegal dispensary sector.

Cannabics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CNBX) today announced it will begin providing personalized cannabinoid anti-tumor tests for cancer patients. The diagnostic tests are based on liquid biopsies of patients suffering from any kind of cancer. The test uses CTC technology that collects cancer cells from patients' blood samples, and tests their sensitivity to cannabinoid compounds alongside conventional chemotherapy medicine.

Noah Starr says he has anxiety over upcoming changes to coverage.

A Fredericton veteran is raising money to send veterans to Ottawa to protest against coming changes in coverage for their medical marijuana prescriptions.

Veteran Noah Starr, who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Afghanistan, said the changes to medical marijuana coverage have taken a toll even before they go into effect.

"I already have anxiety about it," said Starr. "I won't lie.

"I know how effective it is for not only myself but for other retired Canadian Forces members."

Starr has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money so veterans with marijuana prescriptions for their PTSD can attend a protest scheduled for April 10.

Taxes on marijuana? There is a lot of money being made in this world already on the taxation of cannabis. There are nations like Uruguay and Israel taking a new approach on the substance and bucking the status quo on marijuana policy in their country. Many states have legalized medical marijuana in America, and many more will follow in the coming months and years.

This interesting graphic from Turbotax shows just how prevalent the cash is from taxes. In the end, the US spends 12 billion prosecuting marijuana crimes, which is a real shame. Hopefully the feds will move, but with the new administration, we aren’t holding our breath.

A Vancouver-based medical marijuana producer is taking their business to new heights with a budding facility at Edmonton Airport.

Aurora Cannabis is leasing 30 acres from the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority to build an 800,000 square foot production facility, 170 times bigger than their plant in Mountain View County.

“We’re very excited about it,” Aurora vice president Cam Battley says.

“It’s going to be the largest, the most advanced and the most highly automated cannabis production facility in the world, as far as we know, and it’s going to be the first cannabis production facility to be located at an international airport.”

Nova Scotia’s human-rights board has ruled that a man suffering from chronic pain must have his marijuana prescription paid for by his employee-insurance plan, with advocates saying the decision opens the door for patients across Canada to push for similar cannabis coverage.

Gordon Skinner, from a community just outside Halifax, had argued that he faced discrimination when he was denied coverage by the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Plan. He has been using medical cannabis to treat pain from an on-the-job car accident that forced him from work as an elevator mechanic more than six years ago.

As desperate parents of children with severe epilepsy turn to alternative therapies, researchers are launching a study examining the efficacy and safety of treating seizures with medical marijuana products.

“Parents are becoming more aware of the use of cannabis to treat epilepsy from social media and parent support groups,” said Richard Tang-Wai, a pediatric epileptologist at the University of Alberta.

“Because there is little scientific evidence regarding the use of cannabis products in children, most physicians are reluctant to prescribe them, resulting in parents trying to make their own preparations at home or turning to suppliers who cannot verify the quality of their product. This adds to the urgency of doing studies like this.”

Tilray, a global leader in medical cannabis research and production, today announced that it has received necessary regulatory approvals in Canada and Chile to export medical cannabis for distribution to Chilean patients.

“Today’s announcement marks Tilray’s entry into Latin America and expands our international reach to a fourth continent,” said Brendan Kennedy, Tilray President. “We are proud to be able to offer patients in need access to high quality, pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products.”

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould says the Liberal government is determined to bring forward legislation to legalize and regulate the recreational use of pot this spring, despite the fact it is working overtime to manage many unknowns associated with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Wilson-Raybould says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is talking with U.S. counterparts about any potential impacts of the government’s plans.

There are concerns introducing marijuana legislation in Canada could create problems with the U.S.

Wilson-Raybould says the Liberal government is seriously considering a report presented by a special task force late last year.