There are couple of charges that qualify as a driving offence, commonly called DUI (driving under the influence). These include Impaired Driving, Over 80, failure or refusal to perform physical sobriety tests or give breath or blood samples.  Not only that, but this also includes Impaired Driving charges connected to driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.This is noteworthy because as Canada moves to legalize marijuana, new changes will be implemented to existing DUI laws. Marijuana consumption trends are changing, and with it the way in which people interact with and interpret the law.

It’s been less than one month since Marc Emery, the man known as the Prince of Pot, came to Montreal to open cannabis dispensaries.

Another man is now on a mission to make his mark in the medical marijuana world by opening three cannabis clinics in the Montreal area.

But it’s an operation the Quebec College of Physicians is calling illegal.

“They call themselves clinics but it’s not really a medical clinic, it’s a providing centre to cannabis,” Dr. Yves Robert from the Quebec College of Physicians said.

But the man behind the new cannabis clinics insists he has nothing to hide.

The Vancouver-based biotech company has the upper hand in research and development in cannabis that is otherwise not permitted legally without a license.

With the federal government on the verge of legalising marijuana, high-value strategic assets in the cannabis sector are becoming valuable.

That is how Ottawa-based cannabis firm CannaRoyalty Corp. explained its interest in buying a 20% stake in Vancouver’s Anandia Laboratories.

The companies announced January 9 that they have signed a letter of intent for CannaRoyalty (CSE:CRZ) to acquire that 20% stake in Anandia for C$4 million (US$3,029,041).

In the last few years, attitudes to marijuana in the U.S. appeared to be easing.

And in many ways, they have. Four states have fully legalized recreational cannabis, and four more voted to follow them in November.

But the same election that doubled the number of pot-tolerant states brought Donald Trump into the White House. With him come people in key cabinet positions who loathe marijuana and have at least some power to act on it. Marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law.

The likely consequence: an end to the easygoing attitude that the Obama administration brought to states that chose legalization.

This spring the Trudeau government will be introducing its legislation to legalize marijuana, but many are wondering when they will actually be allowed to buy the drug. It’s not clear if that will even happen before the next election.

When the legalization bill is passed in the House of Commons and the Senate, which could be late this year or early 2018, it doesn’t mean legal marijuana will be available right away.

Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott says it will take some time to set up systems with all the provinces. “We need to make sure that there is a strict regulatory process in place and that there are restrictions in terms of access. We also have work to do on the public education front.”

The local weed guy likely has about 2 years before they need to either go legit, or seriously consider a career change.

What?!

Yes. Don’t look for any kind of wide-ranging retail access to cannabis for non-medical users much before the end of 2018. It’s simple math.

Our brightest stop yet on the long slow road to recreational legalization in Canada! Legal weed is coming to Canada and its shape is becoming clearer through the haze of uncertainty.

In early December, 2016 the government of Canada released the final report from its task force on Cannabis legalization and regulation, A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada, to a bustling press conference and a lot of fanfare.

Medical cannabis has been named among the top biggest legal risks for businesses in 2017, according to a report from Canada’s largest law firm.

In its annual report on key trends and regulatory changes, Borden Ladner Gervais predicts medical marijuana will have a major impact on businesses — such as the possibility of employees being stoned on the job. But that doesn’t mean employers should freak out about it — because overreacting is also a risk, said Rob Weir, a partner in the law firm.

“Employers think they will have employees stoned out of their minds. I think that’s an overreaction,” said Weir, who urges employers to look at the evidence.

The owner of a Halifax medical marijuana dispensary says the business will continue to operate, despite being raided last week.

“We have to make a stand,” said Shirley Martineau. “I’m here for the patients and I’m not quitting anytime soon. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

Martineau opened Auntie’s Health and Wellness on Barrington Street four months ago. Last month she told CTV Atlantic she would sell cannabis to anyone over the age of 19, whether or not they have a prescription for medical marijuana.

In the last few years, attitudes to marijuana in the U.S. appeared to be easing.

And in many ways, they have. Four states have fully legalized recreational cannabis, and four more voted to follow them in November.

But the same election that doubled the number of pot-tolerant states brought Donald Trump into the White House. With him come people in key cabinet positions who loathe marijuana and have at least some power to act on it. Marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law.