Australian medicinal cannabis firm AusCann has entered a partnership with the world's biggest legal cannabis producer, Canada's Canopy Growth Corporation.

As Australia's nascent medicinal cannabis sector starts to develop, AusCann says its deal with Canopy puts it in pole position for international expansion opportunities.

So-called "pot stocks" have been encouraged by the Australian government's decision in February to allow cannabis cultivation for medical or scientific purposes.

AusCann said the deal will give it access to Canopy's expertise in cultivation, manufacture and supply of quality medicinal cannabis ahead of a planned ASX listing in July.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says storefront shops selling marijuana will continue to blur the lines of the law around pot until the federal government clarifies the rules around the use of recreational weed.

The federal government plans to unveil new legislation next spring that would legalize cannabis. In the meantime, cities have seen a growing number of marijuana dispensaries open up.

Wynne says cities and provinces remain confused over what to do with those pot shops because Ottawa has yet to clarify rules between recreational and medicinal marijuana.

"That clarification hasn't happened and I think there is some blurring of the line," she said. "We're a bit in the weeds.

Germany's top health regulator reported last week that the country will pass sweeping medical marijuana legislation that will allow Germans with illness access to the drug. Separately, momentum is building in Canada for pro-pot legislation that will allow for recreational use. Since these advances in the marijuana movement could influence decisions here in the U.S., let's learn more about what's going on.

The inexorable momentum towards cannabis legalisation has taken hold across the globe. New, courageous policies are emerging in all corners of the earth – from Uruguay to Canada, from Ireland to Germany, a wave of positive reforms are being passed or pondered over by policymakers. 

If grocery giant Loblaw Cos. Ltd. gets its way, shoppers eventually will be able to walk out of many of its supermarkets with burgers, beer – and marijuana.

Galen G. Weston, executive chairman of Loblaw, which acquired Shoppers Drug Mart two years ago, said on Thursday that the company is part of a pharmacy industry initiative to push for the sale of medical marijuana at drugstores across the country. Loblaw has pharmacies in many of its grocery stores, which in Ontario and other provinces have the green light to sell beer.

Senior citizens in Victoria support council’s push to adopt a bylaw that allows edible pot products in medical marijuana dispensaries, despite health and safety concerns raised by the province’s medical health officer, says Mayor Lisa Helps.

Victoria’s council voted in favour of preparing a medical marijuana business bylaw Thursday that permits the sale of edible pot products, keeps marijuana businesses 200 metres apart from each other and prohibits any forms of advertising.

The bylaw will also keep the dispensaries 200 metres away from schools and licensed daycares.

The head of Canada's largest pharmacy chain says there is a critical role for drugstores to play in dispensing medical marijuana.

Galen G. Weston wants in on the medical marijuana business.

Weston, the head of the country's largest drugstore and grocery chain, said Thursday that pharmacists are well-positioned to dispense the drug in a safe manner.

"We're an industry that is extremely effective at managing controlled substances," said Weston, Loblaw's president and executive chairman, following the company's annual general meeting Thursday.

A naturopath has been suspended from practice for providing medical consultations via Skype to help patients obtain medical marijuana from pot dispensaries.

The B.C. College of Naturopathic Physicians says Dr. Jonas Laforge of Langley is one of six naturopaths who have been investigated in connection with marijuana dispensaries.

Four of the cases didn't meet the bar for a public notification; one other is still under investigation.

A group comprised of doctors, patients, health charities and scientists is urging Ottawa to invest $25 million over the next five years for research into the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana.

In a report released Wednesday, the Medical Cannabis Research Roundtable highlighted the lack of reliable, peer-reviewed Canadian-based research into marijuana as a potential treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions.