Private cannabis stores tend to be closer to primary and secondary schools than government-run stores are, according to a new study that compares legally operating recreational cannabis outlets across Canada.

There are also 49 per cent more private stores per capita in jurisdictions where they can operate, and they're open an average of 9.2 more hours each week than government-run outlets.

But all cannabis stores — private and government-run — are about twice as likely to be found in lower-income neighbourhoods than high-income neighbourhoods, the study found.

On Saturday, two new cannabis retail locations opened up shop in the ‘Gas City’ including Choom Cannabis on 3rd Street Southeast and Spiritleaf on Trans-Canada Way.

That’s brought Medicine Hat’s marketplace to double-digits, with 11 locations approved to sell recreational cannabis in the city.

Mayor Ted Clugston said he’s heard from a handful of these owners who say the market is becoming over saturated.

“I’ve had some business owners come to me that actually own retail outlets say, ‘I think there’s too many,’” said Clugston. “We took the approach here at City Hall that it will sort itself out.”

Among Alberta’s nine largest cities, Medicine Hat has the most cannabis stores per capita with one retailer for every 5,750 residents.

As Canopy Growth (NYSE: CGC ) prepares to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings Aug. 14, analysts are getting nervous. Founder Bruce Linton was told to leave after the last quarter's disappointment. Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ ), which bought 38% of the company last year, has lost patience with CGC stock's losses.

Canadian cannabis producer Aphria (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA) is back in the limelight. But this time, there is no negative publicity. Investors are elated to receive good news from the cannabis sector for a change.

The cannabis industry continues to deliver storylines, both negative and positive, that leave investors scratching their heads about which pot stocks to buy. One recent story has shined a light on Hexo (NYSE:HEXO), which could end up hurting Hexo stock holders. 

The debt/EBITDA is a solvency ratio that measures the amount of income a company generates that it can use to pay down its debt before accounting for interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization expenses.

In essence, a company with a lower debt/EBITDA is more capable of paying off its debts. Today we have identified four Canadian marijuana stocks that have >$100M in debt with a low debt/EBITDA ratio relative to peers.

Is the marijuana stock bubble about to burst or has it just done so?

A series of unfortunate events has bruised the image of the cannabis industry. There is too much drama coming from the perceived industry leader Canopy Growth down to the second-tier cannabis companies — and stock prices for weed have fallen sharply.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you might have noticed that marijuana stocks have been all the rage lately. One of the larger cannabis players, Aphria (TSX:APHA)(NYSE:APHA), recently released its earnings report. Pay attention, as the earnings report was a pleasant surprise for many investors.

While THC-based foods and edibles present all sorts of challenges (mostly of health and legal nature), CBD (cannabidiol), which has no psychotropic effects, appears set to become the next miracle ingredient, according to many in the food industry.

Opiates killed 47,600 people in 2017 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That year, the epidemic was declared a “public health emergency” by President Donald Trump.

Shares of leading cannabis company CannTrust (TSX:TRST)(NYSE:CTST) rose 40.8% on Friday. The stock is currently trading at $4.21 per share as of writing. CannTrust has taken investors on a roller-coaster ride. Company shares first declined close to 80% from $13.45 in March 2019 to $2.99 on August 7, 2019. It fell over 50% in July 2019 and has returned -57% since its IPO in January 2018.