The time is almost here. Marijuana will be legal in Canada on October 17, and most of us are pretty excited about the new perks that'll come along with it.

Although not every province will have actual stores supplying cannabis right away, there will still be ways online to place a legal order.

Canada's overall plan seems to be well thought out... or so we thought. Although licensed producers may be stocked up on marijuana ready to hit stores in 13 days, economists have already predicted that the legal supply won't meet the demand during the first year of legalization.

Apparently there aren't enough producers ahead of legalization to be able to sufficiently deliver to the cannabis market.

Scientific evidence backing the medicinal properties of cannabis is not very strong for humans, and it’s even weaker for animals. But that has not held back the market in cannabis products for pets. Yes, pets.

Products containing cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, are being manufactured for cats, dogs and even horses to treat ailments such as anxiety, arthritis and dry itchy skin.

There are CBD-laced treats, tinctures and capsules to help with pain control and anxiety relief. And there are topical creams and shampoos containing CBD used for pets with allergies.

Canada is in a good position to corner the marijuana market as the industry up north continues to develop in the wake of recreational legalization. And that makes US businesses worried.

"The concern for some of the players is the market will be dominated by Canadian companies, shareholders and banks if we allow too much time to pass," cannabis exec Derek Peterson told Huffington Post. "If we don't see something happen in 2019, almost all of us will be takeout targets for Canadian players."

Once the federal government legalizes recreational cannabis on Oct. 17, it’ll be legal for Canadians to fly anywhere in the country with up to 30 grams of cannabis in their luggage — be it checked or carry-on bags — according to Transport Canada. However, it’ll remain illegal to ship any amount of cannabis on a flight across the Canadian border, even if it’s part of a medical prescription.

How this will all play out in the security line at Canadian airports remains to be seen. Christine Langlois, a spokesperson with the Canadian Air Transport Safety Authority — which oversees security checks at airports — said it’s still working on how to adjust its protocols. “We expect to finalize our procedures in the coming days,” Langlois said in a statement.

Medavie Blue Cross is adding medical cannabis coverage to its benefits provision.

The extended health-care benefit will be optional, standalone coverage for plan sponsors, providing reimbursement for fresh and dried cannabis, as well as cannabis oil. Plan sponsors will have the option of an annual maximum coverage amount. 

Coverage will be considered for conditions based on Canadian family physician guidelines, including for patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, refractory pain in palliative cancer care, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy and spasticity in multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.

To be eligible for reimbursement, plan members will have to be pre-authorized, noted the release.

CFN Media Group ("CFN Media"), the leading agency and financial media network dedicated to the North American cannabis industry, announces publication of an article discussing the licensing agreement that 48North Cannabis Corp (TSX-V:NRTH) has entered with Mother & Clone Inc.

CannTrust Holdings Inc. ("CannTrust" or the "Company",TSX: TRST), one of Canada's leading licensed producers and trusted brands of medical cannabis, today announced the appointment of Peter Aceto as Chief Executive Officer of CannTrust, effective immediately. Eric Paul, CannTrust's Co-Founder and leader, has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive Officer, and has been named Chairman of the Board and Special Advisor to CannTrust's management team. Mark Litwin is assuming the role of Vice Chairman.

High Park Farms™ Ltd., a subsidiary of Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), announced today that it has received its sales license from Health Canada to sell cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The license will allow High Park Farms to supply and sell finished cannabis products within the ACMPR as well as sales in anticipation of the launch of the adult-use market in Canada upon its legalization on October 17, 2018.

Recent $300 million deal by Canadian Cannabis Company Aphria, Inc. signals strategy to leverage generations of regional expertise to produce superior products.  

Latin America has emerged as a hotbed for cannabis investors and companies. Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia have all passed medical marijuana legalization laws and legal cannabis sales in South American markets are expected to surge from just $125 million in 2018 to $776 million by 2027.  

Tyler Rumi looks across 24 acres of rolling farmland on the north end of Salt Spring Island. While some island residents see protected agricultural land where mature trees have been clearcut to make room for an industrial-style facility, Rumi sees a landscape being primed to grow B.C.’s next cash crop: cannabis.