Khiron life Science, a Canadian integrated agro-pharmaceutical cannabis production company that manages its core operations in Colombia, announced on May 30 that it is strategically positioned to penetrate the medical cannabis market in Mexico by being the main sponsor of the CannaMéxico World Summit.

This conference, which is taking place on Wednesday, May 30 and Thursday, May 31 at the San Cristobal Center in Guanajuato, Mexico, is led by former Mexican President Vicente Fox Quesada, an ardent supporter of cannabis for medical use as an alternative treatment method for a wide range of medical conditions.

There are more than 260,000 medical cannabis patients in Canada alone. And in an effort to help connect industry leaders, medical disruptors and tech innovators the Business of Cannabis held their inaugural Medical Cannabis Week in Toronto last week. Here are five things we learned from MCW, writes Blaine Pearson.

1. Do Not Underestimate the Passion of Patients and Practitioners

People who have post-traumatic stress disorder but do not medicate with cannabis are far more likely to suffer from severe depression and have suicidal thoughts than those who use marijuana, new national research says.

DelShen Therapeutics moves toward sales licensing of Kirkland Lake-produced cannabis.

The owners of a fledgling marijuana cultivation facility, near Kirkland Lake, report an important milestone has been passed toward approval for a sale license to offer cannabis flower and oils.

48North Cannabis Corporation, the parent company of DelShen Therapeutics, provided an update on a recent Health Canada inspection of its indoor cultivation operation in northeastern Ontario.

The inspection took place May 24 following Health Canada's initial inspection that took place via an online web conference on March 16.

A couple of entrepreneurs in Oliver have filled the gap for medical marijuana users in town.

Canna Cabana, a new medical marijuana dispensary located beside C & C Food Mart on Highway 97 just south of town, is open for business.

Although the dispensary has only been open for two weeks, plans for it have been in the works for over three years when Rick Stagg, one of the shop’s owners, started researching dispensaries.

“I just really wanted to wait and see how legislation was going to fall into place and I wanted to learn a little more.”

The cannabis-derived chemical is non-psychoactive, and – while federally illegal – has been hailed as a cure for disease.

In early May, a federal court ruled that cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical produced by the cannabis plant, is federally illegal, in the same category as LSD and heroin, which the government considers to be dangerous and devoid of medical value.

I grow many different things on our farm, but one of my favorites is cannabis. A little under two years ago, I purchased my first plants and haven't looked back. Since my first harvest, I have not used any NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for any reason. I much prefer skipping all of the possible side effects of pharmaceuticals and rely on the medicinal uses of cannabis instead. My favorite way to harness the healing powers of the cannabis plant is in tincture or salve form. Topical applications will not cause a psychoactive response.

Starseed Medicinal Inc. ("Starseed"), the first medical cannabis company to form a strategic partnership with a large private health benefit plan, is pleased to announce that it has officially launched its unique medical cannabis supply and service model with LiUNA local 625 in Windsor, Ontario and will be expanding the program across Canada in the coming months.

Starseed has partnered with Laborers' International Union of North America ("LiUNA"), Canada's largest construction union with 120,000 active members, which has commenced providing health coverage for medical cannabis to its members and their dependants. This partnership is part of a growing global movement towards finding viable alternatives to opioids for treating chronic pain.

The MP for the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding is not overly optimistic heading into Wednesday’s vote on her private member’s bill concerning landlords and medicinal marijuana home grows, but she hopes it’s the start of a conversation.

“I’m not anticipating support in terms of the vote from the Liberals,” Cathy McLeod told KTW. “But if they’re not willing to support this, then I think they need to be held accountable.”

McLeod’s bill would give rights to landlords who currently have little to no say on whether Health Canada-approved medicinal marijuana users grow pot plants in their homes.

Employee drug plans might soon cover cannabis. SunLife Financial is going to be the first Canadian health insurer to cover medical marijuana.

An advocacy group that says it’s a step in the right direction.

James O’Hara is the president and CEO of Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM). He says this is a proactive approach for a health unsurer to take.

“I think it’s something that’s a very, very positive step, and I think it will be widely adopted,” he says. “It’s a natural [next] step.”