It was mid-summer, less than three months before Canada legalized recreational marijuana, and Vic Neufeld had a problem.

The chief executive officer of Aphria Inc. had just hired 50 people to work in the pot producer’s greenhouse in Leamington, Ontario and by the end of the first week all but eight had quit.

“Those are really hot, humid months and working in a greenhouse, as much cooling and airflow as we can provide, is still pretty darn hot in July and August,” Neufeld said in a phone interview.

While Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis is hoping more permits will be granted well before that, it’s a possibility it could take that long before the current number of licensed pot shops grows beyond the current 65, said commission spokeswoman Kaleigh Miller.

“We could get a huge amount of supply in six months, or it could be 18 months — it’s a huge flux time,” she said.

“Hopefully in the middle of that time, we’ll see a more normalized industry and supply … it’s out of our hands.”

Cannabis shortages remain in the wake of changes to the province’s supply system, said the AGLC and marijuana retailers.

A new study from Statistics Canada draws data from an unexpected source to suggest Halifax has the highest rate of cannabis consumption per capita among five urban centres across the country.

The national statistics agency launched its study in March, using a relatively new technology called wastewater-based epidemiology.

Researchers analyzed wastewater from 15 treatment plants across Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver to produce statistics on cannabis use.

The results suggest that between March and August, Halifax had the highest rate of consumption per capita, at 1,310 micrograms per person per week, with Montreal coming in second at 976.

A recent survey by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THiA) found that one fifth of Canadians planning a vacation this year are unaware of the implications of travelling with cannabis. Furthermore, 22% of survey respondents with medical cannabis prescriptions said that now the drug is legal, they can pack medical cannabis products in their carry-ons just like other prescription drugs, regardless of where they’re travelling to.

Canadians eat or smoke anywhere between 400 to 1,600 tonnes of cannabis per year, according to a few months of sewage samples examined for the federal government.

The wide-ranging estimate, released by Statistics Canada on Thursday, is the first look at cannabis use through a new technique called wastewater-based epidemiology. The tests involve gauging traces of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, at 15 wastewater treatment plants in five different cities, including Vancouver.

After cannabis is metabolized in the body, traces of THC are left behind in human waste. Scientists collected wastewater on the second week of each month from March to August this year – before cannabis was legalized in Canada on Oct. 17.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service now has its first two Drager DrugTest 5000 drug testing devices for use in roadside checks of drivers suspected of being under the influence of marijuana or cocaine.

The units consist of a large bag containing mouth swab kits (necessary for drug impairment tests, in contrast to breathalyzer units used to test for suspected alcohol impairment), the Drager DrugTest 5000 device itself, an attached keyboard and a small printer.

Marijuana, long sneaked on to college and university campuses for use in bongs and joints, is now being grown legally at several academic institutions across the country.

Eight academic institutions have obtained licences from Health Canada to cultivate cannabis for scientific purposes, allowing them to closely study the drug that was legalized for recreational use in October.

Some received special licences a few months before legalization and will be moving to licences with fewer restrictions in the future. The University of Guelph is one of them.

Max Jones, an assistant professor in the department of agriculture, received cannabis plants several weeks ago after the school was granted a license in September.

The marijuana industry has put on a show for pot enthusiasts and investors this year. The highlight, as you can imagine, was the legalization of recreational cannabis on Oct. 17 in Canada. In a few years, after the industry has had time to expand its capacity and lay the foundation for its sales channels, $5 billion or more in added annual sales may be possible. But for as impressive as the cannabis industry has been so far, all eyes are now turning to what 2019 might hold for pot stocks. While it's impossible to tell what'll happen with any certainty, investors will likely be waiting on the edge of their seats for one beverage giant to choose a cannabis partner.

Cannabis company Newstrike Brands Ltd. has struck a deal to create co-branded edibles with specialty foods company Neal Brothers Inc., best known for its chips and salsa.

Newstrike will own 60 per cent and Neal Brothers will own 40 per cent of a joint venture that will manufacture, distribute, market and sell cannabis-infused products.

It will also acquire a minority interest in Neal Brothers and receive advisory services from Peter and Chris Neal under the conditional deal, which subject to regulatory and other approvals.

The joint venture partners will develop edible cannabis products at Newstrike's licensed operation in the Niagara community of Lincoln, Ont.

The medical and recreational use of marijuana is increasing globally, and its effects on drivers can — like alcohol — be devastating, as the drug influences the cognitive abilities of drivers, as much as alcohol does.