Canopy Growth Corp. is acquiring a majority stake in BioSteel Sports Nutrition Inc., as the pot giant aims to quench the thirst of prospective consumers with a line of cannabis-infused sports drinks.

The deal, which sees Canopy acquiring a 72 per cent stake in the Toronto-based sports drink maker, represents the company's bet that aside from being a major cannabis producer, it can also be a big player in the US$50-billion global sports nutrition market. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

An Ontario appellate judge ruled on Wednesday to dismiss a motion by a group of disqualified cannabis store applicants requesting the province’s retail cannabis licensing process be suspended pending an appeal being heard.

“The process that the government has decided on should be permitted to proceed. If the moving parties are ultimately successful, they may have a remedy, at the very least, in damages,” Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Ian Nordheimer said in his remarks dismissing the stay motion.

The ruling will now see the application process to open 42 new cannabis stores in Ontario continue, although the proper roll-out of these new shops is expected to be delayed for some time.

Researchers at Western University are demonstrating how cannabidiol (CBD) can help diminish the negative psychiatric side effects from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) during cannabis consumption in rats.

Although researchers were previously aware that high-THC cannabis cultivars could cause such symptoms, the mechanism behind the symptoms was not fully understood.

A Toronto-based, organic superfood company recently launched an instant CBD latte mix.

Each serving of CBD + Golden Mylk Turmeric Instant Latte is packed with cannabis compounds like CBD, THCV, CBDV and CBG. It also contains “a blend of other medicinal compounds, including terpenes and flavonoids, as well as turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, saffron and dairy-free, shelf- and heat-stable Bacillus Coagulans (a beneficial bacteria that helps in treating infections) probiotics,” notes Ally Mamalider, director of business strategy at Organic Traditions, in an email.

The 11 disqualified cannabis store applicants in Ontario who had their case dismissed last Friday are appealing the decision and asking the court to suspend allocating any licences to future pot shops again, a lawyer representing the group said.

Lawrence Gridin, a lawyer from Brauti Thorning LLP who represents the group, confirmed to BNN Bloomberg in a phone interview that the law firm filed documents at Ontario’s Court of Appeal and plans to ask for an interim stay of the court’s ruling from Friday.

He declined to provide further comment on the group’s plans for appeal.

With Canada getting a head start on most the world when it comes legalization, canna-tourism is about to take off.

In an attempt to help companies up their game, Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre will play host to the first annual New Heights Cannabis Tourism Summit next month.

“Canada has caught the world’s attention with the legalization of recreational cannabis and canna-tourism is the next big thing,” said Jennifer Mason, founder of the event. “Now that edibles will be launching on October 17th, it presents an even bigger opportunity for many tourism cannabis experiences.”

Ontario is particularly ripe for the new industry with its relatively relaxed regulations and an abundance of cannabis consumers interested in new adventures, Mason said.

A legal battle launched by a group of 11 disqualified pot shop applicants in Ontario has been dismissed by a panel of judges, according to a court filing obtained by BNN Bloomberg.

Lawyers representing the disqualified applicants argued that their clients didn’t receive fair process when they were notified that they won the lottery.

The three judges overseeing the notice for judicial review – Justice David Corbett, Justice Katherine Swinton and Justice Robbie Gordon – ruled to dismiss the application brought forward by the disqualified applicants.

Ontario is exploring the possibility of no longer running the province’s wholesale cannabis distribution business, according to several people familiar with the matter, a move that could substantially lower prices of legal pot in the province. 

Ontario, which is Canada's biggest market for legal pot, will begin consultations with various industry members to pursue a Saskatchewan-like distribution model where licensed cannabis producers will ship directly to retailers, the sources said. An announcement could come as early as next week, the sources added. 

McGill University really is the place for higher learning.

The school was recently awarded a licence from Health Canada to produce cannabis for medical purposes as part of its collaboration with RavenQuest BioMed Inc. The licence allows research to continue into cultivar recognition, yield maximization and other methods of improving production and sustainability of the plant.