A new report says cannabis has contributed $43.5 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and $13.3 billion to Ontario's since recreational pot was legalized in October 2018.

The report from Deloitte Canada and provincial pot distributor, the Ontario Cannabis Store, says about $25.2 billion of that contribution comes from labour income and 151,000 jobs.

The report says for every dollar in revenue or capital expenditures, the industry adds about $1.09 to Canada's GDP and $1.02 to Ontario's.

For every million dollars in revenue or capital expenditure, the cannabis sector sustains about four jobs in Canada and Ontario each.

The research also estimates that the industry has generated $15.1 billion in Canadian tax revenues and $3 billion for Ontario.

 Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. (CSE: CANN) (OTCQX: HERTF) (“Heritage” or the “Company”), today announced the upcoming launch of nine new products that will be available in the Ontario cannabis market through the Ontario Cannabis Store (“OCS”) and retailers in the province. New products include two infused pre-rolls, three concentrates, one pre-roll, two vape cartridges, and one flower product.

Under a recent call for new products, Heritage submitted unique and innovative products for consideration by the OCS, nine of which will be available in Spring of this year – a notable achievement for the Heritage product innovation team.

While most firms are focused on bringing their brands to the US market, it appears that Gage Growth Corp (CSE: GAGE) has a slightly different idea in mind. The firm last night announced that it will be bringing the Cookies brand to Canada, opening its first dispensary in Ontario this weekend.

The firm will be opening the first flagship Cookies-branded dispensary in Toronto, while bringing a number of Cookies-branded products North of the border as well via a partnership with Noya Cannabis. The location is said to feature the entire collection of Cookies branded products, including strains of cannabis developed by the company.

Local cannabis store manager disputes claims, contends 'it's all about education' and finding the right type and correct dose

A local mental health advocate is speaking out about what she considers the potential risks of cannabis use.

Zoey Raffay, a published author and former student at Orillia Secondary School, says she has not consumed cannabis recently, and her mind is as clear as ever.

“I find that cannabis really struck my psychosis, my depression, and anxiety," said the 21-year-old.

"It made it all skyrocket and it made my medications go up. Now that I’ve been off it, it’s been amazing. In the long-term, cannabis doesn’t help with things like depression and anxiety. I found it just made It worse." 

Zero-tolerance policies don't usually hold up, even in safety-sensitive workplaces, says lawyer

Includes Ontario launch of specialty concentrate product “Pedro’s Sweet Sativa Live Sugar”; debut of high-THC, rare cultivar “Space Cake”; and “Black Sugar Rose 10-pack Pre-rolls”

Entourage Health Corp. (formerly WeedMD Inc.) (TSX-V:ENTG) (OTCQX:ETRGF) (FSE:4WE) (“Entourage” or the “Company”), a Canadian producer and distributor of award-winning cannabis products and brands is pleased to announce the expansion of its Color Cannabis adult-use lineup with the launch of three new premium products now available in Ontario, with expected expansion across Canada throughout the first quarter of 2022.

Norfolk Police Services Board is hoping that a new year means some headway on an old issue.

In a letter sent to Health Canada, the board has once again asked them formally to sit down and discuss Cannabis Loopholes.

These “loopholes” are residents using Health Canada’s system to legally obtain cannabis, but then pushing it well past just a few plants, and make large grow ops in the county.

One way this is done is several individuals will designate a sole person as their designated grower, allowing them to have several plants on their property.

The Hash Corporation (CSE: REZN) (“HashCo” or the “Company”), a business focusing on the production of hashish and other premium cannabis products using the adaption of old-world traditions, is pleased to announce that its new co-branded product with Fritz's Cannabis Company (“Fritz’s”), a family owned and operated legacy market edibles producer, has received a listing from the Ontario Cannabis Store (“OCS”).

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca is calling on the Ford government to make proof of vaccination mandatory for access to LCBO and cannabis stores.

Del Duca made the request during a news conference on Tuesday morning, as he discussed Ontario’s plans to begin lifting public health restrictions as of Jan. 31.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also made a similar proposal earlier this week.

“In essence, this is my call out to Doug Ford to say given all of the lessons that we have learned during this pandemic, lessons that I would have hoped that Doug Ford himself would have learned this is not the time to be weak and this is not the time to be half-hearted,” Del Duca said.

$87 million in cannabis sales in northern Ontario in 2021, up from $15 million in 2020

The typical northern Ontario town has a post office, a grocery store, beer store, hardware store and now a pot shop.  

The Pop's Cannabis store in the Hanmer area of Greater Sudbury is sandwiched between a bank and a pharmacy. 

Store manager Jamy McKenzie said some customers are just noticing the store now, because they haven't been "shouting from the mountain tops." 

"We don't want to disrupt the community. We want to be a part of it. We want to contribute to it," he said. ​