Russell Bennett is transitioning away from legal services and into mediation services. Recognizing that companies and people in the North American cannabis industry need more than regulatory and litigation assistance from the legal community - they need to resolve disputes BEFORE the need to hire a lawyer - Russell created an introductory mediation package. During the last five years of practising with Cannabis Law, Russell's law firm, Russell has litigated several cases in the Ontario Provincial Court, the Ontario Superior Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal, and realized that many of thes ..read more

Last November, Cannabis Law in Canada, my podcast, my "sandbox" where I get to express myself a little creatively, and get to talk to really great people in long-form interviews about cannabis, came to a halt. (You can listen to the various interviews here, on my website or on most podcast platforms.) I had a good interview with Matt Maurer, and then with more responsibilities at work and home, I endured a gap of 8 months. No podcasts. I was also tired. I needed a break. The question burning in my mind was, Does anyone care about this podcast? Should I shut it down? Seven months later, I rea ..read more

In the changing landscape of cannabis legalization in Canada, what are employees’ rights to disclose or not to disclose medical cannabis use at work? By Henria Stephens, student-at-law, Cannabis Law, Barristers & Solicitors May 31, 2021 Photo by Josh Olalde on Unsplash Legalization brought hope and legitimacy to a long-maligned plant. Our new laws define how we can legally engage with this wonder flower. Finally, some clarity, though not surprisingly there also continues to be confusion, mistrust and outdated unscientific beliefs. You may be flabbergasted to learn that ..read more

Here are three charts released by the AGCO, apparently to make your understanding of what you can and cannot do as of November 10, 2020.  Please let us know if you have any questions ..read more

  March 15, 2022 [This is a reprint of a reminder of an AGCO Information Bulletin. For the original, please CLICK HERE.] Photo by Rowan Freeman on Unsplash REMINDER: Permanent Framework for Delivery and Curbside Pick-up from Cannabis Retail Stores NOW IN EFFECT!   Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) cannabis licensees are reminded that the Government of Ontario has enabled cannabis retailers to offer delivery and curbside pick-up services on a permanent basis beginning TODAY: March 15, 2022.   For more information, see the Information Bulletin: Supporting Cannabis R ..read more

  There’s a bad joke going around the cannabis industry: “What’s the difference between licit and illicit cannabis?” Punchline: “A licence.” In other words, given a choice, Canadians prefer to buy illicit weed. In fact, nearly 80 per cent of all sales since legalization are from the “black market” – or more aptly named the “original market.” This is not to say that Canada should not be proud to be the first G20 nation to stop throwing people in jail for possessing small amounts of weed. But let’s be honest, the federal government’s objective to eliminate the original industry is misguide ..read more

  March 1, 2022 [This is a reprint of an AGCO Information Bulletin. For the original, please go to https://www.agco.ca/bulletin/2022/information-bulletin-supporting-cannabis-retailers-curbside-pick-and-delivery-become] Photo by Rowan Freeman on Unsplash Supporting Cannabis Retailers: Curbside Pick-up and Delivery to Become Permanent on March 15 The Government of Ontario has established new rules to enable cannabis retailers to offer delivery and curbside pick-up services on a permanent basis beginning March 15, 2022.   Please note that the new rules for delivery still will not permi ..read more

Happy Valentine’s Day! Will you be my Valentine, Canada? Will you help me make my Valentine's Day wish come true? My wish is for all Canadian citizens who have been convicted of cannabis offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to have their records automatically expunged, not pardoned. The difference between an expungement and a pardon is that an expungement destroys or removes all judicial records of their conviction from the RCMP repositories and any other federal department or agency, so that the person can say that they were never convicted of that offence. A pardon ..read more

Police bust 23 year-old cannabis compassion club in Victoria Read the original news story at Victoria News. Is this a good use of our police force, enforcing licensing violations? Now that cannabis is legal, Canada needs to re-examine the use of our police force. Police need to focus on real crime, not licensing violations. And there is more than enough crime in the country to shift their focus away from cannabis activities. Cannabis Compassion Clubs cater to the sick and need a Medical Cannabis Retail Licence A way we can solve the issue of compassion clubs is to provide them with a licence ..read more

Attachment Affidavit of documents - Sina Majidi - 30-JUN-2021.pdf added. Conversation opened. 1 unread message   Updates to Cannabis Standards Clarify Inducement Rules Please note: this blog is a reprint from an AGCO announcement. For the original, please visit www.agco.ca. Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 90 Sheppard Avenue East Suite 200 Toronto ON M2N 0A4 February 7, 2022   Updates to Cannabis Standards Clarify Inducement Rules Following the completion of industry-wide consultations, t ..read more