A hemp plant in Alberta. (Jennifer Blair photo)

Flower growers turn to weed ahead of legalization

Winnipeg | Reuters — Some Canadian flower growers are turning to weed, with the country’s plan to legalize marijuana for recreational use expected to spur a spike in legal sales of the drug. While medical marijuana is already legal in Canada, the Liberal government said in April it will introduce a law in 2017 to […] Read more

(Jennifer Blair photo)

End of reefer madness could clear air for Canadian hemp

CNS Canada — Anticipated legislative changes for marijuana production could spill over to hemp, according to the head of an industry group — but this year, Canada’s hemp producers are struggling to meet a surprise demand increase from Asia. “There’s lots of discussion with things changing in the marijuana arena; hemp also falls in that […] Read more



(Jennifer Blair photo)

Red tape seen costing hemp growers market share

CNS Canada — Canadian hemp producers are missing out on a potential billion-dollar market opportunity due to government regulations, an industry group warns. Canadian hemp farmers are only permitted to use certain parts, the stalk and seeds, of the plants they grow. As a result, the growers are missing out in the market, said Kim […] Read more


(HempTrade.ca)

Market demand for Canadian hemp exceeding supply

CNS Canada — As hemp users develop more uses for the plant and its seed, so too grow the demands on the crop. It’s a demand becoming tougher to fill, according to an industry expert, as the general public becomes increasingly interested in the plant. “You talk about canola being the miracle crop? Well, hemp […] Read more

(HempTrade.ca)

Prairie hemp acres reaching plateau

CNS Canada — Hemp continues to draw interest as an alternative cropping option in Western Canada, but its slow pace in moving toward deregulation may be limiting the upside acreage potential. Early expectations are for planted area of about 100,000 acres this year, which would be slightly above what was seeded in 2014 and a […] Read more