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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


The Hot New Crop: Marijuana

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Health Canada has launched a new initiative that will see the nation's supply of medical marijuana coming from large, carefully monitored indoor farms rather than the small homegrown operations it had previously relied on. In fact, The Canadian Press reports, private-dwelling production will soon be banned altogether.

Profits are expected to be, err, high: $1.3 billion by 2024 according to federal projections. As of press time, 156 firms had already applied for official producer status and two companies had received licenses – Saskatoon's Prairie Plant Systems and its subsidiary CanniMed Ltd. One of the would-be growers is Ontario-based Tweed Inc., which plans to grow weed in an abandoned chocolate factory in Smiths Falls.

Growers will be able to set their own prices, leading some to worry that prices will rise and drive low-income users who previously grew their own toward the black market. Critics also foresee difficulties obtaining prescriptions, which CBC News reports will be required as of April 1, 2014. There is a dearth of clinical trials on marijuana, and Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Louis Francescutti predicts most doctors will not prescribe something so untested.

Nevertheless, Health Canada and would-be growers are seeing green. The number of people who use medicinal marijuana is expected to reach up to 450,000 by 2024 from 34,500 now. Licensed growers will also be in a good position should the drug ever be legalized. Sophie Galarneau, media relations director at Health Canada, told Canadian Press "we're fairly confident that we'll have a healthy commercial industry in time." BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Strategies to Optimize Market Returns in Ontario

Monday, September 15, 2025

Berkley Fedorchuk, grain marketing specialist with Hensall Co-op in Southwestern Ontario, recently shared insights into the current corn market and strategies for forward marketing during his presentation at the . With a focus on the Ontario and Eastern Canadian grain sectors,... Read this article online

Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington

Friday, September 12, 2025

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

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