Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

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

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

Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online

Research Projects and Companies Supported Through OAFRI

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced an investment of up to $4.77 million to strengthen the province’s agri-food sector. This funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable... Read this article online

First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program

Thursday, September 4, 2025

This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top