Cannabis News

Health Canada cannabis guidance exposes “absurd” education gap in healthcare

Published

4 months ago

February 10, 2026

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New federal guidance on medical cannabis is drawing attention to a growing gap in Canadian health care: patients are increasingly using cannabis to manage symptoms, but often without consistent clinical education, dosage support or drug interaction screening.

In January 2026, Health Canada published Information on the Medical Uses of Cannabis, a guidance document for consumers that includes contraindications, possible drug interactions, dosing and titration principles, and potential adverse effects.

Legal cannabis products produced and sold in Canada are not licensed to treat specific diseases or symptoms and have not been reviewed to determine whether they are safe or effective for those purposes.

“This is top-to-bottom healthcare,” said Ajay Chahal, PharmD, co-founder of Apothecare. “Health Canada has done the work to put clear guidelines to Canadians, but it’s absurd that patients are still forced to be their own physician educators. We’ve created a reality where patients are forced to turn to budtenders for pseudo-clinical advice, product recommendations for sleep, pain, anxiety or cancer-related symptoms based on anecdotes that work for someone I know. That’s not informed care, it’s a symptom of a system that has failed.”

Health Canada says that the use of cannabis carries health risks that are not yet fully understood and advises Canadians to consult their health care provider before using cannabis for medical purposes.

“That warning should set the system in motion,” said Anushya Vijayaraghevan, PharmD, co-founder of Apothecare. “Patients should not gamble with their health to relieve symptoms. If a patient is taking antidepressants, blood thinners, seizure medications, or has mental health vulnerabilities, the stakes are real. However, patients are often left to make product decisions and trial-and-error dosing with little guidance from the clinical system they are supposed to protect.”

In response to Health Canada’s guidelines, Apothecare is calling for four immediate actions to close the cannabis education gap in Canadian healthcare. First, medical cannabis education should be integrated into the core training of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health providers, with standardized learning outcomes that address dosage, contraindications, impairment, and drug interactions. Cannabis is already being used by patients across the country, and clinicians need a shared baseline of knowledge to manage it safely and consistently.

Second, clinical cannabis counseling should be established as a standard for patient safety. Canadians deserve access to evidence-based guidance that is medically responsible, consistent across care settings and independent of retail environments. Without clinical advice, patients are often left to navigate complex decisions on their own, increasing the risk of misuse, adverse effects, or missed interactions with other therapies.

Third, continuing education requirements through professional organizations need to be modernized so that clinicians can keep pace as cannabis use becomes more common for symptom management. Continuing education allows health care providers to confidently counsel patients, analyze risk factors, and adapt care as evidence evolves, rather than relying on outdated information or comfort levels.

Finally, cannabis should be treated like other pharmacologically active therapies in routine care. This means standardizing patient disclosure, documenting use in medical records, and supporting appropriate follow-up and monitoring. By moving away from a trial-and-error approach, it will help integrate cannabis into standard care practices and improve patient safety and outcomes.

“This is not about being for or against cannabis,” Vijayaragheva said. “It’s about accountability. The system can’t ignore something this widespread and then act surprised when patients are confused, underinformed or harmed. We have the knowledge and the clinical space to do better, but it needs to be prioritized.”

“This should not be controversial,” Chahal said. “If millions of Canadians use cannabis for medical purposes, then millions of Canadians deserve professional-level education, consistent clinical supervision and clear safety standards.”

For more information:
Apothecare
https://apothecare.ca/

Related Topics:absurd Canada Cannabis Education exposes gap guidance Health Healthcare

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GreenTech Amsterdam 2026 in 2026 photos

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2026

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Well, it’s not 2026 photos, but with around 600 photos, we definitely did our best. For the past two days, the Netherlands has been the place to be for the global greenhouse industry. From Flower Trials for the horticulture sector, company visits to growers and technical suppliers, as well as dinners, get-togethers, drinks, knowledge sessions and much more. And of course with GreenTech Amsterdam.

The event brought together professionals from around the world to connect, network, share knowledge and do business.

Next week, we’ll be sharing more information on market developments, trends, what’s on display, news, business news, innovations and whatever else you can think of, but for now we’ll stick to photo reporting.

Click here for the photo report.

Cannabis News

Illinois Governor Signs Bill To Double Marijuana Possession Limit, Restrict Hemp THC Products And Reform Rules For Businesses

Published

1 hour ago

June 13, 2026

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Illinois’ governor has signed an omnibus cannabis bill into law doubles the amount of marijuana that adults can legally possesssignificantly restricts hemp THC products and makes other changes to the rules under which licensed businesses can operate.

Governor JB Pritzker on Friday gave final approval to the legislation, which cleared the House and Senate about two weeks ago.

As established by law, SB 3222 allows state residents over the age of 21 to possess up to 60 grams of marijuana flower, double the previous law. They can also contain up to 10 grams of concentrated cannabis and infused products with up to 1,000 mg of THC, double the previous limit. Ownership amounts for non-resident adults are also doubled under the bill.

People with past convictions for possession of 60 grams of marijuana will now have the option to have those records expunged; they can double the previous cut, which only those with convictions of up to 30 grams can have the right.

The legislation also recriminalizes hemp THC products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, in line with the federal ban that will take effect in November.

“Rather than allowing an ambiguous market to put people at risk, Illinois is taking steps to protect consumers of all ages, especially children, from misleading packaging and labeling,” Pritzker said in a press release. “This landmark legislation closes the intoxicating cannabis loophole while strengthening equity and oversight and expanding medical access. Illinois is committed to cultivating a cannabis industry that benefits diverse businesses across the state and prioritizes accessibility, and I’m proud to sign this measure into law.”

Illinois continues to set the standard for opportunity, equity and safety in the adult cannabis industry.

Today, I’m signing legislation to ban the intoxicated sale of marijuana to people under the age of 21 to protect our children, simplify licensing, and strengthen oversight. pic.twitter.com/HEnEdSWe7e

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) June 12, 2026

Among other changes, the bill also allows for drive-thru and curbside pickup at dispensaries, allows them to stay open until 2 a.m., and allows medical cannabis certificates to be issued via telehealth.

The hood limits of craft cannabis growers will be expanded to between 5,000 and 14,000 square meters, and the new the law loosens some security requirements for marijuana companies, and also waives or reduces fees for smaller operators.

In 2019, the Pritzker signed the state’s initial marijuana legalization policy.

While broader restrictions on hemp products take effect in the state on Nov. 12, along with a similar federal move, sales to people under the age of 21 are immediately prohibited,

The legislation allows all marijuana dispensaries to register individually to specifically sell medical cannabis. The list of conditions for medical marijuana is also expanding to include female orgasmic disorder, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids.

“Illinois has led the nation in building a cannabis industry that prioritizes equity and public safety, and SB 3222 builds on that progress,” Governor Juliana Stratton said. he said. “By protecting young people from intoxicating unregulated hemp products and creating clear standards for the industry, we’re ensuring consumers are safer while maintaining opportunities for diverse businesses and communities across our state.”

Mike Latimer’s photo.

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Cannabis News

Shining a spotlight on compliance and innovation at Cannabis Expo Johannesburg 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

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On May 29, 2026, global cannabis technology company CannBro was invited to the Cannabis Expo in Johannesburg to share insights on emerging cannabis-related medical applications and supply chain strategies in the cannabis markets.

At the event, CannBro highlighted its partnership with the CHEEBA Cannabis Academy to promote industry education, compliance awareness and the development of regulatory standards in emerging cannabis markets. The company highlighted the importance of establishing strong regulatory and compliance frameworks for the sustainable growth of the industry.

As a company certified with ISO 13485 and GMP, CannBro actively explores medical cannabis applications and collaborates with health organizations to discuss potential clinical research and CBD product applications.

CannBro also introduced the “Factory Pricing + Local Stock” strategy, combining manufacturing capabilities in China with warehouses located overseas, enabling efficient delivery of local inventory. The company currently operates warehouses in the United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa and has helped more than 150 customers with local stock delivery solutions that reduce costs and improve inventory turnover.

In addition, CannBro visited local cannabis cultivation facilities to learn about the evolution of the South African market and explore potential partnerships for cultivation, medical applications and product development.

Andy Zhao, CEO of CannBro, said: “As the global cannabis market matures, fulfillment and medical applications will become key drivers of sustainable growth. CannBro remains committed to advancing the industry through education, medical research and supply chain innovation.”

For more information:
CannBro Technology
Email: (email protected)
www.cannbro.com