Cannabis News
Health Canada cannabis guidance exposes “absurd” education gap in healthcare
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/
The Cannabis Control Commission, the government body that oversees the marijuana business in the state of Massachusetts (USA), has decided to temporarily stop accepting new license applications for growing marijuana, both indoors and outdoors. This hiatus officially began on June 16, 2026.
Anyone planning to apply for a new marijuana cultivation license after June 16, 2026 will not be able to do so while this suspension is in effect. The Commission will not accept such requests during this period.
There are two groups that can continue normally. First, anyone who submitted an application before June 16, 2026, will continue to review and process applications as usual. Second, applicants for specific programs designed to help communities historically affected by drug laws, known as the Social Equity Program and the Economic Empowerment Program, are exempt from this suspension if they apply for a smaller-scale “Microenterprise” license.
The suspension will be in effect for 120 days from June 16, 2026, which is currently scheduled to be lifted around mid-October 2026. However, the Commission has the power to terminate earlier or extend further, depending on market conditions.
Source: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
Cannabis News
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Does Not Appear To Apply’ To Washington Businesses, State Officials Say
The medical cannabis market is expected to grow from $47 billion to $149 billion by 2031, and New Zealand has a real role to play in that story. And thanks in large part to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the government’s international business development agency, Puro is starting to play.
At Cannabis Europa 2026 London, NZTE hosted an evening event at the City Arts Bar with Puro, New Zealand companies Bluelab, Rua Bioscience and CannFX. Puro called it The NZ Room.
Beyond all things Kiwiana – including Puro brand kiwifruit, Kiwi’d – the room was filled with some pretty amazing people: Ivy League scientists, company founders, patients, advocates, industry players, government officials, Maori tribal leaders and a tough Scotsman. All in the same space with the same true passion for where this industry is going.
It was one of those rooms where conversations went well when they had to end. That’s usually a sign of something well done.
Made possible by NZTE
For Puro, the NZTE relationship has been formative. With ongoing support, Puro has entered the Australian market with 47 unique product SKUs and signed a £7 million supply agreement with UK distributor IPS Pharma.
NZTE understands the potential of the New Zealand cannabis industry. The willingness to support this nascent industry and put New Zealand in the spotlight at events like Cannabis Europa is very significant. New Zealand is a small country and the country’s credibility in international markets is built from relationship to relationship, room by room. NZTE helps build those rooms.
© Cigar
what’s next
For the first time, patients in the UK have access to medicinal cannabis grown in New Zealand. That’s the direct result of years of work by Puro’s team, but it’s not worth much if you can’t connect with buyers globally. Creating international relationships that events like Cannabis Europa make this possible.
“We are grateful for the extensive support from the New Zealand Government that drives our progress, including the Ministry of Primary Industries’ support for our genetic breeding, product innovation and market access goals. This collective effort from agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, NZTE and the New Zealand Export Credit Bureau ensures that Mail that started in London will continue to grow in Puro’s international goals,” he said. a statement
For more information:
clean
www.puro.co.nz
Legalization Tabled in NH! California Weed Contaminated! Trulieve fined $350k for hazardous facility
CANNABIS NOW | EUGENIO GARCIA
Marijuana Retail Report
Massachusetts CCC pauses license applications
Trulieve’s News, Canopy’s Turnaround, and Vireo Growth
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Does Not Appear To Apply’ To Washington Businesses, State Officials Say
Massachusetts High Court Allows Ballot Measure to End Adult-Use Cannabis Sales to Proceed
NFL Vet Sues The Denver Broncos for fines for his medical use! South Dakota Ballot ? for 3rd time!
CANNABIS BRAND | SALVADOR SANTANA
Marijuana Retail Report
“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
Florida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
Mazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
Afghan Black Hash Wednesday
Weak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
From Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
DEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF
Re-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;
Your Cannabis Business: Consistent Filings Are Critical
Curaleaf Q2 Revenue Falls 8% – New Cannabis Ventures
-
Cannabis News10 months ago“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
-
Florida10 months agoFlorida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
-
Video9 months agoMazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
-
Video8 months agoAfghan Black Hash Wednesday
-
aawh10 months agoWeak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
-
Video10 months agoFrom Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
-
Video10 months agoDEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF
-
Video10 months agoRe-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;