Manitoba’s Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) ran billboards such as this one in Winnipeg in 2019 to educate the public ahead of edibles’ entry to the recreational market. (Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. FDA reported weighing CBD regulation in food, supplements

Reuters — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to make recommendations on how to regulate the use of popular cannabis compound CBD in food and supplements, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing agency officials. After weighing the evidence on the compound’s safety, the FDA will decide within months how to

A kochia infested field.

Late harvest hampers fall weed control efforts

Narrow regrowth window, cooling temperatures play role in limiting applications

Manitoba’s weed specialist says this year’s late harvest has thrown a wrench into many farmers’ fall control plans. Normally, it is recommended that farmers wait four to six weeks after harvest to allow weed regrowth before spraying. “This year, we just don’t have the calendar days to do that,” said Kim Brown-Livingston, Manitoba Agriculture and


Manitoba harvest nears completion

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 24, October 18, 2022

Overview Harvest progress sits at 90 per cent complete across the province, having caught up to the 5-year average of 91 per cent complete by week 42. Harvest is wrapping up or done in many areas of southern Manitoba, and fall fieldwork, tillage, fertilizer application and drainage is underway. Winter cereal crops appear in good

Soy harvest hits half-way mark, overall harvest progress varies widely

Soy harvest hits half-way mark, overall harvest progress varies widely

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 23, October 11, 2022

Overview Harvest progress sits at 79 per cent completed across the province, approximately two weeks behind the 5-year average of 89 per cent complete by week 41. Canola continues to be harvested in all regions, but notable progress has been made in the Southwest region, where crops were generally later and more variable than other

(Fudio/iStock/Getty Images)

Biden overhauling U.S. marijuana policy

Prior federal offenses to be pardoned; moves could ease U.S. business for cannabis firms

Washington | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden took steps to overhaul U.S. policy on marijuana on Thursday by pardoning thousands of people with federal offenses for simple marijuana possession — and initiating a review of how the drug is classified. Biden said thousands of people with prior federal convictions could be denied employment, housing


Signage outside a Tweed cannabis store in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village, roughly 60 metres west of the high-density neighbourhood’s Tokyo Smoke store. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pot producer Canopy Growth to shed retail stores

Company working on 'path to profitability'

In full cost-cutting mode, Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corp. is set to shed a significant chunk of its vertical integration model by selling off the retail pot shops it owns across the country. Smiths Falls, Ont.-based Canopy announced Sept. 27 it has an agreement in place with OEG Retail Cannabis — already the owner/operators

Cannabis plants at a licensed indoor production facility in Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Canada to review impact of cannabis legalization four years on

Review will also look at regulatory challenges in pot sector

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada on Thursday launched a review of the country’s legalization of recreational cannabis use four years ago to evaluate its impact on youth, Indigenous minorities and others, and analyze its effect on the economy and the illegal marijuana market. Canada became the first developed nation to legalize use of recreational marijuana

Rain stalls harvest progress, canola harvest struggles to accelerate

Rain stalls harvest progress, canola harvest struggles to accelerate

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 20, September 20, 2022

Overview Harvest progress sits at 40 per cent completed across the province, approximately 3 weeks behind the 5-year average of 71 per cent complete by week 38. Steady rainfall across the province late last week stalled harvest progress. Farmers are anxiously awaiting drier weather to return to straight-cutting cereal and canola crops, and for breezy


Harvest progress behind five-year average, crop conditions good

Harvest progress behind five-year average, crop conditions good

Manitoba Crop Report: Issue 18, September 6, 2022

Overview Harvest progress sits at 15 per cent completed across the province, well behind the 5-year average of 51 per cent completed by this time. The effect of delayed seeding, high humidity and frequent rains have had an impact delaying harvest. Ideal harvesting conditions allowed for significant progress this past week. Crop condition looks good

Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seed Solutions shows how to separate the hurd from the hemp plant while James Frey holds onto the microphone.  
photo: GORD LEATHERS

New uses drive hemp fibre market

U.S. builders are using hempcrete more frequently due to its insulating properties and moisture tolerance

The market for hemp fibre may be on its way up again and Jeff Kostuik of Verve Seed Solutions says it’s based on a part of the plant that used to be considered waste. At a crop demonstration for the Parklands Crop Diversity Foundation in Roblin, he pulled apart a hemp stem and showed the