A Republican lawmaker in Iowa introduced a bill in the state legislature that would legalize using Psilocybin, MDMA and Ibogaine for medical reasons.

Jeff Shipley introduced the bills on February 6 in the House of Representatives. House File 249 would remove the substances from the list of Schedule 1 controlled substances and allow for the state to create laws that would allow the drugs for medical purposes. House File 248 would remove Psilocybin from Schedule 1 of the state’s uniform controlled substances act.

A 70-year-old New Brunswick man suffered a heart attack and experts are saying it’s because of cannabis lollipop.

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology published a report on Monday detailing the case and how this lollipop may have led to the man’s heart attack. The gentleman was reportedly looking for something to alleviate his arthritis paid and tried the cannabis lollipop.

The lollipop contained 90 mg of THC. To put into perspective, an average joint typically contains around seven mg.

Dalhousie University cardiologist Dr. Alexandra Saunders spoke to sources about the incident.  

Cannabis retailers across Canada have struggled to supply consumers with product since the country legalized recreational cannabis five months ago, and industry experts say that this trend is likely to last for a few years.

George Robinson who runs RavenQuest, a cannabis biomed firm, told sources that supply shortages are expected to last at least five years.

“We’re absolutely not getting anywhere close to the (needed) supply,” said Robinson. He added that approximately 5 million kilograms are needed to satisfy the demand for recreational cannabis across the country. Suppliers are currently growing less than 10 percent of that amount. Therefore, there simply isn’t enough cannabis being distributed to retailers.

Researchers at Harvard University found that cannabis could affect a man’s fertility, but not in the way you might think.

The surprising results from the research found that men who regularly smoke cannabis have higher sperm counts than men who don’t smoke. The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction earlier this week and have received worldwide attention since previously it was thought that cannabis consumption will negatively affect a man’s sperm count.

According to the Quebec Poison Control Centre, cannabis poisoning cases have risen since Canada legalized cannabis in October. The province has released a new ad campaign warning consumers about the associated risks in response to the influx in hospital visits.

From the legalization date of October 17 all the way through December, the center recorded 89 cases whereas only 25 cases were recorded during the same period of the year prior.

“Right now, it’s hard to distinguish whether there is more exposure, more cases of over-intoxication, or simply more people calling because they feel more comfortable now that it’s legal,” said director of the Quebec Poison Control Centre Maude Saint-Onge.

A Canadian producer based in Ontario is using a unique method of fertilizing their crops that seems a little fishy.

Green Relief, located in Puslinch, Ontario, operates an aquaponics farm that uses filtered fish waste to fertilize their crops. In turn, the crops clean the water for the fish.

The facility is entirely underground with the exception of the ventilation equipment that sticks out of the ground. Green Relief says they are currently the only producer using aquaponics for marijuana production.

In an exciting turn of events, the World Health Organization (WHO) has finally acknowledged that cannabis should no longer be considered a controlled substance in international treaties.

The WHO published a letter on February 1 recommending that cannabis and cannabis resin not be considered controlled substances in international treaties but specifically that it should be removed from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs which is currently the highest restriction.

Illinois launched their opioid alternative program, allowing patients temporarily using opioids to manage pain to have the option of switching to medical cannabis.

The Alternative to Opioids Bill was signed by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner in August, and the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP) was officially accepting patients Thursday morning as of 8:30 a.m. The program is the first of its kind in the United States and was launched at the HCI Alternatives medical cannabis dispensary in Springfield, Illinois.

Russia’s Health Ministry has expressed its interest in importing marijuana and hashish for research according to a draft bill that published earlier this week.

The purpose of the research would be to study marijuana’s “addiction-causing capacities”. Under current Russian law, the circulation of cannabis is illegal and possession of even small amounts can results in convictions or hefty fines.

“The import of narcotic drugs and cannabinoid psychotropic substances … will be required to conduct scientific research and testing in Russia,” says the regulation drafted by the Health Ministry.

Russia is known to be strongly against marijuana and have voiced their opinion on the matter when Canada decided to legalize cannabis nationally.  

The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp. (OCRC) posted a tender call last week for couriers so that they can offer same-day delivery.

According to the OCRC, the program is supposed to launch in early March and will be focused on the Greater Toronto Area to start.

“As OCRC’S marketplace evolves, the ability for the organization to provide a variety of delivery options to meet customers’ expectations is imperative to the growth of its e-commerce business. Accordingly, the OCRC is looking to add expedited/same-day home delivery service,” says the tender call that was posted online.

But in wake of the announcement, some are concerned that this could prove to be a difficult undertaking.