Category: Saint John

Pot legalization…good or bad for business?

A committee of MLAs looking into the ramifications of legalizing marijuanna on the province was in Saint John yesterday.

They heard from some business which said legalization will result in people wanting to start cannabis-related companies and create new jobs in the industry which some say will be a $130 billion industry nation-wide. But the committee also heard from established businesses, including J.D. Irving Ltd., about safety concerns, especially if people are high on the job in dangerous occupations. They want ways to allow them to drug test employees.

Plasma for pay opens in Moncton

That private, for-profit clinic has begun collecting plasma and paying donors in Moncton. The Canadian Plasma Resources clinic got its federal licence July 17.

Donors can visit once a week and get $25 for each unit. The company wants to sell the plasma through Canadian Blood Services for Canadian patients…but Canadian Blood Services says it’s not interested. It will continue to collect blood and plasma from volunteers. It is concerned, however, if more of these private clinics pop up across the country, paying for plasma and significantly reducing the volunteer donations.