It's been a little over a year since Canada legalized marijuana for recreational use. Oct. 17 also marked the opening of the new cannabis market in Canada that will include beverages and other derivatives, although products won't be available to purchase until at least December. While there will be some challenges ahead for the new segment of the cannabis market, it's hard to imagine the next 12 months will be as hectic as the past year has been.
Let's look at five of the biggest surprises that have weighed on the industry since legalization took effect in Canada.
It's hard to start anywhere else but with the biggest issue in the industry, and that's the trouble that cannabis producer CannTrust Holdings (NYSE: CTST) ran into with Health Canada for illegally growing cannabis. From building fake walls to having multiple sites running afoul with regulators, there's been a constant stream of negative press surrounding the company. The company's license to sell pot was suspended, leaving CannTrust's future in limbo.