Marijuana is a hotly discussed topic in Canada. It brings about lots of opposing views and passionate debates. By analyzing available data on marijuana usage and law enforcement in this infographic, we wanted to bring more to the discussion table.

We used data from official government sources to show that the state of marijuana in Canada is one big legal mess. Despite being illegal, marijuana is heavily consumed. Plenty of people go unpunished for breaking the law, but those who do get charged end up with a criminal record that marks them for life. The law enforcement rate seems arbitrary. The arrest and charge rates differ a lot depending on the geographical region, while the usage rates don’t.

Still an undecided voter?

Here’s a rundown of where the federal parties stand on issues that may — or may not — be important to you:

• Your big concern is marijuana — either legalizing it or enforcing a prohibition of the drug.

— Conservative: Against legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana possession. Would leave the status quo in place when it comes to medical marijuana. The Conservatives would also expand the National Anti-Drug Strategy.

— Liberal: Will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana.

— NDP: NDP leader Tom Mulcair has promised his party would move towards legalization.

Responsible OhioAccordiing to a recent survey commissioned by WKYC, the NBC station in Cleveland, most Ohio voters support Issue 3, an initiative on next month's ballot that would legalize marijuana for medical and recreational use. The same survey found that most voters also support Issue 2, an initiative aimed at nullifying Issue 3. In fact, most of the voters who favor Issue 2 said they favor Issue 3 as well.

A MOVE by the Liberal National Coalition Government to allow for the cultivation of medicinal marijuana has been hailed as a compassionate and sensible one by Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen.

Mr Christensen said it was a cause he had personally been championing for some time, and he welcomed the potential for job creation in the region.

"There is plenty of evidence to support the use of medicinal marijuana. It's a natural product which can provide very effective relief for those suffering from a range of debilitating illnesses," Mr Christensen said.

"Our region also has a lot to gain through the introduction of a new crop that could boost our economy.

The government announced on Saturday it would seek parliamentary support to allow the controlled cultivation of cannabis to deliver patients access to “a safe, legal and sustainable supply of ­locally produced products for the first time”.

The production of the drug is likely to mirror the way poppies are cultivated in Tasmania for manufacture of opiates.

It’s this model that has Trinity Beach resident and long-time cannabis supporter Debbi Cliff concerned.

Concerns over the medical marijuana industry aren’t just heating up in Detroit.

Across 8 Mile in neighboring Warren, Mayor Jim Fouts is proposing registration requirements along with other regulations to govern where medical marijuana can be grown, how it can be transported, and controls on odors.

His proposal is prompted, the mayor said, by concerns about growing medical marijuana in residential areas.

Fouts said his proposal “goes much beyond what the state Legislature is doing” and would “control the whole aspect of medical marijuana growing in the neighborhoods.”

French customs seized 7.1 tonnes of marijuana hashish worth about €20 million from vehicles parked in the chic 16th arrondissement (district) of Paris on Sunday in one of the biggest drug busts in France of the past two years.

A source close to the investigation told BFMTV that the overnight seizure followed several weeks of inquiry by the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (DNRED).

No one has been arrested in connection with the case and the investigation is ongoing.

Medicinal marijuana products are shown at the 250-member Pinoleville Pomo Nation in Ukiah, California January 23, 2015. An initial 10,000-square-foot state-of-the art greenhouse is scheduled to be erected within weeks on the land, in a joint marijuana production and processing venture with FoxBarry Farms of Kansas and the United Cannabis Corporation of Colorado. It's widely believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. The pioneering venture could signal a major wave of new marijuana operations across the nation to bring green to tribal bank accounts.

French police have seized more than seven tonnes of cannabis from three hired vans parked on a Paris street, France's largest haul in two years.

Customs officers found 7.1 tonnes of cannabis resin in the unoccupied vans in the affluent 16th district of the capital, the Finance Ministry, which oversees the customs service, said in a statement on Sunday.

A police source said the consignment had been transported from Morocco via Spain, a common route.

The New Hampshire Health Department has scheduled a public forum in Dover to discuss setting up a medical marijuana dispensary.

Temescal Wellness, a nonprofit, was selected by the department to operate the alternative treatment center, serving patients in Strafford, Rockingham and Belknap counties.

The public forum will be held on Oct. 26 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the McConnell Center in Dover. The purpose is to gather input from residents, qualifying patients and designated caregivers about safety and other local concerns, in addition to the overall health needs of qualifying patients.

Department representatives will discuss the implementation of the Therapeutic Cannabis Program, and Temescal officials will discuss operational and security plans.