The rise of Canadian cannabis stocks over the past three years is nothing short of stunning, and investors who missed the rally to this point are wondering which companies might be attractive for long-term potential gains.

Let’s take a look at HEXO (TSX:HEXO) and Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB) to see if one might be an interesting pick right now.

The Ontario government under Premier Doug Ford plans to privatize the retail sales of marijuana once it becomes legal next month, in contrast to the policy of the previous provincial government.

With the legalization date of marijuana in Canadainching closer and closer, talks of exactly how Canadians will be able to get their hands on the newly legalized drug have gotten louder. Especially considering that the province of Ontario recently decided to switch their plan and make the whole distribution of the drug privatized.

That's right, after recent changes by premier Doug Ford, only Ontario Cannabis Store branches explicitly backed by the province will be able to sell the drug over the counter. Meaning plans concerning the LCBO and Shopify have been axed for the time being.

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada is only days away!

Ahead of the October 17th deadline, each province has passed its own new legal code covering everything from the distribution to the consumption of the drug.

Because these regulations vary so dramaticallyfrom province to province, Canadians could easily find themselves in trouble if, as they pass from one province to another, they unsuspectingly violate minutely different provincial laws. One issue in particular that has concernedmarijuana users is the legal transporation of the drug from place of purchase or between legal points of consumption.

Indeed, each province has specific guidelines for how to transport cannabis. Infractions come with severe penalties.

Licensed marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis Inc. says it is "unequivocally" ready for the legalization of recreational pot in Canada next month, with enough supply to meet all its commitments to provinces and territories.

Aurora's chief corporate officer Cam Battley adds that the cannabis firm doesn't foresee the need for supply agreements with other licensed producers to bridge inventory gaps.

"We've got all of our product categories ready," he told analysts on a conference call discussing its latest quarterly earnings on Tuesday.

"So, we're more than ready for consumer legalization. And more than that, our ramp-up in production is happening at exactly the right time. We're not going to be dumping old, stockpiled, stale product on the market."

This will cause a lot of trouble, to say the least. Crossing the border has always been a tense experience. For the thousands of Canadians who will be joining the legalized cannabis industry, it’s going to become even more harrowing.

Even though cannabis has been legalized for recreational or medical use in 30 U.S. states, the federal government still views it as a controlled substance. American border guards have immense latitude over who they let enter the country. If you’re not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, your rights at the border are very limited. Border guards have every right to ask you about your employment, drug use or even your investments.

Strainprint, the leader in cannabis data and analytics, is pleased to announce that VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: VIVO) is the latest top tier Canadian licensed producer to subscribe to Strainprint Analytics. VIVO is a leading, vertically-integrated, cannabis business with a collection of premium brands targeting unique consumer segments and needs across both medical and recreational channels, both in Canada and other international markets.

VIVO will leverage this strategic subscription to coincide with the launch of their Beacon Medical brand, a standardized pharma-grade cannabis that's clean, consistent and repeatable — qualities sought by physicians and patients, which stands for setting patients on the clearest path to treatment.

Indiva, a licensed medical marijuana grower, has secured leases for storefronts in London and Ottawa, while negotiations are underway in Toronto, the company said Monday.

“It means we’ll have a direct relationship with the consumers,” chief operating officer Koby Smutylo said of the company’s plan to become a retailer.

Indiva’s dispensaries will carry its products, products from other licensed producers and a range of cannabis accessories.

The London dispensary will open at 875 Wellington Rd., just south of Southdale Road. The 1,700-square-foot space is sandwiched between a Firehouse Subs and a Fedex office.

The justice minister says the provincial government says it's ready for marijuana legalization — and now it's time for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to get ready too.

"I'd like to think that the short answer is a resounding yes," Andrew Parsons said Monday when asked if the province was ready for October 17, when cannabis will become legal for recreational use across Canada.

The government has spent the past months and years working across many departments and agencies to prepare for what Parsons told the St. John's Morning Show is "the hugest shift in public policy that we've seen, of a social nature, probably since Confederation."

With the Canadian recreational marijuana market about to launch, investors are wondering which cannabis companies are best positioned to succeed.

Let’s take a look at Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED)(NYSE:CGC) to see if deserves to be the top cannabis stock for your portfolio today.