A national cannabis shortage has led to corporate battles for whatever pot is available. Now, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis has stepped in to referee some of the disputes.

Provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have all reported varying degrees of shortages.

Aurora Cannabis saw ``strong demand'' for recreational pot during the initial few weeks of legalization in Canada and it expects consumer appetite to continue to outstrip supply for ``some time.''