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Weak Edibles Means Stronger Illegal Market: NORML Canada

Jennawae Cavion, NORML Canada executive director and owner of Calyx+Trichomes cannabis retail store in Kingston, ONt., said that weak edibles mean legal cannabis retailers can’t compete with the illegal market. Liberal MP Patrick Weiler agreed. That’s why he’s sponsoring a bill in the House of Commons to get Health Canada to up the maximum legal limit of THC from 10mg to 100mg.“Consumers of edible cannabis are seeking much higher limits than what is available through the legal market in Canada,” Weiler said. When they can’t find it, they either buy more packages of edibles to get the amount they want or go to the illegal market.“I shouldn’t have to eat 10 fun-sized chocolate bars when I can just have a few squares of one chocolate bar — if it has to be chocolate at all,” Cavion said. “It’s driving the market to the unregulated market, which (licensed) cannabis retailers cannot compete with.”Illegal cannabis retailers including one in Toronto offer 1,000mg-edibles – 100 times stronger than the legal max. As many point out, 10mg is a good starting point for those new to cannabis and edibles. But those weak edibles are not enough for those with higher tolerance levels. Weak Edibles Like “Non-alcoholic Vodka” – LPCOne advocate for higher THC levels likened weak edibles to non-alcoholic vodka. However, some of those opposed to raising THC limits feel that’s just fine.“Given the potential public health risks, I would place the onus on the petitioners to provide market research that shows there is truly high consumer demand for higher THC product,” said Michael DeVillaer, an assistant professor with McMaster University’s department of psychiatry and behavioural neuroscience. “But even if there is such demand, that does not mean we should imperil public health protection for the industry’s interests in market expansion.”DeVillaer, who recently published a book on the Canadian cannabis industry called “Buzz Kill: The Corporatization of Cannabis”, said that the industry should clean itself up if it truly wants to compete with illegal cannabis.“If the cannabis industry and government are sincere about wanting to compete with the unlicensed trade, they need to clean up the licensed one,” he said.However, some believe this attitude further stigmatizes cannabis use. Cavion sees it as being as much about public attitudes as public health.“If we want legalization to be a success, we can’t be limiting the creativity of licensed producers,” she said. “This isn’t an institutional product; it’s recreational cannabis. It’s literally meant for us to have fun.”Which raises another question: do all the people who raise concerns about cannabis actually believe it’s fun? Would they be happier of legalized cannabis never happened in Canada?Weak edibles is the latest battleground in the tug of war between safe (some might say overly safe) regulations and unfettered corporate freedom. Canada has always tended towards the safe – and often for good reason. But taking away choice from the consumer isn’t the best way to keep people safe. In fact, quite the opposite. If weak edibles are driving people to the relatively unsafe illegal market, maybe we should re-evaluate what “safe” actually means in relation to adult-use cannabis.Read the Original Story on the National Post Here ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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BC Farm-gate Cannabis Store Opens in Salmon Arm

A year after British Columbia legalized farm-gate cannabis, a BC farm-gate cannabis store has opened in Salmon Arm, BC. ShuCanna soft-opened in August, but had its grand opening on Friday, October 27. The store hopes to sell on “fresh” as its value proposition.“It’s that farm-to-table concept,” said Leah Hermann, ShuCanna sales manager. “Craft growers usually know what they’re doing. It’s hand-trimmed, hand-rolled, hand-closed, and that attention is important from a consumer standpoint.”ShuCanna owner and president Terry Robinson said that previously ShuCanna would have to place orders for cannabis stock through the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Distribution Branch, then wait. He said it could take up to a year for the product to be grown, cultivated, packaged, and approved.However, getting that licence for your BC farm-gate cannabis store is not easy – or cheap. Applying for the licence alone costs $10,000. That’s before any other setup and labour costs to get your operation going, Robinson said. Even then, it’s not a slam dunk.“There’s no guarantee with that you’ll get a licence, and it took us over a year,” he said. “If you’re not in a retail store in an urban centre, it maybe wouldn’t be worthwhile.”Of the approximately 100 eligble BC farm-gate cannabis stores, only three had started the process a year after the province opened up farm-gate cannabis sales. The article also mentions two Indigenous-owned farm-gate operations licensed under “special arrangement” which for some reason are not included in the province’s official count of Producer Retail Stores.For Robinson, the time, hassle, and expense of converting ShuCanna to a BC farm-gate cannabis store was worth it. “It’s a family business and we wanted to pursue that, and do it this way, farm fresh,” he said. BC Farm-gate Cannabis Store Latest Step Forward for Canadian Cannabis – LPCAsk many in the Canadian cannabis industry, and they’ll say cannabis restrictions are too tight. Farm-gate, for example, has been slow in coming. So far, only BC, Ontario, and New Brunswick allow farm-gate cannabis. Things get even stickier when you look at cannabis lounges, cannabis marketing, and barriers to entering the industry.However, programs such as new BC farm-gate cannabis stores signal that things are slowly changing in the Canadian cannabis industry as a whole. And why not do things from a place of caution? The Great Cannabis Experiment in Canada has always been about keeping our children safe and ensuring our cannabis produce is safe and free of toxins.Sure, our cannabis industry is moving forward more slowly than most would like. But it’s moving. Hopefully, more companies will take advantage of the BC farm-gate cannabis store licence and similar opportunities across Canada in the coming years.Read the Full Story on the Nelson Star ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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The Legal Canadian Cannabis Market at Five – What Have We Learned?

As legal Canadian cannabis market turns five years old this week, it’s a good time to reflect on what’s changed. The Canadian medical profession has been among the most vocal. Two studies, one in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) and one in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), are still preaching caution as they’ve done from the beginning.The main focus of both articles is that emergency department visits and hospitalizations have gone up since legalization. The JAMA study, Changes in Cannabis-Attributable Hospitalizations Following Nonmedical Cannabis Legalization in Canada, found that hospitalizations went up since legalization. The study made a convincing argument that this rise wasn’t linked to legalization itself but to commercialization.However, it couldn't firmly conclude why. The authors recognized that there were limitations to its findings. For one, the COVID pandemic complicated things – substance use including cannabis and alcohol are known to have increased during that period. The short time frame of the study was another factor.So too was the fact that legalization may affect whether or not a person seeks medical help.“Greater… willingness of patients to disclose cannabis use after legalization could contribute to observed increases,” the authors wrote. Then, they dismissed that idea in this case. “However, this bias is unlikely to be responsible for changes observed in the study (e.g., initial decline followed by an increase ).”We would argue that this still holds true – someone who purchased from the legal Canadian cannabis market could conceivably be more likely to seek medical attention than someone who purchased illegally. This would still explain why the numbers align with commercialization. Legal Canadian Cannabis Market Has Clear Social Justice Benefits, Even If Health Benefits Are Murky – LPCIt should also be noted that this study did not measure anything such as reduced stress due to cannabis use, reduced pain, or reduce opioid use. Any report should probably consider these areas among others before making blanket statements about cannabis health benefits.In any case, the study concludes that although more research is needed, the findings show that society should at least be cautious.“Ongoing surveillance efforts are needed, but restrictions on product type and store access may be reasonably precautionary measures for jurisdictions consideration legalization,” the JAMA study stated.Similarly, the CMAJ report, Outcomes associated with nonmedical cannabis legalization policy in Canada: taking stock at the 5-year mark, found reasons to be cautious on the medical front. However, it did note social improvements likely due in part to reduced cannabis stigma.“A consideration of the evidence 5 years after implementation suggests that success in meeting policy objectives has been mixed, with social justice benefits appearing to be more tangibly substantive than health benefits,” the authors wrote.It too called for more cannabis research and spoke to the difficulties in measuring health data across provinces when trying to gauge the relative benefit and harm after the legal Canadian cannabis market opened up.“Robust ways to integrate diverse data when evaluating policy outcomes are also needed to inform evidence-based adjustments to regulatory parameters that may be necessary to more effectively serve and achieve the declared public health objectives of cannabis legalization in Canada going forward.” The Bottom Line on Cannabis Legalization and Commercialization – LPCSo what is the average consumer to make of all of this? The most obvious is that recreational cannabis is non-medical, so its health benefits are not really at issue. Health risks should be studied, yes. But people are not dying like they are with opioids. Social justice benefits have grown. The number of people buying from legal sources has grown. Youth access to cannabis is undetermined – wildly fluctuating data makes it impossible to decide if it’s gone up, down, or remained steady.We think there is still a lot to celebrate this week. Cannabis is a drug, and like any drug – alcohol, caffeine, Tylenol, or otherwise – certain precautions and certain risks should be expected. Whether the legal Canadian cannabis market has helped improve Canada as a society is one thing. The real question though is, has cannabis legalization helped you? ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Administrative Burden on Cannabis: Is It Sustainable?

StratCann released a new report outlining the administrative burden of cannabis from the Health Canada perspective. StratCann noted that the total overall number of regulations had increased by about 2 per cent to 21,034, while those directly affecting cannabis had increased by 1.5 per cent. About 12 per cent of all Health Canada regulations directly affect the cannabis industry. This is more than tobacco and vaping, which is about 10 per cent.Many industry experts have commented on the administrative burden on cannabis. In February 2023, before these latest increases were noted, the Cannabis Council of Canada said that regulations were “unsustainable”.“We’ve seen in Smiths Falls, Ont. and Olds, Alta. the consequences of an administration of fees and taxes, which makes our industry largely unsustainable,” said George Smitherman, Cannabis Council of Canada CEO.Not only that, many of the regulations are above and beyond the tobacco and alcohol industries. "We're paying a regulatory fee, which was premised on a profitable industry, which tobacco and alcohol don't pay,” he said.These comments came on the heels of Canopy Growth’s announcement that month of 800 layoffs at its flagship Smith Falls, Ont. facility. The company has since sold the facility back to Hershey’s for $53 million.Canopy has long been a bellwether of the Canadian cannabis industry. So are concerns about the administrative burden on cannabis a warning of what’s to come? If so, can it be stopped?"What happened to Smiths Falls can happen to any entity in Canada," said Truro Cannabis CEO Leonard Walter. "There are federal and provincial regulations that both need to be worked on. There are solutions. We just need folks talking." How Can the Administrative Burden on Cannabis Be Solved? – LPCWalter wasn’t clear on the solutions for relieving some of the administrative burden on cannabis. However, what was clear is that some of those solutions need to be found during the Health Canada review of the Cannabis Act. That review, which is expected somewhere after March 2024, should shed some like on what direction the federal government wants to go.The administrative burden on cannabis is just one area that needs to be addressed. Revamped cannabis marketing laws should be revisited as well. There is also a call for more Indigenous cannabis licences to increase economic parity and opportunity.Canada is in a cannabis crisis, and has been for a while. Growing pains are to be expected in any maturing industry including consolidation. But there are also solutions for making growing pains less painful. As Walter said, we just need folks talking.We would add, we need folks listening as well. Launching a new industry of a potentially harmful drug was a bold move on the part of Canada that had unforeseen risks. Caution in the form of regulations made sense. Now that we’ve seen what those risks are and how to manage them, we need to adapt and streamline regulations accordingly. If we don’t lessen the administrative burden on cannabis, the entire cannabis industry including average Canadian consumers will suffer.Read more at StratCann and CTVNews.com ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Revised Cannabis Banking Bill Hits US Senate Floor

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer officially filed a revised cannabis banking bill on September 20, a week before it is scheduled to go to a vote. The bill, renamed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act, is designed to help legal cannabis businesses be able to access banking services including financial accounts and loans.https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1704524380510810497“This legislation will help make our communities and small businesses safer by giving legal cannabis businesses access to traditional financial institutions, including bank accounts and small business loans,” Sens. Jeff Merkley, Steve Daines, and Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. “It also prevents federal bank regulators from ordering a bank or credit union to close an account based on reputational risk.”Schumer said he wants to attach related legislation to expunge cannabis convictions and restore gun rights for medical cannabis patients.“I’ve long advocated for expungement of records for cannabis offences, and with SAFER Banking moving through the committee in such a strong, bipartisan way, I believe now is the time to get it done,” Schumer said.Although many US states have legalized cannabis for recreational and/or medical use, cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. The history of the bill goes back at least four years with the introduction of the SAFE Banking Act, but it fizzled. Now, it looks like this cannabis banking bill will be voted on within a week.“I look forward to seeing the bill pass out of committee, so we can vote on it on the Senate floor,” Schumer said. Revised Cannabis Banking Bill Still a Long Way from Legalization – LPCAlthough the revised cannabis banking bill, if passed, would mark a significant step forward, it’s a long way from cannabis legalization. Coincidentally – or perhaps not – the bill comes forward as the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) begins its review of cannabis scheduling. This comes after the US Health Department suggested the DEA reclassify cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug, on par with heroin.It may be a baby step, but cannabis industry associations are applauding the cannabis banking bill.The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) – along with trade groups representing cannabis businesses in 16 states plus Washington, DC – sent a letter to Brown and Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott in July, asking the committee to pass the bill “without further delay”. The American Bankers Association (ABA) and all 50 of its state chapters also renewed its call for the revised cannabis banking bill.It is still uncertain whether or not the bill will pass. But there are good signs. Rep. Cory Booker, who previously said he would “lay myself down” to block any similar bill before the end of cannabis prohibition, now supports the bill. The fact that the bill is bipartisan is another good sign.Whatever the outcome of the cannabis banking bill, it seems that the will to legalize cannabis is slowly marching forward in the United States.Read the Original Story at Marijuana Moment ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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“Reclassify Cannabis,” US Health Department Recommends to DEA

After a formal review, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reclassify cannabis to a Schedule 3 drug rather than a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, cannabis is classified in the same category as heroin and other highly addictive drugs that have a high risk of fatal overdose. Cannabis on the other hand has a tiny chance of fatal overdose and the cannabis addiction rate is currently thought to be around 10 per cent.Schedule 3 drugs include low doses of codeine, anabolic steroids, and ketamine – all of which are arguably more dangerous that cannabis."As part of this process, HHS conducted a scientific and medical evaluation for consideration by DEA," said the HHS in a released statement. It noted, however, that they cannot enforce this. "DEA has the final authority to schedule or reschedule a drug under the Controlled Substances Act. DEA will now initiate its review."The review into whether or not to reclassify cannabis was prompted by a request from President Joe Biden.Despite the fact that cannabis has been legalized for medical and/or recreational use in most US states, cannabis is still illegal and criminal federally in the United States. Reasons to Reclassify Cannabis – LPCThere are many reasons to reclassify cannabis in the United States. As stated above, having cannabis in the same category as heroin does not make much sense medically or scientifically. However, the United States along with many other Western countries has a history of demonizing cannabis use. There is also a close connection between cannabis and racism. The move to reclassify cannabis would be a step in the right direction.But there are other reasons to reclassify cannabis.Cannabis research in the US has been stifled due to its status as a Schedule 1 drug. Currently, the DEA has to approve any cannabis research happening in the US – and it tends to drag its heels on that. Further, many US cannabis businesses are forced to be cash only since banks refuse to provide financial services due to federal pressure and threat of aiding “illegal activities”.Perhaps the most compelling reason to reclassify cannabis in a democratic society is the fact that the people want it. The vast majority of people in the United States support some form of cannabis legalization. Further proof is in the fact that 23 states currently legalize cannabis for recreational use and 38 for medical use.The United States remains slow to act on cannabis reform, at least on the federal level. Hopes that Joe Biden might finally reclassify cannabis on his own have been dashed. The country seems to be moving towards it in baby steps – and this HHS recommendation to the DEA is one of them. However, whether or not the DEA follows that recommendation is another story.Read the Original BBC Story Here ADD YOUR STORY HERE Do you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Does German Cannabis Legalization Go Far Enough?

The German Cabinet passed a landmark cannabis bill on August 16, 2023 that paves the way for German cannabis legalization. If parliament passes the bill, it would allow adults to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis, grow three plants, and purchase cannabis at non-profit “cannabis clubs”.The German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, said that among other things, it allows more education about cannabis use and health impacts."With the current procedures we could not seriously protect children and young people. The topic has been made a taboo," Lauterbach said. "We have rising, problematic consumption. We couldn't simply allow this to go on. So this is an important turning point in our drug policy."But many wonder if this move towards German cannabis legalization goes far enough. It’s this “non-profit” aspect that some disagree with. One of the stated goals of German cannabis legalization is to eliminate the illegal cannabis market. However, the German Hemp Association called the rules “unrealistic” stating that the only way to truly fight the illegal cannabis market would be to allow cannabis shops to sell cannabis.Kristine Luetke, part of a pro-cannabis organization, said that the bill amounts to a continuing "prohibition policy" and that it creates a "bureaucratic monster".Others Say German Cannabis Legalization Shouldn’t Happen at All – LPCUnsurprisingly, many say German cannabis legalization shouldn’t happen at all. Armin Schuster, the Interior Minister for the state of Saxony, said, "This law will be linked to a complete loss of control."The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), part of the United Nations, warned that, “In all jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized, data show that cannabis-related health problems have increased.” It also pointed out that German cannabis legalization or anywhere else contravenes the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which dates back to 1961.Of course, the Canadian experience has proven that these statements are false or misleading. For example, one study noted that an increase in Emergency Department visits related to cannabis use could be partly or wholly explained by the COVID pandemic. Further, legalization did not lead to a huge cannabis consumption spike, despite fears of a “complete loss of control”.Neither the naysayers nor the Reuters article mention the positive aspects of legalization including eliminating the risk of cannabis and racism or crime reduction.Ultimately, the Germans will be the ones who decide on whether there will be German cannabis legalization. They will also be the ones decide what that looks like. If the bill passes though, Germany will be the second EU country to legalize recreation cannabis. Malta because the first EU country to legalize cannabis in December 2021.Click here to read the original Reuters article.ADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Cannabis Retail Secret: Sexy Isn’t Success

Chris Jones, Cannabis Xpress founder and CEO, said he found a cannabis retail secret: be a big fish in a smaller pond.“Location selection is important,” Jones said. “All our stores are profitable, and that’s because we picked areas that aren’t as sexy as opening in Toronto – small to medium-sized towns with little or no competition. My cheapest rent is $400 a month in Wasaga Beach.”Many who jumped into the retail market are perhaps surprised that cannabis retail secrets are needed at all.“Everyone opened a store thinking they were going to get rich,” he said. “But a lot of these have weak strategies.”The numbers lately are either encouraging or discouraging, depending on what you believe. Larger companies including Canopy Growth and Tilray report lower sales. In “sexy” places like Toronto, the per-store cannabis sales are going down.However, when you look at the actual cannabis sales numbers, the news is very different. Cannabis sales in Ontario, for example, climbed 12.8 per cent in March 2023 year over year, reaching $158.9 million. After lagging a bit, cannabis sales in Canada as a whole are up 12.1 per cent in 2023 as of July. One reason why per-store sales are down is the fact that the number of stores is way up – there are 40 per cent more cannabis stores in Ontario since last year. So perhaps another cannabis retail secret is to look at the right numbers and understand what they mean.Cannabis Retail Secrets Are Actually Lessons – LPCThe Canadian retail cannabis market isn’t even five years old yet, so there are still many lessons to be learned. In some ways, those cannabis retail secrets are actually lessons.“I think the market has caught on to the fact that you don’t need large, or expensive, real estate to sell pot,” says Brad Polous, a lecturer in entrepreneurship and strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management specializing in the cannabis industry. “So like any retail operation, it comes down to first and foremost location, and then the other basics like well-trained, courteous and helpful staff, the right assortment, and fair pricing.”Normalizing cannabis use is another lesson that the market needs to learn. That includes governments easing cannabis retail restrictions including frosting storefront glass. Making cannabis stores these “hidden” locations promotes cannabis stigma rather than reducing it.“Customers are getting more educated on what products they like, trying new product types that are easier to use or less stigmatizing than smoking,” Jones said. “Not being able to see inside the cannabis store is intimidating and turns off customers. It doesn’t normalize .”There are still a lot of lessons to be learned – and a lot of cannabis retail secrets to uncover. But Chris Jones and Cannabis Xpress seems to be the poster child for the future of cannabis retail in Canada.“We’ve gone through different periods of growth,” Jones said. He is slowing down opening stores in Ontario – the focus in now New Brunswick, he said. The real cannabis retail secret is that it’s all about finding the right opportunities. “The plan was always to build, sell, then start again.”Read the Source Article at Toronto Metropolitan UniversityADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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PTSD Cannabis Treatment Gaining Momentum

Retired RCMP office Steve Gloade said he never imagined during his 27-year career that he’d use cannabis – never mind a PTSD cannabis treatment."Being a police officer, we can tell you the street value of cannabis, and we can tell you how much time you might get or fine you might get," Gloade told CBC News. "But I would never have remotely gathered the health benefits to it, for me, in my journey."Gloade works with CannaConnect, an organization that helps RCMP and military veterans understand the benefits of PTSD cannabis treatment as well as chronic pain and other conditions.As an ambassador, he helps others understand how cannabis can help them using his own experiences. Gloade said he used to be afraid of going to sleep because of his PTSD symptoms. Cannabis has changed all that."I don't think magically went away, but the cannabis does something to suppress the nightmares," he said.There is mounting research to support that. A study released in June 2020 found that cannabis relieves PTSD symptoms temporarily. An earlier study also found that cannabis lowers rates of PTSD.UBC professor and researcher Zachary Walsh said that more research is needed, but the results so far are promising. He underlined that PTSD cannabis treatments aren’t a cure, but it does relieve symptoms. In general, getting more sleep can help sufferers better deal with chronic conditions. In that way it might be like cold and flu medicine – it doesn’t “cure” the cold, but it helps the body rest."For a lot of people who are very desperate in their search for a good night's sleep – for some relief from their PTSD symptoms – having something that can control the symptoms, even if it doesn't get rid of the underlying condition, is a big help," Professor Walsh said.PTSD Cannabis Treatment Requires Overcoming the StigmaOne major contribution ambassadors like Gloade offer is helping others overcome cannabis stigma. Unsurprisingly, that stigma can be stronger in RCMP officers who spent their careers enforcing drug laws. Legalizing cannabis might be one thing, but using it themselves is likely quite another.Gloade himself said he wasn’t comfortable searching out a PTSD cannabis treatment until he thought he was out of options. Dennis Patterson another ex-RCMP officer, felt that same sense of desperation."There was no help around for veterans or people struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. It was a real uphill battle for me because I didn't know anybody," Patterson said. "I really needed some guidance, and I wasn't finding it."Both said that CannaConnect promotes a “no judgment zone” so that officers can get the help they need without fear or stigma."If you're here, you're supposed to be here," Patterson said.It’s stories like these that inspire and help remove the stigma of cannabis use. There are so many health benefits to be explored including PTSD cannabis treatments that any way we can overcome cannabis stigma is a good thing.Read the Full CBC News Story HereADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Committee Calls for More Indigenous Cannabis Licences

The Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples calls for more Indigenous cannabis licences. It said that First Nations were left out of the cannabis framework from the start. Now is the time to fix that with the Cannabis Act review underway.“In the spirit of reconciliation, the government must promote, rather than hinder, the full and equal participation of our people and communities in the economy,” said committee chair Senator Brian Francis. “It is disappointing to once again be forced to try to correct oversights that could have been prevented had the federal government listened to First Nations people from the beginning.”Committee on Indigenous Peoples Puts Forward 13 RecommendationsIndigenous cannabis licences are not the only way to include First Nations in these economic opportunities. The committee put forward 13 recommendations:- That the Expert Panel engage in substantive consultations and propose solutions to the problems raised by Indigenous peoples related to legal jurisdiction, enforcement, equity and inclusion in the industry, and mental health and substance abuse and that funding be made available to Indigenous peoples during this process.- That the Minister of Health introduce legislation in Parliament to amend the Cannabis Act to permit First Nations to regulate the possession, sale and distribution of cannabis on their lands.- That the Government of Canada convene a meeting with First Nations, federal, provincial and territorial governments in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration to solve jurisdictional challenges to enable First Nations to exercise their rightful place in the cannabis marketplace.- That the Government of Canada, as it develops legislation related to First Nation policing, in collaboration with the provinces and the territories and First Nations governments, establish legislative mechanisms for the enforcement of band by-laws and other laws related to cannabis by all police services and to ensure that related offences can be investigated and prosecuted effectively.- That the Government of Canada furthermore ensure adequate funding is available to Indigenous communities for the policing and enforcement of band by-laws related to cannabis.- That the Royal Canadian Mounted Police provide dedicated space for First Nations police services to undertake Drug Recognition Expert Training and that Public Safety Canada provide additional funding to First Nations policing to support this work.- That Finance Canada work with First Nations to identify options for the development of an excise tax-sharing framework as part of its discussions on the fuel, alcohol, cannabis and tobacco tax.- That Finance Canada and Indigenous Services Canada work with First Nations communities to identify options for the establishment of a First Nation-led agency to support First Nations participation in the cannabis market.- That Health Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency work with Indigenous peoples and communities to undertake a review of their application processes for all cannabis-related licences and report the findings back to the committee by December 2023.- That Indigenous Services Canada cover cannabis for medical purposes under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.- That the Government of Canada work with cannabis producers to ensure the product is available for medical coverage under Indigenous Services Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits.- That Health Canada and Indigenous Services Canada work with Indigenous peoples and communities to establish and fund a research strategy on cannabis and its effects on Indigenous peoples and communities.- That Health Canada and Indigenous Services Canada provide funding for the development and update of Indigenous-led public health information on cannabis.Fixing Indigenous Cannabis Licences Issue a Step Towards ReconciliationCommittee member Senator David Arnot indicated that fixing the Indigenous cannabis licences issue and other parts of the Cannabis Act would be part of Reconciliation.“Once again, a government that says it is committed to building a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on the recognition of rights, respect, and partnership has failed to live up to its promise,” Senator Arnot said. “Once again, Indigenous Peoples have been excluded from participation in the economic prosperity of the country. And once again, little regard has been given to how our lives have been impacted.”First Nation cannabis rules were uncertain from the start, including Indigenous cannabis licences. Many believe that cannabis excise taxes should have been split between federal and provincial governments. Others questioned how the provincial governments could oversee First Nation dispensaries at all.It’s unclear what impact if any the above recommendations will have any impact on the Cannabis Act review. However, given this country’s move towards promoting and supporting Indigenous self-government, the hope is certainly that Indigenous cannabis licences and other economic opportunities be shared with this level of government, too.Read the Original Story HereADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Can Cannabis Marketing Help Fight Illegal Cannabis Market?

Can cannabis marketing help fight against the illegal cannabis market? It’s an intriguing idea. Industry experts and cannabis producers have argued for years that the government needs to loosen cannabis rules. That includes strict marketing laws for cannabis. Most of the arguments centre around preservation of the industry. There is also the argument that marketing can help reduce cannabis stigma.Fighting the illegal cannabis market is another angle. Marketing in general attracts new customers – and cannabis marketing could help give the legal cannabis market a leg up over illicit cannabis sources.However, the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), the provincial wholesaler, doesn’t seem to agree."When you look at other Canadian provinces where the legal framework is a little different, you realize, in fact, that the amount of the illegal market captured is quite comparable, with between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of the market absorbed," said SQDC CEO Jacques Farcy.Farcy acknowledged a downturn in sales growth, but said that it too was normal.That being said, Farcy does say that he wants to keep Quebec cannabis customers informed."We want to make sure our customers understand the prices that are available at the SQDC today,” Farcy said. “We sell dried cannabis for very little. Our first price is $3.43 per gram."We want to make sure that our delivery services are very well known. Today, we have 90-minute delivery. We also have same-evening delivery, in addition to standard Canada Post delivery."The difference between cannabis information and cannabis marketing might be slim. But when you start arguing about price and convenience, that sounds an awful lot like cannabis marketing.Cannabis Marketing Not a Silver Bullet – LPCThere is a compelling argument for cannabis marketing’s ability to undercut the illicit cannabis market. Illegal cannabis stores in BC, for example, didn’t have to live up to the same rules as the legal outlets. That meant they could do whatever cannabis marketing they liked. At least one put up posters on light standards to drum up website business. Let’s zoom out a bit: take any business class, and you’ll learn how marketing helps improve business.But it’s not a silver bullet. Looking to the US, MedMen is a hugely popular and well-known name. But it too is struggling. The MedMen collapse underlined how difficult the cannabis market is, even though it had much greater cannabis marketing ability. There were of course other factors including rapid growth – which again points to the fact that cannabis market won’t solve all problems.However, it is another approach we could use in the fight against illegal cannabis markets. We need to loosen rules on marketing and packaging so that consumers can know and understand their choices better. At the very least, we need to allow provincial wholesalers to promote legal cannabis sources, whether it’s through public health announcements or on behalf of provincial cannabis retailers.In short, cannabis marketing can work to undermine illicit markets. Not as a silver bullet, but as a tool. We just need the political will to implement it.Read the CTVNews Montreal Story HereADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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First Mississauga Cannabis Retailer Opens

After almost five years without legal cannabis outlets, the first Mississauga cannabis retailer finally opened in the city on May 26, 2023. Pop’s Cannabis opened its 26th store in the large Ontario city bordering Toronto at the Clarkson Crossing Mall. The company has applications in for at least two other stores.Ryan Dymond, President of Pop’s Cannabis, said that those extra years of waiting mean that first Mississauga cannabis store opening will go smoothly.“I think it’s actually advantageous,” Dymond said. “I think we’re better now than where we were (in 2018). We know how to sort of resonate with the communities; we understand the stigmas."Mississauga cannabis stores were voted down several times previously by city council. At the time, councillors cited lack of control at the municipal level.Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie was a vocal supporter of Mississauga cannabis retailers. According to a statement released by her office:“In addition to supporting jobs and growing our economy, retail cannabis stores will progressively help stamp out the illegal market and ensure that residents can easily access safe, regulated products.”During a council debate, Crombie said, “We are not addressing the black market whatsoever. In fact, I have to believe we are promoting the black market by not allowing legal shops to open.”At least one illegal cannabis store kept opening in downtown Mississauga, confusing residents who assumed it was a legal store since cannabis sales are legal.“I think we would just encourage everyone to look for the authorized Ontario decal. That’s really what dictates legalization so people understand that it is legalized recreational cannabis,” Dymond said.Mississauga city council voted 8-4 on April 19, 2023 – four years, six months, and one day after cannabis legalization – to allow legal cannabis stores within city limits.Is the First Mississauga Cannabis Retailer a Sign of New Times Ahead? – LPCThe early days of cannabis legalization in Canada led to a wild west gold rush of store openings. Many of those first stores, especially in larger cities such as Toronto, struggled to survive. Rymond said that there have been “lessons learned”, which will guide future openings in a large city like Mississauga (population 700,000+).“The market in itself is vast enough that I think it can support multiple locations… and it doesn’t seem to be saturated,” he said. “When legalization first occurred, it was just a mad dash to open as many shops as we possibly could.”So perhaps the rollout of Mississauga cannabis retailers will signal a more measured – and sustainable – approach to the retail cannabis market.Either way, one thing is for certain: lifting the cannabis ban in Mississauga has been a long time coming.Read the full story on Global NewsADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Join the LPC Listing Program Today to Reach New Customers

How can the LPC Listing Program help your cannabis industry company?Cracking the Canadian cannabis market can be tricky. With strict marketing rules and little opportunity to connect with consumers in the shop, licensed producers are looking for every edge to connect with potential customers. Similarly, support companies in the cannabis industry including suppliers and service companies are finding it hard to get their name in front of potential business customers.You want to connect with other businesses in the legal cannabis industry that you can trust. Likewise, you want to foster credibility with other businesses so that they trust you, too. LPC Listing Program can help you with both.LPC Listing ProgramAre You Listed?LIST YOUR COMPANY HEREAdvantages of Joining the LPC Listing ProgramThere are many advantages to joining the LPC Listing Program:- An “always on” home on the web- Create an online ecommerce platform, job application site, information store, and more- If you already have a website, your LPC Listing Page can drive qualified traffic to your site and/or act as a separate repository for information, downloads, job applications, and more- More control over the information on your page- Better SEO and authoritative links – another way for your customers to find you- The ability to turn off SEO if you want to discourage being found on the web- Greater usability such as lead generation and ecommerce tools (see Neobi Technologies, below)- Ability to post exclusive content including news features- Another way to boost brand awarenessBest of all, you maintain complete control over the content, using your LPC Listing Page to drive traffic and generate buzz.LPC Listing Page Case Study: Neobi Technologies and the LPC Vendor ProgramNeobi Technologies turned their LPC Listing Page into an ecommerce platform for their insightful cannabis market reports through the LPC Vendor Program. Not only is it another point of contact for their customers, but it also gives them the flexibility to add other features to their page including information, videos, and more.The LPC Vendor Program offers integrated ecommerce solutions. Non-LP vendors (such as anxillary and B2B companies within the legal cannabis industry) can sell products and services directly through their Listing Page. For example, currently, Neobi offers different cannabis Market Reports through its LPC Listing Page. These reports give LPs detailed sales information drilled down to the store level. This can be helpful when developing new sales strategies including identifying new test markets, increasing exposure at stores that may have low sales figures, and even tracking sales strategy efforts over time. LPs can also use information in their cannabis Market Reports to help customers find stores that sell their products.Take 20% Off Your Neobi Market Report! Coupon Code: Neobi20That’s especially important given Canada’s cannabis crisis. LPs need every edge to stay afloat. The insights and information Neobi’s cannabis Market Reports provide can make a significant difference in an LP’s sales strategies.Find out more about Neobi Technologies here.Neobi sells digital products, but with the LPC Vendor Program, you can sell physical products and even services through your Listing Page. LPC offers another easy way to connect with potential customers and even sell your products and services.eCommerce is just one way you can use your LP Listing Page. What ways can you use yours? If you’re in the legal cannabis industry in Canada, sign up for your LPC Listing today, and let’s find out! You can also learn more about the LPC Listing Program here.ADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Cannabis Bill Passes in Minnesota

The Minnesota state House passed a cannabis bill on Tuesday, April 25 legalizing recreational cannabis in that state for adults 21+. Although the bill has not yet been signed into law, most see that as a formality. Representative (Rep.) Zack Stephenson, who sponsored the bill, was confident the cannabis bill would be law by summer.“Cannabis will be no longer illegal this summer,” Stephenson said. “This is a historic day for Minnesotans who have been waiting for cannabis legalization for many, many years. We're going to get the job done this year.”However, as was the case in Canada, making the cannabis bill law is only the first step.“The regulation, rulemaking and licensing process will take many more months... so it will be a while before Minnesotans can expect to see a dispensary open up,” he said. “Beyond that you will of course also be able to home grow starting this summer.”Also connected with that bill is the automatic expungement of past “low-level” cannabis convictions that other states have followed including Illinois. It is a bone of contention in Canada where cannabis expungements are not automatic. Relatively few have proceeded with expungement due to the numerous hurdles and prohibitive costs.Despite a clear 71-59 victory, unsurprisingly there are many against the cannabis bill. Rep. Kristin Robbins was concerned with rushing cannabis legalization.“We saw sort of the consequences of rolling out the edibles last year with no framework and no guidance. And it was a train wreck,” Robbins said. “And we don't want that to happen with legalization of because this will have even more significant consequences.”Keeping cannabis out of the hands of youth was another thing Robbins wants addressed in the cannabis bill moving forward.“We really need to limit the access that our young people have to these high potency THC levels because it’s really harmful to their brain development,” she said.Cannabis Bill Vote Splits Along Party Lines – LPCAlso unsurprising was the fact that the cannabis bill vote split down party lines. Democrats and two Republicans voted for it. One Republican, Rep. Nolan West, was for legalization but was worried about the fact that since cannabis is illegal federally, it makes cannabis stores more susceptible to crime.“Unfortunately, even legal businesses are cash businesses,” West said. “And we've seen in other states, they become targets for burglary.”With the 2024 election already on most people’s minds in the US, an obvious question is whether or not cannabis legalization will become an election topic, much as it was in Canada in 2016. Hot-button topics such as abortion are already being talked about in the media. Can US cannabis legalization at the federal level be far behind?Read the full story on MPRADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

[licensedproducers]

New Cannabis Compounds Offers More Choice

There are over 100 different cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most well known. But others including cannbinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG) are coming to the forefront. These and other new cannabis compounds mean more choice for consumers.“For the longest time we’ve only really heard about the two predominant compounds,” said Robert Carroll, owner of Due North Cannabis in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. “CBN and CBG are now rising in popularity throughout the cannabis market.”The two chemical compounds naturally occur at different stages of the cannabis plant’s lifecycle. CBN is derived from oxidized THC found in ageing cannabis plants. CBGA, found in young and mature plants, produces CBG.They don’t have the same euphoric high but do have some unique effects and benefits when consumed separately and together. CBG can be used as a pain reliever and to reduce inflammation, similar to CBD. CBN occurs when THC degrades, much as iron degrades to rust, so it loses THC’s psychoactive properties. However, CBN still has the same calming, relaxing effects.Carroll said that the new cannabis compounds can be combined for different effects.“If you’re offering a chocolate chip cookie, for example, you can offer multiple versions with the same flavour or format,” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of edible brands develop products where they have a combination of THC, CBD, CBG and CBN.”Carroll added that with these new cannabis products and product combinations, it’s important to talk with a knowledgeable budtender. He said that there are as many as 800 new products approved for sale in Ontario alone this year.“Our job at Due North is to take the time to do the research, provide the proper insights, and make sure we’re bringing in quality products,” Carroll said. “We want to make sure we’re carrying a variety of products with different profiles that meet everyone’s needs.”Can New Cannabis Compounds Revive the Industry? – LPCOne of the huge advantages of having a legalized cannabis system is that it makes it easier to research and find these new cannabis compounds. More consumers than ever are buying from legal cannabis sources. Offering products combining THC, CBD, CBG and CBN can only help that.These aren’t the only new compounds. A couple of years ago, Italian scientists found THCP, a compound that is purportedly 30 times stronger than THC. THCV is another compound that may help Alzheimer’s patients. In fact the medicinal properties of many new cannabis compounds are probably the most promising aspect of these new discoveries.Ultimately, this research represents the future of cannabis. The more of these 1,000+ new cannabis compounds that can be explored and brought to market, the better it will be for the legal cannabis industry – and consumers.Read the full story at SooToday.ADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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Consumers Buying More from Legal Cannabis Sources

A new study published in Harm Reduction Journal shows that more Canadians are buying from legal cannabis sources – and that the numbers are growing. The survey of over 15,000 cannabis users of legal consumption asked where they got their cannabis products from. Respondents had three choices when asked where they get their cannabis products: “All” (100%), “Some” (1-99%), or “None” (0%).The percentage of people reporting that they bought “All” of their dried flower from legal cannabis sources climbed to 54.3%, up from 47.5% in 2020 and 36.6% in 2019. The highest percentage was for cannabis beverages, in which 81.6% purchased “All” from legal sources, up from 71.4% in 2020. In total, 48.6% of consumers purchasing non-beverage products reported that they got “All” from legal cannabis sources.“Legal sourcing of cannabis was greater in 2021 than 2020 for all ten cannabis products,” the study’s authors reported. That list includes edibles, vape oils, topicals, and oral drops.The study revealed many regional differences. For example, the number of people sourcing legal edibles in Quebec was much lower since edibles were not legal in Quebec and only became available legally in 2022. However, consumers in Quebec were more likely to purchase dried flower from legal cannabis sources than consumers in Ontario or BC. Socio-demographics also played a part with younger respondents tending to source “All” of their cannabis products from legal sources versus older respondents.Frequent Consumers More Likely to Purchase from Legal Cannabis Sources Than Presumed – LPCOne key finding is that frequent consumers are more likely to purchase from legal cannabis sources than previously thought.“We hypothesized that frequent consumers would be less likely than occasional consumers to source legally due to poorer perceptions of legal cannabis, loyalty to dealers, or the fact that purchase limits in the legal market prevent large quantity discounts. However, frequent consumers were more likely to source some of their products legally and were equally likely to source all their respective products legally as occasional consumers.”The authors noted that this was a particularly important finding, given that 80% of Canadian cannabis sales are by frequent consumers “and therefore are an important group to encourage to use the legal market”.These are all encouraging numbers, especially in light of recent calls for cannabis reform. Heavy-handed regulations were arguably needed when the industry was starting out to ensure the industry did not spin out of control. But now that everyone is confident that the sky isn’t falling and that people are turning to legal cannabis sources, it’s time to make it easier for consumers to get that product – and make it easier for cannabis retailers to sell it.Read the full study at the Harm Reduction JournalADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.

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The Liberals Gave Us Cannabis. Could the Conservatives Give Us Cannabis Reform?

Blair Gibbs at The Hub argues that cannabis reform could be an election platform for the Conservatives, should they choose to take it. The Liberals won their first election with help from their own platform to legalize cannabis, which Gibbs calls “arguably the most consequential domestic policy reform of the Trudeau government”. And, as he points out, not only did the Conservatives lose that battle, public support for legalized cannabis has grown in the years since.But so has dissatisfaction over the cannabis industry including regulations most specifically. “This leaves the Conservatives with an opportunity to improve on the framework of the Trudeau government without feeling like their own voters want them to roll legalization back,” Gibbs writes.Although, he says, the framework works for consumers and society in general in terms of providing safe, legal cannabis, all is not rosy for consumers. There is the question of cannabis cafés, not to mention confusion over what brand they may like due to all the branding restrictions.But the big issue is that there is considerable anxiety for licensed producers and retailers. Regulations that are expensive to meet, burdensome and outdated taxation models (particularly around medical cannabis), and strict marketing regulations are a few of the issues. Craft cannabis and smaller producers getting pushed out of the marketplace is another issue.“Conservatives should be on the side of small producers and in favour of regulations that enable what younger, responsible consumers want, like places to consume together socially, support for craft growers close to home, more sustainable production, and better access and product options.”If the Conservatives do pick up cannabis reform as a platform – and assuming that platform is a freer and more open industry – they will have to reconcile it with their hard-line stances on other drugs, too.​Liberals Still Have a Chance at Cannabis Reform Themselves – LPCHowever, on the flip side, there isn’t an election on the horizon quite yet. The liberals could pursue cannabis reform themselves before that time. Gibbs points out that there is an ongoing legislative review of the Cannabis Act, but much of the regulations put in place are by Health Canada with heavy input by the Ministry of Public Safety and other ministries and agencies In other words, cannabis reform would be a slow process winding through various government entities.Of course, that would be true no matter who’s in government. But if the Liberals want to move on cannabis reform before the next election, they’ll have to move quickly.What does this mean for the industry and the average consumer? There is an opportunity here. Despite billions of dollars flowing through the cannabis industry, many licensed producers and some cannabis retailers are struggling. Despite the "freedom" legalization brought, consumers are finding cannabis spaces seem harder to come by than pre-legalization, especially in places like Vancouver.Cannabis reform likely won’t be as big an election issue as cannabis legalization was in 2015. But with enough voices calling their MPs, it could be close.Read the Full Article at The Hub.ADD YOUR STORY HEREDo you have a business in Canada’s legal cannabis market? Are you a craft cannabis producer or own a chain or independent cannabis retail store? Let’s tell your story here! A news article and your approved listing page make great ways to connect your brand with a qualified audience looking for what you are offering. Learn more about submitting your article to LPC.