Vote goes to pot

I’m personally interested — and invested — in cannabis. 

How each candidate and party approaches weed this federal election has a say in how I vote.

To that end, I reached out to four candidates from different parties to get their thoughts on pot.

The challenges for the industry are complex and numerous. There are a lot of federal issues that require proper policy and attention. 

Weed is big business. In May, 2021, cannabis added more than $18 billion to Canada’s GDP — that’s on par with auto manufacturing.

Some licensed producers located in the Okanagan, including The Valens Company and The Flowr Corp., are global in scope.

Weed employs thousands of people in retail, production, distribution, government and service industries throughout our communities.

Each politician had varying degrees of knowledge and comfort speaking about issues facing the industry and its consumers.

Conservative Dan Albas, incumbent MP in the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, opted not to answer questions.

He explained he couldn’t speak to the issues, but invited cannabis companies to reach out to him.

The three other candidates agreed to an interview. We have full coverage on the oz.

Here’s our five-part series:

• My vote goes to pot
• Conservatives could be a friend to weed
• Liberals can open doors to cannabis globally
• NDP wants to expunge cannabis records
• Sustainable cannabis on Green Party's mind

Quick hits

🛍 Ontario now has more than 1,000 cannabis stores (BlogTO)

🔥 BC cannabis, liquor customers donate more than $1 million for wildfire relief (CFJC Today)

📩 Letter: Either grossly incompetent or handcuffed by politics (Okanagan Journal)

📊 The BC government is launching a paid Cannabis Sales Data program (Stratcann)

First 'Caviar Cones' in the legal market

Sundial Growers is the first legal Canadian cannabis company to launch a ‘Caviar Cone’ in the market.

Released under the Top Leaf brand, Forbidden Lemon Caviar Cones are a blend of dried milled flower, dry sift hash and full spectrum oil. They have over 30% THC.

Each one is handcrafted and individually inspected.

The pre-rolls are targeted to “seasoned and adventurous smokers looking for a powerful high,” says the company.

Andrew Stordeur, president and COO at Sundial, says the company has made a promise to deliver top-quality inhalable products in the premium cannabis category.

“In order to compete in this preferred segment of the cannabis industry, product quality is absolutely vital," he says. "Top Leaf’s Caviar Cones is the first of many high quality, high THC and flavourful products developed to satisfy even the most experienced cannabis user.”

K-Town Kish by Okanna Craft

K-Town Kish is an homage to Kelowna.

Released under the BC Black label, it's grown by micro-cultivator Okanna Craft.

Opening up the nitro-tin, the scent was surprisingly muted. It does intensify when the buds are ground up; they are rock-solid but still nicely sticky. There is a woodsy herbaceous scent.

Taste-wise, pulling on a joint before lighting it gives a minty basil flavour. Once it becomes smoke or vapour, the taste is peppery and pleasant; the ash burns grey.

K-Town Kish delivers on its promise of an intense high.

The Indica Hybrid disappointingly came in about half a gram underweight. Though the buds inside were beautifully trimmed and a nice size.

The cultivar clocks in at 21.4% THC and 2.65% total terpenes (they are unique ones, Ocimene, Farnesene, and Trans Caryophyllene).

The tin has a handy QR code on the bottom that links to info and photos.

— David Wylie

Newswire

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Shower thoughts

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