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Mike Farnworth tours the first BC Cannabis Store location in Kamloops in 2008.

By David Wylie

On the cusp of a BC election, none of the major parties want to talk about the thorny issue of shutting down illegal dispensaries.

Cannabis retailers have been expressing frustration over a lack of enforcement when it comes to unlicensed dispensaries prevalent throughout Interior BC. They argue they are losing money and are increasingly at risk of going out of business after investing their life’s saving into the costs of complying with the law.

Meanwhile, unlicensed stores are doing business in plain sight, and publicizing their profits in the media.

None of the three big parties or their leaders answered requests from the oz. for an interview or statement on where they stand on the issue. BC residents go to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Emails obtained by the oz. show retailers have been trying to work with officials and communicating their concerns with the RCMP’s Community Safety Unit and the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, but they’re being bounced back and forth. Government defers to the RCMP, while the RCMP defers to the government—and nobody claims responsibility.

“If you have not spoken to the MLA or MP about your concerns that may be an option as well,” says one RCMP staff sergeant in the email chain.

Yet, an email from NDP Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says it’s not up to him.

“The province does not provide operational direction to police forces,” he states.

Farnworth told them he’s “sympathetic to the alleged impacts” on their business, and he acknowledged storefront and online illegal operators are an ongoing problem.

However, he rejected proposed financial aid measures to help legal stores, saying it would be impossible to determine which particular legal retail operators are actually impacted.

The RCMP has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Barely any attention to paid cannabis

Cannabis is becoming an increasingly important legal market in BC, with companies in the industry employing thousands of people throughout the province in retail, production, and service.

Yet it hasn’t received much attention in the election at this important junction.

There is no mention of cannabis in the BC Liberals platform. Though the BC Liberals have promised to cut the PST, that doesn’t include most cannabis products.

The Green Party platform mentions it once in their ‘Food Secure BC’ strategy, but it’s short on details: “Enabling the growing of high value crops, such as cannabis, to supplement farm income.”

The BC NDP have announced some policies that would support the nascent industry, including direct delivery from producers to retailers, as well as farm-gate cannabis that would allow consumers to buy from producers on-site.

There are also continuing problems that have not yet been addressed, such as speeding up the licensing process. Some of those trying to go the legal route have been waiting more than a year for their provincial approval as they continue to pay their leases and other costs without being able to sell.

NDP candidate Brittny Anderson has taken issue in her campaign over Section 37 of the BC Cannabis Control Regulation, which prohibits the promotion of any place to consume or to spend time after consuming cannabis. That significantly limits the ability for the cannabis industry to thrive, and in many cases limits potential business owners to operate all together, she said.

“In British Columbia, and specifically in the Kootenays, there is a historical legacy of cannabis cultivation and a clear acknowledgment that the cannabis industry is a pillar of our regional economy,” she says.

One issue that some candidates from all parties do agree on is ending background checks for cannabis store employees.

Q&A with Brittny Anderson

We asked The Cannabis Conservancy co-founder Brittny Anderson about her campaign to become the MLA for Nelson-Creston in the BC provincial election. She is vying to replace the BC NDP's Michelle Mungall, who has held the seat since 2009, and is not running for re-election.

What motivated you to get into politics?

I want to have a meaningful impact on the world and work to make life better for people in my community.  I grew up in Nelson, have lived around the world and returned to give back to my community. I studied international relations and have a master's degree in Environmental Science and Policy – I am dedicated to my community and if I have the honour of representing Nelson-Creston at the provincial level, I want to work hard on the issues that matter to us here in the Kootenays.

What are the most pressing provincial issues facing the cannabis industry and/or cannabis consumers?

I have been actively advocating for better cannabis regulations locally, provincially and federally. In a provincial context, I think it is important that we transition legacy cultivators into the legal framework, improve sales regulations and remove Section 37 of the Cannabis Regulations.

Cannabis is an important part of BC’s economy in general and the Kootenay economy in particular. It is important that legacy growers are able to transition into the regulated framework.

We are fortunate here in the Kootenays to have the Cannabis Business Transition Initiative provided by Community Futures Central Kootenay, which is the first of its kind in Canada, funded by BC’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. After seeing predatory consultants roll through the Kootenays on a rotating basis, I dreamed of having a trusted organization for legacy growers to turn to to support their transition into the regulated framework. At a Young Agrarians event, where Paul Kelly was providing business development training for farmers, I expressed my concerns and vision with him. Paul went to work and created a proposal, I was able to find funding opportunities and Community Futures was successful in launching this program for the emerging cannabis economy.

The BC NDP has committed to three programs that will help to support BC cannabis businesses. The new direct delivery model will enable producers and retailers to have direct relationships, a model which both groups have asked the provincial government for. A BC NDP government will also develop a farm-gate sales program that will enable BC cannabis growers to sell their products from “farm-gate” stores located at their production site. I am pleased to see that we are going down this path. I have been around several local and provincial tables and these three topics continually came up. I am glad to see that the BC NDP has been listening and is committed to responding.

Section 37 of the BC Cannabis Control Regulation prohibits the promotion of any place to consume or to spend time after consuming cannabis, which significantly limits the ability for the cannabis industry to thrive, and in many cases limits potential business owners to operate all together. In British Columbia, and specifically in the Kootenays, there is a historical legacy of cannabis cultivation and a clear acknowledgment that the cannabis industry is a pillar of our regional economy. We know that in a new industry, regulations will evolve rapidly, as they already have done. I have been involved in RDCK and UBCM resolutions to amend the regulation, and as a member of a BC NDP government caucus after Oct. 24, I would work to make sure that the cannabis regulations are practical, reasonable and consistent with society’s expectations around cannabis use.

By enabling legacy growers to transition into the regulated market, improving and streamlining the sales process and removing barriers that prohibit a place, including our province, from advertising themselves as a place to enjoy cannabis, I think we are moving in the right direction to ensure we live up to our BC cannabis legacy.

Why does the NDP best represent your views?

The NDP cares about people and puts people first. After 16 years of cuts and deregulation, the NDP have been investing in people while working hard, through regulation and legislation to protect our environment and ensure we are climate change resilient.  I am inspired by the BC NDP’s ambitious climate action plan — CleanBC — and I want to work from within a strong NDP government to ensure our Kootenay values are represented at the provincial level.

How has your work at The Cannabis Conservancy shaped your political views?

Federal and provincial cannabis regulations need to reflect societal expectations. I think it is important to protect our children and eliminate violent crimes, but I believe in common sense regulations that do not unduly restrict healthy use or medical needs.

Growing up in Nelson, how have you seen the area change over time?

It has gotten busier over the years, it’s such an amazing corner of our province, growing up it felt like a bit of a secret. Now I feel like the word is out, but that is good news for our many tourism businesses. One downside though is that it has gotten harder for people to find housing — we have a zero percent vacancy rate in many of our communities, there is not enough rental housing and real estate prices have gone up.  Over the last three years the BC NDP has been working to address this issue and there are now over 300 new affordable homes being built across the Kootenay region. When my partner and I were looking to buy our first home a few years ago, we were priced out of my hometown and ended up purchasing a home in a more rural area a few kilometres away.

You have an interest in corporate environmental practices; what kinds of policies would you like to see implemented to make cannabis more sustainable?

The Cannabis Conservancy certification process encourages cultivators to create internal policies and protocols to ensure their organization adheres to Good Agricultural Practices, are free of harmful chemical inputs, utilize waste reduction methods, are energy efficient, and conserve water. Our mission is to empower and assure that the Cannabis industry achieves environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Flowr pushes for Global growth

The Flowr Corporation has made a $63-million all-stock deal to acquire Terrace Global—a Canadian company specializing in the development and acquisition of international cannabis assets.

Flowr says the move gives it more capital to execute on its growth strategy, improves its financial position and seeks to merge two teams of cannabis entrepreneurs.

It’s expected to close by the end of 2020.

“The team at Terrace has a great deal of success in the Cannabis industry and we are very pleased to have them join the Flowr family in our mission to create one of the preeminent players in the industry for years to come,” said Flowr CEO Vinay Tolia.

Flowr is a licensed cannabis producer with its state-of-the-art production campus in Kelowna and its HQ in Toronto.

• RELATED: ‘Right place, right time’ for Flowr

“Together, we believe that we have a more robust financial profile which will give us sufficient access to liquidity to pursue our strategic objectives in Canada and internationally,” said Tolia.

It would mean the previously announced joint venture with Terrace Global in Portugal will become wholly owned by Flowr. The Terrace footprint includes Spain, Portugal and Uruguay.

The acquisition bolsters Flowr’s balance sheet with more than $31 million in cash and marketable securities to support its growth. Flowr said it will be concurrently negotiating with its senior lenders toward financial flexibility going forward.

Flowr said the deal still needs to be approved by two thirds of Terrace shareholders. It has so far secured support from about 38% of shareholders.

The full statement is here.

Quick hits

 B.C. legal cannabis sales reach record high in August, more than triple that of last year.
 
 A cannabis company in Peachland has been forced to rehire nine employees who were laid off after trying to form a union.
 
 You can’t buy weed after 8 p.m. in Penticton; Cannabis Cottage tried to change that, presenting a 300-name petition.

Sour Gummies by Wana

They may have sour in the title but these gummies are satisfyingly sweet and delicious.

I enjoyed all three varieties available from Wana, a Colorado based company that has partnered with Indiva in Ontario for production of its Canadian goods. There are two gummies per package which makes dosing, or sharing, nice and easy.

The Watermelon Hybrid gets top prize for taste. They burst with juicy flavour as soon as they hit the tongue. They’ve got 5mg of THC per piece, so one is enough for me to have a fun evening.

The Mango Sativa gives the same THC hit with a more tropical flair. However, these had the most of that distinctive weed aftertaste common in many edibles. While quite enjoyable, it’s not my favourite of the bunch.

The Strawberry Lemonade 1:1 are a tangy treat, and as indicated you get 5mg of CBD along with the THC. I enjoyed the high I got with this one most. I have found for me that the 1:1 ratio creates a more pleasant and longer-lasting experience.

At $6.99 per package these are mid-range in price but overall that best gummies I have had yet.

— Jenny Neufeld

Dad jokes

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