Silent treatment

Censorship is hurting the Canadian cannabis industry, leaving it unable to fix its damaged reputation, writes Corinne Doan

The purpose of the Cannabis Act is to protect public health, safety and restrict access to minors. The architects of the Act believed this would be achievable by restricting communication. The Act has a meticulously detailed section dedicated to numerous promotion prohibitions. Highlights are prohibitions on information regarding price, or endorsements. Communications cannot be depicted by a person, character, animal, real or fictional. And my personal favourite, it is prohibited to communicate any health benefits related to cannabis. The extensive communications prohibitions equate to CENSORSHIP.

Censorship is the counterbalance to freedom of speech. It suppresses speech considered harmful. The purpose is to prevent distasteful ideas from consciousness. Therefore, if something is censored, it has a negative connotation. An example would be when the War Measures Act was used to limit speech from militant political opposition during the 1970 October Crisis. In contrast to an armed militant group are the censorships posed on cannabis—a plant. Keep in mind, until the mid-1990s Canadians faced imprisonment and a $300,000 fine for disseminating any cannabis related information. Deliberate misdirection and extreme suppression of information pressured society to believe an enormously misguided idea. Fear and ignorance fueled with stigma and oppression unfairly damaged cannabis credibility. For a communications professional, this would be considered a crisis.

Cannabis in the midst of a communication crisis

A communication crisis is an issue creating a negative impact on reputation. Managing damaged credibility can be achieved with proactive engagement with stakeholders. A safe, transparent environment for dissemination of information and feedback over time cultivates understanding. Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude a communication policy embracing an open safe environment would be accommodated in the Cannabis Act. Oddly, that is far from the case. Stifling cannabis censorship is thriving to the point it could be challenged if stakeholders are being deprived democratic rights.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental criterion for democracy. In Canada, freedom of speech is protected in section 2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Also, The Charter permits enforcement of “reasonable” limits. Communication boundaries are necessary to protect the rights of others for public health and security. Likewise, communication creates a foundation to learn and build goodwill. Hence, it should be questioned, are the limits placed on cannabis communications reasonable?

The plant survived a century of prohibition because its medicinal purposes were recognized. Cannabis is less toxic with less side effects than many synthetic drugs (note, I did not use the word ‘healthy’).  Capitalism and politics relented and reversed stances on prohibition when potential revenue was identified. However, censorship has hindered the progress of the Canadian cannabis industry because it is not able to sufficiently address its damaged reputation.

What's in Store - Spiritleaf Vernon

This is the first in our new feature, called What’s in Store.

In this instalment, we take you inside Spiritleaf Vernon, located at 102-2500 53 Ave.

Owner Sarah Ballantyne tells you about what’s new and notable in cannabis, including:

• Cherry Punch by Organnicraft
• Everie teas
• TGOD powder
• DynaThrive Apple Cider Vinegar CBD Gummies

We’ll be giving away a beautiful rolling tray from UP Cannabis (courtesy of Spiritleaf Vernon) to one of our newsletter subscribers. So be sure to sign up to get the oz. in your inbox every Friday.

Watch the video here:

Valens to produce for Simply Bare

The Valens Company and Rubicon Organics are teaming up.

They entered into an extraction and custom manufacturing agreement that will see Valens blend its proprietary extraction capabilities—including organic certified CO2, ethanol, and other extraction technologies—with Rubicon Organics' portfolio of brands: Simply Bare Organic, 1964 Supply Co., and Lab Theory.

   RELATED: Valens acquires edible maker LYF

"The Rubicon Organics team has a strong and proven track record of success with their flower business and we are confident they will enjoy the same success in other product categories," says Valens CEO Tyler Robson.

"At the heart of this agreement is a true partnership and both parties are eager to get down to work on innovation to bolster Rubicon Organics' product portfolio and bring certified organic, high-quality 2.0 products to the Canadian market. We are especially pleased to be working with a supply partner that can meet our strict requirements for laboratory controls, quality and reliability."

Jesse McConnell, Chief Executive Officer of Rubicon Organics, says this partnership accelerates their launch of organic certified 2.0 products.

Quick hits

SLK Live Resin Vape by Greybeard

Tasty and potent, Greybeard’s SLK live resin vape stands out in a crowded category.

It’s a more naturally cannabis tasting vape experience than other carts that focus on certain flavours.

Greybeard says the resin used in the carts starts from the same resin as its Terp Slush dab products. The live resin is made with extract sourced from fresh cannabis grown outdoors at the Thrive farm in Simcoe, Ont., where crops are flash-frozen, suspending the cannabinoids and terpenes until extracted through a butane process.

The half-gram 510-thread cart contains a notable amount of terpenes at 7%.

It's also more potent than many other vape carts on the market, at 88% THC.

It’s packaged in a stylish tin and retails for about $50, plus taxes in BC.

Overall, Greybeard is making a name for itself. There is a buzz around its ‘top cola’ Afghani Drifter flower, as well as its high-terpene, high-potency concentrates.

Greybeard’s parent company, Thrive Cannabis, is being the innovative CBD and THC Strips under the brand name, Being.

ICYMI...

Shower thoughts

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