British Columbia will now allow small cannabis producers to sell products in-house directly through production facilities.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced the province is allowing a new cannabis retail licence which enables producers to sell cannabis from stores at the cultivation site.
Applications through the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) will become available November 30.
The launch of the licence goes after the first farm-gate cannabis facility in Williams Lake which opens through a unique government-government agreement between the province and the city.
Producer retail store licensees will be able to register to the LDB’s direct-delivery program under the direct-delivery category. The delivery is limited to the sale of pot produced by the cultivator and is distinct from the cultivator or nursery.
Normally, delivery programs have a size limitation to be eligible but the new program allows small-scale cultivators to build brand loyalty by offering the products in local stores.
All standard cultivator and micro-cultivator licence holders can process as much as 3,000 kilograms to deliver directly to licensed stores in B.C.
The move is intended to support the development of the cannabis economy that is inclusive of Indigenous and rural communities.
“The fourth anniversary of the legalization of cannabis in B.C. is around the corner, and we continue to look for ways to support the growth of the legal market while providing safe and accessible options for British Columbians,” Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said.
“The PRS licence is another way we are working to support the success of B.C.-based producers.”
Read more: Crystal Cure opens first farmgate cannabis store in Atlantic Canada
This year, the province introduced a B.C. Indigenous Cannabis Product program highlighting products from Indigenous producers. As of September, there are 350 direct delivery products available from 47 cultivators and 26 processors registered in the program.
