The Ontario Cannabis Store is expanding its industry consultation with a new call for voices from licensed retailers and producers.
In an email Wednesday, the OCS said it’s launching an Ontario Recreational Cannabis Advisory Panel in place of its previous retail advisory panel.
The new panel offers LRs and LPs “the opportunity to provide valuable industry insights, collaborate with a diverse scope of Canadian cannabis professionals with the goal of advancing the industry, and provide solution-oriented content tackling the industry’s toughest issues,” reads the statement.
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A panel consisting of a wide range of businesses that represent various job descriptions within the sector will provide the diverse viewpoints needed to address the full story of recreational cannabis in Ontario and Canada, the OCS says.
This year’s round of submissions will be accepted by email to orcap@ocs.ca until Tuesday, Nov. 10. The OCS says to include a 250-word maximum Expression of Interest outlining why you want to participate in the panel, highlighting previous relevant experience. Subsequent open calls will be posted on an annual basis.
“We are looking for passionate and dedicated self-starters who will collaborate quarterly with their colleagues and own 50 per cent of the discussion material for each meeting. Applicants should be fully engaged with a positive, solution-focused attitude,” the OCS says. “Please share examples that highlight initiative, collaboration, and what you plan to achieve by participating in the panel.”
Before submitting an application, the crown corporation says you must be available for the following dates:
- Nov. 17: Applicants notified
- Nov. 20: Onboarding and welcome meeting
- Nov. 26: Panel introduction at Trade Day
- Early January 2021: Kick-off meeting with subsequent quarterly meetings, virtually until further notice, for the remainder of 2021
The selection process is designed to provide fair and equal opportunities for LRs and LPs to participate in the OCS-led panel, the provincial store says.
The OCS notes it may may occasionally reach out to LRs and LPs that have not submitted an application for participation opportunities, in order to include a range of operators. However, it will give priority to applicants.
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