Winnipeg-based TobaGrown is launching not-for-profit cannabis products to help fund an ongoing legal challenge against the Manitoba government’s ban on growing pot at home.
On Tuesday, the company said that other than paying for legal fees, proceeds will be donated to multiple local and national charities, founder Jesse Lavoie said in a statement.
Under the federal Cannabis Act, Canadians are legally allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants per residence, but Manitoba and Quebec banned it following legalization in 2018. Currently, if Manitobans are caught growing weed they can get slapped with a $2,500 fine.
To change this, Lavoie filed a constitutional challenge in August 2020 with the assistance of legal firm Chornopyski Law.
In September last year, the firm said it joined a similar challenge in Quebec.
Charities to receive the remaining funds include Winnipeg Harvest, True North Aid, Manitoba Metis Heritage Fund, Habitat for Humanity Manitoba and Seth Rogan’s Hilarity for Charity.
TobaGrown says it’s launching two products this year. One is a pack of three 0.5-gram pre-rolled joints under the name TobaRolls, using dried flower sourced from an anonymous licensed producer in British Columbia.
The secret LP gave TobaGrown an “extremely generous price” for their high-quality and potent cannabis in exchange for anonymity until the lawsuits have concluded. The company said TobaRolls will hit the market by the end of February or early March.
“Another big thank you goes out to the team at Tricanna and Constantine Gamvrelis for assisting with the initial sourcing and processing of our cannabis for TobaRolls!” Lavoie says in the statement.
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Introducing the TobaSquad!
Head on over to @tobagrown to see the full announcement.
This is an exciting day here @cypress_craft 🎉✌️💚https://t.co/1qcV81OQo2
— Cypress Craft (@Cypress_Craft) February 1, 2022
A second line of pre-rolls will be under the TobaSquad name, and are set for release later this year.
To source the flower, the company partnered with several Manitoban producers supporting the cause including Alicanto Gardens, Cypress Craft, Grump Weed, Kief Cannabis, Natural Earth Craft Cannabis, Prairie Trichomes and Rogue Botanicals.
TobaGrown has also partnered with CannMart — an Ontario-based LP and subsidiary of Lifeist Wellness Inc. — to sell TobaGrown products in Manitoba via the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with TobaGrown on a meaningful cause that will help move the needle to allow for all Canadians to have equal rights when it comes to personal production of cannabis,” CannMart CEO Daniel Stern said.
“This not-for-profit initiative is an industry first, a great cause to support, and something we are proud to be a part of.”
TobaGrown says many Manitoban weed shops have already confirmed they will stock their products.
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