What is a Licensed Producer?
October 17, 2018 – the day that Canada lead the way on global cannabis legalization and came-out.
The cannabis industry is the fastest growing and most exciting marketplace in Canada. It is also the most confusing to navigate. Learning how to use natural forms of healing like cannabis can help us to lead happier and healthier lives. We’ll help you navigate your way and learn how to more easily incorporate this amazing plant into your lifestyle.
What is an LP?
A licensed producer is a company that has a federal license to grow, harvest, dry, trim, cure, and package cannabis. Presently there are 8 Licensed Producers of Cannabis in Nova Scotia. Any person, business, corporation or organization can apply for a license, but approval takes years, very deep pockets and isn’t for the faint of heart. If you think you’ve got what it takes you can read more on how to become a licensed producer in Canada.
The skinny: The first step is obtaining the cultivation license, the second is a license to sell. In order to receive a final sales licence growers have to produce two full crops of product, dry, package and send off to Health Canada for approval.
Presently 3 LP’s are providing recreational pot to the NSLC in the form of dried flower:
- Aqualitas will be launching Reef next month
Breathing Green Solutions has 4 different strains: Nor’Easter. Lemon Dory, Shelter, and Mirage - Highland Grow Inc also has 4 strains available: All Kush, Sensi Star, White Russian, Ice Cream
Licensed producers are key to safe cannabis use in Nova Scotia:
“Licenced producers are the only supply chain for authorized cannabis in the medical and recreational market. And the reason they are the only authorized supply chain is because they are held to very high standards for good manufacturing practices and … testing standards for the product to make sure it is safe and consistent for the consumer,” says Myrna Gillis, CEO of Aqualitas Inc.
I am excited to highlight each of the LP’s and tell you their unique stories via upcoming blogs. I’ll be starting with Aqualitas led by Myrna Gillis who attributes their success to, “being authentic, and sticking to their vision and values.”
Licensed Producers in Nova Scotia.
Statistics Canada is conducting the National Cannabis Survey (NCS) every three months measuring cannabis use among Canadians who are 15 years old or older. About 4.6 million or 15% of Canadians aged 15 and older reported using cannabis in the last quarter of 2018. Nova Scotians lead the country in cannabis consumption, says StatsCan.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to read and learn about the talent and opportunities this fascinating new industry is providing Nova Scotia. I hope you’ll follow along and meet some innovative people and learn more about this exciting new industry.
Cannabis laws are different in each province and territory in Canada. This includes legal age, where cannabis can be sold and consumed, and possession limits. View our POT HUB for everything you need to know about cannabis in Nova Scotia.