Wednesday, November 03, 2021 9:55:56 AM
Thom Bonno 2, 2021
BUSINESSCANNABIS
Cannabis retailers in British Columbia, particularly the Okanagan, are frustrated with the competition. The worse part is, they are unlicensed and shouldn’t be interfering with private retailers’ profits. The unlicensed shops create an unfair advantage in an already over-saturated market.
Licenced cannabis shops are also upset with government interest in undercutting private legal retail cannabis stores through taxpayer-subsidized operations rather than achieving this goal through actual enforcement measures.
The Okanagan Cannabis Collective, which represents approximately 20 cannabis stores in the Okanagan, has released an open letter, going as far as calling for B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, Mike Farnworth, responsible for the enforcement of the provinces cannabis laws, to resign.
Illegal Operations
The collective released a Google Map document highlighting 35 known cannabis stores operating in B.C. without a provincial licence. Many of the stores are on Indigenous land. No effort for collaboration with indigenous nations has been put forward.
Legal shops feel they have the right to do business how they see fit. The government should be assisting those individuals in obtaining licensing or providing them with the resources to operate on the same level, quality-wise, for the product.
“Our cannabis law (OKIB Cannabis Control Law) supersedes the provincial law. We’re federal, and we’re sovereign, so how we’re going about it is different than anybody else,” says Cory Brewer, owner of Tupa’s Joint, an Indigenous-owned cannabis dispensary.
In October 2018, the federal government legalized non-medicinal cannabis and moved enforcement to the province.
The Community Safety Unit (CSU), a branch of the B.C. government tasked with applying the province’s cannabis laws and enforcing the Federal Cannabis Act, left First Nations out of the law altogether. First Nations say they were not consulted during the development of the law, leaving many communities to develop their own laws.
Level Playing Field
To level the playing field for those licenced cannabis shops, the government would have to :
Eliminate PST
Eliminate the 15% markup on products
Remove licencing fees
According to CSU, officers continue to actively follow up with unlicensed retailers in communities across B.C. and have been increasing enforcement action.
The ministry said 173 unlicensed retailers either closed or stopped selling cannabis as a direct result of CSU actions. As of Oct. 4, the province has collected more than $1.2 million in penalties from illegal retailers who chose to continue to operate.
“The CSU is also educating those who own or operate properties about the potential consequences for allowing their premises to be used for the sale of cannabis. To date, CSU officers have completed more than 70 inspections involving the seizure of cannabis with a total estimated retail value of approximately $20 million.”
B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, Mike Farnworth
The ministry also wants legal retailers to know they are staying committed to supporting the growth of diverse, legal and strong cannabis sectors, always reviewing cannabis regulations, and looking to make sure the sector is supported in being as successful as possible.
Recent TLRY News
- Tilray Brands Launches XMG Zero, a New ‘Better for You’ Cannabis Beverage • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/02/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Widmer Brothers Brewing Launches New Hefe Variety Pack With Revamped Versions of the Original American Hefeweizen • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 05/01/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Breckenridge Brewery Introduces New West Coast Style IPA ‘Ridge Runner’ • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/29/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Tilray Brands Celebrates Big Wins at the Craft Brewer’s Conference and 2024 World Beer Cup, the Most Prestigious Beer Competition in the World • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 08:33:50 PM
- Tilray Brands Celebrates Epic 420 Weekend With Over 20,000 Fans Across the U.S. • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Sweetwater Brewing Unveils Modern Rebrand • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/25/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Good Supply Cannabis Introduces New Signature ‘Bud Squad’ Products • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/24/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Montauk Brewing’s Project 4:20 IPA Returns to Support Surfrider Foundation • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/18/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Good Supply Cannabis Brand Celebrates Earth Day and Unveils Environmental Impact of “Green You Can Feel Good About” Campaign • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/18/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Tilray Brands Lights Up 420 With Music Festivals and Celebrations Across The Country • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/17/2024 11:00:00 AM
- 10 Barrel Brewing Adds 'Juicy Drama' to Its Award-Winning HopBurst Family • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/11/2024 12:30:00 PM
- Montauk Brewing Releases Its First Non-Alcoholic Brew: Montauk N.A. IPA • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/11/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Brands, Inc. Reports Q3 Fiscal 2024 Financial Results • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/09/2024 11:00:00 AM
- U.S. Futures Show Mixed Movement, Crude Oil Prices Inch Up • IH Market News • 04/09/2024 10:42:21 AM
- Tilray Brands Announces 420 Activations Across Canada and Unveils Celebratory Product Lineup • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/04/2024 11:00:00 AM
- UPDATE – Redhook Brewery Announces New “Big Juicy Ballard” IPA and Revives IPA Daze Festival at the Brewlab on 4/20 Weekend • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 06:02:00 PM
- Redhook Brewery Announces New “Big Juicy Ballard” IPA and Revives IPA Daze Festival at the Brewlab on 4/20 Weekend • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Medical Announces New Scientific Publication on Age-Related Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/03/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Sweetwater Brewing Unveils New 420 Variety Pack • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 04/02/2024 11:00:00 AM
- UPDATE – Breckenridge Brewery Partners With Denver Nuggets to Launch Championship Edition Mile High City Golden Ale • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 04:50:58 PM
- SweetWater Brewing Launches Hammer Red Amber Ale to Support Georgia Aquarium • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 12:30:00 PM
- Breckenridge Brewery Announces Special Denver Nuggets Championship Edition Mile High City Golden Ale • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 12:00:00 PM
- Tilray Brands, Inc. to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results on April 9, 2024 • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/28/2024 11:00:00 AM
- 10 Barrel Brewing Unveils Newest Ready-to-Drink Canned Cocktails • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/26/2024 11:00:00 AM
- Redecan Cannabis Launches New Spring Lineup • GlobeNewswire Inc. • 03/21/2024 11:00:00 AM
FEATURED NanoViricides Reports that the Phase I NV-387 Clinical Trial is Completed Successfully and Data Lock is Expected Soon • May 2, 2024 10:07 AM
ILUS Files Form 10-K and Provides Shareholder Update • ILUS • May 2, 2024 8:52 AM
Avant Technologies Names New CEO Following Acquisition of Healthcare Technology and Data Integration Firm • AVAI • May 2, 2024 8:00 AM
Bantec Engaged in a Letter of Intent to Acquire a Small New Jersey Based Manufacturing Company • BANT • May 1, 2024 10:00 AM
Cannabix Technologies to Deliver Breath Logix Alcohol Screening Device to Australia • BLO • Apr 30, 2024 8:53 AM
Hydromer, Inc. Reports Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results for First Quarter 2024 • HYDI • Apr 29, 2024 9:10 AM