Canada Announces Craft-Scale Licenses for Smaller Cannabis Producers
The Government of Canada today announced the establishment of a licensing system that divides cannabis producers between “Standard” and “Micro” designations under the upcoming adult-use regulatory scheme.
Micro licenses carve out a space for small-scale producers. Licenses will also be available for nurseries and hemp growers.
The new licenses carve out a space for small-scale producers. Licenses will also be available for nurseries and hemp growers.
The new licenses would allow smaller producers to cultivate cannabis and sell it to provincial resellers without having to go through some of the onerous visual monitoring and intrusion detection requirements that Standard cultivation license-holders would have to abide by.
In addition, cannabis producers could apply for “Nursery” designation, which means they would produce only seeds and seedlings. Producers could also apply to become a producer of industrial hemp, which is cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC
Proposed Federal Licences..... What licences do I need?
Cultivation - Sell to: other licenced cultivators or processors;
Authorized researchers (NOTE: Certain plant parts such as non-viable seeds and fibre can be sold to anyone.)
Standard Cultivation Licence: Large-scale growers of cannabis
Cultivate any variety of cannabis
Produce cannabis seeds, cannabis plants, fresh and dried cannabis
Micro-Cultivation Licence
Small-scale growers of cannabis
Same activities as standard cultivation licence holders but on a smaller scale
Nursery Licence
Growers of starting materials
Cultivate any variety of cannabis
Produce seeds and seedlings (including clones)
Industrial Hemp Licence
Cultivate approved varieties of industrial hemp (containing 0.3% THC or less)
Sell whole plant
Processing - Sell to: Other licensed cultivators or processors; Federal sale license holders; P/T authorized sellers; Authorized researchers
Standard Processing Licence
Large scale production of cannabis products (e.g., cannabis oil)
Packaging and labelling products for sale to the public
Micro-processing Licence
Same activities as a Standard Processing Licence holder, but on a smaller scale
Sale to the Public
Authorized Provincial and Territorial (P/T) Sale--Sell to adults
Sell tested, labelled and packaged cannabis products
Details to be set by individual P/Ts
Federal Sale Licence (Medical)--Sell to registered persons
Sell tested, labelled and packaged cannabis products to registered clients by phone, or online with secure home delivery
Federal Sale Licence (Non-Medical)--Sell to adults
Sell tested, labelled and packaged cannabis products by phone, or online with secure home delivery in P/Ts without authorized sale system
Other federal authorizations
Analytical Testing Licence
Research Authorization
Import and Export Permit
Additional Notes:
All federal licence holders can conduct related activities such as: possession, transportation, storage, destruction, and intra-industry sales.
Individuals or organizations may hold one or multiple classes of licences, with some exceptions:
A federal licence is required to obtain an import/export permit (for scientific or medical purposes, or in respect of industrial hemp)
