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B.C.’s small cannabis producers looking for inroads into the marketplace

Jul 18, 2019 | 5:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — This afternoon, representatives from GrowTech Labs held a meeting for parties interested in small-scale commercial cannabis production.

The event was an informational session, following up on some consultation they did in the spring. It was part of several meetings GrowTech Labs is holding across B.C., as they work towards helping interested growers start a co-operative cannabis growing venture.

“They were supportive of the idea when we came around the first time,” David Hurford, a special advisor with GrowTech Labs explained. “We’ve been doing some work to show them exactly what a co-op would look like, exactly how it would be governed… It’s a really integrated process where it’s question-and-answer. We’re really trying to get their sense as to what type of organization they’d like to lead them.”

According to Hurford, there are some significant barriers small-scale cannabis producers face when they’re entering the marketplace. He’s hoping that the federal government will increase the production limit caps for both growers and producers. He suggests this would increase the earning potential and therefore entice more people into the business of growing cannabis.

“What we’ve heard so far is that production caps are a big problem,” Hereford said. “right now the Government of Canada is capping small producers at 2100 square feet of growing area, which is very small. We have suggested the government look at increasing that at least to 4200 square feet, which would be the size of the neutral zone of a hockey rink… [that] gives them a chance to make money, to have an effective business plan, and maybe attract investors.”