Is a Pre-Audit Inspection Right for Your Cannabis Business?

So, your goal to start a cannabis business is reaching completion. You’ve gone through all the application requirements, hired the necessary personnel, finished building out your facility, and made sure all the required equipment and physical security measures are in place. All that’s left to do is film your video attestation (aka your site evidence package) and submit your application to Health Canada. It seems like your cannabis licence is now within arm’s reach!

But, looming in the back of your mind is the thought of Health Canada’s audit of your facility. This can certainly cause some feelings of stress and anxiety, especially for businesses who have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into their operation. If you still aren’t completely confident that your operation – brand new or established – will be able to pass beneath the inspector’s critical eye, you may want to consider how you can benefit from the Pre-Audit Inspection services offered by CLE. We like to think of it as the perfect final hurdle – just one that will ensure your success, instead of standing in your way.

Health Canada requires that licensed cannabis facilities undergo audits to ensure licence holders are compliant with the regulations set out in the Cannabis Act and Regulations. This includes pre-licensing audits, introductory audits before cultivation begins, and regularly scheduled audits afterward. These audits are comprehensive and lengthy, with a tendency to be very overwhelming for those who haven’t had to prepare for one before – and even for those who have!

With our Pre-Audit Inspection service, we identify any issues that might raise red flags with inspectors, and work with you to address them all properly. A formal report listing any deficiencies found during the assessment will be prepared and provided, along with guidance on how to resolve them. The benefit of bringing in an external company is to provide you with an unbiased perspective on your site and its current practices. This way, everything is accounted for with nothing left to chance, so that come inspection day you’ll have peace of mind.

What do we check for during a Pre-Audit Inspection?

We evaluate standards which include, but are not limited to:

• Physical Security Requirements;
• Records and Record Keeping (Production Records, Shipping/Receiving Records, Destruction Records, etc.);
• Standard Operating Procedures (relating to Production, Packaging, Labelling, Storage, and Quality Systems);
• Good Production Practices (Sanitation, Equipment, Personnel, Pest Control, Testing, etc.)
• Inventory Methods & Limitations;
• Activities Authorized and Unauthorized by Licence.

The ultimate benefit of a pre-audit inspection is for you to gain an understanding of where your business stands in terms of compliance, and address any concerns regarding your site and operations. Reach out today to learn about how our Pre-Audit Inspection services team can help guide you to ensure your operations are successful, and most importantly, compliant.

How we can help you

At Cannabis License Experts, we provide you with the guidance to plan your cannabis business, acquire funding, navigate the legal requirements, and acquire the appropriate licence for your operations. As the Canadian cannabis industry develops, more and more licensed producers will be needed to meet the demands of consumers.

Cannabis License Experts offers support from day one of starting your cannabis business, including strategic planning, floor plan preparation, site audits, SOPs, and more.

Our Edibles Compliance division can provide you with a solid plan for your edibles business, to help get your products on store shelves.

Contact us today to discover how we can license and legalize your cannabis business to meet federal or provincial regulations.