
Amending the Cannabis Regulations (Flavours in Cannabis Extracts)
On June 19, 2021, Health Canada announced via a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) their plan to amend the Cannabis Regulations, specifically focused on proposed
Those looking to conduct finished product packaging of dried flower or manufacture and package cannabis-based products (e.g. edibles, extracts, topicals) are required to hold a Processing license. Currently under the Cannabis Regulations, there are two variations of the Processing licence; Standard Processing and Micro-Processing.
Generally reserved for smaller manufacturers, as it only permits up to 600 kg of dried flower (or the equivalent) to be handled each year. This option is ideal for businesses that do not intend on expanding their market reach in the near future. Keep in mind, micro-processors who also have a micro-cultivation licence are permitted to process more than the 600 kg cap, given that they are processing the cannabis cultivated from their own site
Functions much like the Micro-Processing Licence, but there is no limit on the amount of cannabis product your business can handle each year. You can manufacture, sell, and distribute an unlimited amount of cannabis with this licence. Both Standard and Micro Processing licences allow for the sale and distribution of cannabis products to other licence holders or to provincial and territorial retailers
Regardless of which licence you choose, Standard or Micro-Processing, a prerequisite to being licensed is that a production-ready facility must be built prior to submitting a licence application to Health Canada. This requirement was announced in May 2019 and replaced the former two-step review process, which included an extensive assessment of a paper application with feedback from Health Canada, followed by submission of a site evidence package for review. The site evidence package used to be one of the final steps in proving a facility was operationally ready – but now, it is one of the first.
When deciding between Standard Processing and Micro-Processing, it’s also important to consider the future of your cannabis business. If you know there is potential for growth and expansion, it may be wise to secure a Standard Processing Licence and proceed with operations in a phased approach, rather than pursuing a Micro-Processing licence and then having to upgrade later to a Standard Processing licence.
Expanding in a phased manner could definitely save some time and effort in the future, because the amendment that will need to be submitted to Health Canada will be a simpler application than changing licence subclasses.
Standard Processing License holders are permitted to possess an unlimited quantity of cannabis, and produce it by any means other than propagating, cultivating, or harvesting.
A Micro-Processing License
Allows for the handling of up to 600 kg dried flower (or the equivalent) annually, with the same rules for cannabis production as a Standard Processing License.
Both licenses
Give permission for the sale and distribution of cannabis (dried, fresh, plants and seeds) to those who hold a Processing, Analytical Testing, Research, or Cannabis Drug License, as well as Micro and Standard Cultivators.
They also allow for the sale of cannabis plants and seeds to licensed nurseries, the delivery of cannabis products to license holders that sell cannabis for medical purposes, and delivery to those authorized to sell cannabis under a provincial or territorial Act.
Both Standard and Micro-Processing Licenses permit the holder to produce, retain, sell and distribute cannabis – but only within the guidelines that the license’s terms provide for (described above).
On June 19, 2021, Health Canada announced via a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) their plan to amend the Cannabis Regulations, specifically focused on proposed
The law legalizing the production and sale of edible cannabis, as well as cannabis topicals and extracts, came into effect October 17, 2019. With the
On August 28, 2020, Health Canada issued an email notice reminding federal cannabis licence holders of the cessation of the transitional provisions in the Regulations
Branding and marketing in the cannabis industry play a large role in the promotion and sale of cannabis products in Canada. With a wide range
A cannabis processing license is similar to a micro-processing license except there is no limit on the amount of cannabis you can handle year to year. The standard processing license allows you to manufacture, distribute and sell unlimited amounts of cannabis. With this license, you can sell cannabis products to other license holders or to provincial/territorial retailers.
Micro-processing includes all of the same activities as standard processing, except on a smaller scale. Processing activities included finished product packaging of dried flower, as well as manufacturing and packaging other cannabis products such as edibles, extracts and topicals. Micro-processing allows for processing of up to 600 kg of dried flower (or the equivalent) annually.
A cannabis micro-processing license is typically used by smaller manufacturers because it only permits up to 600kg of dried cannabis (or the equivalent) to be handled each year. This license is very useful for businesses that aren’t looking to extend their market reach and are okay with those limitations. If you are a micro-cultivator that also has a micro-processing license, you are also permitted to process more than the 600 kg maximum because you are processing the cannabis from your own site.
In Canada, CBD products can only be sold to adults over the age of 19 through authorized retail stores or a federally-licensed seller of cannabis for medical purposes. You are required to have a processing license to manufacture any products containing CBD for sale according to Health Canada.
A cannabis production facility is any land or building that is used for processing, testing, packaging, producing, storing, or shipping cannabis.
No, the ACMPR license is for personal use only. This license only allows you to cultivate a limited amount of cannabis at home to treat your medical needs. Cannabis cannot be sold to other individuals once produced.
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