Small pot growers say they should be treated like craft breweries

CALGARY Prospective cannabis micro cultivators in Alberta say they ’d like to sell their wares directly to customers in the same way as craft breweries and wineries.

Those smaller growers would also like to sell directly to retailers rather than go through wholesaler and regulator Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) as all licensed pot producers are required to do.

But they will need to clear a host of barriers holding back an industry that operates in the legal shadows and grey areas of the cannabis sector, say proponents.

Barriers to municipal zoning are stifling smaller growers who, by federal law, can’t exceed 1,252 square feet in canopy space.

Another problem is the slow pace of federal licensing, said James Welbourn of the Alberta Micro Cannabis Licensing Association.

“The micro community is very discouraged. It doesn’t seem a priority for Health Canada,” said Welbourn.

By the end of March, Health Canada had received 150 applications for micro cultivation or processing licences, with 11 of those from Alberta. Officials from Health Canada didn’t return calls Thursday, but one news report from last month stated the ministry had only granted two micro licences, neither in Alberta. Growers are also required to have their facilities entirely built out before a permit is granted, a requirement that some prospective growers are reluctant to fulfil given licensing uncertainty and cost, said Welbourn.

Ultimately, if those roadblocks are conquered, his fledgling association would run part of their businesses like the craft alcohol sector does, he said.

The provincial regulator isn’t offering proponents much hope.

Smaller pot growers operating like wineries while also enjoying direct sales to retailers aren’t part of Alberta’s cannabis legislation, said AGLC spokeswoman Heather Holmen.

“There are some provinces that have that (farm to retailer) model but as it stands it wouldn’t be an option under our legislation,” said Holmen.

Once those micro cultivators receive a federal licence to grow and sell, the AGLC could potentially purchase from them “if they’re able to meet the minimum product volume requirement,” said Holmen.