One thing the government’s round of cannabis consultation discovered is how firmly established the underground marijuana business is in B.C.
The legalization of marijuana next July across Canada is going to be a dramatic change. But judging by the interest groups that made submissions on how to go about it, it’s a relatively short hop in B.C. from the current situation to the historic new regime. They’re already organized, up-front and pretty open about what’s going on.
Numerous groups operating in varying shades of grey stepped up during the consultations to offer helpful tips on how to transition from the nebulous status quo to full legalization of recreational marijuana. It’s been a given for decades now that marijuana cultivation has a prominent place in the economy of the Kootenay. It’s to the point where that’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name.
Even Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth this week cited the Kootenay (and Vancouver Island) as well-known production centres.
But who knew how far along they are in going legit?
The Kootenay Outdoor Producers Co-op was one of many groups that presented briefs on how B.C. should deal with legalization.
“It’s time that the production of B.C. Bud came out of the closet and back into the sunshine where it belongs,” said the group. “Our unique provincial climate is well-suited for its production, and we have a home-grown and knowledgeable workforce that would prefer to come out of the closet with it.”
The co-op was formed this year and has 150 members from 35 communities. It wants to stifle the thriving local black market and make legal outdoor cannabis “the largest cash crop in B.C., as its illegal cousin has been for decades.”
They’re poised for “phenomenal success,” as long as B.C. supports the business model and lobbies Ottawa to eliminate any obstacles that might crop up in regulations.
It was one of several official-sounding associations that wrote in, including the B.C. Independent Cannabis Association, Canadian Alliance for Responsible Cannabis Production, Canadian Cannabis Co-op and several other national trade groups, including the Cannabis Commerce Association of Canada.
The latter group warned about the danger of that quintessential Canadian development for any new market — an interprovincial trade war. It said Ontario and Quebec are scheming to shut B.C. out of their own new monopolies, through locally grown requirements.
“Tens of thousands of British Columbians could be left jobless,” it said.
“Despite statistics showing cannabis farmers in B.C. currently produce the clear majority of cannabis consumed across Canada, B.C. has yet to articulate a position with regard to licensing these existing farmers, or offering them a path toward legitimacy.”
Also heard from was the Craft Cannabis Community of the Gulf Islands, writing on behalf of hundreds of cannabis professionals who live and work in the Gulf Islands and on Vancouver Island.
The letter delicately noted that they’re reluctant to go public due to legal implications of being associated with the “pre-legalization” industry. It said marijuana has been a vital supplemental income to countless people for decades.
“For the many who have excelled at the craft, it has also been their sole income for a long time, and they have invested their lives into it.”
It urged B.C. to look out for their interests. “We feel confident that coastal B.C. can become a Napa Valley for cannabis. ”
It’s that path toward legitimacy noted above that distinguishes the upcoming B.C. experience. Most of the rest of Canada will be setting up a new supply chain. B.C. has one that’s been thriving for years.
Other provinces will have start-up problems. B.C.’s issues will be more about how a rampant underground economy converts to operating legally in plain view, supplying customers making the same adjustment.
Just So You Know: A column last week about Transportation Minister Claire Trevena’s cancellation of a Victoria-Langford commuter rail study referred erroneously to her wish to review the entire E&N rail corridor. In fact, she was referring to the entire Victoria-Langford transportation corridor. My apologies.
