Warmland celebrated its third anniversary in August, and the shop is now preparing for the upcoming legislative changes. Cannabis legalization is coming to Canada on October 17… Despite its many flaws (see link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4) the Cannabis Act is still a huge step forward for Canada. The world took notice when it finally passed, and reforms here are challenging other countries to re-examine their own prohibitions.
There’s an ever-evolving maze of municipal, provincial and federal regulations ahead, but Warmland is embarking on a quest for a cannabis retail license from the province of BC. The shop will close its doors on October 15, to re-open as soon as possible (application processing times are still unknown, but we sincerely hope that any downtime will be minimal.) Meanwhile, most of our suppliers have either, or are in the process of, entering the legal marketplace – some now work for Licensed Producers or have applied to become LPs themselves; other craft growers are planning to apply for micro-cultivation / micro-processing licenses as soon as they’re available.
Product Availability
In a very unfortunate move, the federal government has initially banned cannabis edibles and concentrates; they aren’t expected on product shelves until sometime next summer. In the meantime, people will be free to make their own edibles, along with things like hash and rosin. Also, local testing labs can help take the guesswork out of potencies and dosing.
Initial retail product offerings will be restricted to cannabis flower, seeds, oils and capsules. To assist those looking to make their own products or grow their own plants, Hemp Nation Cannabis Outfitters is opening in October at Whippletree Junction and will feature grow equipment, cannabis cookbooks, extractors, rosin presses, storage supplies and more (along with hemp products ranging from clothing to musical instruments to food – even ice cream bars!)
Dates to Remember
- We will continue accepting mail orders for existing members until September 30. Any special orders should also be placed by then at the latest.
- Since the province will only be issuing “recreational” retail licenses, membership documentation will be shredded during the month of October. If you require copies of any medical documents that were bundled with your membership application, please contact us by October 1 and indicate whether you’d like an email or mailed hard copy.
- October 15 will be the shop’s last day open until the licensing process is complete. Watch for in-store clearance sales as mid-October approaches!
- Prohibition ends on October 17. The BC government expects the first retail licenses to be issued in “late October”, so there’s still uncertainty surrounding availability in the early post-legalization days.
Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates. Thank you to all our members, staff, suppliers and professional network for your support these past three years!
