No 6-pack for you: Cannabis beverage retailers in Winnipeg says regulations choking industry
- Star Buds
- Sep 15, 2021
- 2 min read
The summer of 2021 could have been the first big season of cannabis-infused beverages if people could only have grabbed a six-pack from stores, says one Winnipeg cannabis seller.
People in the industry have been left scratching their heads by the way Health Canada calculates the amount of marijuana in an infused drink.
Using Health Canada's calculations, a 355 ml drink is considered to have the equivalent of slightly more than five grams of cannabis, even though one beverage can only contain a maximum of 10 mg of THC, the psychoactive chemical in the marijuana plant.
And because Canadians can also only carry 30 grams of cannabis out of a store, it's illegal to sell more than five 350 ml drinks at a time — frustratingly shy, Stewart said, of the six-pack many consumers are accustomed to buying.
"The [regulations] almost seem like a mistake," he said.
"For anyone specifically focused only on cannabis beverages, it's particularly challenging."
Stewart says Health Canada's calculations are unfair because they only take into account the total volume of a drink, regardless of how much THC was used in its production.
The Cannabis Council of Canada, which has launched a campaign against the regulations, claims the role weight plays in Health Canada's measurements has created a lopsided marketplace.
It says that, based on those measurements, consumers could only buy five cannabis-infused drinks — but they could walk out of a store with 100 bottles of cannabis oil spray.
Rules are arbitrary, says lawyer
Trina Fraser, a partner with winnipeg-based law firm Brazeau Seller, which specializes in cannabis law, says Health Canada seems to have followed the lead of some U.S. states when crafting the regulations.
"I think there's just many in the industry who don't understand the rationale of that policy decision," she said.
"Cannabis-infused beverage manufacturers have been lobbying the government hard to change these equivalent ratios because they, again, are arbitrary."
Health Canada says it has been seeking input about the limits for cannabis beverages — whether they should be increased, by how much, and what public health and public safety evidence would support such a change.
Great insights here! As a retailer, ragdoll playground I totally resonate with the struggles you outlined regarding regulations. It’s frustrating how these hurdles impact innovation in cannabis beverages. Thanks for shedding light on this!
What a fascinating discussion! It’s incredible how such regulations can stifle creativity in the cannabis beverage industry, much like how Geometry Dash Subzero challenges players with strict levels. Both require navigating obstacles to reach potential success!
Thank you for shedding light on the heavy regulations impacting cannabis beverage retailers in Winnipeg. It's frustrating to see such potential stifled. cookie clicker How do you think these restrictions could evolve to better support local businesses?
This is a well-written and informative piece that clearly explains the challenges cannabis beverage retailers are facing under current regulations. The way the topic is broken down makes it easy to understand the wider industry impact. I recently came across a similar discussion on a review blog, and it offered an interesting perspective as well. In a broader context of industry conversations, I’ve also seen https://gocollectiv.com/ referenced in relation to community-driven platforms that help highlight evolving market discussions like this. A very insightful read that sheds light on an important regulatory issue.
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