CCBC says its members believe that a thriving legal cannabis sector creates local jobs, generates tax revenue and contributes to British Columbia's economy
Delta cannabis growers Pure Sunfarms and Rubicon Organics have joined forces with Vancouver- headquartered Tantalus Labs to form a new a non-profit association aimed at bringing together cannabis cultivators across B.C. committed to promoting a growing cannabis sector
The Cannabis Cultivators of B.C. (CCBC) will advocate for the growth of a responsible cannabis industry and advancing a favourable social, economic, and business environment for cultivation, according to an association news release this week.
As the first cannabis cultivators’ association focused on licensed growers of all sizes in B.C., CCBC says it will work with policy makers to promote the economic well-being of the cannabis industry and contribute to policy-making, advance industry-wide cultivation issues on behalf of all licensed cannabis growers across the province, as well as be a source of expertise in cultivation.
The new organization also notes its vision is to shift the paradigm surrounding cannabis to policies built upon supporting cannabis as an emerging economic driver and agricultural commodity, and advance B.C. as a world leader in cannabis innovation and expertise.
“B.C. has a thriving and fast-growing legal cannabis industry. Now is the time for B.C. producers to come together as a unified voice to provide leadership on important cultivation and production issues across the province and Canada. We look forward to working closely with governments at all levels, as well as like-minded organizations,” said Mandesh Dosanjh, Pure Sunfarms president and CEO.
The CCBC says it encourages all licensed cannabis cultivators in B.C. and others in the industry, who are committed to benefiting their communities and growing the cannabis sector responsibly, to join the organization.
“Cannabis cultivated in B.C. has long been world-renowned for its world-class quality. CCBC will be instrumental to promoting B.C. cultivated cannabis for its unique terroir, as winemakers have done in various regions around the world for decades. CCBC will create a much stronger collective voice to ensure that cannabis producers in B.C. are well represented in the agricultural community and that they are set up to succeed as global cannabis markets open up,” said Jesse McConnell, CEO of Rubicon Organics.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Village Farms International, Pure Sunfarms already has 1.1 million square feet in its greenhouse operation in East Delta, having the capacity to produce 75,000 kilograms of dried flower annually for the Canadian recreational market.
Pure Sunfarms is planning to convert a second 1.1 million square foot adjacent greenhouse for production.
Growing organically certified product at its 125,000-square-foot facility on 104th Street in East Delta, Rubicon Organics Inc. also sells coast-to-coast with products available in eight provinces and territories