A chat with Antidote Processing

For those who don’t have time to watch the full episode, here is a summary of some of the points discussed.

• Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures are important to make good quality and reliable products, however, the current level is over-regulated.

• These procedures make for good working conditions and help in controlling pesticides.

• Legalization has created a lot of opportunities for women to get involved in the industry.

• It has also opened communication for groups to work together and have important conversations.

• Among the challenges, it’s hard to get bank accounts, start-up costs are high, there are lots of audits (upwards of 8 per year), and there’s still too much stigma from banks and the government.

• Record keeping is hard, and people working in cannabis are portrayed by Health Canada and the CRA as a “bad person” who need to be watched and monitored.

• It can be hard to get past security clearances depending on your past history.

• In the Kootenays, most growers have nothing to do with being a criminal - the cannabis history is more about getting back to the land and growing.

• The government needs to help people transition. They aren’t helping craft growers.

• Lots of people don’t trust the government because of how legalization was rolled out - and as a result, are hesitant to make the transition.

• Craft growers have to advocate and lobby the government to make legalization fair for everyone.

• Cannabis is more than a recreational drug - legalization can pave the way for innovation to use the plant in other ways like food and building materials.

• Packaging and marketing limitations need to change to be more like the alcohol industry. It creates a lot of waste and limits brands trying to share their info.

• Many people are not transitioning because it’s hard to be financially successful. This limits opportunities and innovation.

• Antidote is aiming to have the best quality cannabis available with a focus on genetics and variety. It’s grower-owned and has a lot of support and investment because of its values.

This article was written in tandem with Mike F.