The location for the 2024 Summit differs from past locations as it will be held in northern B.C. (Submitted photo/BCCFC)

By Jennifer Olson

upcoming event

B.C. Cannabis Summit continues to support and empower small farmers

Apr 9, 2024 | 2:50 PM

Solution-oriented conversation is the theme for this year’s B.C. Cannabis Summit taking place April 19 – 24 on the traditional territory of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in Prince George, B.C.

The annual event is hosted by the B.C. Craft Farmers Coop (BCFCC) a non-profit organization that provides support for small scale craft cannabis producers within the legal marketplace. BCFCC’s mission is to uphold British Columbia’s leading position as an international cannabis leader and innovator, providing safe, accessible, and sustainable alternatives for small and medium-sized producers and processors.

The location for the 2024 Summit differs from past locations as it will be held in northern B.C.

“The reason we are having the Summit in Prince George is because, historically, the conversation has always centred around southern B.C.,” explained Richard Willems, vice-president of the BCFCC.

“The south includes Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, all the big B.C. cities. What about the communities further up north and all the retailers there? As part of this year’s summit, we’re talking to a whole bunch of independent retailers and inviting them to join. We’re going to showcase some of the talents up there, including a lot of the northern farmers. The mayor is involved as well.”

Challenge with cannabis

Impaired driving rules unclear say medical cannabis advocates

17h ago

celebrating cannabis

High Ground Festival aims to make cannabis fun again

Apr 18, 2024

upcoming event

B.C. Cannabis Summit continues to support and empower small farmers

Apr 09, 2024

The upcoming summit aims to focus on the direction for members moving forward by addressing challenges faced by small farmers, including unfair practices upheld by the federal government. Additionally, losses incurred by micro-producers highlight the need for solutions and strategic planning to empower farmers and enhance their competitive edge.

“We are going to have focus groups with our members to discuss cutting costs and to cover specific topics, asking members how we can make things better for them and what can we do now to help support them moving forward,” Willems outlined.

“We as the board itself have ideas. Our focus right now is to create our own supply chain and to create a process to define and designate craft cannabis, so that when someone buys a product, they know exactly what it is and where it came from.”

Summit highlights include a full analysis of the recent federal Cannabis Act review and discussion about Health Canada’s Expert Panel’s recommendations and potential impact on micro-licence holders, hemp farmers and licensed medical producers. Additionally, there will be local events such as a tour to the Prince George observatory that is offered to the first 50 participants to RSVP their attendance. The summit’s list of guest speakers includes B.C. MP Patrick Wieler and Dr. Susan Dupej, Ph.D.

Patrick Wieler chairs the all-party cannabis caucus on Parliament Hill and will speak on various topics such as the recent Expert Panel review of the Cannabis Act. Dupej is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Guelph School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management.

Dupej will present a new agritourism case study on Northern California’s world-famous ‘Emerald Triangle’ and how this research can be applied to B.C., being another historically world-renowned region for cannabis cultivation. Other guest speakers continue to be announced on BCFCC’s Instagram page.

With a diverse lineup of speakers and engaging sessions planned, the summit aims to encourage industry innovation and support the collaboration of small players within B.C.’s cannabis industry.

–

info@westernbuzz.ca