Report: GS1 Trends 2023/2024
Selling any product, including cannabis, starts with a unique identification number from GS1. The GS1 (Global Standards 1) organization is a neutral, global collaboration platform that brings industry leaders, government, regulators, academia, and associations together to develop standards-based solutions to address the challenges of data exchange.
GS1—which has local Member Organisations in 116 countries, over two million user companies and 10 billion transactions every day—helps ensure that there is a common language of business across the globe. GS1 manages the Global Trade Item Number or GTIN, which identifies companies and their products and services using barcode data.
“Trend Research 2023-2024” is a report published recently by GS1 that discusses the top business trends in the world. Topics include data privacy, supply chain digitalisation, traceability and new technologies.
“A cornerstone of any digital transformation are the concepts that are core to the GS1 system: globally unique identification, a common data language, a commitment to interoperability and a firm belief that business value achieved through data sharing is amplified through the use of standards.”
For more information and to download the report visit:
https://www.gs1.org/resources/articles/trend-research-2023-2024-innovation-world-continuous-disruption
Alberta Loosens Cannabis Regulations
Alberta is changing provincial cannabis regulations to “give retailers more time to focus on their business, while ensuring health, safety, and security remain a top priority.”
The Alberta government made the announcement in December 2023 in a media release titled, “Reducing red tape for cannabis retailers.”
On January 31, 2024, the following improvements to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation will come into force:
- Licensed cannabis retailers can operate temporary sales locations at adults-only events like trade shows and festivals.
- Cannabis retailers can keep their products in locked display cases when the store is closed rather than moving everything into a secured storage room at the close of every business day.
- Restrictions are removed on sales and transfers between cannabis retailers and to further allow Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis to establish resale markup limits.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, was quoted as saying, “We’ve been looking at the cannabis market to determine what’s working, what needs to be improved, and what’s redundant or unnecessary while protecting public health and safety. These changes are the result of our latest work to help curb the illegal cannabis industry and continue providing choices Albertans can trust.”
Stratcann, one of Canada’s cannabis news platforms, reported, “…a media representative for the AGLC tells StratCann that the ‘policies and processes to support cannabis licensees who are interested in operating temporary sales locations are in development and will be shared with cannabis stakeholders prior to the implementation date.’”
The CBC reported, “In Edmonton and Calgary, city bylaws already allow smoking or vaping cannabis at outdoor festivals and public events, but only in designated areas. And in those cases, selling cannabis on site isn’t allowed… The changes will allow licensed cannabis retailers to set up temporary sales at adults-only events, like trade shows and festivals. They also ease some of the restrictions around how store owners can transfer product between different locations and lift the requirement to store product in a secure area off the shop floor while the store is closed.”
Cannabis in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) ministry.
To read the Alberta government media release visit: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=89500F3BC265B-E9F5-13F7-DA8506A53DD281BE
To read the Stratcann article visit: https://stratcann.com/news/alberta-announces-several-changes-to-retail-cannabis-regulations-through-red-tape-reduction/
To read the CBC article visit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-to-allow-cannabis-sales-at-adults-only-events-1.7064117
For more information about cannabis in Alberta visit: https://aglc.ca/
Happy New Year!
Can you believe that 2024 is the 10th year AirMed has been in business? It’s true. We started in 2014!
A lot has happened in our industry during those 10 years, some good and some not-so-good. But we want you to know that we pledge our commitment to continued hard work and innovation, and we see great things on the horizon.
As we look ahead to the coming year, we send best wishes for a future filled with success and abundance to all our industry. Expect 2024 to be a year of new vistas and exciting possibilities for cannabis in Canada. Here’s to moving forward with positivity and purpose.
From everyone at AirMed, Happy New Year!
Season's Greetings
The staff at AirMed would like to wish all our industry the best this holiday season.
And we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported us this past year. We value the connections we’ve made with clients, future clients and partners as well as with other industry members.
Looking forward to working with you in the future, may this season bring you peace and joy.
AirMed Named Most Innovative Cannabis Management Software Company
Innovation in Business magazine has named AirMed “Most Innovative Cannabis Management Software Company” in the Technology Innovator Awards for 2023.
This awards program celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses in the dynamic world of technology. “Innovation in Business recognizes the paramount importance of acknowledging the remarkable contributions made by businesses in the ever-evolving technology sector.”
“We’re proud to receive this Technology Innovator Award,” said Justin Hearn, president and CEO of AirMed Canada Systems. “Innovation is one of the driving forces behind AirMed. Recognition like this is an acknowledgement of the hard work we put into anticipating and meeting our industry’s needs.”
On behalf of all the staff at AirMed, we’d like to thank Innovation in Business for honouring us with this award. We’d also like to thank our customers who motivate us to give them the best we can.
To read about our award at Innovation in Business visit:
https://www.innovationinbusiness.com/winners/airmed-canada-systems-inc/To read the media announcement about the Technology Innovators winners for 2023, visit: https://www.innovationinbusiness.com/innovation-in-business-announces-the-winners-of-the-technology-innovator-awards-2023/
To see what we’re doing that helped us win this award, visit our AirMed 5 page.
For more information about all our awards, visit our About page.
Important Cannabis Council of Canada Excise Tax Request
Cannabis Council of Canada surveyed licensed producers and has released their findings in a report that you can access here: https://cannabis-council.ca/files/advocacy/C3-Excise-survey.pdf
But that’s not the end of this story. In fact, it’s just the beginning. CCC announced that after bringing their excise tax survey results to Ottawa during the Grass on the Hill Summit last month, the Department of Finance wants to learn more.
“The Department of Finance would like to get a deeper understanding of how excise tax impacts License Holders’ financial positions, and how different rate models can help the long-term viability of our sector.”
This is where you come in.
CCC is asking Health Canada License Holders who pay excise tax to provide the Canadian government with a confidential look at their financials for 2022. Note that deadline to respond: November 30, 2023.
For details and to access the CCC excise model spreadsheet use the contact information below before the November 30 deadline!
Email CCC directly at hello @ cannabis-council.ca
If the email link doesn’t work, visit the Cannabis Council of Canada website for contact information: https://cannabis-council.ca/
MJBizDaily Publishes Series on Government Funding for Canadian Producers
In the first article of a series, MJBiz Daily reported “More Canadian cannabis companies are tapping government funding sources to finance research and other projects as private-sector capital has become harder to come by.”
That article, written by MJBiz Daily International Editor Matt Lamers, was published September 28, 2023 with the title “Canadian cannabis companies tap government funding programs.”
Lamers wrote, “MJBizDaily found that more than 3 million Canadian dollars ($2.2 million) worth of federal funding was provided to almost two dozen companies over the past year, according to the government’s Grants and Contributions portal.”
The second article, published October 3, 2023, reported that “Cannabis-related agricultural businesses based in Alberta are eligible for provincial funding under two programs if they meet certain requirements, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation told MJBizDaily.”
The latest installment, published November 16, 2023, reported that the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food explained via email that “federally licensed and commercial cannabis production is eligible for many of its programs and services.”
The author wrote, “Federally licensed cannabis producers in British Columbia are eligible to apply for a host of government programs, some of which provide funding, including the provincial portion of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”
Intro to AirMed5 Booklet
We’re so excited about the release of AirMed5 that we’ve created a booklet describing the new software in detail. This document covers all the features in the initial release.
- Re-imagined interface and user experience
- Fully customizable tables with custom columns
- Built-in report, label and e-form designers
- Business intelligence designer
- SOP library with built-in SOP editor
- Automated QMS incident management
- Task-based workflows with support for task templates and automated task scheduling
- Product plans
- Simplified packaging and shipping
To receive a PDF of this booklet by email, please send a request to sales @ airmed.ca or fill out one of our request demo contact forms.
In the meantime, visit our AirMed 5 web page.
Industry Leaders Attend Global CanExec Summit
The annual Global Cannabis Executive Summit was held last week at The Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
Justin Hearn, President and CEO of AirMed Canada Systems, was invited to the summit to provide a software vendor perspective.
“This summit featured panels of C-suite executives from many leading Canadian cannabis companies,” Hearn said. “The organizers curated frank and productive discussions about the state of the industry and many of the current challenges. Hats off to an excellent event.”
This invitation-only event was attended by decision-makers from leading producers with 90+ percent of the speakers holding C-suite roles.
The 4th Annual Global Cannabis Executive Summit will be held October 27-28, 2024 in Toronto.
For more information about the past or upcoming event, visit https://canexecsummit.com/
In the News Five Years After Cannabis Legalization in Canada
This month marked the fifth anniversary of the legalization of cannabis in Canada, and news outlets offered various views on the results so far. While some of the articles discussed the challenges and struggles facing the industry, others looked at different aspects.
CTV News reports that “Five years after cannabis legalization, 64 per cent of Canadians are in support of the move.” The article published on the CTV News website was about the results of an online survey conducted by Research Co. “Support for the legalization of marijuana is highest among Canadians aged 55 and over (66 per cent),” Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. said in a press release. “The proportions are lower among those aged 35-to-54 (56 per cent) and those aged 18-to-34 (48 per cent).”
The Canadian Medical Association Journal published “Outcomes associated with nonmedical cannabis legalization policy in Canada: taking stock at the 5-year mark.” This scholarly article reported, “Cannabis legalization in Canada appears not to have been the public health disaster anticipated by some of its opponents, but it cannot be described as a comprehensive or unequivocal success for public health either.”
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/39/E1351#ref-11
The Royal Gazette published “Canada and cannabis at Year 5,” which focused on three major aspects: the cannabis market, public health and social justice. “Canadian experience demonstrates there have been problems that must be responded to. But the ending of criminalisation that especially burdened Indigenous and Black people, the creation of a legal market providing untainted cannabis — the strength of which is clear — and the confronting of the illicit one that makes vast sums of money, pays no taxes and has no regard for the quality of what it sells must weigh heavily in the balance.”
https://www.royalgazette.com/opinion-writer/opinion/article/20231028/canada-and-cannabis-at-year-5/
Report: What We Heard
The federal government released a report that summarizes what a “five-person expert panel has heard over the past year as it engaged with almost 500 stakeholders in nearly 90 meetings across Canada.”
The report, titled “What We Heard,” describes the scope of the engagement and summarizes the responses in several categories including: public health, impact on young persons, impact on First Nations and more.
Read about the expert panel and review here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/cannabis-act-legislative-review/expert-panel/legislative-review-cannabis-act-report.html
Read the report here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/cannabis-act-legislative-review/expert-panel/legislative-review-cannabis-act-report.html
Stratcann summarized the report in an article published on their website on October 10, 2023, the same day the report was released.
Read the Stratcann article here: https://stratcann.com/other/canada-releases-what-we-heard-report-on-the-cannabis-act-review/
Global News followed up the release of the report with an in-depth article on the state of the cannabis industry in Canada. In the feature published on October 16, 2023, Global News offers commentary by several experts including George Smitherman, president and chief executive of the Cannabis Council of Canada.
Read the Global News article here: https://globalnews.ca/news/10027112/cannabis-act-review-canada/
AirMed CEO Invited to Global CanExec Summit
Held annually, the Global Cannabis Executive Summit is a B2B conference designed for executives with leadership roles in the cannabis industry. This invitation-only event is attended by decision-makers from leading producers with 90+ percent of the speakers holding C-suite roles.
Justin Hearn, President and CEO of AirMed Canada Systems, has been invited to participate in the summit, being held this year on October 30 and 31 in Toronto.
While most attendees at this event represent producers, the organizers invited Hearn to provide a software vendor perspective.
“We have clients ranging from large producers to micros plus processors and dispensaries,” said Hearn. “As a result, we work with a cross-section of the industry and are aware of the challenges being faced. In addition to staying ahead of the regulations to ensure our users have the tools to meet compliance, we also try to anticipate what our clients will need in the future to remain competitive. This gives us a broader view of the industry and a distinct perspective that we can share with the CanExec audience.”
This is an in-person event being held October 30-31, 2023 at The Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
For more information about the event, visit https://canexecsummit.com/
Grow Up Conference in Victoria a Success
Grow Up Conference and Expo returned to Victoria BC last week with over 120 high-level industry speakers, 90+ exhibitors and thousands of delegates together on Vancouver Island.
Grow Up Conference is a true B2B cannabis event that focused on cultivation, extraction and psychedelics for industry professionals.
Read the Times Colonist coverage of the event here:
https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/victoria-cannabis-conference-first-in-bc-to-allow-sampling-after-change-to-regulations-7631570This in-person event was held October 1-3, 2023 at the Victoria Convention Centre in downtown Victoria, BC, Canada.
For more information visit: https://growupconference.com/
Grass on the Hill 2023: Oct 16-18 in Ottawa
Join the Cannabis Council of Canada in Ottawa for the annual Grass on the Hill Summit & Lobby Day. Bringing together leaders from across the cannabis sector, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your network and make your voice heard in Ottawa. Meet with decision-makers, connect with other leaders in the cannabis sector and celebrate 5 years since cannabis legalization.
For more information on the Cannabis Leaders Summit & Industry Lobby Day visit:
Don't Miss Grow Up Victoria this Sunday!
Grow Up Conference is a true B2B cannabis event that is designed for industry professionals rather than the consumer market.
Join your peers in the Canadian cannabis industry in majestic Victoria British Columbia for three days of cannabis cultivation, psychedelics and extraction.
Grow Up Conference and Expo features over 120 high-level industry speakers, 90+ exhibitors and thousands of delegates together on Vancouver Island.
This in-person event is scheduled for October 1-3, 2023 at the Victoria Convention Centre in downtown Victoria, BC, Canada.
For more information visit: https://growupconference.com/
Canadian Greenhouse Conference 2023: Oct 4-5 in Niagara Falls
The Canadian Greenhouse Conference is Canada’s foremost event for commercial greenhouse flower, vegetable, cannabis, berry and nursery growers. This event is the ultimate connection point for growers, suppliers and research partners.
The Canadian Greenhouse Conference is a not-for-profit corporation and Canada’s foremost event and connection point for commercial growers of crops produced in a controlled environment. The conference attracts growers from across North America, gathers experts from around the world and showcases innovative production techniques, research, products and technology.
Being held October 3-4, 2023 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in exciting Niagara Falls, Canada, the Canadian Greenhouse Conference offers two days of informative, motivating sessions and a large trade show with over 300 booths.For more information visit: https://www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com/
Redesigned Order Screen in AirMed5
AirMed5 lets you manage order requests, order planning, order assembly, and shipping from one screen.
After releasing a planned order to production, verify order items in one step. Once you have entered the customer requested products and quantities, browse available inventory from multiple lots to plan the order fulfillment.
The new order processing in AirMed5 offers unparalleled ease while managing complex order requirements.
Manage products and different package types using the new Items table. Items and Item variants let you easily browse and manage products, different package sizes and available inventory.
Create new package runs and pack cases with streamlined workflows. Manage bulk items, recreational products, and medical products.
For more information on these new features or to book a demo of AirMed to see them for yourself, click the Request Demo button at the top of the page or use any of the contact forms.
In the meantime visit our Software page.
Science of Cannabis Testing Online Symposium Sep 13
Analytical Cannabis Magazine is hosting an online symposium titled Exploring the Cannabis Science and Testing Landscape on 13 September 2023.
This is the 7th annual cannabis testing symposium, which is an exclusive gathering designed specifically for cannabis scientists and researchers.
“This industry-leading event brings together experts and innovators in the field to shed light on the hottest topics and emerging trends in cannabis testing lab practices.”
This online symposium will cover:
- Method development for hemp fibers
- Auditing to combat cannabis misinformation
- Quantification of psilocin and psilocybin in psychedelic mushrooms
- Streamlining cannabis potency processes
- Identifying heavy metal sources in cannabis and hemp
- Standards and methods to help quantify impurities in cannabidiol derived phytocannabinoid products
For more information and to register visit: https://go.analyticalcannabis.com/the-science-of-cannabis-testing-2023
Analytical Cannabis is a leading cannabis science publication for scientists, technicians, and business professionals working in the cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics industries.
Complete C3 Excise Tax Survey of Licence Holders before Sep 1
Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is conducting a study on the Canadian cannabis excise tax framework and are looking for input from licensed producers and processors from across the country.
Are you a Health Canada Licence Holder? Please take 10 minutes to fill out an anonymous survey (or forward to your CFO) before September 1st and join C3 August 31st for a virtual discussion with other leaders in the cannabis sector.
“Your input will be invaluable in shaping our conversations with government decision-makers at an upcoming lobby day and in advance of the Fall Economic Statement. All responses are anonymous and will be reported in aggregate.”
Not a licence holder? C3 encourages you to share this survey link with LPs whose operations might be impacted by a change to the excise tax framework.
Use the link below to complete the survey:
https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25f1c7xf8k9fhoqOr visit C3 for more information:
https://cannabis-council.ca/
Grow Up Victoria 2023: Oct 1-3
Grow Up Conference and Expo is returning to Victoria BC, October 1-3, 2023. This west coast show will bring over 120 high-level industry speakers, 90+ exhibitors and thousands of delegates together on Vancouver Island.
With over 100 world-class speakers, the informative panels will bring you up-to-speed with what is happened in the cannabis cultivation and extraction industry, nationally and abroad. Sessions are dedicated to the hottest topics, latest trends and the future of cannabis.
Network with LPs, head growers, extractors, retail, budtenders, purchasing agents, distributors, suppliers, manufacturers and more. The Masterclass Technical workshops series will elevate your growing with sessions designed to go in-depth to cannabis cultivation and extraction.
This in-person event is scheduled for October 1-3, 2023 at the Victoria Convention Centre in downtown Victoria, BC, Canada.
For more information visit: https://growupconference.com/