Exporting Cannabis to the EU
In a previous post, we discussed how some Canadian producers are selling excess inventory to export markets, including Europe.
In “The Europe Medical Cannabis Market,” Market Data Forecast reports, “The medical cannabis market in Europe is expected to grow from USD 4.96 billion in 2022 to USD 13.37 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR [compound annual growth rate] of CAGR 21.96% from 2022 to 2027.”
Based on that report, Europe appears to be a significant marketplace for cannabis. But to sell into that market, the exporter must meet the region’s standards. In the case of Europe, those standards include the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practices, referred to as EU GMP.
In their article, “A Look at Canadian Cannabis Exports,” published in 2021, The Business of Cannabis reported one reason why exports jumped in 2020. “In Canada, more cultivators gained the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practices (EU GMP) certification, allowing them to export to that continent. More than a dozen Canadian LPs now have EU GMP certified facilities.”
Meeting EU GMP standards is critical for exporting into the European marketplace. But what is EU GMP and how does it differ from the standards Canadian companies already meet?
Health Canada requires that Canadian licensed producers comply with Good Production Practices or GPP standards. If you are a licensed producer in Canada, you are already familiar with GPP. If not, these standards are explained on the Health Canada website.
Essentially, GPP requires that cannabis businesses have appropriate procedures for all activities related to producing a product that is safe for public consumption. GPP mandates that systems be in place to ensure quality and traceability.
Good Manufacturing Practices, GMP, takes GPP further including requiring more stringent testing.
The Foundation of Cannabis Unified Standards (FOCUS) states, “GMP is the proactive part of quality assurance. It is designed to minimize the risks involved in all steps of the manufacturing process. A basic tenant of GMP is that quality cannot be tested into a product. It must be built into each batch of product during all stages of the manufacturing process.”
Originally designed for pharmaceutical products, GMP can be applied to any production process and is a requirement for those wishing to market medical cannabis in Europe.
The EU GMP standards are complex, and the information can be difficult to navigate, especially how it applies to cannabis.
But the Canadian government has published guidelines designed to help manufacturers meet GMP standards. Their guidance document has been written “with a view to harmonize with GMP standards from: the World Health Organization (WHO); the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation/Scheme (PIC/S); the International Council on Harmonisation (ICH); the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH); other regulatory agencies in other countries.”
While the EU is not mentioned specifically, these Canadian standards are a good starting point for cannabis companies considering exporting into other markets. These guidelines will help producers understand what is required and can be used as a stepping stone toward EU GMP certification.
According to the media, the EU standards are stringent, and certification can be time consuming and costly. But with a market as large as Europe, Canadian companies are in a position to benefit from the opportunities that an EU GMP certificate can offer.
To access the resources quoted here, use the following links:
- https://businessofcannabis.com/a-look-at-canadian-cannabis-exports/
- https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/europe-medical-cannabis-market
- https://www.focusstandards.org/gmp-cannabis-industry/
- https://www.gmp-compliance.org/guidelines/gmp-guidelines
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/compliance-enforcement/good-manufacturing-practices/guidance-documents/gmp-guidelines-0001/document.html
Can Canadian Producers Export Excess Supply?
With media reporting oversupply challenges in the Canadian cannabis industry, can producers turn to export markets to sell their inventory? The answer might be yes. As countries around the world legalize cannabis, new opportunities are emerging for producers in Canada.
Canadian companies have been exporting cannabis for several years already. In fact, back in June 2020, MJBizDaily published a two-part article on Canada’s export of medical cannabis during 2019. Part 1 was titled, “Canada exported record amount of dried cannabis in 2019…” Part 2 reported, “Canadian exports of medical cannabis oil jumped fivefold in 2019.”
Canadian Regulatory Review reported in September of 2020 that the Canadian government had even become supportive of cannabis exports. “On the export side, and to further bolster trade, as of January 2020, the federal government through Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service extended trade commissioner services for Canadian cannabis companies exporting cannabis for medical and scientific purposes.”
A few months after that article, in April 2021, Prohibition Partners released a report called “Revealed: The Canadian Cannabis Export Market for 2020.” The report notes that the largest export markets for Canada at the time were Germany, Australia, Israel and the United Kingdom. “…new data shows a huge increase in the exports of cannabis from the country in 2020, as well as a changing network of countries that are importing from established producers in Canada.”
In May of that same year, Business of Cannabis took “A look at Canadian cannabis exports,” noting that “Dried cannabis flower and cannabis oil exports more than doubled in 2020, while imports dropped to virtually zero…”
An article titled, “How Canada’s Oversupply of Cannabis Is an Export Opportunity,” was published in October of 2022 by Canadian Cannabis Exchange. “As the demand for cannabis legalization increases internationally, Canada has the opportunity to become the world leader in cannabis exports… The European Union is proving to be a lucrative market for Canadian exports.”
To read the full articles quoted here, visit the following links:
- https://mjbizdaily.com/canada-exported-record-amount-of-dried-cannabis-in-2019/
- https://mjbizdaily.com/canadian-exports-of-medical-cannabis-oil-jumped-fivefold-in-2019/
- https://www.canadaregulatoryreview.com/international-trade-in-cannabis-international-and-domestic-regulatory-developments/
- https://prohibitionpartners.com/2021/04/30/revealed-the-canadian-cannabis-export-market-for-2020/
- https://businessofcannabis.com/a-look-at-canadian-cannabis-exports/
- https://canadiancannabisx.com/how-canadas-oversupply-of-cannabis-is-an-export-opportunity/
Thanks for visiting us at Lift Expo Toronto 2023!
The Toronto Lift Conference and Expo for 2023 happened last week at the The Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
What a great event with leading-edge content, live music, celebrity cameos, prize giveaways and more.
We’d like to thank everyone who dropped by our booth in the expo hall. We greeted as many of our customers (current and future!) as we could, and our team gave everyone a preview of the exciting changes happening to AirMed.
Thanks again for making Lift 2023 Toronto such an amazing experience for us.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
If you want a reminder of what AirMed has to offer for 2023, visit https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For a personal tour of our software by one of our team members, click Request Demo at the top of the page or use the contact form in the footer.
See you this Friday at Lift Expo Toronto 2023!
The Toronto Lift Conference and Expo for 2023 is happening this week at the The Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
This event promises leading-edge content, live music, celebrity cameos, prize giveaways and more.
We’re setting up to greet as many of our customers (current and future!) as we can in booth 1023 in the expo hall. Our team can’t wait to show you the exciting changes to AirMed in person on Friday June 2.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Certified Budtenders get free admission to the expo! Click here for more information: https://liftexpo.ca/tickets-toronto-2023/
If you want an advance peak at what AirMed has to offer for 2023, visit https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For a personal tour by one of our team members, click Request Demo at the top of the page or use the contact form in the footer.
Lift Expo Toronto 2023 fast approaching Jun 1-3
The next Lift Expo is only weeks away taking place this June 1-3, 2023. Thousands of cannabis industry members are expected at this event being held at the The Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Lift begins with the business conference on June 1, followed by an industry day on June 2.
Visit AirMed and hundreds of other exhibitors at the expo. Our team can’t wait to show you the exciting changes to AirMed in person in booth 1023 on June 2.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
If you are a Certified Budtender, your admission to the expo is free! Click here for more information: https://liftexpo.ca/tickets-toronto-2023/
For an advance peak at what AirMed has to offer for 2023, visit https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For a personal tour by one of our team members, click Request Demo at the top of the page or use the contact form in the footer.
Health Canada Seeks Your Feedback from March 25 to May 24, 2023
In relation to a consultation on potential amendments to the Cannabis Regulations, Health Canada is seeking feedback and comments on potential amendments to the Cannabis Regulations.
The aims of the consultation include clarifying existing requirements, eliminating regulation inefficiencies and duplications and reducing administrative and regulatory burdens, and Health Canada is seeking input from:
- cannabis industry stakeholders
- public health stakeholders, non-governmental organizations
- researchers and research or academic institutions
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners and organizations
- law enforcement
- provincial, territorial and municipal governments
For more information including how you can provide feedback until May 24, 2023, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-potential-amendments-cannabis-regulations.html
Visit us at Lift Expo Toronto 2023: Jun 1-3
The Lift & Co. Expo will be making its return to Toronto this June 1-3, 2023, and AirMed will be there!
Join Lift at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the next strategy-focused, advocacy-oriented business and community leadership conference. A can’t-miss for industry members across the cannabis ecosystem, this is your front row seat for the conversations that will drive meaningful change and sustainable growth in the year to come.
Visit us in booth 1023 at the the expo, which spans two high-energy days connecting the cannabis community with hundreds of companies from every corner of our industry. We can’t wait to show you all the exciting changes happening to AirMed in person.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Thanks for Visiting us at Lift Expo in Vancouver!
Thanks to everyone who dropped by our booth at the Lift Expo last week at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
We had a great time giving software demos and answering your questions about the new enterprise cannabis management features being added to AirMed in 2023.
We can’t wait to hear from you in the future and hope to see you again soon.
For more information about AirMed 5 visit: https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For more information visit: Lift Expo
AirMed will be at Lift Expo this week in Vancouver
It’s just a couple of days until Lift Vancouver January 12-14, 2023 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Find us in booth 1312 in the expo hall where we will be ready to answer all your questions about the new enterprise cannabis management features being added to AirMed in 2023.
We can’t wait to see you at this event jam-packed with business-building content, captivating speakers, brand discovery, networking and so much more.
We will be showcasing AirMed 5 in booth 1312 in the expo hall.
For more information about AirMed 5 visit: https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Visit AirMed at Lift Expo Vancouver 2023
Three days jam-packed with business-building content, captivating speakers, brand discovery, networking and so much more await attendees at Lift Vancouver January 12-14, 2023 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
With a renewed vision, signature Ah-Ha! moments, and a focus on the unique needs of audiences across the full cannabis ecosystem, Lift Vancouver 2023 is not to be missed.
The three-day event kicks off on Thursday, January 12, with the Lift Cannabis Business Conference, a strategy-focused, advocacy-oriented business conference intent on meaningful change and sustainable growth in the industry. On Friday, January 13 and Saturday, January 14, the Lift expo floor will showcase a wide array of leading and emerging exhibitors while debuting fresh experiences, education and activations.
We will be showcasing AirMed 5 in booth 1312 in the expo hall. For more information about this new enterprise cannabis management system visit: https://airmedcloud.com/intro-airmed-5/
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Less than a month to Lift Expo Vancouver 2023
Following a three-year hiatus, Lift returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre on January 12-14, 2023, and AirMed will be there! Don’t miss this premiere event, showcasing leading-edge content, hundreds of exhibiting companies and the best networking in the business!
Lift Cannabis Business Conference
A strategy-focused, advocacy-oriented business and community leadership conference intent on meaningful change and sustainable growth in the cannabis industry. Topics will include: The ‘Team Canada’ Approach, Raising Capital, Advocacy & Lobbying, Cannabis Blockchain, Indigenous Cannabis, Speed Breeding and more.
Lift Expo Days
The expo spans two high-energy days connecting the cannabis community with hundreds of exhibiting companies. Plus, two all-new neighborhoods, the Brand Discovery Zone and Micro & Small Batch Craft Growers Area, will bring fresh experiences to budtenders and consumers while showcasing and serving brands and growers.
Education & Experience!
Also brand-new for 2023, our Expo Floor stages will feature new content presented interactively for small groups, including Q&A’s and fireside chats. Don’t miss our famous Lift After Party, plus our signature surprises and a-ha moments.
AirMed is proud to be an exhibitor at the Vancouver Lift show in 2023. Visit us in booth 1312 in the expo hall.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Lift Expo Vancouver 2023: Jan 12-14
The Lift & Co. Expo will be making its return to Vancouver January 12-14 at Vancouver Convention Centre.
Lift is a strategy-focused, advocacy-oriented business and community leadership conference intent on meaningful change and sustainable growth in the cannabis industry. Topics will include: The ‘Team Canada’ Approach, Raising Capital, Advocacy & Lobbying, Cannabis Blockchain, Indigenous Cannabis, Speed Breeding and More!
Visit AirMed in booth 1312 in the expo hall at LIFT 2023.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
What to Expect from the Cannabis Act Review
Since the announcement of the Cannabis Act review, people are speaking out about what they hope to see from reviewers.
The review was initially planned to begin in 2021 and look at the public health implications of the legalization of cannabis in Canada.
The CBC reported that the government delayed the start of the review to expand the scope. “The review mandate has been expanded to include an examination of the social and environmental effects of the Cannabis Act, the impact of legalization and regulation of medical cannabis and the impact on racialized communities and women.”
Read more here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/public-health-cannabis-mandated-eview-1.6591442
An article in The Globe & Mail stated that “For George Smitherman, the chief executive officer of the Cannabis Council of Canada, the national industry association, the announcement comes at a critical time. Companies continue to face pressure from the illicit market, as well as excise taxes, provincial distributor markups and regulatory fees.”
Read more here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-health-canada-cannabis-act-review/
The Toronto Star notes that the pot sector wants packaging changes and financial relief from the review. “The industry is frustrated the review’s launch arrived a year later than mandated but is still hoping it can result in enough tweaked restrictions to make cannabis distribution easier, draw in new customers and prevent more staffing and facility cuts.”
Read more here: https://www.thestar.com/news/cannabis/2022/09/22/pot-sector-wants-packaging-changes-financial-relief-from-cannabis-act-review.html
The review is expected to be completed in 18 months, and government officials say that it will consider health issues as well as financial, tax, regulatory and criminal-justice matters.
Government of Canada Launches Cannabis Act Review
On September 22, 2022, the Government of Canada announced the launch of a legislative review of the Cannabis Act.
The announcement stated, “Parliamentarians recognized the need for an early assessment of the Government’s new approach to cannabis control, and included a provision requiring a review in the Act. The review will help ensure that the Act adapts to the current situation and continues to meet Canadians needs and expectations.”
An independent panel of experts will lead what is being called a credible and inclusive review. “The Panel will provide independent, expert advice to both Ministers on progress made towards achieving the Act’s objectives, and will help identify priority areas for improving the functioning of the legislation.”
In conjunction with the legislative review, an online engagement process has been launched.
All Canadians are invited to read Taking Stock of Progress: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Canada.
Canadians are also encouraged to share their views via the online questionnaire or through written feedback until November 21, 2022.
Take the survey here: https://ca1se.voxco.com/SE/?st=3KoT2Xgsv4uHJF2%2F0i%2F7oo5IS3ATejUCjIjdJ4lUsME%3D&lang=en
You can also read the original announcement on the Government of Canada website.
Canadian cannabis sales projected to double over next five years
A “Cannabis Canada Weekly” column published on BNN Bloomberg in March 2022 reports that Canadian cannabis sales are expected to double to $8.8B over next five years.
The article refers to a report published by the market researchers at Brightfield Group and notes, “The pace of sales in Canada’s cannabis market may be slowing down, but it is still expected to double over the next five years, according to a new report.”
Read the article by visiting BNN Bloomberg: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/cannabis-canada-weekly-market-expected-to-double-by-2027-pot-stocks-up-on-u-s-legalization-hopes-1.1743189
AirMed Nominated for Two 2022 O'Cannabiz Awards
We’ve been nominated in the O’Cannabiz Awards as Best Software and Best Innovative Technology!
Hosted by the producers of the O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo, the awards program is designed to recognize excellence and innovation in our industry.
Between now and May 14, 2022, anyone can vote on which nominees will win in the O’Cannabiz Awards. To vote you need to register for free on the O’Cannabiz website. Once registered, you can go back to vote any time before the deadline, but registered voters can only vote once in each category (see list below).
An awards gala will be held during the O’Cannabiz Conference & Expo on June 1st, 2022 in Toronto to honour cannabis professionals and companies.
Please vote for AirMed in the Best Software and the Best Innovative Technology categories by registering at:
https://awards.ocannabiz.com/To learn more about the conference & expo, visit: https://ocannabiz.com/
O’Cannabiz Awards categories
Attorney of the Year
Best Activist/Advocate of the Year
Best Budtender
Best Business Consultancy
Best Cannabis Clinic
Best Cannabis Nutrients Product
Best Customer Service
Best Disinfection and Pest Control Services
Best Engineering Firm
Best Extraction Equipment
Best Extraction Facility/Toll Processing
Best Growing Medium
Best Home Grow Package
Best HVAC & Ventilation Systems
Best Hydroponics System
Best Innovative Technology
Best Lab Equipment
Best Lab Testing Facilities
Best Lighting Systems
Best Marketing Campaign
Best new Start-Up
Best News Source
Best Packaging Design
Best Packaging Equipment
Best POS/CRM Software
Best PR/Advertising Agency
Best Retail Chain
Best Retail Interior Design
Best Security Service
Best Seedbank
Best Software
Best Storefront Branding
Best Supplier/Distributor
Best Top Retail Store (Single Location)
Best Trimming Equipment
Best Water Filtration System
Brand of the Year
Cannabis Person of the Year
Favourite Accessory
Favourite Capsules, Extracts, Concentrates
Favourite CBD & Topicals
Favourite Edible Product
Favourite Flower
Favourite Infused Beverages
Favourite Product of the Year
Favourite Retail Store or Medical Clinic
Favourite Vaporizer
Green Deed(s) Award
Licensed Producer of the Year
Medical Cannabis Professional of the Year
Outstanding Educator or Institution of the Year
Scientific Researcher or Facility
Social Media Influencer of the Year
Health Canada authorizing dried and fresh cannabis sales to licensees
Beginning April 19, 2022, existing holders of micro and standard cannabis licenses in Canada will be granted authorization to sell dried and fresh cannabis products. A notification went out to existing license holders at the end of March that this regulatory change will allow them to sell dried or fresh cannabis products to provincial wholesalers. Prior to this, a sales amendment was required to sell those products.
“Initial licensing came with sales conditions, and the amendment application process could take months,” said Justin Hearn, president and CEO of AirMed Canada Systems, “These changes are designed to reduce the regulatory burden for licensees and help them get their products to market more quickly. We expect this to be especially significant for our micro clients who want to carry out farmgate sales.”
Health Canada will automatically reissue licenses with amended conditions over the next three months. Those who had already applied for an amendment for dried and fresh cannabis sales will be prioritized in the process. Following the regulations, licensees will still need to submit a Notification of New Cannabis Product (NNCP) 60 days in advance of the sale of any new product.
This modification to the license program has been implemented as part of Health Canada’s efforts to improve the cannabis licensing process. According to the notification, “The decision is based on the lower risk associated with producing dried and fresh cannabis products.”
Note that the change applies only to dried and fresh cannabis products. Other products, such as edibles and vape cartridges, are not included in the sales amendment. Licensees planning to sell those products must still apply to Health Canada for a sales amendment.
“While these changes do not apply to the sale of extracts and edibles, it is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Hearn. “We expect edibles and extracts to play a significant role in cannabis sales in the future and have already added support in AirMed for these classes of cannabis.”
For more information about cannabis in Canada, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/industry.html
For information on how AirMed manages the sale of cannabis products for licensees, visit: https://airmedcloud.com/software/#sell
Lift Expo Toronto 2022: May 12-15
The Lift & Co. Expo will be making its return to Toronto this May 12-15, 2022 at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The Lift Expo pride itself on providing top-notch educational content, enriching thought leadership from the industry’s brightest minds, and of course, fun & authentic networking opportunities.
Featuring hundreds of exhibitors, a band of forward-thinking speakers, and the movers & shakers of the industry, Lift & Co. Expo is the meeting place for cannabis consumers, professionals and media.
For more information visit: Lift Expo
Report says Cannabis Contributed $43.5 Billion to Canada’s GDP since legalization
The industry analysts at Deloitte Canada have published an annual report on the Canadian cannabis industry. Posted February 1, 2022, the report is titled, “An industry makes its mark: the economic and social impact of Canada’s cannabis sector.”
The authors of the report wrote, “Canada’s cannabis industry is generating billions for the country’s economy and government coffers… In the span of three years, the Canadian cannabis sector has found its footing and emerged as a thriving new source of economic growth, creating and supporting tens of thousands of jobs in communities countrywide.”
The report is based on a study that uses an input-output methodology to estimate the economic contributions of the Canadian cannabis sector.
To read more about this report visit: Deloitte Canada
To download the full report in PDF visit: An industry makes its mark
Deloitte Report Discusses Retail Cannabis Pricing Dynamics
With the help of BDSA and Hifyre, the analysts at Deloitte Canada examined consumer sales data alongside Deloitte’s recent survey of cannabis consumer preferences. The goal? To better understand pricing dynamics in both the Canadian and American adult-use cannabis markets.
“We discovered some fundamental similarities between cannabis and consumer packaged goods (CPG) markets—and some key differences.”
This report, titled “Price. It’s Complicated,” gives a close look at how cannabis behaves like a typical CPG (consumer packaged goods) market and the dynamics at play when it doesn’t. The report outlines some recommendations for companies looking to stay competitive in the challenging environment of this young industry.
To read more about this report visit: Deloitte Canada
To download the full report in PDF visit: Price. It’s Complicated.