Introduction
Seed-to-sale software tracks plant production from reproduction through growth, harvesting, drying, packaging, sales and distribution. Health Canada mandates record keeping for every part of the process, and Canadian seed-to-sale software applications focus on compliance built on Health Canada’s regulations.
Record keeping is an essential part of Health Canada’s compliance regulations. From the advent of legal medical marijuana in Canada, legal producers of cannabis have been required to track every seed, rooted plant, gram of waste material, final dried product, as well as interactions with customers. Due to the sheer volume of information, an electronic record-keeping system is the only practical way to manage the process. The software industry has responded to this need by creating seed-to-sale management software systems designed to help producers track their operations and report to Health Canada to meet compliance.
As a Health Canada applicant, you must specify the name of the software system you plan to use for record keeping and provide a summary of how the software program meets Health Canada’s requirements. As a result, you will need to make at least preliminary decisions into seed-to-sale management software early on in your application process.
This might seem like one more challenge along your path to becoming a licensed producer, but in reality, seed-to-sale software is designed to help you be successful.
Seed-to-sale software platforms should provide the electronic record keeping required to not only for you to meet compliance, but also to help you be successful in your business. From greenhouse to warehouse to customer, your software system should help you at every stage of your operation. Functionality for genetics tracking, inventory management, quality control, shipping & receiving, point-of-sale ecommerce, compliance auditing & reporting, and customer relationship management can provide you with full business administration.
Licensing
To do business in the cannabis industry in Canada, you must meet Canada’s licensing requirements. Currently there are several types of licenses for those wishing to carry out cannabis-related business in Canada.
- Standard Cultivation
- Micro-cultivation
- Nursery
- Standard Processing
- Micro-processing
- Sale
- Analytical Testing
- Research
Regardless of which class of license you get, you will be responsible for complying with all the regulations that apply from the various levels of government.
The Laws
The Cannabis Act
Formerly called the ACMPR, this act covers all aspects of cannabis in Canada from growing through processing to selling and more. It is the responsibility of the licensee/applicant to understand and meet all the requirements that apply to their business.
Other Federal Acts and Regulations
As a licensee or applicant, you are responsible for complying with requirements of other Canadian acts and regulations such as the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), the Pest Control Products Act, the Fertilizer Act, among others.
The Canada Revenue Agency
You’ll also need to meet requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency depending on which activities will be conducted with cannabis.
Provincial or Territorial Legislation
As a licensee or applicant, you’ll be responsible for complying with all applicable provincial or territorial laws and regulations (environmental laws, for example).
Municipal By-Laws
As well, you’ll need to deal with municipal by-laws such as zoning and building permits.
How can seed-to-sale software help?
From the advent of legal medical marijuana in Canada, legal producers of cannabis have been required to track every seed, plant, gram of waste material, final product, and more. Due to the sheer volume of information, an electronic record-keeping system is the only practical way to manage the process.
The software industry has responded to this need by creating seed-to-sale management software designed to help businesses meet compliance. Seed-to-sale software tracks growth, harvesting, processing, packaging, sales and distribution.
And some seed-to-sale software systems go beyond compliance to help businesses cultivate success with features and functionality to help fine-tune propagation, growth cycles, harvesting, production, derivatives, inventory, staffing, and product sales. AirMed is one of those. Wherever your business fits in the seed-to-sale supply chain, AirMed can help with both legal compliance and business acumen. For a free demo, call 877-313-2442, email info @ airmed.ca or fill out the form on our contact page.
For information on cannabis licensing in Canada visit: Cannabis Licensing Application Guide
For more information on purchasing seed-to-sale software, fill out a form to download our complete buyer’s guide: Seed-to-sale Software Buyer’s Guide