The exclusive legal wholesaler of weed in B.C. wants to hear from companies with federal approval to make several nonsmokeable cannabis products.
The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch has invited licensed producers of cannabis edibles, beverages, topicals, and extracts to respond to a call for these items.
It comes in advance of their legalization on October 17.
“This product call marks an exciting time for the LDB as we work towards introducing new product categories into B.C.’s legal cannabis market,” LDB general manager and CEO Blain Lawson said in a news release. “We are currently working with over 30 licensed producers and look forward to engaging with new suppliers to expand our wholesale product assortment.”
The product call will close on September 11.
Documents are available here.
According to the news release, licensed producers are required to give Health Canada at least 60 days’ notice before putting new cannabis products on the market.
Under B.C.’s provincial regulatory regime, all legal cannabis products must be distributed through the LDB.
There are public and private stores, plus an opportunity to buy cannabis legally online from the LDB.
This approach stands in contrast to Saskatchewan, where there is no provincial government wholesale monopoly.
Regulations limit THC content
Edible cannabis products may have a maximum of 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in each package, according to Health Canada’s regulations. They also can’t contain vitamins, minerals, nicotine, or sweeteners.
In addition, they can’t be presented in ways that would appeal to children.
Extracts are going to be limited to 10 milligrams of THC per unit, but it will be legal to include up to one gram in a package.
Topicals can also include up to one gram of THC per package.
Cannabis beverages are not permitted to include alcohol or be branded with terms that sound like they contain alcohol.