Canada to Offer Federal Support for International Cannabis Trade

Cannabis SOPs are all the buzz, as the industry is budding with oppourtunities. In recent news, Marijuana Business Daily reported that the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has decided to offer funding for Canadian medical cannabis firms interested in exploring oversea business opportunities. Their goal is to help Canadian medical cannabis firms with a solid cannabis business plan with Cannabis Standard Operating Procedures in place, to access and research new markets.

Since passage and implementation of the Cannabis Act, Canada has been leading the way in North American cannabis legalization. The Cannabis Act and its regulations are much akin to the European Union’s GMP regulations for pharmaceutical production. Indeed, there is very little gap between the two, which means that Canadian cannabis products are up to par with harmonized pharmaceutical regulations.

Since the Cannabis Act came into force, Canada has positioned itself as a leader in North American cannabis regulation. Its framework closely mirrors the EU’s GMP standards for pharmaceutical production, giving Canadian cannabis products credibility in regulated international markets.

While Canadian regulators have aligned domestic cannabis policy with global standards, new support from the Trade Commissioner Service makes it feasible for licensed producers to explore international markets. This includes cannabis funding and business development assistance for export-focused initiatives.

Marijuana Business Daily reports:

All standard services from the Trade Commissioner Service are now extended to eligible cannabis businesses. These include introductions to international partners, access to funding bodies like the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export Development Canada, participation in trade missions, and grant-based cannabis funding for qualifying activities.

There are limits on the services and support that TCS provides to the cannabis industry. Their services will not be available for the purpose of lobbying foreign governments to influence their cannabis policies. This assistance also cannot be used in relation to recreational cannabis overseas. All companies must have proper permits and authorizations in order to be considered for aid from TCS.

TCS assistance comes with defined limitations. It cannot be used for lobbying foreign governments or supporting recreational cannabis efforts abroad. Only companies with appropriate licenses and regulatory compliance will be considered for cannabis funding and trade support.

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service will only support activities related to medicinal cannabis.

Despite some restrictions, this represents a major milestone. Legal export of medical cannabis is still rare globally, requiring strict adherence to international and domestic compliance standards. Federal support and cannabis funding now position Canada as a leader in export-readiness. The program also facilitates potential exports of hemp and CBD, both regulated under the Cannabis Act.

TCS offers business support via 

• Canadian Chamber of Commerce National Cannabis Working Group
• Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program
• Canadian Commercial Corp. 
• Futurpreneur Canada
• Innovation Canada 
• Startup Canada