Cannabis Commercialization: Selling Your Products

Once you become a licensed cannabis producer, you may start thinking about cannabis commercialization for your products using cannabis SOPs. Many cannabis growers choose to only sell their products wholesale to other processing businesses. However, the profit margins on selling wholesale are tight, and commercializing your own products is a great way to attract higher rates.

Commercialization can be a challenge because each Canadian province has different laws that govern standards and different processes for selling products due to the disparity in Canadian cannabis supply among different provinces. Along with building a brand, you’ll have additional regulatory processes to navigate. When you work with GrowerIQ, you can be sure that those nuances will be addressed to help you streamline the process of commercialization.

Requirements for Cannabis Commercialization

As mentioned, each province does have some differences in cannabis commercialization requirements. In general, all provinces will require the following processes and documents:

• Vendor qualification
• Updated Cannabis SOP (cannabis standard operating procedures) list and description
• Organizational charts
• Key investors

These processes and documents are important parts of a cannabis company’s quality system. You will already have organizational charts, a list of key investors, and a list and description of your SOPs from your cannabis license application. Putting your vendor qualification process into action may bring some new challenges though.

Bringing Commercial Cannabis Products to Market

Each province has its own specific requirements for packaging, labelling, product images, and product delivery. Likewise, there are different agencies that purchase commercial products for online and retail sales. Here is a brief overview of some provinces and their different cannabis sales systems

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Selling Cannabis in New Brunswick

In New Brunswick, the governing body for cannabis sales is the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation (ANBL). Online and retail sales are both handled by the government. New Brunswick takes proposals from cannabis suppliers in the form of an Expression of Interest. This document needs to list the cannabis commercialization product you wish to sell and include specific listing criteria and product criteria, and they also ask that you submit a detailed brand presentation.

Selling Cannabis in Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, the governing body for cannabis sales is the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC). Online and retail sales are both handled by the government. Nova Scotia uses an e-bidding system called SAP Ariba. This system allows the government to procure cannabis commercialization products by posting open competitions and invitations for suppliers. Once you create a profile, you can create a supplier profile and explore opportunities.

Selling Cannabis in Prince Edward Island

In Prince Edward Island, the governing body for cannabis sales is PEI Cannabis Management Corporation (PEICMC). Like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, online and retail sales are both handled by the government. The process of selling commercial cannabis products begins by completing the PEI Cannabis Listing Form. Products are evaluated to make sure they meet the criteria for acceptable cannabinoid ranges, packaging and labelling, and quality assurance standards.

Selling Cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the governing body for cannabis sales is the Labrador Liquor Corporation (NLC). Online sales are handled by the government, but retail is handled by private companies. NLC utilizes a system where they request proposals from wholesalers in order to fulfil the need for retail cannabis products.

Cannabis Commercialization with GrowerIQ

GrowerIQ offers personalized support and guidance to help licensed producers beyond the licensing process. We have the experience and insight you need to be a competitive and successful cannabis producer. By helping to build businesses with strong quality systems, GrowerIQ helps businesses bring high-quality products to market. If you want to commercialize your cannabis products, we can help you make sure all requirements are met and assist in navigating the process of bringing your products to market.

Find out more

From growing your first batch to helping you commercialize your products, GrowerIQ can help your cannabis business strive within any legal framework or region. Click the button or fill out the form below to get in touch with our consultants and get started today.