Canada Announces Forum to Shape the Future of the Cannabis Industry

The announcement of the Cannabis Industry Forum by the Government of Canada seems to herald an essential step towards sustained dialogue and development within the Canadian cannabis industry with the intent to help propel the industry forward.

Though on the surface, this platform appears progressive, a closer inspection raises critical questions that need straightforward answers. Are the voices leading the narrative in tune with the needs of diverse industry participants, or is there a disconnect that threatens to undermine this foundation?

Dawn of the Cannabis Industry Forum

In the wake of Canada’s legalization of recreational cannabis, the establishment of the Cannabis Industry Forum marks a substantive acknowledgment by the government of the significant role that this sector plays in the country’s economy.

In a press release by the Government of Canada, it states: “The Forum is composed of nine leaders who have business activities across the cannabis industrial ecosystem, which includes the cultivation and processing of cannabis as well as logistics surrounding its sale.”

“This platform will help industry leaders exchange information and insights to address key issues and opportunities, with a specific focus on fostering economic growth and long-term stability by upholding the public health and safety goals outlined in the Cannabis Act, while reducing the illicit cannabis market.”

Through widespread critique of the cannabis legalization process, deemed sluggish and restrictive, the commencement of this Forum is an act of intent to rectify past drawbacks and to pave a smoother path forward.

With a mandate extending to fostering economic growth while safeguarding public health and reducing the illicit market, the objectives of the Forum are clearly aligned with the tenets of the Cannabis Act that came into force in 2018.

“For Canada to be a leader in this global economy, we require the ability to adapt to new industries and sectors that benefit Canadians. The Cannabis Industry Forum helps create innovative solutions to barriers that exist in this industry. Through active collaboration, Canada is working with industry leaders to become an innovator and leader in this changing economy.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

The path to the official announcement of the Cannabis Industry Forum by the Government of Canada on February 23rd was by no means a swift endeavor. It has been a work in progress, steeped in careful deliberation and planning since spring 2023, per the press release.

During this preparatory phase, the Forum engaged in preliminary meetings, exploring a wide spectrum of topics crucial to the advancement of the cannabis sector. These discussions not only served as a foundational step toward solidifying the Forum’s objectives but also facilitated an essential dialogue with Morris Rosenberg, the Chair of the expert panel spearheading the legislative review of the Cannabis Act in 2018.

This initiative’s potential to synchronize the industry’s ambitions with regulatory imperatives is praiseworthy, yet the Forum’s composition poses a pointed question on inclusivity and equitable representation.

Roots of Representation

Per the Government of Canada press release, Hugo Alves, CEO, Founder and Director of Auxly Cannabis Group Inc., chairs the Forum. The membership also includes:

• Philippe Dépault, President and Founder, Québec Craft Cannabis Inc.
• Taylor Giovannini, President and Founder, Oceanic Releaf Inc.
• Beena Goldenberg, CEO, Organigram Holdings Inc.
• Raj Grover, Founder, President and CEO, High Tide Inc.
• David Klein, CEO, Canopy Growth Corporation
• Miguel Martin, CEO, Aurora Cannabis Inc.
• Rosy Mondin, President of Soma Labs Scientific Inc. and Director of Cannaworld Ventures Inc.
• Tyler Robson, President of Cannabis, SNDL Inc.

A stark observation emerges after reading the Forum’s membership list. The council is populated predominantly – by executives and leaders of large, publicly traded cannabis corporations.

Do you think this is a cause for concern? The absence of representation from myriad other stakeholders, including small-scale cultivators, social equity proponents, and medical cannabis activists, to name a few, feels like a deliberate oversight. These are voices and opinions that should and NEED to be heard.

There is a pressing need for a more comprehensive representation that mirrors the industry’s diversity. The influence wielded by the ‘cannabis giants’ is indisputable. Still, it is equally essential to lend an ear to the grassroots and cultural ventures that represent the industry’s innovation and resilience and which, in reality, were there first and keep the cannabis industry afloat.

The obverse approach risks turning the Forum into an echo chamber, amplifying the perspectives of the powerful to the exclusion of the enterprising many.

Undoubtedly, the esteemed leaders guiding the Forum are veterans in their corporate realms. They bring valuable expertise, sharp insights, and the strategic acumen required to navigate large enterprises.

Their participation is undisputed; their prominence, however, is open to discussion. Should they be ready to steer not only their own ships but also the sea of change defining the cannabis industry?

Adapting effectively demands more than experience; it calls for a humility receptive to lessons from the industry’s unpredictable beginnings. This Forum serves as a learning platform for seasoned executives and newcomers alike, with its success relying on leadership’s openness to shared insights.

Cultivating a Compassionate Cannabis Culture

Canada’s approach to cannabis legislation, though pioneering, has not been without missteps. The industry’s teething problems, including regulatory bottlenecks and financial instability, call for a compassionate response that steers the narrative toward inclusive growth.

A legitimate query that must be addressed is, ‘How can the Forum champion equity and address doubts when it is disproportionately populated by representatives of establishments that have, by and large, underperformed?’

Compassion in cannabis governance means recognizing the past without dwelling on it; it’s about fostering an environment that facilitates learning from failures and accelerating toward shared successes. Small and medium-sized businesses are often the crucible of innovation and agility; can the Forum leverage this dynamism, or will it remain a sounding board for the select few?

While voicing these concerns, it is crucial to maintain an optimistic outlook. The Cannabis Industry Forum, with all its imperfections, is a brave step towards cohesive industry development. The potential for it to become a collaborative innovation is immense. Does it stand as a testament to the Canadian government’s commitment to fostering an industry that is fertile ground for growth and progress?

To fully realize this potential, the Forum must evolve to encompass a more diverse representation. It must bridge the gap between policies designed in Ottawa and their practical impact in the heartlands where cannabis is sown and harvested.

By doing so, it can become a true forum – a meeting place of voices, ideas, and enterprises – that cultivates a cannabis culture unique in its inclusivity and dynamism.