The LDB in BC is seeking suppliers for marijuana edibles
The invitations are in the mail, and BC hopes they get many responses from suppliers for marijuana edibles. The RSVP for the invitations are due by September 11, 2019. The invite is for the opportunity to sign official deals to supply edible cannabis, extracts, vape pens, beverages, and topicals that comply with the federal marijuana legislation.
Currently, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch is the only wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis throughout the province, claiming the brand BC Cannabis Wholesale.
Edibles and other cannabis products are due to hit the shelf one year after the first rollout of federal marijuana legalization in Canada. Look forward to the new federal marijuana regulations to take effect on October 17, 2019. However, licensed producers have to notify Health Canada if they intend to be selling edibles with 60-day advance notice. So, the edibles won’t be hitting the online retailers and stores till late December 2019.
LDB has already warned consumers that there will only be a limited selection available that time and add the promise of, more to follow, "gradually." The products will also be available in private retail stores, which are mandated by the LDB. All vendors will be required to hold provincial licenses. Currently, the LDB is working with thirty-one licensed producers and is eager to expand this number to widen the wholesale product assortment available.
The federal marijuana legislation explicitly states that no matter if the edibles are in the form of food, or drink, they must have a cap of 10 milligrams of THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient in the marijuana plant that produces high euphoric feelings. Cannabis extracts used for topicals or inhalation will have a cap of 1,000 milligrams of THC per package.
The LDB is looking forward to this exciting time for BC and the introduction of the new product categories. Currently, the CEO, and general manager, Blain Lawson, stated that the current 30 licensed producers that they presently are working with would expand to nearly double what it is today.
According to reports, marijuana edibles could be worth more than 2.7 billion a year. Reports estimate that 1.6 billion will be spent yearly on edibles and 529 million dollars on marijuana-infused drinks. Topicals tinctures and capsules together are expected to provide 400 million dollars in sales.
Surveys conducted indicate cannabis users are looking forward to enjoying their cannabis edible in the form of:
- Gummies 26%
- Cookies 23%
- Brownies 22%
- Chocolate 16%
Gummies are deemed the most popular route of delivery by consumers because the size of these cannabis products is small and easy to administer discreetly. Gummies are easy to transport as compared to chocolate, cookies or brownie forms of cannabis edibles as they hold up under pressure and long term storage.
BC’s regulatory provincial rule states that all cannabis products must only be distributed through the LDB. The LDB provides the ease of buying through public and private stores along with online purchasing assistance to new vendors. BC residents are waiting patiently for the arrival of legal recreational edibles. The invitation from LDB perhaps will help to promote a smooth rollout of the second stage of the cannabis industry, as the consumers eagerly await their first legal opportunity to purchase edibles and other new and exciting goods.
