On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act opened the opportunity for individuals or companies to apply for a Licence to sell cannabis online. Federal legislation allows the Online Sale of Cannabis for Medical Purposes. As of September 2020, there were over 377,000 registered Medical clients with federally licenced sellers in Canada.
A licence for the Online Sale of Cannabis for Medical Purposes allows the Licenced Holder to sell cannabis products directly to registered clients for medical purposes. Online Sale Licenced Holders may sell cannabis online, in written order, or over the telephone.
Application requirements for the Sale of Cannabis for Medical Purposes vary depending on whether they opt to take possession of cannabis at their facility. Operations involving the possession of cannabis will face more stringent requirements concerning security and storage. These additional requirements will entail guidelines detailing the cleaning and sanitation procedures for security storage areas, monitoring the storage area, and building security measures.
Authorized Sellers must obtain cannabis products from approved federally Licenced Processors. Registered clients must be authorized to use cannabis by a licenced practitioner. Cannabis products must be delivered to the clients via courier or securely through the mail.
A licence for the Sale of Cannabis for Medical Purposes would also provide authorization to perform other related activities, including:
Storage
Transportation
Possession
Destruction
Intra-Industry Sale to Other
Federal Licenced Holders
Health Canada is responsible for licence approvals, suspensions, restrictions, renewals, amendments, and rejections.
As of 2020, the cost for medical cannabis was $7.05 per gram in Ontario instead of the average wholesale price of $4.20 per gram (OCS), representing a significant opportunity for licence holders to benefit from increased margins. The Licenced Holder may purchase tested and pre-packaged cannabis goods for resale to the medical market. This process will significantly reduce overhead costs and allow the operator to focus on e-commerce development.
“The total cannabis market in Canada is forecasted to generate $7.17 billion in revenue in 2019, with medical cannabis sales expected to account for up to $1.79 billion” (Deloitte). Contrary to initial hypotheses, the legalization of recreational cannabis has increased the number of medical cannabis users. Individuals are now more likely to engage in talks with their health care providers regarding the benefits of medical cannabis and available insurance coverage.
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Cannabis research and development (R&D) is a rapidly expanding sector, driven by the increasing demand for new medical cannabis treatments and product innovations.
The business model for cannabis R&D involves developing new cannabis-based therapies, conducting clinical trials, and creating innovative products. With a Research Licence, your firm can cultivate cannabis with fewer security requirements than Standard/Micro Cultivation Licences. This is particularly advantageous if your team has the expertise to manage research activities and adhere to streamlined processes designed for R&D. Additionally, this Licence allows for the development and testing of new strains, the extraction of cannabinoids for medical research, and the potential commercialization of successful products.
With a Producer's Licence, your firm can legally cultivate cannabis for research purposes and conduct clinical trials, contributing to the growing body of scientific evidence supporting cannabis as a therapeutic agent. This includes studying the efficacy of various cannabis strains and formulations for specific medical conditions. The ability to conduct clinical trials enhances your firm's credibility and positions it as a leader in the cannabis industry, potentially opening doors to partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders.
Compared to other cannabis licenses, the security requirements for a Producer's Licence focused on R&D are less stringent, allowing for more flexibility in setting up your operations. GrowLegally will help you establish a clean and controlled facility tailored for research, with appropriate sanitation and environmental controls. We'll also assist in implementing an effective and monitored security system, ensuring compliance with Health Canada's regulations without unnecessary complexity.
GrowLegally will write all required Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering facility management, equipment usage, and production processes. We will also help you set up a comprehensive inventory control system and provide packaging advice in line with labeling regulations. Our support doesn't end there once your facility is operational, we continue to offer ongoing regulatory assistance and quality assurance services, including initial and continuous testing to maintain product integrity.
As of 2023, the global medical cannabis market is projected to reach $53.9 billion by 2027, driven by increased research activities and the growing acceptance of cannabis-based therapies (Grand View Research, 2023). Engaging in cannabis R&D positions your firm to capitalize on this market, particularly in developing proprietary treatments that can be patented and commercialized.
At GrowLegally, we assist your firm in obtaining an R&D Licence for the production of medical cannabis, ensuring that your application is complete and accurate upon submission. Our team liaises continuously with Health Canada on your behalf, representing you in audits and streamlining the entire application process.
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