Cannabis company CEO determined to bring more gender equality into the industry

At the dawn of legal marijuana, Lisa Campbell is determined to make women a key part of the business.

“The cannabis industry is predominately run by white men,” says Ms. Campbell, who is so passionate about her mission, she rhymes off related statistics without missing a beat. Women, she says, occupy just 5 per cent of publicly traded licensed cannabis producers’ boards, compared with 12 per cent of other companies on the TSX.

As chief executive of Lifford Cannabis Solutions, a nine-month old subsidiary of her family’s wine and spirits agency of the same name, which essentially functions as a distributor, she is one of few female leaders in the emerging space. In her role, Ms. Campbell helps companies navigate the cannabis industry and guides their products to shelves across the country within the legal market.

But before becoming a boss in the business, the 35-year-old was already a leading proponent for cannabis legalization. She’s the co-founder of the Green Market, a series of underground pop-ups – which would reveal their locations the day of – where people could buy infused edible products. “When I first crossed over, a huge concern to me was, everyone’s gonna call me a sellout. Now that I’m in a legal business, I’m focused on getting everyone around me legalized. Before, I was just breaking the law.”

Her phone buzzes. It’s a text from a B.C. cannabis grower who has a large profile in what is known as “the grey market” – illegal but operating almost out in the open – and is ready to go legit. This is what Ms. Campbell does, leveraging her network to bring existing brands to market, working with entrepreneurs who want to transition from the underground economy but may lack the skills or the capital to navigate legalization.

But Ms. Campbell never set out to helm a company. After joining the family business, spending time everywhere from the warehouse to accounting, she began part-time work at Toronto’s Queen West Community Health Centre. Her experience there brought her to a realization. “I have this memory of being at the needle exchange and seeing people passed out from alcohol … and then walking down King Street to go to the Lifford Grand Tasting, this immaculate affair with all these businessmen with their suits and Rolexes, superdrunk, and being like, ‘I don’t want to sell alcohol. I don’t want to market alcohol.’”

Deciding to focus on harm reduction, in 2009 she quit the family business, finished her master’s degree and went to work full time at the health centre. This led to drug-policy activism and, eventually, the Green Market. Believing that legalization was inevitable, Ms. Campbell was drawn to what she saw as acts of civil disobedience, helping connect small-batch craft producers (predominately women) with clientele.

The family had been considering entering the cannabis market even while Ms. Campbell conducted the pop-ups, but the fact remained that they were illegal, which did not thrill her mom and dad. “There was a lot of tension,” Ms. Campbell recalls.

Then, in 2017, Constellation Brands, the U.S.-owned producer of Corona beer, started buying up what is likely to become a controlling share of Canopy Growth Corp., Canada’s largest licensed cannabis producer. “It kind of gave permission for the alcohol industry to say, ‘Okay, this is happening. This isn’t a trend we can ignore,’" Ms. Campbell says. At that point, Lifford created the subsidiary with her as CEO.

She started work in earnest at the subsidiary in January, 2018, but as with any reformed radical, Ms. Campbell is slightly nostalgic for her former freedom and street cred, although she sees the upside of having bought into the system.

“You shift your perspective as an activist from, ‘Everything is wrong, nothing’s good enough,’ to ‘Okay, legalization and government [aren’t] perfect. But there is an abundance of opportunity where everyone can be included.’”

Now, she is using her legitimized platform to help organizations such as Women Grow and Global Women’s Cannabis Summit, both of which she helped found, give visibility and access to marginalized people in the industry. “Initially, we focused on gender as our main issue for equity in cannabis. But as the cannabis industry continues to evolve, it’s pretty transparent that it’s very white-dominated,” she says.

“Lisa has always pushed for the diversity of minority groups, people of colour, in the cannabis sector,” says Tyler James, a friend of Ms. Campbell’s and director of the Ontario Cannabis Consumer & Retail Alliance. As a person of colour, he appreciated how Ms. Campbell “put me on her shoulders to assist the campaigns I’m working for, in terms of getting media attention, getting in front of the right policy-makers on the political side as well as the industry side.”

At the moment, Ms. Campbell is most excited about the partnerships she’s developing with women in Jamaica and Colombia.

“I’ve been really focusing on women, internationally, because I think this is an enormous opportunity, where borders are about to open. Now is the time for women all over the world who are in the cannabis industry to get serious, raise capital, so they can be at the same table as all these white dudes that are dominating the industry.”

Happy Holidayz from Lifford Cannabis Solutions 🌲

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Filled with parties and dinners and quiet moments at home. All of these call for special wines and we’ve rounded up our top 12 of the year for our annual 12 HOLIDAY WINES feature. 
 
This is not an easy thing to select! We are looking to capture the spirit of the year, the products that moved us that we are most excited to share. Sparkling, crisp and complex whites, a rose to raise your eyebrows, fresh reds (perfect served chilled with a turkey sandwich) and powerful reds to stop you in your tracks – it’s all here. We lovingly stand behind each of these wines, hand-crafted by a winery we’ve visited and care deeply about.
 
Less talk and more wines! Let the list begin. It's not too late to order your holiday wines delivered to your door before NYE. Also check out some incredible cocktails and mocktails to make your holidayz truely lit brought to you by The Cannabis Sommelier!

Check out this Infused Candy Cane Martini recipe by The Cannabis Sommelier!

HOSPITALITY SESSIONS: CANNABIS COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS DECEMBER 19TH

Get into the holiday spirit with The Cocktail Whisperer as we celebrate the coming cannabis edible regulations.  The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario in partnership with Lifford Cannabis Solutions are closing off the year on a high note, and inviting media to join December’s edition of the monthly cannabis event series Hospitality Sessions at Lifford Wine & Spirits.

This month’s event will feature 6-time author Warren Bobrow The Cocktail Whisperer, as he educates guests on the fine art of cannabis beverages.  Warren is a cannabis writer for Forbes, and authored the very first book on cannabis cocktails. Guests will look forward to DIY cannabis cocktail demonstrations and learn about different types of infusions, dosing and flavour profiles. Media are invited to attend with a complimentary ticket.

Event Details:

Lifford Wine & Spirits - 471 Jarvis Street

Wednesday, December 19, 2018
7:00 PM  10:00 PM

Hospitality Sessions is a monthly seminar created to share knowledge about how cannabis will impact the hospitality industry. Last month showcased terpenes and wine pairings with The Herb Somm’s Jamie Evans. This event is not to be missed and we hope to see you there!

To schedule an interview with Lisa Campbell, please contact:

Jessica Nudo jessica@nudamedia.com

About Lifford Cannabis Solutions Inc
Lifford Cannabis Solutions (LCS) was founded by cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell in order to bring the most premium selections of cannabis to consumers. Lifford assists licensed cannabis companies in getting their products successfully through control boards to retail. A subsidiary of Lifford Wine & Spirits, LCS brings decades of experience to aid cannabis companies coming to market.

About Warren Bobrow
Warren Bobrow, the Cocktail Whisperer, is the 6x Author of Apothecary Cocktails: Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today, Whiskey Cocktails: Rediscovered Classics and Contemporary Craft Drinks, Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails: Restorative Vintage Cocktails, Mocktails & Elixirs, Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks & Buzz-Worthy Libations and his celebrated, 2017 release, The Craft Cocktail Compendium. Bobrow presented at the 2018 SXSW on Disrupting the Cannabis Kitchen and Cannabis Cocktails. He was the Mercedes-Benz Me Conference Mystery Speaker on Wellness, also at SXSW 2018.

Lifford Cannabis Solutions Brings Education to Food and Beverage Industry with Hospitality Sessions: Terpenes & Terroir

Lifford Cannabis Solutions is hosting Hospitality Sessions monthly seminars in partnership with the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario. Lifford invites members from the hospitality community to attend Terpenes and Terroir to learn more about cannabis legalization. Future seminars will take place on the third Wednesday evening of the month featuring thought leaders in the cannabis space. Terpenes and Terroir will take place next Wednesday, November 21st, and will feature Lifford Wine & Spirits portfolio, along with Haven Street, a premium cannabis brand for the adult-use market in Ontario available in the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS.ca).

This month’s seminar will feature Jamie Evans, founder of The Herb Somm - a cannabis blog and lifestyle brand that is focused on the gourmet side of the cannabis industry. With more than ten years of wine industry experience, Jamie is also a contributor to POPSUGAR, specializing in cannabis recipes and cannabis lifestyle. The Herb Somm has been hosting wine and cannabis pairing dinners in California and has become an international sensation as one of the premier cannabis sommeliers. 

Hospitality Sessions: Terpenes & Terroir

November 21st 7-10 PM

Lifford Wine & Spirits (471 Jarvis Street)

RSVP: http://www.tinyurl.com/hospitalitysessions

About Lifford Cannabis Solutions Inc

Lifford Cannabis Solutions was founded by cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell in order to bring the most premium selections of cannabis to consumers. Lifford assists licensed cannabis companies in getting their products successfully through control boards to retail. A subsidiary of Lifford Wine & Spirits, Lifford Cannabis Solutions brings decades of experience to aid cannabis companies coming to market.

About Jamie Evans, founder of The Herb Somm

Jamie Evans is an educator, host, writer and contributor to POPSUGAR, specializing in lifestyle and cannabis-infused recipes. She developed a love for wine and agriculture while earning her degree in Wine and Viticulture while studying at San Luis Obispo. She also studied enology and viticulture at the University of Adelaide, Australia and the Engineering School of Enology at Changins, Switzerland.

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Media contact

Jessica Nudo

jessica@nudamedia.com

514-962-6836

Lifford Cannabis Solutions unveils Western Portfolio

TORONTO, Nov. 1st, 2018 - ​Lifford Cannabis Solutions​ ("Lifford" or the “Company") announced today that they are expanding their west coast presence by hosting two exclusive events in Alberta and British Columbia to showcase their growing portfolio including licensed producer WeedMD​.

“Lifford Cannabis Solutions is focused on showcasing the most premium adult use brands coast to coast across Canada. We have carefully curated our western portfolio to include unique cultivars sustainably grown with authentic stories.” - Lisa Campbell, President and CEO, Lifford Cannabis Solutions

To celebrate the western premier, Lifford is inviting media and influencers to take part in Secret Sessions ​in Vancouver and Calgary​ w​hich will pair Lifford Wine and Spirits with the newly launched cannabis portfolio. Hosted by The Cannabis Sommelier, the evening will include strain inspired cocktails featuring unique, sungrown cannabis now available legally in the adult use market for both Alberta and British Columbia. The Vancouver event will host guest speaker Amanda Siebert author of ​"The Little Book of Cannabis".

Secret Sessions Vancouver

November 5th 7-10pm

Secret Sessions Calgary

November 7th 7-10pm

About Lifford Cannabis Solutions Inc

Lifford Cannabis Solutions (LCS) was founded by cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell in order to bring the most premium selections of cannabis to consumers. Lifford assists licensed cannabis companies in getting their products successfully through control boards to retail. A subsidiary of Lifford Wine & Spirits, LCS brings decades of experience to aid cannabis companies coming to market.

About WeedMD Inc.

WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD Rx Inc., a federally-licensed producer and distributor of cannabis and cannabis oil for both the medical and adult-use markets under the Cannabis Act. The Company operates two facilities: a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Aylmer, Ontario and a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility located in Strathroy, Ontario. The Greenhouse currently has 44,000 square feet of licensed space in production and is expected to have a total footprint of more than 500,000 square feet online by year-end 2018. WeedMD has a multi-channeled distribution strategy that includes supply agreements with Shoppers Drug Mart and provincial distribution agencies, as well as through strategic relationships across the seniors' market in Canada.

WeedMD Signs Multi-Year Retail Sales Distribution Deal with Lifford Cannabis Solutions

Toronto, Canada, October 31, 2018–WeedMD Inc.(TSX-V:WMD) (OTCQX:WDDMF) (FSE:4WE) (“WeedMD” or the “Company”), a federally-licensed producer and distributor of medical-grade cannabis, is pleased to announce it has signed a multi-year retail sales distribution agreement with Lifford Cannabis Solutions (“Lifford”), led by long-time cannabis advocate, influencer and media personality Lisa Campbell, to represent WeedMD’s premium cannabis brands and products for the adult-use retail market in British Columbia and Alberta.

“With the onset of legalization, WeedMD’s products are garnering the attention of a discerning and knowledgeable cannabis audience. Lifford has a history of delivering great results in the alcohol beverage category and has developed strong relationships with the provincial distributors as well as key customers,” said Brett Moon, SVP, Sales and Marketing at WeedMD. “Lifford’s strong foundation, coupled with cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell’s expertise and influence will bring WeedMD tremendous value and additional exposure in western Canada’s cannabis markets - ensuring strategic product placement and nation-wide success.”

“Lifford Cannabis Solutions is delighted to be working with WeedMD, a licensed producer widely recognized as a groundbreaking cultivator in Canada. With some of the most unique genetics on the market, we are excited to elevate WeedMD through our four-pillared approach which combines distribution, education, innovation and relationships,” said Lisa Campbell, CEO, Lifford Cannabis Solutions. “We are confident that WeedMD’s top-shelf cannabis - which is sustainably grown by a team that is deeply rooted in the cannabis community - will be well-suited to consumers in the west. It is an honour to collaborate with the WeedMD team as they continue to grow across Canada.” 

For more information, access WeedMD’s investor presentation here and recently updated corporate video here.

About Lifford Cannabis Solutions

Lifford Cannabis Solutions was founded by cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell in order to bring the most premium selections of cannabis to consumers. Lifford Cannabis Solutions assists licensed cannabis companies in getting their products successfully through control boards to retail. As subsidiary of Lifford Wine & Spirits, it brings decades of experience to aid cannabis companies coming to market.

About WeedMD Inc. 

WeedMD Inc. is the publicly-traded parent company of WeedMD Rx Inc., a federally-licensed producer and distributor of cannabis and cannabis oil for both the medical and adult-use markets under the Cannabis Act. The Company operates two facilities: a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor facility in Aylmer, Ontario and a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility located in Strathroy, Ontario. The Greenhouse currently has 44,000 square feet of licensed space in production and is expected to have a total footprint of more than 500,000 square feet online by year-end 2018. WeedMD has a multi-channeled distribution strategy that includes supply agreements with Shoppers Drug Mart and provincial distribution agencies, as well as through strategic relationships across the seniors' market in Canada. 

To learn more and read full release please visit www.weedmd.com

Lifford Cannabis Solutions Announces Launch of Premier Cannabis Portfolio in Ontario

TORONTO, ON -  October 18, 2018 --  Lifford Cannabis Solutions (“LCS” or the “Company”) announced today that the Company is working with TerrAscend Canada Inc. (CSE:TER), to launch their premium cannabis brand, Haven Street (“Haven St.”) in Ontario. Lifford’s salesforce will educate consumers, future retailers and budtenders about Haven St., which will be sold initially in the Ontario Cannabis Store.

“We look forward to growing our diverse companies together as we bring the most premium international cannabis brands to market,” said Lisa Campbell President and CEO of LCS.

As of October 17th, TerrAscend Canada will release Haven St. Premium Cannabis, targeting adult consumers who enjoy cannabis regularly, value variety and seek premium experiences. Using a unique street-like address “neighbourhood” system that ranges from 100 – 500, Haven St. products are categorized from low THC to high THC and create a simple way for adults to explore cannabis. The strain offerings are segmented by five consumer need states: Peace, Reset, Focus, Drift and Rise. The Haven St. collection will be featured in the Discovery Series Vol.1™ of Canada’s very first mixed pack by AHLOT Cannabis Collections™.

“TerrAscend is thrilled to have Lifford Cannabis Solutions represent our Haven St. brand in the Ontario adult-use retail market. Lifford’s in-depth understanding of the cannabis industry and retail dynamics will help ensure future success both locally and in additional future provinces,” said Greg Smith, TerrAscend Canada’s Senior Vice President, Adult Use Markets.

ABOUT LIFFORD

Lifford Cannabis Solutions (LCS) was founded by cannabis advocate Lisa Campbell in order to bring the most premium selections of cannabis to consumers. Lifford assists licensed cannabis companies in getting their products successfully through control boards to retail.  A subsidiary of Lifford Wine & Spirits, LCS brings decades of experience to aid cannabis companies coming to market.

ABOUT TERRASCEND

TerrAscend Corp. is a biopharmaceutical and wellness company that is committed to quality products, brands and services for the global cannabinoid market. The Company provides support to patients and consumers through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TerrAscend Canada Inc., a licensed producer of medical cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, Solace Health Network Inc., a clinical support program and education platform led by healthcare professionals and Solace Health, the online marketplace for the licensed producer. The Company will also participate in the adult-use market in Canada following legalization through direct and indirect supply agreements in several provinces.

Media Contact

Jessica Nudo
jessica@nudamedia.com
514-962-6836

Cannabis Sommeliers are Officially on the Brink of Existence

Thanks to Canada, we might see our first standardized certification for cannabis sommeliers.

Prohibition has hindered the development of certifications in cannabis. Thus, a massive void exists in terms of the standardized education available, which is problematic considering the industry’s rapidly expanding into a global market and trade. Over the last few years, however, educational institutions focusing on the plant are starting to organize, and universities are scrambling to catch up with demand. But, unlike wine where people can get various certifications that define their expertise, the cannabis equivalent of a sommelier doesn’t exist yet—even though smell, taste, and pairing experts exist in the cannabis space. So the question remains: what defines a cannabis sommelier? 

With the recent wave of legalization, classically trained sommeliers are starting to grapple with defining this term. For instance, the Trichome Institute is coming up with the term “Interpening®” as their cannabis sommelier certification. In Canada, CannaReps has come up with a weekend cannabis sommelier course. BBC has even thrown around the term weed sommelier, which can be offensive to cannabis connoisseurs and sommeliers alike. 

But the cannabis industry can’t just copy and paste the way wine and spirits does things. Just ask the Weed Spectator. They emulated the rating scale and branding of  Wine Spectator, which prompted a lawsuit this fall. But it’s difficult not to want to adopt a system that already works–especially with numerous parallels shared between wine and weed . And, while many organizations are launching cannabis education courses and crafting new terms, there’s no international standard for cannabis. So, even if you get a certificate from one of these institutions– and even if the courses were strenuous and helped you develop superior cannabis tasting, smelling, and pairing skills– it won’t hold the same clout as a traditional somm certification.

In Canada, the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Ontario Chapter is addressing the issue by piloting a cannabis education course with monthly hospitality sessions. The curriculum will allow sommeliers to apply their fine tuned skills to cannabis and ask questions about legalization. According to Andrew Freedman, an ambassador for Lifford Cannabis Solutions, a cannabis sommelier is: “A wine professional with an extensive knowledge in pairing cannabis with gastronomy, service, and spirits.” 

Freedman’s nick name is the cannabis sommelier, and is knee-deep in addressing the issue of standardizing education and certification in cannabis. High Times sat down with Freedman in order to get more clarity.

High Times: What do you think the cannabis equivalent of a Sommelier is?

Andrew Freedman:  A cannabis expert is definitely not a sommelier. There needs to be a clear distinction between definitions which relate to training and knowledge. There are a lot of parallels between cannabis and wine, but they must not be confused. I think the easiest definition to create would be a “master of cannabis.” Cannabis needs its own institute of cannabis scholars dedicated to furthering the knowledge of avid consumers and professionals.

HT: You have become a social media sensation, with your wine, beer, and cannabis pairings as well as cannabis mixed drinks.  Combining cannabis and alcohol is controversial in the weed world, despite how common it is. What tips do you have to mix responsibly?

AF:  I have been using wine, spirits and beer paired with extracts to create a bridge for a demographic that may be hesitant to consume cannabis. The advice is always “start low and go slow”. Using inhaled cannabis vapor for beer and wine pairings gives the user the opportunity to understand their level of intoxication much quicker than an edible. When creating a cannabis cocktail It is important to have a small microdose of THC to ensure you do not become overly intoxicated. CBD is key for relaxation with reduced intoxication in any pairing.

HT: Cannabis and alcohol are illegal to mix commercially in Canada, but consumers are not restricted in their own homes.  Do you think that cannabis cocktails will become a trend after legalization?

AF: YES! People are very excited about cannabis cocktails! It is a familiar way to restart the cannabis conversation. Consuming beverages will always be the most socially acceptable and familiar way of becoming intoxicated. I see a huge market for single serve cannabis beverages, especially if they can make the effects of ingested cannabis expedited.

HT: Does a cannabis sommelier just work with cannabis extracts and beverages, or does it also apply to dried flower and edibles?

AF:  In the past, I have used cannabis extracts for their purity and preservation of terpenes and flavonoids. Using dried cannabis flower in pairings is a necessity because of the limited legality of cannabis after Oct 17. Only dried cannabis flower and diluted oil will be sold in Canada at first, but beverages, edibles, topicals, vapes and extracts will hopefully be approved within a year of legalization.  To preserve my methodology, after legalization I will press cannabis found in the legal market into rosin to pair with wine and beer. A cannabis sommelier should be an expert in all forms of cannabis.

HT: As more and more news comes out around the negative health effects of alcohol, do you think cannabis mocktails will become a trend? What about dealcoholized cannabis infused beverages?

AF: I already see the trend emerging! The largest growth market for cannabis consumption is edible products. Consumers are already so familiar with consuming a beverage to become intoxicated. The infused beverage category will be huge! It will not be long until mega coolers full of single serve beverages are a staple in dispensaries.

Five things Canada is still working out with cannabis legalization

The Fresh Toast interviewed two people whose careers hinge on the cannabis industry in Canada to get their input on what the country has left to puzzle out as the big day approaches

Canada is set to legalize cannabis on October 17, becoming one of the only countries in the world to do so. But as America’s northern neighbor finally makes its stance on the notorious leafy green plant official, there’s a number of items it has left up in the air.

Legal cannabis country-wide sparks many questions: Where will people consume? What forms of cannabis are allowed? What about all of the people who’ve gotten in legal trouble already for cannabis? And where does a legal recreational market leave medical cannabis at?

Originally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians that cannabis would be legal by July 2018, later pushing the date. As the true date arises, though, the United States’ neighbor to the north still has quite a few kinks to work out. The Fresh Toast interviewed two people whose careers hinge on the cannabis industry in Canada to get their input on what the country has left to puzzle out as the big day approaches.

Edibles

Despite Canada legalizing cannabis, edibles will stay unregulated when legalization hits. This means that those wishing to consume edibles—including medical cannabis patients—will have to make their own or turn to the black market.

From cookies to gummies, the edibles black market is thriving for now.

Justin Loizos is a medical cannabis patient and the owner-operator of Just Compassion, a medical cannabis compassion club in North York, Ontario. Loizos, who has been in the industry since 2013, said especially with medical cannabis patients, there’s a need for edibles to be available.

“We’re left to our own—just buy it from a medical producer and make your own,” Loizos explained. “That’s not fair.”

Lisa Campbell, who has been in the industry a half-decade and is the CEO of Lifford Cannabis Solutions, said it’s important for edibles to be available since these are a non-smoking option for consumption.

She said she thinks “it’s been complicated for the government to figure out how to blend cannabis regulations with commercial food regulations.”

Campbell referenced how dosage can be complicated with edibles, but said that the government not addressing edibles right out of the gate points to them seeing this form of consumption as a novelty.

Retail Spaces

Some provinces, including Canada’s most populous one that is home to Toronto—Ontario—will not have brick-and-mortar legal dispensaries come October 17. That means many Canadians will have to wait if they want to purchase their cannabis in-person legally. Instead, the product will be available for purchase legally online.

That said, Ontario will let private retailers sell cannabis—a reversal from its initial plan. However, this private retail model isn’t scheduled to be completed until spring 2019, about six months after legalization.

Each Canadian province and territory has its own plan for legal cannabis, from age of purchase to where residents can buy the product, comparable to legal adult-use states in America. Alberta will have licensed stores and cannabis available for purchase online exclusively through a provincial website. British Columbia, long home to a burgeoning cannabis market, has decided on public and private sales, though approval of retail licenses will only be possible with local government support.

Limitation on access, such as only allowing legal buying online or having few licensed stores, is likely to push people to use black market options, such as unlicensed dispensaries that have long been operating since plans for legalization were announced or before.

Pardons

Even though Canada is on the verge of legalization, it didn’t decriminalize cannabis beforehand. This and nearly a century of cannabis prohibition has led to people being charged, convicted, and even incarcerated for cannabis-related activities.

“I think the government will table a bill after legalization that will address pardons,” Campbell said.

In the meantime, though, Canadians affected by prohibition will have to play the waiting game. Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale spoke around the possibility of pardons in June, making no promises.

“At the moment, the law has not changed,” Goodale said. “The existing law that has existed for 100 years is still in place. When that law changes… Then the government will turn its attention to those issues.”

Goodale said the Canadian government wants to make “sure that it is fair, both in current terms and historic terms, to everyone.”

Consumption Spaces

Consuming in your own home isn’t necessarily an option with condos and apartment buildings across Canada looking to ban smoking cannabis in these dwellings. Public spaces are up for scrutiny as well, with provinces planning to ban smoking and vaping of cannabis in these areas.

So where can Canadians light up? It seems as if they’ll be restricted to non-apartment, non-condo private residences not beholden to restrictions by landlords for now.

Campbell said Canadians should have “consumption lounges in the same way you’d have a bar.”

Post-legalization, though, consumption lounges—which already exist in some places—will sit in a murky legal area. Though they’re not disallowed federally, they’re not explicitly part of the framework either. Loizos’s compassion club includes such a lounge.

“I don’t think this is fair,” he said. “We need safe spaces, especially for medical patients. In apartments and condos, they’ll be cracking down.”

Read More

Weed-tinis, anyone? Cannabis cocktails on the horizon

The Cannabis Act prohibits the sale of products that combine alcohol and cannabis, but doesn’t prevent the hospitality industry from looking for creative workarounds.

Christine Sismondo Special to the Star

Weed-tinis, anyone? Or, perhaps you're in the mood for a bud-tail?

Well, this is going to have to wait awhile, it seems. Despite rampant speculation that the next big cocktail trend will be weed infusions, cannabis cocktails aren't coming to a bar near you any time soon. The short answer as to why is simple. The Cannabis Act, which makes the drug legal on Oct. 17 specifically prohibits the sale of products that combine the newly legalized weed with alcohol. Same for nicotine and caffeine, incidentally.

That isn't stopping the hospitality industry from looking for creative workarounds, however, including the launch of products and events designed to get consumers "interested" in the possibility of mixing cannabis and alcohol. This past year saw several events in Toronto that broached this territory, including a cannabis expo that showcased weed-inspired cocktails and a five-course dinner that paired dishes with cannabis terpenes — essential oils that contain the aroma of specific weed strains. Since cannabis was still illegal at the time, guests didn't consume any cannabis, they just smelled the terpenes from vials that were passed around. After the legislation takes effect, events such as these will inevitably become more hands-on, offering people a chance to sample actual cannabis — as in the get-you-high kind, with all the active ingredients.

"I think what you're going to see, as of Oct. 17, is an explosion of cannabis events, all of which will be private because you can't sell cannabis unauthorized," says Lisa Campbell, a cannabis advocate who is expanding her family's wine agency, Lifford, to include a "cannabis solutions" branch. "Say you're a bartender and you get hired for a wedding and the clients want a cannabis bar. As long as none of the guests are buying the cannabis from the bar, and you obtained the cannabis legally, and you're within your sharing limits, it should be legal." (Canadians will be legally allowed to share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults after Oct. 17.)

In preparation for a potentially weed-infused future, some stakeholders are launching weed education programs for hospitality industry professionals. Both George Brown College and the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers are working on developing courses that could, one day, lead to certifications for servers and sommeliers that specialize in cannabis. The programs would cover two main areas — the flavour profiles associated with different strains and promoting knowledge about responsible cannabis use, especially when it's mixed or paired with alcohol. Even though we're a long way from legal weed-tinis in bars, there's nothing stopping people from experimenting with cannabis cocktails at home.

"You know, I've seen people pass out at bars because they stepped out back for a joint and then came back in and it hit them like a ton of bricks," says Christopher Wilton, a Peterborough, Ont.-based sommelier and educator who worked on that aforementioned five-course, terpene-pairing dinner this summer.

"We know that alcohol is a depressant and some of the cannabis strains can also act as depressants, so it's not really something that I would recommend anyone try at home or, you know, to at least try very carefully. There's a lot to be said for microdosing."

(Microdosing is the practice of administering tiny amounts of cannabis — a practice that many anticipate will be the preferred method of wading in for new cannabis users, with or without alcohol.)

There will be people who push the envelope, however. One cannabis advocate told us that the "green dragon" — a weed-infused cocktail — was available off-menu to people in the know who asked discreetly at a couple of Toronto bars several years ago, noting that they contained cannabinoids and could get you "messed up." There are also recipes for similar "green dragon" drinks, as well as other cannabis cocktails online and in at least one popular book designed for home enthusiasts, but critics have charged that the recommended doses in some recipes are way out of line, bordering on dangerous.

That's part of the rationale for delaying the introduction of legal "edibles" (cannabis-infused food) and what might be called "drinkables" (non-alcoholic cannabis beverages), which are expected to roll out in a later stage of the legalization of cannabis — likely in the summer of 2019. Big wine, liquor and beer companies including Constellation Brands, Diageo and Molson-Coors are banking on it, since they're already diversifying their portfolios and investing in cannabis facilities. Lifford, a far smaller company than the others mentioned, is researching possibilities for producing and representing artisanal beverages made from "craft cannabis" products, anticipating a niche demand for options that aren't made by mega-brands.

"How cool would it be to have a cannabis-infused kombucha?" says Campbell. "Or something like a sparkling hop water, except it would be made by extracting cannabis oil instead of hops and combining it with sparkling water, kind of like a cannabis version of a La Croix."

While we wait for that, the most gentle introduction to the brave new world of cannabis cocktails is actually already here in the form of Mary Jane's Premium Hemp Gin — a product that's been available through the LCBO's e-commerce program for nearly two years. Made in British Columbia, this outlier is a hemp-infused gin, containing no THC or CBD (the active ingredients in cannabis that make people high). Like many of the other lifestyle products and events, it's really about introducing people to the flavour. And it may soon come in vodka form, too, since, the LCBO is considering selling Humboldt's Finest Vodka, an award-winning, hemp seed-infused spirit from California's Humboldt County —an area famous for its high-quality craft cannabis. And, even if the LCBO passes on Humboldt's Finest, plans are being made to bring it into Ontario through Eurovintage, a private agent who will be able to sell it by the case.

Possibly even in time for all the city's bud-tenders and home weed-cocktail enthusiasts to celebrate the events of Oct. 17. But, given that anything available through the LCBO or bars will be THC-free, we're definitely talking baby steps and half measures.

But, given the risks involved and the learning curve we're all going to have when it comes to mixing up weed-tinis, that's probably just as well.

Toronto-based Christine Sismondo writes about spirits.