NEWS RELEASE
Years of advocacy result in micro-cannabis licencing changes that can benefit BC
(March 13, 2025) Prince George, British Columbia/Lheidli T’enneh First Nation – The BC Craft Farmers Co-Op (BCCFC) today welcomed overdue Cannabis Act changes in favour of BC craft cannabis farmers and processors. The federal government has responded to years of advocacy and finally lifted the unfair production and processing limits that were imposed with legalization on craft farmers, processors and nurseries.
Among a list of regulatory improvements announced yesterday, the Health Minister is proposing to increase the amount of cannabis that can be cultivated and/or processed by craft farmers, micro-processors and nurseries by a factor of four. BCCFC has been calling for these unreasonably low limits to be at least doubled for over five years.
“With this change, Canada is finally recognizing the important role craft cannabis farmers and micro processors must play in a successful legal industry,” said BCCFC President Tara Kirkpatrick. “For the full potential of this federal response to be realized, the province must finally invest in BC’s world-famous craft cannabis farmers to help them expand their capacity. By returning a portion of their cannabis tax windfall, BC can incentivize local farmers to fully transition to the legal market, create new jobs and respond to consumer demand for fresh, locally grown cannabis.”
BCCFC members are available for media to discuss these Cannabis Act improvements.
Please find the attached PDF for your reference here.
“More than any other province, BC will benefit from these policy improvements,” said BCCFC Vice-President Richard Willems. “With BC’s global cannabis brand, a four-fold capacity increase means the world’s best craft cannabis farmers, small-scale processors and nurseries have a better chance of surviving an unfair transition to legalization. The federal government has listened. Now we need our provincial government to step up for this unique BC economic development opportunity at this critical time.”
BCCFC thanked Health Minister Mark Holland for making this change and BC Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Weiler (West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky) for his unwavering support. Last April, MP Weiler attended BCCFC’s 2024 Craft Cannabis Summit in Prince George and promised to take the voice of BC’s craft cannabis farmers back to Parliament Hill.
BCCFC also recognized BC MP Alistair McGregor (Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) for his ongoing interest and recognition of BC craft cannabis’ full potential over the years.
In addition to long-awaited increases to micro cannabis production and processing caps, the Cannabis Act changes respond to other policy resolutions supported by BCCFC members and supporters related to packaging, labelling, reduced red tape and security measures.
For more information on these changes, click here for Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 159, Number 6: Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Concerning Cannabis (Streamlining of Requirements).
Contact:
778.239.5350
info@bccraftfarmerscoop.com
Background
Excerpt – Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 158, Number 23: Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Concerning Cannabis (Streamlining of Requirements)
Licencing: Cannabis Regulations
“Feedback from existing licence holders and potential new applicants cite that the current threshold limits for cultivating and processing cannabis for micro-cultivation, micro-processing and nursery licences impede their ability to be competitive and achieve economies of scale.
Therefore, Health Canada is proposing to increase the amount of cannabis that could be cultivated or processed by micro-class licences and nursery licences by a factor of four.
This change would increase the growing area threshold for micro-cultivation licences to 800 m2 and the processing threshold for micro-processing licences to 2 400 kg of dried cannabis or its equivalent. As well, the canopy size for nurseries would increase to 200 m2 and nurseries would be permitted to harvest up to 20 kg of flowering heads.
Increasing the limits for cultivating and processing cannabis could allow for increased economies of scale and more capacity for product development. Increased thresholds may facilitate product diversification for individual micro-class licence holders.”