https://www.bccraftfarmerscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FINAL-FORMAT-Summit-launch-1-5.pdf
April 16, 2025 (Victoria, British Columbia) – With challenges facing the provincial economy as a result of new U.S. tariffs, BC craft cannabis farmers have identified a series of policy proposals to help the BC government diversify our economy, leverage strengths, create sustainable jobs and government revenue opportunities.
Meeting in Victoria for the 2025 BC Craft Cannabis Summit, the BC Craft Farmers Co-Op (BCCFC) is participating in meetings around the provincial Legislature April 16-20. A South Island tourism showcase is planned for April 19 before a permitted 4/20 celebration at the BC Legislature.
“Our members join the Premier in denouncing the illegal tariffs introduced by the U.S President,” said BCCFC President Tara Kirkpatrick. “With new duties on softwood lumber, escalating provincial deficits, declining forestry revenue, inter-provincial trade barriers and two credit rating downgrades, these are difficult times for the BC economy. The time has come to diversify the BC economy, embrace BC’s strong cannabis legacy and seize a more significant share of the national and international cannabis market for BC craft farms.”
Global cannabis sales are expected to exceed $500 billion for the first time in 2025. The U.S. cannabis tourism market is estimated at $17 billion. Without any promotion or coordinated strategy, cannabis contributes over $2 billion to the BC economy each year. It could be more.
“BC’s licenced cannabis industry can anchor rural economies, create thousands of stable jobs and generate much needed government revenues,” said Walker Patton, Chief Commercial Officer for Woody Nelson and Co-founder of the BC Cannabis Alliance. “Despite many advantages, this world-renown BC agriculture sector is languishing under excessive taxation and with no incentives to expand operations or create new jobs. The province must act quickly to create a new regulatory and economic framework that can support a thriving BC cannabis industry.”
Building on recent improvements to the federal Cannabis Act that will allow BC craft farmers to quadruple their production and processing capacity, 2025 Summit delegates are proposing five (5) actions the BC government can take within the next 90 days to support sector growth:
- Remove unfair 15% provincial direct delivery “proprietary fee”
- Reduce unfair $7,500 farm gate licencing fees
- Permit responsible consumption within production retail settings for sampling and tourism
- Reinvest portion of cannabis tax revenue to introduce a BC Cannabis Jobs Tax Credit and Innovation Fund
- Enable farm status for cannabis and remove Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) exemptions
The 2025 BC Craft Cannabis Summit’s theme is Legacy Meets the Legislature. BCCFC has hosted an annual cannabis Summit with community partners since 2022. After two sold out events in Kelowna (2022, 2023), BCCFC hosted BC’s first legal cannabis street party last year in Prince George.
Registered in BC under the BC Co-Operatives Act, BCCFC was established in 2020 to help BC’s world-leading craft cannabis farmers transition to the legal market, maintain BC’s internationally recognized cannabis brand and ensure consumers have access to high-quality, locally grown cannabis in the legal market.
BCCFC members include licensed BC craft cannabis farmers, processors, independent retailers and medical producers. Among other things, BCCFC organizes networking activities and leverages the experience of members to inform federal, provincial and local government cannabis policies.
Contact: Tara Kirkpatrick 778.239.5350
Backgrounder: BC Craft Cannabis Sector Growth Proposals
Follow 2025 BC Craft Cannabis Summit updates and the Road Back to Legacy at:
https://www.instagram.com/bccraftfarmerscoop
BACKGROUNDER: BC Craft Cannabis Sector Growth Proposals
With challenges facing the provincial economy as a result of new U.S. tariffs, BC craft cannabis farmers have identified a series of policy proposals to help the BC government diversify our economy, leverage strengths, create sustainable jobs and government revenue opportunities.
Building on recent improvements to the federal Cannabis Act that will allow BC craft farmers to quadruple their production and processing capacity, 2025 BC Craft Cannabis Summit representatives propose five (5) actions the BC government can take within the next 90 days to support sector growth and embrace BC’s rich cannabis legacy:
TAXES and FEES
- Remove Unfair 15% “Proprietary Fee” for Direct Delivery
By eliminating this fee, BC can achieve the original goal of the Direct Delivery program. This is not just an economic imperative, but a matter of fairness. We must support the smaller craft producers who form the backbone of BC’s globally recognized reputation for quality cannabis.
- Lower Unfair Farm Gate Licensing Fees to Align with Other Agricultural Sectors
A fair and consistent fee structure will support rural businesses and enable BC producers to compete globally and create unique and innovative tourism opportunities. The $7,500 application fee for a cannabis Production Retail Store license is 13x higher than that of a winery or brewery.
RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION
- Permit Indoor Consumption within Licensed Production Retail Stores
Despite broad support for cannabis consumption spaces, regulations effectively prevent the consumption of cannabis indoors. An exemption for licensed Production Retail Stores would provide licensed producers with a small space where customers could sample and purchase products, just as they would on a tour of a winery or craft brewery.
Invest in BC’s World-Class Craft Farmers, Processors and Nurseries
- Return a Portion of BC Tax Revenue
The BC government has collected more than $400 million in cannabis tax revenue since legalization. To diversify the economy, build sector capacity and create jobs across the province, BCCFC proposes a portion of this be reinvested back into BC’s craft cannabis to support three strategic initiatives:
- Introduce a BC Cannabis Jobs Tax Credit – Support a BC Cannabis Jobs Tax Credit that will let BC’s cannabis industry hire some much-needed employees. This reinvestment would bring stability to our industry while creating skilled, stable jobs in rural communities across the province.
- Establish a Cannabis Innovation & Agri-Tech Fund – Modelled after the Innovate BC Fund, this targeted reinvestment would drive critical innovation in sustainable cultivation, agricultural technology and manufacturing, positioning BC as a global leader and generating sustainable economic growth across the province.
- Cannabis Production, Manufacturing & Processing Grants – Access to capital for expansion is one of the biggest hurdles for craft producers. Expanding provincial economic development grants and loans to include cannabis cultivation and processing projects would change this.
With the federal government’s recent decision to quadruple production and processing caps for craft farmers, we recommend expanding the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund to support micro-cannabis producers and cannabis product manufacturers who are building or expanding facilities, labs and value-add operations.
CANNABIS as AGRICULTURE
- Enable Farm Status and Remove Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) Exemptions
Integrate cannabis fully into standard ALR farm-use benefits. This includes enabling agritourism opportunities, equitable tax classifications, and streamlined licensing pathways comparable to other crops. Such alignment would stimulate rural economies, uphold the integrity of the Agricultural Land Reserve, and support a more balanced, sustainable agricultural sector in British Columbia.
Allow Cannabis farmers on ALR land to participate in cannabis-related agritourism. Removing the “Farm Status” exemption for cannabis means that licensed growers will be able to access the same benefits as other farms, including tax benefits (e.g. property tax) and preferred rates (e.g. natural gas).
Registered in BC under the BC Co-Operatives Act, BCCFC was established in 2020 to help BC’s world-leading craft cannabis farmers transition to the legal market, maintain BC’s internationally recognized cannabis brand and ensure consumers have access to high-quality, locally grown cannabis in the legal market.
BCCFC members include licensed BC craft cannabis farmers, processors, independent retailers and medical producers. Among other things, BCCFC organizes networking activities and leverages the experience of members to inform federal, provincial and local government cannabis policies.
Contact: Tara Kirkpatrick 778.239.5350