Craft cannabis farmers push for policy reforms at cannabis summit in Victoria
Recent study says lack of consumption rules is limiting B.C.’s ability to tap into lucrative cannabis tourism
Craft cannabis producers from across British Columbia gathered in Victoria this long weekend for the B.C. Craft Cannabis Summit, calling on the province to implement policy changes they say would bolster the economy, create jobs, and position B.C. as a major player in the global cannabis tourism sector.
The event, which ran through April 16 to 20, comes amid growing economic strain in the province with new U.S. tariffs and weakening forestry revenues. The B.C. Craft Farmers Co-op says the province's $2-billion cannabis sector could help fill the gap.
"With deficits growing and forestry in decline, now is the time to embrace B.C.'s cannabis legacy and fully realize its potential to diversify our economy," the co-op's president Tara Kirkpatrick said in a statement.
The group has laid out five proposed actions the province could take in the next 90 days to support growth, including eliminating a 15 per cent "proprietary fee" on direct delivery sales and reducing the $7,500 farm gate retail licence fee, which allows cannabis producers in B.C. to sell products at a store located at their cultivation site.
Other proposed measures include allowing consumption at retail cannabis farms, and giving cannabis growers equal agricultural status — entitling them to the same tax and program benefits as other farms.
"Cannabis is treated like a crop in every way except for when it comes to farm status in B.C.," said Kim Qvist, director of Life Cycle Botanicals in Nanoose Bay, who attended the summit. "Businesses are being forced to exit. Cannabis has brought in millions in taxes and there's just been zero in support."
The four-day summit wrapped Sunday with a 4/20 celebration outside the B.C. Legislature.
Potential for cannabis tourism in B.C.
In addition to regulatory reform, the summit also spotlighted what some researchers and advocates say is a major missed opportunity: cannabis tourism.
"Cannabis is legal to buy, but there's nowhere legal to consume it in public lounges, sampling rooms or outdoor patios," said Qvist. "It would promote safer use and help reduce the stigma."
With international cannabis sales expected to surpass $500 billion in 2025 and the U.S. cannabis tourism market estimated at $17 billion, she says B.C. risks missing out.
A recent federally funded study by University of Guelph researchers says that the absence of consumption regulations is holding B.C. back.
"If there's anywhere in Canada that should have traction for cannabis tourism, it's Vancouver Island," said Dr. Susan Dupej, co-author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow. "There are farms here. It's a resource just waiting to be leveraged."
But for the sector to flourish, Dupej says the province needs to create "spaces of social consumption"—places where people can legally use cannabis in social settings, much like bars or wine-tasting rooms.
She says cannabis tourism doesn't always have to involve consumption and could include tours, and educational workshops.
Last year's BC Craft Cannabis Summit in Prince George called on the province to develop a cannabis tourism strategy, including a "B.C. Cannabis Trail," — much like the popular B.C. Ale Trail — and temporary consumption licenses for venues and events.
Province says it's listening
In a statement to CBC News, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said B.C. recognizes cannabis as a "key economic growth sector" and is working to support small producers.
"The province has been meeting with industry and has heard about the challenges businesses face and how cannabis can further stimulate B.C.'s economy," the ministry says in the statement . "We are always looking at how we can enhance this growing industry."
The ministry says it's working with the federal government on reforms, including a review of the excise tax, which is impacting the "financial viability of many B.C. producers."
According to the province, cannabis is featured in several 2025 mandate letters with goals to support tourism, agriculture and public safety.
"B.C. has made several changes to provincial regulations and continues to make adjustments that support the legal sector, displace the illicit market, and shift users of illicit cannabis to regulated products, while prioritizing public health and safety."
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With files from CBC On The Island