Health Canada Applications
This is our sweet spot. Our expertise in the trenches will ensure
your application is moved to the top of the list.
Health Canada will not license an individual to grow cannabis for resale to consumers as a small business. While technically an individual could apply for a cultivation licence with only a few hundred square feet of growing space, in reality Health Canada is not interested in approving such licences. Their limited labour pool for on-site inspections means that they are licensing larger operations (10,000 sqft or higher). Also note that a company can apply for a sale-only licence without having to cultivate their own plants, in a distributor business model.
At present under the ACMPR, the system still allows for what are called “designated growers”, meaning an individual can grow cannabis for a few other individuals and not be subject to the same security, quality or regulatory requirements as a commercial grower. However, the Task Force Report (December 2016) is recommending phasing these out completely.
This means that the only type of cultivation business allowed will be commercial growers. In order to achieve this licence, the application has to convince Health Canada that the applicant is capable of meeting all of the ACMPR requirements. Heavy security system, pharmaceutical level quality assurance program, strict record keeping, production training programs for staff, and a financial business plan that convinces Health Canada that the business has a reasonable chance of succeeding.
Our company has been very involved in the planning stages and application writing for companies wishing to become a licensed producer. We are the only consulting firm in Canada to bring together all of the required expertise to put an entire application together – and our consultants have designed and executed programs and designs for major producers, including Tweed, 7 Acres, Peace Naturals and Prairie Plant Systems.
Our approach is to engage our client on fundamental planning but take care of all of the application materials and initial staff recruitment.
How It Works
Our firm can prepare an application within two to three months on average (depending on industry demand), after which we manage all communication with Health Canada on our client’s behalf. The initial and enhanced screening of the application occurs within the first four to six months, after which Health Canada conducts a security background check on the key people named in the file. Assuming there are no criminal concerns with the individuals in the application, Health Canada conducts their final review four to six months later, and should the paper application satisfy their requirements, they will request an inspection.
At this stage, the applicant can defer the inspection until they have renovated/built their facility, or can hold this Pre-Licence Inspection (PLI) Our firm assists in all areas of the licensing cycle. Health Canada will inspect the security and quality programs of the facility in person, and if they are satisfied with the inspection they will issue a cultivation licence. After the first harvest and inspections to follow, they will issue a licence allowing the company to sell to consumers.
Health Canada usually has monthly on-site inspections for every licensed producer in Canada, which means not only is it crucial to get approved, but to stay approved. CCI will be present post-licence and assist in training and monitoring the LP’s key programs.