“Propaganda, the Formation of Man’s Attitudes” is the brilliant work of the French philosopher Jacques Ellul. Written in 1965, Ellul offers us disturbing and painful insight into the mechanics of propaganda, insights that are today even more indispensable to understanding our world. In the ‘digital era’ the Internet has made propaganda easier, faster, more efficiently confusing than ever before.
Propaganda becomes a necessity of the modern era
In a world of disequilibrium, disconnected from primordial metaphysical principles, a world that condemns contemplative introspection and thrives on speed and change, propaganda becomes a necessity according to Jacques Ellul. With no meaningful understanding of our place in this world and our connection within the greater cosmos, modern man needs endless propaganda — as Ellul says, “to help us face our condition.” If we did not feel this lack, if we were in harmony with the Cosmic Laws that govern our universe, we would have no need for propaganda. Neither would we feel compelled to read the endless often absurd, explanations that conspiracy websites provide that over time on reflection amount to little or nothing of any real value.
Propaganda and likewise these ‘insider’ websites that claim to explain everything, only exist because we need them. Ellul explains that this need for propaganda is practically universal in modern civilization and increases as any country “progresses toward civilization.” This need for propaganda is intrinsic to the current digital era. We have left the industrial era and now live in a Technological Digital Age. I often wonder if all colonized planets go through these stages.
The Mix of truth & Lies
As a subtle yet effective form of propaganda, conspiracy websites serve to distract, to defuse anger and frustration that stem from the despair of a profound sense of helplessness in our Digital Era, which is marked by an obsession with quantity in the twilight days of the Kali Yuga.
Conspiracy websites pretend to give their readers the ‘insider’s truth’ however, in fact are a myriad mix of manufactured confused and confusing information that deludes, giving the reader a false sense of participation in decisions that are being made without his or her knowledge and consent. The reader is often left feeling cynical, filled with distrust, and impotent — thus rendered ineffectual and non-intrusive. Distracted in this manner, the real players are left free to rule. Haven’t you ever wondered why these websites are allowed to thrive in our western culture?
Fear as a business
Fear based insecurities are the biggest component. Ellul: “Propaganda is the manipulation of the subconscious by technical means…hypermodern police methods…have as their end the establishment of a ‘neurotic complex’ based in feelings of insecurity. Our technical world not only creates these feelings spontaneously, it develops them with malice aforethought for technical reasons and by technical means which, in their action on the human being, reinforce the structures of that technical world.”
Technology has rendered us disconnected from the eternal Real, from any understanding of Dharma and is symptomatic of this cycle of time. We exist in a perpetual state of disequilibrium. Technology has moved from the machine to the digital era. Digital simply means numbers, quantity, not quality. Our lives have been reduced to digits, numbers, quantities and what cannot be quantified is of no value. Only that which can be perceived by the five-senses is taken to be real, thus the material world is the only real world. The laws of matter are based on numbers and “spiritual power is in no way based on numbers…all true knowledge is based in an intuitive intellect (buddhi in Sanskrit) — and the identification with its object. [Rene Guenon]”
Rene Guenon: “Absorbed by action to the point of denying everything that lies beyond it, they do not see that this action itself degenerates, from the absence of any principle, into an agitation as vain as it is sterile. This indeed is the most conspicuous feature of the modern period: need for ceaseless agitation, for unending change, and for ever-increasing speed…It is dispersion into multiplicity that is no longer unified by consciousness of any higher principle…an ever more pronounced materialization…all that proceeds from matter can beget only strife and conflict…”
Integrity
Human life has ceased to be an integral whole, and has become “a disconnected set of activities having no other bond…Today the human being is dissociated from the essence of life. Instead of living time, we are split up and parceled out by it. [J. Ellul]” Our lives are measured by the machine, by technology, and by a tsunami of ‘apps’ that leave us even more isolated and powerless. Helpless, we watch the children mesmerized by hand-held devices that offer them only momentary relief from an endless cauldron of confusion. The Kali Yuga is the Age of Confusion and Conflict indeed.
Consumption is not Wisdom
Jacques Ellul: “The disequilibrium between the traditional affirmation and the new criterion has produced the climate of anxiety and insecurity characteristic of our epoch and of our neuroses…The human being does not feel at home in the collective atmosphere…” Thus we need techniques, propaganda, entrainment, self-help books, seminars, and conspiracy websites to “calm our fears, and reshape our heart and brain.” We need to be indoctrinated in insidious ways into mass consciousness, the herd, and as Ellul says, this “entails a tremendous effort of psychic mutation.”
We feel helpless. Without the high-priced indoctrination that takes place in our major universities to literally pre-educate the elite and make them true believers in the current technological paradigms, which are based in matter, consumption and power — we can never have any influence. Ellul makes the harsh point that the problems of global politics and economics are in fact over our heads. What can we actually know? These complexities involve “choice and decisions that demand maturity, knowledge, and a range of information” that we simply do not and cannot have. Can any of us really have useful opinions on foreign policies. Certainly military decisions have always been and must remain in the realms of utmost secrecy. If they don’t want the enemy to know, why would they tell the public?
Cyberwar
In wartime, secrecy is not questioned, accepted. Many of us believe our opinions can prevent war, but as you may have noticed — we are already at war. The very technology that claims to transform our lives into a Utopian paradise has thrust us into global cyberwars. Once lauded as miraculous conveniences, online access for our banking, shopping, medical services, etc. has left us more vulnerable than ever. These days, cyberspace is like walking down a dark alley and this vulnerability to criminal hackers is not ultimately fixable.
Our insecurities have multiplied with every advance in technology that initially promised to make our lives better. We are more alienated from an integral harmony with our universe and trapped in an ever-increasing sense of disequilibrium, disharmony. Seeking answers, we turn to conspiracy websites with their half-truths and so-called ‘insider’ information no matter how absurd these reports may be. The more absurd the better, for as Ellul brutally says, at least this gives us the illusion of participation and most of us prefer to express “stupidities to not expressing any opinion.” In our desperation to participate, we are ready “to accept a propaganda that will permit them to participate and which hides their incapacity beneath explanations, judgments, and news, enabling them to satisfy their desire without eliminating their incompetence.”
“…a corps of men who do nothing but study the ways and means of changing minds or binding minds to their convictions.”
Alex Carey: “The common man…has never been so confused, mystified and baffled. His most intimate conceptions of himself, of his needs, and indeed the very nature of human nature, have been subject to skilled manipulation and construction in the interests of corporate efficiency and profit…propaganda has become a profession. The modern world is busy developing a corps of men who do nothing but study the ways and means of changing minds or binding minds to their convictions.”
The people who are actually in power know how these conspiracy websites work in their favor. They have read all the books on propaganda, including Jacques Ellul, Edward Bernays and others. They know how it works and how ‘true-believer’ websites can distract and divert unwanted anger and energy that might be problematic for them. Thus these websites are allowed to thrive — perhaps they are even in fact created and supported by a ministry of propaganda think-tank.
We helpless individuals, who realize we have no control over decisions that are profoundly altering our lives on every level —— economic, environmental, and political — are driven to despair. We require what Ellul calls “an ideological veil” to blunt this harsh reality and propaganda found in any ‘insider’ conspiracy website offers “a remedy for a basically intolerable situation.” My intuition tells me these websites are actually being used to refine techniques and make indoctrination through subtle insidious propaganda even more effective, to calm the “bewildered herds” as Edward Bernays would say.
Propaganda: The Formation of Men’s Attitudes, by Jacques Ellul, 1965; Vintage Books, NY, 1973.
“The theme of Propaganda is quite simply…that when our new technology encompasses any culture or society, the result is propaganda…Ellul has made many splendid contributions in this book.” — Marshall McLuhan, Book Week
The Technological Society, by Jacques Ellul, 1954; Vintage Books, 1964.
The Crisis of the Modern World, Rene Guenon, 1946; Sophia Perennis, Hillsdale NY, 2001.
The Reign of Quantity & the Signs of the Times, by Rene Guenon, 1945; Sophia Perennis, Hillsdale NY, 2001.
***
The Mechanics of the Kali Yuga, our current Age of Confusion Taking the Risk out of Democracy: Corporate Propaganda versus Freedom and Liberty
Lawmakers from various states in the United States joined in the celebration of the 4/20 cannabis holiday on Saturday, April 20, 2024, adding their support to the growing movement for cannabis reform. While this day has traditionally been a time festivities within the marijuana community, it has also become a platform for politicians to advocate for further reform, reflecting the increasing bipartisan backing for the issue.
In the lead-up to 4/20, members of Congress and advocates intensified their efforts to promote reform. This included calls for full legalization and proposals to enable banks to engage with state-regulated cannabis businesses. Representative Earl Blumenauer, cochair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, expressed optimism that this year’s 4/20 could mark a turning point in marijuana policy.
Across the country, lawmakers seized the opportunity to discuss cannabis policy, highlighting the significant shift in public perception from viewing marijuana as a taboo subject to recognizing it as a normalized aspect of society.
President Joseph Biden emphasized the need to end the imprisonment of individuals for marijuana possession, acknowledging the disproportionate impact on lives, while Vice President Kamala Harris echoed this sentiment, advocating for a shift in the nation’s approach to cannabis and reforming the justice system.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of reintroducing the Marijuana Administration and Opportunity Act, aiming to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and address the harms of the drug wars. Representative Nancy Mace highlighted the widespread public backing for responsible marijuana reform and urged Congress to prioritize the preferences of their constituents. She advocated for the States Reform Act, which empowers states to lead marijuana reform efforts while safeguarding veterans and children.
Other lawmakers, including Representatives Cori Bush and Pramila Jayapal, called for the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis, emphasizing the need to redress the disproportionate impact of the war against drugs on marginalized communities.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy celebrated the second anniversary of adult-use cannabis sales in his state, highlighting the growth of dispensaries and the positive impact on the local economy.
This year’s 4/20 festivities coincide with heightened anticipation regarding potential federal marijuana reform, as the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under President Biden’s directive issued in 2022, is currently reviewing marijuana rescheduling. There is speculation that the DEA may recommend moving marijuana from Schedule I to III of the CSA, a move that would not federally legalize cannabis but is nonetheless eagerly awaited by industry stakeholders, including major cannabis companies such as Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), since that rescheduling is expected to have major ramifications for the trajectory of the industry.
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Decibel Cannabis generated a net loss of $1.8 million in 2023, from $177 million in net sales, with adjusted net income of $8 million, according to its most recently released financial report.
The cannabis producer reported that its net revenue for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, was $27.7 million and $116 million, respectively.
These figures represent an 8% and 46% increase from the same reporting periods in 2022, driven largely by increased demand for cannabis derivative products, the expansions of Decibel’s manufacturing capacity, the launch of the brand’s Vox and General Admission Edibles, and branded sales to Israel.
Adjusted EBITDA for the same period was $5.1 million and $25.9 million, respectively, a decrease of 34% and an increase of 49% over the comparative periods.
Decibel’s net recreational sales in Canada for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, were $24.8 million and $105.8 million, respectively, an increase of 15% and 54% over the same reporting periods in 2022.
International sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, were $1.4 million and $3.7 million, respectively, compared to $1.9 million in the three and twelve month comparative periods for 2022.
The company also notes that its sales into the Israel market may be impacted by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and domestic challenges in Israel, such as possible measures to curb international shipments of cannabis to the country.
Decibel recently signed a supply agreement with a new Israel cannabis company, with the potential for an annual commitment of 1,000 kg of cannabis.
The company also reports that an Israeli customer defaulted on its payments for cannabis, leading Decibel to provision $1.6 million of receivables, which it is currently pursuing.
In March of 2024, Decibel expanded its export footprint when it completed its first cannabis export to Australia and says it has received its first purchase order for vapes to be exported to Australia.
Decibel operates three facilities: one in Creston, BC, one in Battleford, SK, and one in Calgary, AB.
The company has entered into supply agreements for derivative products with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), the Ontario Cannabis Retail Association (OCRA), the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Board (BCLDB), the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation (MBLL), and Cannabis New Brunswick. Decibel is also registered as a cannabis supplier in Saskatchewan.
Decibel has two cannabis derivative product brands, Pressed by Quest and General Admission. It also has four dried cannabis brands, two positioned as premium brands, Qwest and Qwest Reserve, and two positioned as core-segment and value-segment brands, Blendcraft by Qwest and General Admission.
The company sold its control of cannabis retail chain Prairie Records to Fire and Flower Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of 2759054 Ontario Inc. d.b.a. FIKA, for $3 million. Prairie Records has six cannabis retail stores in operation in Saskatchewan and Alberta, three in each province.
Earlier this month, BC-based We Grow BC Ltd and Alberta-based Westleaf Labs, now operating as Decibel Cannabis, filed a notice of civil claim in a BC Supreme Court for $834,901, arguing that BC-based Seven Elk Shipping’s actions resulted in the seizure of their product by US border officials.
“The Company’s fourth quarter financial results delivered another year of growth across all metrics and I look forward to working with the team to continue to build on this success,” said Benjamin Sze, Decibel’s new Chief Executive Officer.
ByBrenda Sawatzky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Niverville Citizen
For the first time since cannabis was legalized in 2018, adult recreational users in Manitoba will have the green light to grow their own plants for personal use.
“Manitoba will now align with federal legislation on cannabis by allowing people to grow up to four plants per residence,” said Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe in a press release. “This amendment is a direct response to Manitoba consumers and was one of our campaign promises. This bill will provide Manitobans the opportunity to grow their own cannabis as long as it is done in a safe and secure way. The regulatory framework will prioritize public safety, with a focus on protecting youth and ensuring cannabis plants are not accessible to young people.”
The soon-to-be-introduced amendments to the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act will leave Quebec as the only province with a ban on homegrown recreational cannabis.
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According to Wiebe, the legislative changes won’t come into effect until the province has established adequate safety and security requirements for growing cannabis at home.
“I want to emphasize that, as we implement these changes, the safety of the public, and particularly of young people, is paramount,” Wiebe said.
The ban on homegrown plants was originally enacted under the Progressive Conservative government. They initiated a fine of $2,542 for those caught breaking the law. Between 2019 and 2023, 13 people have been charged according to the Winnipeg Police Service.
The not-for-profit organization TobaGrown, founded by Jesse Lavoie, has been challenging the law since it came into effect. In two court cases, one in 2020 and another in 2023, the ruling was upheld.
Premier Wab Kinew has long voiced his opposition to the laws banning homegrown product. He made it a part of his election campaign in 2023.
“We are incredibly pleased with the Manitoba government’s decision to bring our laws into alignment with the federal Cannabis Act and the rest of the country,” says Lavoie. “It’s been a long journey for us at TobaGrown to reach this point and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the Manitoba cannabis community. Thank you, Premier Kinew and the Manitoba government.”
Stoners are not as lazy and unmotivated as stereotypes suggest, according to new U of T Scarborough research
April 29, 2024 By Neuroscience News
The study, published by the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, surveyed chronic cannabis users to see what effect getting high has on their everyday lives.
“There is a stereotype that chronic cannabis users are somehow lazy or unproductive,” says Michael Inzlicht, a professor in the Department of Psychology at U of T Scarborough who led the study.
“We found that’s not the case — their behaviours might change a bit in the moment while they’re high, but our evidence shows they are not lazy or lacking motivation at all.”
While Ontario residents were busy celebrating New Year’s, a new regulation took effect, allowing single companies to operate up to 150 recreational cannabis retail stores, double the previous number of 75. With almost 1,800 cannabis Retail Store Authorizations issued, Ontario has the largest retail distribution in Canada by a wide margin, and that of course excludes the Ontario Cannabis Store’s online sales platform. Changes in Ontario retail affect the whole country, as all licensed producers can potentially sell into Canada’s largest and most valuable market. Much of the speculation about the new policy suggests that there will be further consolidation of the province’s cannabis retail sector. If that’s so, how will this development affect the cannabis industry, particularly independent retailers, and consumers?
Independents are already challenged to compete on price against chains, especially in the value cannabis segment, where the business model is set on delivering your high at the lowest price.With their economies of scale and broader reach, chains are better positioned to sell at low margins, although that doesn’t necessarily translate into success as the closure of retail chain Fire and Flower attests.
Tellingly, though, the defunct chain’s 90 stores were acquired by Fika Cannabis, another chain that already operated 22 stores in the province, plus brands Friendly Stranger and Firebird Delivery.
Then too, Canadian retail prices seem to have reached a floor as store numbers have stagnated, making price compression a fact of life for everyone in the business. Low prices and sluggish growth mean tight competition for market share. With broader name recognition and accessibility than independents, chains bring recognizable store brands to the battle, which is important in a marketplace where LPs are hampered in branding their products, thanks to federal advertising and packaging restrictions.
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Smaller retailers are also crying foul over alleged data deals where some LPs offer payments for bulk product purchases and preferred placements as part of these arrangements. While buying data is permitted, deals that require proprietary shelf positioning and large inventory buys are not, according to guidelines by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It’s difficult to know how well prohibitions on such inducements are being enforced, however, as complaints persist.
Some industry participants see an opportunity for independents and small chains to offload their assets to larger operations. But consultants brought in to help sell stores report that many owners struggle to find a buyer, and if they sell it’s often at a loss. Of course, stores with strong cashflow in good locations may choose not to sell, but there’s not much preventing a chain from opening nearby to try to muscle them out. Independent specialty stores and small chains with loyal clientele will likely continue in the retail ecosystem but these operators will need to compete by selling products closely matched to their customers’ preferences. “Certain clientele appreciates and, in fact, prefer their independent neighbourhood stores [over larger chains], particularly if they are able to curate their products to meet local demand. However, with all retailers buying from the same wholesaler, differentiating themselves is not always an easy task” according to cannabis consultant, David Wasserman of DW Regulatory Solutions.
Retail takeovers may not be the only game in town, though. Grocery giant Loblaws is said to be lobbying the Ontario government to allow cannabis sales in supermarkets. My sense is that their gambit won’t succeed in the same way that beer and wine is presently being sold in stores. While beverage alcohol is also a restricted product, it doesn’t carry the same stigma as cannabis, nor is it prohibited from viewing by minors. There may come a day when cannabis is sold more openly—for example, TV ads for online gambling sites are now seen by everyone – but casino gambling and tobacco remain hidden from public view.
Business consultant and publisher of Cannabis Management Review, Mitchell Osak, remarked in a recent interview that grocery’s business model may be ill-suited to cannabis retail. As Osak noted, you can’t display or merchandise it in-store as you would offer cheese samples. The grocery model is also heavily price-driven, requiring grocers to buy food in bulk and turn it over quickly. Will there be enough wiggle room on prices? Hard to say, Osak admits. There is an option for grocers like Loblaws to get involved, however, with an approach similar to how specialty tobacconists operate. While Loblaws is unable to openly sell specialty tobacco items inside its stores, they are permitted to run adjacent stores under a different corporation with a separate entrance. Provided such an outlet complied with all existing requirements, it could be branded and operated in ways consistent with current legislation.
In addition to such developments, the Ontario government has shown a willingness to upend retail more generally. During the pandemic it allowed the creation of private bottle shops for wine and beer, and recently announced it will not renew its long-standing agreement with the Beer Store, allowing convenience stores, gas stations, big box outlets and more supermarkets to sell wine and beer and set their own prices. The roles of the Beer Store and LCBO will change, focusing on bottle recycling and wholesale distribution respectively. The LCBO will remain the sole vendor of spirits but will compete with a growing number and widening field of low-alcohol purveyors to include an estimated 8,500 locations.
Even Service Ontario, the government offices providing motor licences and health cards, is being re-imagined.On February 3, 2024, six service centres opened in Staples Canada stores and three more are coming later this year. Ontario has already formed retail partnerships with Canadian Tire, IDA, and Home Hardware. The three-year Staples pilot is projected to save $1 million while providing customers expanded parking and longer operating hours. Could this model be adapted for cannabis sales, perhaps in the health products category?
It may be too early to know exactly how changes to cannabis retail will play out, but it’s likely that the sector will look quite different in a few years than it does today. And if these changes lead to stronger sales and a greater share for legal retailers, producers, and government it will be difficult to argue against.After all, it wasn’t so long ago that one had to fill out a paper slip to purchase beverage alcohol from behind the counter and buy bags of “grass” from illicitdealers.
Denis Gertleris a regulatory consultant, board member and former government regulator.
Earlier this week, Missouri’s AG began investigations in a bid to limit intoxicating hemp products. The issue, according to Attorney General Andrew Bailey, is products such as delta-8 vape pens and edibles, which aren’t labeled clearly for consumers.
In his press release, the attorney general stated that people in Missouri had a right to know if the products they were buying had any serious or possibly dangerous side effects, such as hallucinations, severe confusion and psychotic episodes.
Intoxicating products made from hemp are unregulated. Despite this, they are still sold in places such as gas stations and bars because hemp is legal at the federal level. This has prompted many to call for the state to impose age restrictions on these products, along with testing and labelling requirements.
Two GOP legislators have proposed measures to do this. However, these measures would also ban most of the hemp products on the market, which would put many companies out of business. To help with this, the attorney general issued subpoenas to a number of companies, including CBD Kratom Connect LLC.
This company is different from CBD Kratom, which has more than 60 retail locations throughout St. Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, Dallas and Chicago. Many players in the hemp industry say that they have never heard of CBD Kratom Connect. Many others add that it has no online presence, which shows that it is operating in Missouri.
It should be noted that CBD Kratom Connect has no links to CBD Kratom, as stated by David Palatnik, CBD Kratom’s owner. During the investigation’s hearings, Palatnik spoke in favor of banning products that were made to appeal to underage individuals, which is exactly what the AG hopes to address.
In his statement, Palatnik said that packaging made to be attractive to kids violated federal laws, noting that his company ensured all products had transparent labels. He then added that he opposed the bill proposed in the state’s general assembly mainly because of the negative impact it could have on legal hemp businesses.
In addition to the aforementioned LLC, the attorney general also ordered investigations be made into American Shaman, which is one of the biggest intoxicating hemp companies in the country. The company’s owner, Vince Sanders, stated in a recent interview that while the company made chocolates and gummies with THC derived from hemp, all products were sold in childproof containers, as required by state law for cannabis products.
Sanders, who is opposed to the proposed measure that would affect hemp businesses, adds that all products were made for individuals aged 21 years and older. He also revealed that in order to purchase products, individuals had to sign forms saying that they understood the products were psychoactive.
It is high time regulatory clarity is provided for THC products extracted from hemp because licensed cannabis companies such as TerrAscend Corp. (TSX: TSND) (OTCQX: TSNDF) may be unfairly losing ground to gray-market actors targeting the same clients that cannabis companies attend to.
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With this year’s outdoor planting season rapidly approaching, home cannabis growers will once again be looking for seeds and clones for their gardens.
Traditionally, many growers begin their seeds around April 20, planning to move them outdoors after the last frost dates in late May or early June.
Those who want to grow monster plants may start as early as possible, while those just growing a few plants on a balcony or in their yard can wait until early June before putting any plants outside. Starting seeds indoors several weeks beforehand and then slowly acclimating them to the outside will help extend your growing season a bit.
Roots on a clone at Hidden Harvest
In Canada, cannabis seeds are available for sale in every province which allows home growing and provides Canadians with ever more choices and varieties. Although seeds are often easily found outside of Canada’s regulated commercial market, through both personal seed-swapping and extra-legal commercial operators, Canadians have begun to have an array of options within the legal market in the last few years.
Several seed producers have a variety of seeds, including autoflower and feminized, for both indoor and outdoor use. Cannabis clones/starts have also become more available in the last few years, with more farmgate stores offering them for customers, as well as some traditional retail outlets.
As an example from one of Canada’s larger provincial markets, BC’s most recent quarterly report shows the number of packages of seeds sold doubled in the past year. However, sales in dollars increased only about 10%, attesting to a greater variety and lower consumer prices.
Collier Quinton at Weathers Islands Craft Cannabis, a cannabis nursery and micro cultivator on Texada Island in BC, says when it comes to outdoor cannabis cultivation in Canada, you want to find genetics that fit your specific northern microclimate.
“You definitely want to choose something that is for Canadian climates. What’s nice about our seeds is that ours are designed for outdoor growing conditions. They are mould resistant, they finish early, and are fairly pest resistant.”
“Our seeds are bred outdoors, so we are using known outdoor winners. We specialize in outdoor, which is important if people want to make sure that the seeds are finished in this climate.”
On the opposite side of the country, Rod Wilson of Hidden Harvest cannabis nursery operates a farmgate store, Klonz, in Moncton, New Brunswick, where they have been supplying clones to the local market since 2023.
This year, they are also supplying them to the market in PEI, which is currently offering pre-orders of clones through its provincial stores until May 8.
Tanner Stewart of Stewart Farms, another micro producer with a farmgate store in New Brunswick, is also in his second year of selling clones. It’s been a way to offer even more of a value-add for their customers who make the journey to the farmgate store.
“For a small craft grower with world-class genetics, selling clones allows us to deeply engage with the local growing community,” says Stweart.
“We choose quicker finishing genetics, alongside a range of flavour and cannabinoid profiles. We believe one of the most important things small-scale outdoor growers should look for in their clones is variety. You only get one outdoor season, so why not grow four different strains? In my opinion, nothing teaches you about growing cannabis faster than growing multiple varieties at the same time. In real-time, you get to see the contrast between smell, shape, size, and nutrient demands.”
Cannabis seeds can be purchased in most provincial markets, except for Quebec and Manitoba, which have banned residents from growing cannabis. A bill was recently tabled in Manitoba to repeal the ban but has yet to make its way into law. If and when it does, the province says the MBLL will notify its cannabis supplier network and issue a “call for listing” for cannabis seed products.
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