The Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is hosting its Canadian Cannabis Leadership Summit 2024 in Ottawa on Tuesday, October 1.
The half-day event will take place at the National Arts Center (NAC) in Ottawa near Parliament Hill, with four panels from 1:00-5:00 pm focussed on issues facing the industry.
Those panels will include an in-depth conversation about the excise duty and its impacts on the industry, with C3 calling for a 10% ad valorem rate to replace the $1 a gram rate. A second panel will explore the need for a single national excise stamp. The third and fourth panels will focus on reducing the overall regulatory burden and the need for industry to come up with a standard “unit” of THC.
C3 president Paul McCarthy, who has been busy reinvigorating the organization since taking on the position in April, says he’s bringing together topics and speakers that reflect the most pressing issues the industry currently faces.
“There are a number of goals associated with this conference. I think it is important to establish the Canadian Cannabis Council not just as a trusted voice in this industry but as the trusted voice. To do that, we need to be leading the conversation, and doing so in a responsible and credible manner. That requires taking on the tough issues by bringing together the leading experts, be it in cannabis, mental health, finance, or whatever discipline is needed. That is how you advance the conversation. And if you look at our panels, you’ll see precisely that.”
Speakers include Beena Goldenberg, CEO, Organigram; Orville Bovenschen, President, Pure Sunfarms; David Lobo, CEO, Ontario Cannabis Store; Dr. Mark Ware, Director, Allan Edwards Pain Management Unit; Gillian Schauer, Executive Director, US Cannabis Regulators Association; and, Barry Katzman, Managing Director, Peak Processing.
“Job number one,” continues McCarthy, “is about the financial viability of licensed producers. That is why two of the four panels we are hosting are on the excise duty rate and the excise stamp. These represent our top two issues. We want to bring these conversations to the doorstep of Parliament so that there is broader awareness and understanding and so that everyone is clear on what we are asking for.”
McCarthy says he has plans for C3 to host more events of this kind in the next year. Keeping events like this to just a few panels not only reflects the busy nature of the industry, he explains, but also recognizes that the politicians and policymakers they are also speaking with have busy schedules and many competing priorities.
“We are hosting this over an afternoon because we feel that’s the most effective way to do it: be laser-focused on the top priorities. You cover less width but get more depth. And then people are really clear about what is important to you and why. Of course, in this instance, change to the excise tax is imperative if we are to have financial viability for licensed producers. It’s the top issue by far.”
More information on the Canadian Cannabis Leadership Conference is available here.
